Dear readers, the chapter you've been waiting for is finally here. I'm so happy with your reviews. I did my best for the previous chapter and it's great you liked it.
Thanks my dearest reviewers:
Hana.
Marik Ishtar Lover.
Startistica
Sapphiet.
The Man With Imagination.
Atem's Lover.
Shadow-fox313.
Darkness Bandit: congratulation my friend, your guess was the closest one. Good job!
Now on with the continuation of Jono's story..
Chapter 12
"The Story P2."
The atmosphere was deadly silent as Yugi, Atem and I waited in the hallways of Domino's Hospital. Anzu had been in the intensive care room for couple of days suffering from blood loss. However, the doctor said that once she gets enough rest and have some of her lost blood back, she would be fine.
Neither of us spoke that much. It was only a few necessary words like "do you want me to grab you a sandwich?" Or "do you want a drink?" And etc.. That was pretty much for our conversations.
I had called Honda the day we brought Anzu here, and he was absolutely panicked thinking that we lost yet another one of our friends. But I assured that it wasn't that serious. Still, he said that he was coming home in the next flight to be by Anzu's side.
To think about it, when Honda finally arrived that day, his face was worn off and he looked fatigued from the nearly sixteen-hour-flight, appearing that he came here straight from the airport, it looked rather amazing. We spent the last eight months since my sister's death avoiding each other, acting like nobody cared or even had any friends, ignoring everything Anzu did so far to bring us back together, up until she was here in the hospital.
She brought us back, despite everything that happened, and we all were sharing the same hopes and fears of her not getting back to us.
When Anzu was finally awake and the doctor said we can see her at last. Atem was standing by the door of her room, hesitating on going inside or not. He was blaming himself for this whole thing, and having me and Honda in the same room for the past couple of days wasn't helping much. He hurt us all beyond repair and specially Anzu who defended him and took care of him, yet he wanted to leave her house when she hurt herself to stop him.
I remember putting my hand reassuringly on Atem's shoulder to give him some emotional support, and he smiled contentedly surprise signs filling his face. Then, Honda came to drag him inside into Anzu's room.
You were there lying on the bed, your back against the headboard as you scanned us with hopeful eyes. Yugi came to hold your hands, checking on you and you assured him that you're positively fine. Then, Honda and I whacked your head together, but not that strong, just to scold you for the stupid thing you did. You only managed to laugh nervously, sticking out your tongue.
It was Atem's turn to approach you, but he was just staring like an idiot at you, his lips parted slightly as he gazed upon your bandaged wrist. You followed his gaze, biting on your lip, guiltiness eating you and so was it for Atem.
But you reached out and he held your hand tentatively, both of your eyes bounded and affectionate. We smiled to you as you two hugged and kissed, asking each other for forgiveness.
Flashback
After breaking the passionate kiss with Anzu, Atem held her dearly in his arms casting a look at his friends, before he started up.
"I know that it's too late to say this. But I'm sorry Jonouchi, Honda, Yugi." His eyes landed on the floor as he felt moisture in them, holding Anzu firmly. "I know that whatever I say things will never be the same anymore after what I've done. And I can't ask you to forgive me, I've done unforgivable things. But please, all I want to ask you is to try and believe that it's not me! I swear that I lose control over myself. It's a curse! I don't know who caused it to me, or what am I supposed to do, but I beg you guys, please understand that I can't stop myself from killing you, and I need you to stay away from me because -"
"Because of nothing! Shut your mouth!" Jono spatted coldly.
"We swore to stay friends and as you said it's a curse it's not you who is doing these stuff so we need to help you." Honda mumbled, nudging Atem by the elbow. Atem was baffled. He threw them surprised glances as they held a thumb-up for him. Anzu raised herself a little bit from his chest to kiss him tenderly as he kissed her back.
"We will never leave you honey..." She whispered lovingly, erasing the few tears he shed with her fingers.
"Atem.. I can't bear to lose you." Yugi said, pushing his wheelchair to approach his brother. "We will find something out. Or we will die trying."
"Jesus Yug, don't make it that dramatic!" Jono whined, holding Yugi by the neck as they laughed together.
"We will stay alive all of us!" Honda assured, pressing his fist against his palm in determination. "So, where's the next opponent?"
The others laughed at Honda, exchanging some comments and glances that reflected how happy they were to have returned back as a team. Atem watched his friends with a thankful expression, feeling his heart flatter by having them beside him. Looking down at his beloved angel that smiled lovingly to him, he kissed her forehead giving a silent promise that he would try to control himself more in the future.
End of flashback
That day we knew that we had to work together again to help Atem get back to normal. Of course, we kept the cheerfulness and fun going on, although we knew that Atem's birthday was coming closer and that there was no sign that we would find a solution.
On the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival on September, we went to see Anzu performing her dances as she was selected to be the main dancer.
The Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai follows the Japanese tradition of being an intense competition between rival pyrotechnic groups. Each group tries to out-do the last, and the result is an incredible variety of fireworks, not just in different colors and patterns, but forming shapes as complicated as Doraemon, Pikachu, or Kanji.
Of course there were like hundreds of people coming to see this great festival and participate, and of course you were so amazingly great dancer that lots of guys left the fireworks and were chasing you like a cat chases a mouse Atem got awfully jealous and he kept you securely with him as you only laughed and assured him that you were only his.
You two shared a dance and we took some pictures, had some ramen and flirted with some foreign tourists -me and Honda of course considering that Yugi was attached.
It was one of the greatest days we had together. We thought that for once we were able to let go and be ourselves, you know. Forgetting anything that occurred in the past.
Reaching the end of the year, we celebrated Christmas in your house because Atem was sick and he stayed in bed. You made us food, drinks, and we had fun, so much fun. But the thought of Atem's approaching birthday still hanged on our minds. The fact that he was all exhausted and had a severe fever meant no good.
Flashback
After the celebration ended, Anzu went to check on Atem after the boys settled in the guest rooms. They refused to leave the house saying that Atem might need something and having a girl alone at home wouldn't help.
She found him on bed, drinking some water before he felt an ache and dropped the glass on the floor. Anzu hurried to him, hugging her to him as he grabbed her fiercly, trying to hide his pained cries from her. But she knew that he was professing himself and that made her anger spark. The others heard the shattering sounds and hurried up to Anzu and Atem's room to check on them, seeing Atem struggling in Anzu's arms, moaning with pain.
"Don't worry you guys, I'm fine." He chocked.
"Stop hiding your pain from me. Do you think I'm stupid?!" Anzu snapped, touching his burning forehead. He placed his hand on top of hers, giving her a small smile.
"It's okay my love, I will be fine." He said.
"It's not okay Atem, we should go to the doctor." Yugi said.
"What would doctors do Yugi? They would say the same thing. I already told you that his body vitals are perfectly fine and that nothing is wrong with him. Something strange is going on." Honda explained.
Jono shoved his hands in his messy hair. "It's the goddamned curse and soon he'll be a mo.." He stopped himself, a puzzled expression crossing his face. The others all froze on the inside, recognizing the words that would usually follow: "he will be a monster." Jono cleared his throat. "He will not be the same." He said, a bit belatedly.
The others turned to stare obstinately on the floor, feeling the awkwardness that Jonouchi's words brought. Atem shut his eyes briefly dwelling on what Jono was going to say. Indeed, he was becoming a monster as a matter of time, and there was no way to stop it.
End Of Flashback
Day by day after Christmas Atem's condition worsened and it was a matter of one day before his birthday. We decided that the best thing to do was to lock him up in Honda's house. On the day of his birthday we will leave him alone and stay away.
Honda brought some locks and placed them about every exit possible, windows, doors, the balcony. Everything was sealed and there was no way -that even an ant could get out the house.
Anzu was the only one seeing him since he was really sick and she had to stay by his side. His fever never dropped down, he was sweating, barely eating, his pulse was weak and low. He merely said a word. He was too fatigued and we thought he was going to die.
Flashback
It was the 1st of January. There was a blizzard the other day that streets were all covered with white. It was still pouring some tiny snowflakes and it was absolutely freezing. The gang stood outside Honda's apartment, the icy air whistled around their ears, causing their skin to tingle and sting. Fingers and toes were numb. But it wasn't just because of the freezing weather, it was more the roars heard from inside.
"Please you guys we need to help him!" Anzu cried out, clenching her coat next to her heart, feeling so much pain for her boyfriend.
"We can't get inside Anzu.." Jonouchi reminded, placing a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
The sounds of shattering were heard making the others flinch. If they were lucky enough Honda's locks are going to pay off and this cursed day should be over victimless.
Hours passed and still they heard things being shattered and roars and growls of Atem -or the monster within per-say. It was finally night time when voices stopped echoing and the others exchanged some looks, checking the time. It was 8:00 pm.
"What do we do?" Yugi demanded.
Honda rubbed his chin thoughtfully, surveying the other's expressions. They all were mentally exhausted and they craved for this night to be over. If this worked out then the curse is over. But the day still hasn't ended. They can't risk and get in now, can they?
"We should get in! What if he hurt himself?" Anzu suggested worriedly.
"He killed Shizuka at night last year. We still can't get in before this day is over." Honda bitterly remarked, making a wave of pain wash over them all remembering that heart-aching day.
Another hour rolled on, still quiet and voiceless. Neither of them spoke as they concentrated on the sounds inside. It was becoming tense as they used all their power to eavesdrop anything. But it was mute silent that they were afraid they had become deaf or something. No one wanted to suggest going inside -they were all afraid, but it was getting all distressing.
"I'm coming in! Something happened inside I just feel it!" Anzu yelled frantically, losing all signs of patience. The others weren't comforted either, but they had this gut wrenching feeling that whatever was inside was not good at all. They didn't have the guts to get inside, but seeing Anzu making her way to the front door made them sigh heavily.
"Whoa Anzu!" Jono interrupted her, "we are going first. You stay outside and wait until we see that the coast is clear."
Anzu pursed her lips, a longing look passing in her eyes before she pouted. "Please.."
She got a negative head shake and heaved a sigh, nodding in defeat as she saw the others opening the first door, motioning her to stay away of the house.
Pushing themselves inside, they shut the door, swallowing hard at the quietness. The house looked a wreck presenting that Atem had destroyed it trying to get out. Their eyes darted around the living room as they stepped outside the hallway. They could find no one present, but their unease did not dissipate. Honda moved into the kitchen and flipped a light on. The light revealed that his apartment was quite empty. However, their alarm increased seeing the bathroom's lights on. Exchanging some looks, Honda went there shoving his shower curtain back to check the bath tub. When he was satisfied that he was quite alone, he returned to his friends negating with his head. They all looked up to the stairs and knew that Atem should be up there. They hesitantly went up, throwing the closets open, searching under bed, the balcony was still locked up. Where the hell was he?
"Arrrrrraaaaaagh!"
The three boys froze in their spot feeling their hearts stop. It was Anzu's yell. Shoving the curtains away, their eyes widened. Atem was down in street pushing Anzu to the wall as he tried to suffocate her.
Rushing down, Jono and Honda launched themselves on Atem pulling him away from the girl as he looked demonic, staring behind his shoulder carelessly as if a baby was pulling him and not two fine strong men.
"Stop it!" Honda called out, but Atem smirked evilly, his brow rose with interest as he used his free hand to pull Honda's arms that were on his and twist them getting a shriek of pain from him.
"Honda!" Yugi shouted.
Anzu's face became red as she made no resistant or moves under her boyfriend's grasp. She just stared at him with teary eyes and a heart aching look as he returned the stare with a cold, bloodthirsty one, the smirk twisting on his lips unpleasantly.
"Ate-" she tried to call his name but he tightened his fist around her petit neck, making her wheeze breathlessly.
Jonouchi held his fist and tried to push Atem away, punching him hard when he couldn't move his fist from the suffocating girl. Honda was holding his hands in pain knowing that Atem probably broke his hands. He groaned in frustration finally deciding to punch his face with all his might, making his face go the other way while blood trickled a little bit from his mouth. Anzu fell on the cement pavement gasping hard for air while Atem stared with a blank look at Jonouchi, wiping the blood away with a slight move, surveying Jono in a weird look.
Growling frighteningly, Atem threw his arm on Jonouchi's face sending him flying away, launching on top of him as he bet him up, sending destructive punches along his body before he held him by the collar, pushing his head to the cement wall making Jono gasp sharply and cry with pain, blood trickled down out his nose and mouth. Pushing his face to the wall, he grabbed his arms and twisted them behind his back, raising them up in a reversed mode as if he was trying to rip them off making Jonouchi's yells of pain echo in the deserted neighborhood.
Anzu who was catching her breath and watching the scene with horror, looked around hoping to find anything useful to help her friend. She watched Honda making an effort to reach them, throwing rocks on Atem to stop him. Yugi was crying, his eyes were wide as a saucer as he watched uselessly. She had to do something.
Raising to her feet, she went to the car next to her, thanking the gods that Honda was keeping the keys inside. Hopping in, she fastened the seatbelt starting it, adding such strength to the pedal, as she drove the car aiming to hit Atem. When the car collided with Atem, the airbag opened in her face and Atem fell on the street, groaning in pain, letting go of Jonouchi who fell unconscious.
Honda's face lit up seeing that they finally stopped his madness, but his smile fell seeing him standing up again, as if nothing happened, brushing the dust off his clothes before he went to Anzu who was unconscious too, her head resting on the airbag as few blood drops escaped her nose. He opened the front door, watching the girl with a poker face sensing something in his heart upon seeing her in this bad shape.
"Atem don't hurt her!" Yugi yelled, pushing the wheelchair until he was faced with his brother. Atem gave out a sarcastic grin at the person in front of him. He didn't have the slightest idea of who he was. But he looked like no threat. He had to choose a victim; probably that beauty in the car, or the unconscious blonde, or the pointed haired guy.
"I'm sorry..." The little boy in front of him uttered. "I have always been nothing but a burden to you. Since we were kids you were the one protecting me and helping me. You sent me to school, although you were smarter and you loved studying, but you had to work two jobs to make me go to school. You've lost your childhood for me to obtain it. You exhausted yourself, risked your life, distanced yourself and took the beating of dad for me. Even after that, you went to jail because of me and you suffered so much while I couldn't help you in any possible way. I'm sorry brother..." Yugi told him, his tears cascading down his cheeks as Atem watched him with a dumb face, the smirk never leaving his face. He looked annoyed though. But his face turned interested when he saw blood shedding down his mouth.
"Kill me Atem...kill me!" Yugi shrieked, shooting himself with a gun that he got from his clothes. Atem's eyes widened and his lips parted feeling himself starting to get back to his sanity. His eyes surveying the boy in front of him vaguely.
"Yuuugiiii!" Honda gasped out. Just then, Atem's eyes softened remembering the boy. It was his only brother.
Seeing his head dropping to his side, he gasped. "Yugi!" He went to him, tilting his head up seeing him smiling contentedly.
"Thank goodness Atem.. Finally I did something to return you favors. I'm - not - a burden - any.. Anymore..." He stuttered, gazing at his brother's teared up eyes before his soul went away to rest peacefully.
"Yuuuugiiiii!"
End Of Flashback
After that catastrophic day, we woke up to find Yugi dead, and Atem was no where to be seen. We made the same things we previously did for my sister. The usual funeral and there was another lie about him being attacked by a thief and then getting killed by him. Miho was devastated by the news. She couldn't believe that her boyfriend was killed by a thief, and that he was not coming back to her.
It was even torturing to see how she cried and died from the inside while we couldn't tell her the truth about Yugi suiciding.
Couple of months passed with Atem still disappeared. Anzu continued going to her dancing school, though she didn't quite had the spirit to do anything again. Honda went back to America to complete his studies, while I still went to my job, visited Anzu to cheer her up just like she did to me after Shizuka's death. But it was no use. Only Atem could get her back to her old cheerfulness. And he was not to be seen.
It was one day when I was going home from work when I felt someone following me. To tell the truth, I got this funny feeling that someday that lie we pulled about Yugi and the thief was going to blow right into our faces. I was afraid that day that it was my face, and thay I was actually followed by a thief!
Reching the porch of my house, I turned my alerts to the fullest, flicking the keys inside the door, waiting for a knife to be pulled against my back. That's until I felt someone push me in just after I flicked the door open and then that someone closed the door behind.
I turned around, holding my hands up ready for a fight when my eyes widened at the guy in front of me.
"Atem!" I exclaimed in utter surprise.
He looked thinner, his face paled and his eyes dull and emotionless. It wasn't his birthday yet, so why was he casting me that look?
"Jonouchi.." He mumbled as an afterthought, scanning me from head to toe as if he's never seen me before. The silence looming over us was eery and disturbing. Man, why was he looking at me like that?
"Where were you Atem? We searched all over for you. Anzu is dying, she's crying all the time and -"
"No time for this Jono.." He interrupted me with a stern look. I was taken back by his indiffernt expression and his will to not hear about her.
"What's with the 'no time for this' Huh? I'm telling you that your Anzu is dying don't you care for her anymore you freaking person?" I yelled, losing the last shreds of patience. Still, he examined me with the same indiffernt look, as if I was talking about a stranger and not the girl that he would kill for.
It took some time for him -with me glaring- to understand as he heaved a sigh, passing his hand in his unruly hair with absolute distress. "Listen to me Jono, I saw that woman again, Ishizu, and she told me that I was a half human half vampire. I know this sounds completely crazy, but that's my curse. On my birthday I turn to be a vampire. A cruel, heartless, emotionless vampire. The curse will not stop until either I kill all the people in love with me meaning you, Honda, and Anzu.." He trailed off, a spasm of longing passing through his eyes at the mentioning of his girlfriend. "Or, if I turned into a full vampire.."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, there's this person, named Blood, who has been coming in my dreams for a long time now. He would say that he could help me and stuff. Through the time I disappeared on you, I went to the place that he -in my dreams- told me that he'll find me in. It turned out that he was the leader of all vampires around the world and that he is one of the few remainings Originals in the world. The originals are the ones that control the world since they have pure blood. Those Originals turn people into full vampires and full ones turn people into half ones. The point is that he told me that I have extraordinary powers and that if I worked for him he will turn me into a full vampire. That's it Jono! I'll be freed from this damn curse forever!" He finished bluntly.
I watched him with amazement as I tried to understand the huge info he just blurted out. It was obviously good news right? So why did he look all frustrated.
"What's with this face then?"
He breathed out, rubbing his eyes wearily. "Well, apparently Blood wants me to assasin poeple.." He stopped seeing me open my mouth in shock. I clenched my fist angrily.
"You approved to kill people?"
"It's the only person that can help me, I should do what he says!"
"What if they were inncocent poeple? Don't you care anymore? Did you get so used to being a criminal?" I know I stroke a sensitive nerve there by the disgruntled face he wore now, but I couldn't help it. It was hard seeing my best friend turning into a monster.
He went on anyways ignoring my question. ".. He might take some time to turn me into a full one, and you know that my birthday is only some months away.." He stared to the floor thoughtfully as a shudder ran through my body remembering what he did to us when Yugi died.
"So.." I suggested for him to continue.
"Ishizu works for Blood. She said that she would help me in something..." He continued as I gasped at what he was saying.
Well, he said that Ishizu told him she'll give him something to save his friends for only one time. The thing was a spell that turns back time, on everyone but the people knowing about the spell. People who went back in time will forget everything they went through and every person they met in their past life. They would return to their childhood time.
He agreed on that and she gave him a one day to say goodbye to his beloved ones and be ready. For some reason, he told me about everything, about work and the spell and everything and I asked him to keep me with him, so he said he'll turn me and let me be with him. Deep down, I knew that it was wrong working for that person and assassinating people. But I had this hope that I could do something one day to make things better and I was grateful that Shizuka would be back in life. I couldn't ask for more. But I knew I had to do something more so I told Honda about the spell so he wouldn't be affected and I sent to Sugoroku although he didn't deserve to know. But I had this hunch that he could find a way to help us and rebuild his wrecked picture in our heads.
Flashback
Anzu lied under her blanket, watching TV with not much interest as she had her head resting on her elbow. Jonouchi did say that he was coming for dinner in her place but he didn't show up. Well, she was grateful since she didn't want to see anyone.
Her eyes flashed with the lights from the Tv as her mind played the last couple days before Atem left the day Yugi died. How she wished to have him here lying next to her. Her house has been nothing but torture to her the last couple of months. She busied herself with the dancing school so when she reached home she would be exhausted to even reflect on the past.
The bed looked bigger without Atem, it was lonely and painful being her alone remembering Yugi and Atem. More, remembering their group hangouts here when her grandma was alive before all those disasters came crashing on their heads.
"Anzu.."
She would always hear his voice echoing in her head asking for forgiveness, telling her that he will stay with her forever and that he loves her so much. That day never actually came.
"Anzu.." Her eyes flattered opened, seeing Atem standing next to the window. She rubbed her eyes throughly. This thing happened many times before. It was only a mere dream. But no..he looked so amazingly true.
"Is it really you Atem..?" She stuttered, not believing her own eyes.
He nodded briefly, his eyes soft and passionate. Anzu's tears immediately rose to her eyes as she pushed the blanket away, throwing herself in Atem's arms as she shrieked with her sobs.
"Where were you? I've died everyday waiting for you! I've always dreamed of you and heard your voice! How could you do something like this to me?"
Hurt colored his eyes as he watched her cry with sad, longing eyes. His tears yearned to fall, yearned to run down his cheeks to express his sorrow. He's been keeping his emotions inside since Yugi died, suppressing them as he tried to stay strong. But for how long is he going to keep tossing his feelings aside? This was Anzu... She was the only one that he could express all kind of feelings to, without feeling weak or lame.
"Anzu..." His voice broke with the severe tears that escaped his eyes. She backed away a little bit, surprised by the way he sobbed and shook in her arms like a scared baby.
"It's okay my love...ssshhh.. It's alright.." She soothed, dragging him to their bed. He lied in her arms, crying his eyes out on her chest as she sobbed quietly too, rocking his back delicately, whispering a few words to calm him down before she started to sing to him. He always told her that she had a great voice. That her voice was soft, relaxing and soothing, like the sound of light raindrops slowly hitting the pavement.
Hearing her majestic voice made him relax a little bit as he already drained his powers in sobs. He kept his head buried in her chest, inhaling her godlike scent, feeling her hand playing with his hair. It was like paradise to him now, he felt like he could die in her arms.
"Anzu.. I love you..." He whispered. He could feel her heart speeding up as he heard the beats under his head. She leaned down, brushing her lips with his like a butterfly kiss. He moaned blissfully, smiling to her when she broke apart.
"Make love to me Atemu.." Atem rose his head from her lap, surveying her pink colored cheeks, her parted lips and the longing deep within her beautiful eyes. He shot up, holding her face softly as if she was a fragile artifact that he feared to break, capturing her soft lips in his, both moaning and melting with pleasure before he pushed her delicately to the smooth sheets, lying on top of her.
It took one love-making to cherish the love between them, but it took couple more to die the longing they felt for each other out. Moaning with pleasure, panting, pleading, calling each other, mumbling something, whatever it was made Anzu happy. She could feel a voice at last - other than hers thank goodness.
Convinced that the longing won't recede, they eventually stopped, as Atem brought his lovely girl to his chest, feeling her heartbeats echoing on his chest. She looked up to him, savoring the moment when their eyes met and time stood still, their fingers intertwined under the blanket.
Her eyes held hope and fear. He knew she was afraid to lose him again. Yet, he couldn't stop the plan or even delay it. He needed to say goodbye. He tried to look indifferent and maintain the calm face but inside he was dying. It was the last time he will see these melting sapphire eyes, the last time he'll kiss those full cotton-candy-flavored lips, the last time he was to hold this petit perfect body, and the last time he'll play with this silky hair or inhale his favorite raspberry scent. It was hard he knew. God knows how he managed to stay away from her these couple of months since Yugi died. How he had the strength to watch her from distance and not being able to show his face.
But it's only his destiny, and it should be enough for him to have her in his arms for these couple of hours. Peering down at her, a smile tilted his lips as he watched her play with his fingers, planting some kisses along each one of them.
"Honey.."
Anzu looked up, blinking her big lashes cutely at him. "Yes Atemu.."
"Tell me.." He started out, bringing her up to lay on top of him, her face facing his. "Do you want me to do anything for you. C'mon ask me for anything."
"Hmm..." She wondered, her finger tracing his mouth and nose, touching his lips softly and seductively. "I want a car.."
Atem rose his eyebrow at her, pursing his lips, before a disappointed expression masked his face. "How am I supposed to get you this?"
Anzu giggled, brushing her lips against his. "I was just kidding honey." He flattered his eyes open with a grin. "Just wait.." She jumped out the bed and opened her closet as he surveyed her hot naked body with anticipate. Man, although they had sex for like a hundred time, but she still arouses him, she was extremely hot and beautiful, he thought with a smirk.
Returning to their bed, Anzu smiled slyly making him puzzled. "What is it?"
She giggled, biting on her bottom lip before she sat on the side of the bed with Atem still lying and watching her. It was when she got a small box out that his eyes widened. "I know this may sound a little cliché and lame, sort of. But Atemu I can't live without you so please marry me. I want you not only for a week, month, or a year. I want you all the time until the day I die. I want to marry you, hold your baby in my tummy, wake up in the middle of the night because he or she is crying and then cursing under my breath at the day I even got married hehe.." She paused, laughing at the idea. "But of course never regretting that I married you, my love." She finished with a smile.
Atem's breath got stuck in his gorge. His eyes narrowed a little bit and his mouth opened with surprise. He couldn't ask for nothing more than marrying her, could he? Fresh tears ran up to his eyes as he failed to stop them. His soul needed those tears to wash it. He started to sob quietly, holding his face with his hands as he chocked with his tears. Anzu's eyes were filled with tears as she hugged him tight, kissing his head.
"I'm sorry Atemu, maybe I rushed things and -"
"No!" He gasped out. "I could not ask for anything more. You are my angel Anzu.. I don't deserve you at all. Although you're in my arms now, but you're just too far at the same time that I feel as if I can't reach you no matter how much I reached over. You're too good for me Anzu.."
"Marry me then.. Reach me and marry me.."
He cried more. Chocking with every single tear that escaped. It was causing havoc on his chest. It was too painful to let go of her. He wants her, he wants to marry her and have kids with her. Kids that have her beautiful eyes, her cheerfulness, her spirit. He wants angels like her to lighten his demonic life. But he can't unfortunately.
Anzu didn't wait for him, she already slid the ring in his finger, scanning how his wet eyes lit up a little bit. She smiled, kissing his finger with the ring now, before she kissed him firmly and passionately.
"Now you're officially mine.." She whispered in his mouth.
"I'll always be yours. I swear no matter what happens. You're the only woman I'll ever love." He assured bringing her to the bed to make love to her for yet another time.
End of flashback.
Back in present with Anzu's POV..
Jonouchi watched my astonished expression with an unreadable one. It was too much for me to get all this at one day. The bigger problem was that I still couldn't remember any of what he was saying.
"Anzu, you were the light in Atem's life. You were his angel that led him through bad things. You helped him when nobody could and you trusted him when others didn't. You were pure, innocent, kind and perfect to him. He never wanted to change anything in you. He loved you with his entire soul. You loved him unconditionally and took all his problems with an open heart. You risked your life many times for him and stood by his side. That's why he couldn't hurt you any further." Jono explained.
"What happened next?!" I asked him so anxiously. He sighed, reflecting back.
Flashback
Atem woke up the next day realizing that the spell was made seeing that Anzu wasn't sleeping in his arms. He jumped out the bed, put on some clothes and his coat and hurried out the house to the streets next to Mrs. Onizaki house.
He heard faint baby cries and his heart shrank as he walked closer, seeing a baby girl on the street wrapped in a white blanket as she sobbed hard. She had a fair skin, a pair of sapphire eyes and a chocolate brown hair. His heart skipped a beat recognizing Anzu and a sad smile twisted on his lips. He could see from a distant Mrs. Onizaki coming back to her house and he knew that he was back on the day when she found Anzu and decided to take care of her.
Approaching him finally, her features softened seeing Atem. He was glad that she didn't know him back then.
"Oh the poor baby..." She mumbled sadly.
"Don't worry Madame, she's my daughter. She's just feeling a little cold." He lied, holding baby Anzu close to his heart. Mrs. Onizaki smiled kindly, touching her head.
"She's a beautiful girl. Your wife must be so pretty." His eyes gleamed with sadness and his heart churned at the mentioning of this word, his mind recalling Anzu's proposal yesterday. "Take care of her.." She said before she went home. Atem watched her go, staring down at the quiet girl who was scanning him cutely. He couldn't help but to smile as he kissed her lips.
"My beautiful Anzu.. I'm sorry for doing this.." He muttered, walking slowly on the icy roads. The freezing wind hitting his face causing him to tremble as he held Anzu closely trying to keep her warm. Reaching Domino Orphanage, he examined the front door, exhaling a big sigh. He cast a look at Anzu as she looked up to him cutely making cute voices. His eyes formed with tears making her open her small mouth in surprise as if she understood as she reached up with her small hands to cup his cheeks, only causing more tears to cascade down his cheeks.
"I love you... No matter what happens you'll always be the only one I've ever loved. But I have to do this my love, I have to protect you from my own self." He told her, kissing her hands and her face as he inhaled her beautiful scent deeply before he left a note in her clothes, setting her gently on the doorstep.
Seeing that he let go of her, Anzu started to cry again as Atem watched her with guiltiness and sympathy, feeling his heart hurt so deeply. "Forgive me, my love.." He whispered, zooming out the place as he watched from afar how the door was opened and a woman took his beloved inside the orphanage.
"Goodbye Anzu.."
End of flashback
A/N: this is really sad. I want to hit my head against the wall, sort of. O_o
I hope you liked this one. Things should be clear to you now. There are a few things yet to be told in the next chapter so stay tuned and review. ;)