I do not own these series, nor do I make any money off of this.

"talking"

'thinking'

Chapter 55: Judgement Day

Normally, when they landed in the next world, they were outside. But this time they weren't. Instead, they had appeared in a strange building. They took a step forward, being cautious. Looking around, they were obviously in a hallway. Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other and nodded. They both started walking down the hall. On both sides of the hall was running water. As the continued forward, it looked like the hall was turning into a forest. Turning the corner, Naruto and Sasuke were forced to stop and admire the room they had entered. It was wide open with a few couches sitting at various places. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, it's crystals shining a whitish blue. The continued forward, taking in the beauty around them.

"Guests?" a girl asked. "Hey Decim, you didn't say we'd be getting more."

"We aren't," Decim said. He looked at Naruto and Sasuke. "I'll have to contact Nona."

"I already know," Nona said. She had just come out of the elevator. "Oculus sent me. He said he forgot they were coming." She waved hand like she was shooing a fly. "Back to work." She turned around and started walking back to the elevator. "Coming?" Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other before hesitantly following Nona. They stepped into the elevator, moving away from the other two in there. Clavis, as Nona called him, pressed a button and the elevator began to rise. The room they ended up at was dark and damp. There was grass growing from the floors making it seem like they were outside. Moss and vines grew on the walls. "I've brought them."

"Good," a man said. He had pink hair spun into a lotus flower. His beard was a closed flower. It was clear to Naruto and Sasuke that he was Oculus. He smiled, his eyes closed. "Yuko and I go way back." He placed the pool stick on the table and pressed his glassed backwards on his nose. "Don't look so surprised. I'm sure she let you know that she had friends in other worlds." He looked at Naruto and Sasuke before frowning. "She didn't? Hm… She can be a bit fickle." He shook his head. "It has been a long time since we talked though."

"Would you like to talk to her?" Naruto asked. "We have a mirror that will allow you to see and talk to her." He began to take his bag off his shoulder when Sasuke put out an arm to stop him. "Sasuke?"

"We can't talk to her," Sasuke said.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked. "She said we can…"

"She's dead," Sasuke said.

Naruto dropped his bag on the floor. "What?"

Sasuke turned to Naruto. "Yuko died years ago."

"Teme," Naruto said. "We just talked to her just a month and a half ago."

"Did you forget?" Sasuke said. "Time moves differently in each world." Naruto still look confused. "It was Watanuki that sent us to Ryuzaki's world. In his world, Yuko died several years ago."

"So Yuko passed away," Oculus said. "Too bad, but she did live a long life." He turned to Nona. "They won't be here long. Find them a place to stay." Nona nodded. "Have some fun while you're here." Naruto and Sasuke said nothing as they followed Nona back to the elevator. Sasuke knew that Naruto was mad at him for keeping such a secret. They went down to the same floor they appeared on.

"Decim," Nona said. "There's a room next to the girl's." She pointed to Chiyuki then to Naruto and Sasuke. "They'll stay there. I have things to do." She walked off.

"I'll show you to your room," Decim said. They followed him to a room with one bed. The bed was up against a wall, allowing a lot of floor space. "If you need anything, come to the bar." Decim closed the door behind himself as he headed out to find Nona. He wanted to know more about the two boys.

Sasuke stood in front of Naruto who took a seat on the bed. Sasuke couldn't take the silence. "You're mad."

"I am," Naruto said.

"Then why are you acting so calm?" Sasuke asked. "Aren't you going to yell at me? Ask me why I didn't tell you?"

"And what will that change?" Naruto asked. "This isn't the first time you've lied to me. And I know it isn't the last time." He sighed. "I just wish I knew…" He paused then let himself fall backwards onto the bed. "It doesn't matter."

"I was afraid to tell you," Sasuke admitted. He didn't like seeing Naruto like this. "I know how hurt you'd be at Yuko's death."

"And you think I'm not hurt now?" Naruto asked.

"No," Sasuke said as he sat down besides Naruto. "Of course you are. I guess I just didn't know how to say it. With everything that's been happening, I just put it to the back of my mind."

"I understand," Naruto said. "Things have been crazy. We've been to five other worlds since then. Meeting two different versions of ourselves was bad enough. We had to fight in each world, keeping us busy. Even though we didn't fight much in the last world, we had other things on our minds. Seeing Itachi was a lot for you and I… I know how you felt." He closed his eyes. "Sasuke, I'm tired."

Sasuke couldn't help but smile. "Then sleep." Naruto kicked off his shoes and climb further into the bed. Sasuke did the same. Neither said another word as they let sleep take them.

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Sasuke awoke first to find Naruto practically lying on him. He felt very comfortable but knew that he had to move. He slipped out from under Naruto, replacing himself with a pillow. Naruto instantly wrapped his hands around the pillow. Sasuke just shook his head before leaving the room. He nearly ran into Chiyuki, who was coming out of her room. She nodded at Sasuke in acknowledgement before continuing on. Sasuke followed her, letting her lead the way down to the bar, not that he needed her to. Decim was behind the bar, drying a glass.

Without looking up, Decim said, "we have guests coming." Chiyuki only nodded before going behind the counter. Decim finally looked up. "Are you hungry?"

"Just a little bit," Sasuke said. "Do you have ramen? The Dobe will probably wants some when he gets up."

"Yes," Decim said. "I hope you don't mind some chicken with a side of jasmine rice."

"That's fine," Sasuke said. "So, more people are coming here?"

"Just two," Decim said. Chiyuki handed Sasuke the plate. "You may watch, but I ask that you don't interfere."

"That's fine," Sasuke said, taking a bite. "I don't care what you do here as long as it doesn't affect me." Decim nodded. Sasuke ate in silence while Decim and Chiyuki kept cleaning. Naruto came down a few minutes later, asking for ramen. Sasuke smirked as Decim handed the blond a bowls. Naruto restrained himself and only ate three bowls. Decim told him the same thing he told Sasuke about the guests coming. Naruto tried to ask more, but Decim wouldn't answer his questions. Naruto agreed to just watch. Chiyuki brought them to where she had seen her first game.

A few minutes later, two women walked up to the bar. "Welcome to Quindecim," Decim said. "Allow me to formally introduce myself; I'm your bartender, Decim." He bowed. "Is there something I can get you?"

"I'll have a strawberry daiquiri," the brunette said.

"May I have a Cosmopolitan?" the woman with red hair asked.

Decim quickly made both drinks. He waited until both of them took a few sips before speaking. "Now, I'd like to ask both of you a question. Do you remember how you got here?"

"Let's see," the redhead began. "I was walking home from my job like usual. But after that, nothing."

"I was also out walking," the brunette said. "Don't really know why though. Maybe I was going shopping. I remember counting money. The rest is blurry."

"Then please allow me to explain the situation that you two are in," Decim said.

"First," Chiyuki said, holding up a finger.

"I cannot tell you where this place is," Decim said.

"Second," Chiyuki held up two fingers.

"We will have the two of you play a game," Decim said.

"A game?" the brunette asked. "Why…

"Third," Chiyuki interrupted, holding up three fingers.

"The game you play will be decided by a roulette," Decim said.

"Roulette? The brunette asked. "I ain't shooting myself!"

The usual board appeared making a loud thud as it came down. A button was placed between the two women. "This will be the start button," Decim said.

"Fourth." Chiyuki said. She was surprised that the brunette was already drunk.

"You will risk your lives in this game," Decim said, glancing slightly at Chiyuki.

"The hell?" the brunette yelled. "There's no way I'm going to play..."

"Fifth," Chiyuki once more interrupted her.

"You won't be allowed to leave until the game is over," Decim said.

The brunette slammed her glass down on the table and stood up, yelling profanities. "I'm getting out of here!" She began to look for a way out. The only noise in the room came from her frantic search. Chiyuki had to admit, the woman was fast.

The redhead turned in her seat so that she was facing Decim better. "What happens if we refuse to play your game?"

"I wouldn't recommend that," Decim said.

"Oh yeah?" the brunette returned. "And you think you can make us play your game?" Decim and Chiyuki looked at each other before stepping away from the wall behind the roulette board. The wall opened up revealing what was behind it. Both women let out a scream. The brunette's louder than the redhead's. "The hell? You're going to kill us?"

"You have one hour to decide if you'll play the game," Decim said, not answering her question.

"I see," the redhead said. She moved her hand to the button and pressed it. "Might as well get it over with." A light appeared on the board and it began to move around. It finally stopped at the bottom right corner. The piece flipped over. The word "basketball" was written on the tile. "Basketball?"

"We will have the two of you play Horse, a game that can be played with only two people," Decim said. The room shook and what sounded like a bomb going off echoed through the room. Everyone turned to see a basketball court appear. Decim grabbed a ball. "The first player will shoot from where ever she wishes, however she wants. If the ball goes in, the second player will have to shoot from the same spot, the same way. If the second player misses, she will receive a letter. If the first player misses, the second player can pick to do what the first player did or something else. If she chooses to copy the first player and the ball goes in, the first player will receive a letter. Do you both understand?" The women nodded. "Then please decide which of you will shoot first."

"I will," the brunette said almost ripping the ball out of Decim's hands. The redhead only nodded in agreement, letting the brunette shoot first.

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Naruto did not like what he heard. The two women were being made to play a game with their lives on the line. Even Sasuke had been taken back by the change in Decim and Chiyuki's demeanors. As promise, neither of them moved from their seats. In Naruto's case, he gripped the arms of the chair he was sitting in hard.

"There must be a reason," Sasuke said. Naruto turned to him. "Why do they have to play a game? They're already…"

"So you know?" Nona asked, stepping into the room. "Is it those eyes of yours?" Sasuke blinked, letting his sharingan fade. "A special gift, those are. To be able to see that they are already dead, it's a good power."

"So that's why they smell funny," Naruto said. "They both smell like blood and death. I thought maybe they were doctors or something."

"No," Nona said. "Neither of them are doctors. In fact, one of them isn't even employed."

"It's the brunette isn't it?" Sasuke asked. "She seems to be falling apart." He said this as she missed yet another shot, her fourth. The redhead had only missed one shot so far.

Nona smiled. "You'll have to wait and see." The redhead raised the ball to shoot, only for her to hesitate before doing so. "Ah, she's getting some of her memories back."

"Her memories?" Naruto asked. "How?"

"We make sure they don't have the memory of their death and sometimes, it erases other memories with them," Nona said. "It is just the first step into judging them."

"What are you judging?" Naruto asked.

"Wither their soul goes to be reincarnated or to the Void," Nona said.

"The Void?" Sasuke questioned. "Like Hell?"

"The Void isn't Hell," Nona said. "It isn't necessary a bad place. It is simply a place for souls that aren't reincarnated. And no, the soul doesn't go to Heaven either. That is something else entirely."

"Why are the being judged?" Naruto asked.

"They died at the same time," Nona said. "It is simply fate that leads them here. It is the job of Arbiters to judge them. The best way to judge one's morals is through fear." She looked at Naruto. "Understand?"

"Yes," Naruto said. "But I still don't like it."

"Must be because you are human," Nona said. Naruto said nothing as he turned back to watch the game.

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"No way," the brunette yelled. "Why am I losing?" She grabbed the ball, ready to toss it, only for the ball to fall from her hands. She began to cough as she bent over. She pulled her hand from her mouth to show the blood that was on it. 'That's right. I… I was dying.' She thought, looking around. 'Then how did I get here? Am I…?' She finished the question out loud. "Dead?"

"She knows," Chiyuki whispered to Decim. Decim nodded. "Isn't the game pointless then?"

"No," Decim said. "The judgement isn't over yet." Chiyuki followed his gaze to the redhead. She gasped. The grin on her face was evil.

"You know," the redhead said. The brunette looked up at her. "I use to play basketball in high school." She did a one handed over the head toss into the net. She grabbed the ball as it bounced back to her. "I'm sorry, but it seems I've won." She dropped down in front of the brunette, holding the ball out. "Go ahead, take your last shot."

"W-wait!" the brunette said. "It doesn't matter if I miss. We're already…"

"Dead?" the redhead said. "Yes, I know." She grabbed the other's hand and placed the ball in it. "And I don't care." She stepped back. "Get up and shoot."

"But it's pointless," the brunette said.

"Just shut up and shoot already!" the redhead yelled. She grabbed the brunette by the arm and pulled her to her feet. "Shoot!"

"Alright!" the brunette said. She calmly walked over to the net, turned away, and let the ball fly from her hand. Her eyes widened as she had another flashback. The ball bounced off of the backboard, causing her to earn the last letter. "Y-you! You killed me!"

The redhead crossed her arms. "So what? I died too."

"Why?" the brunette yelled. "I don't even know you! Why did you kill me?"

"Because I could," the redhead shrugged. "Because it was fun."

The brunette's eyes widened further, as did Chiyuki's and Naruto's. "You're the Night Killer!"

"The name's Rose," the redhead said. "But the Night Killer does suit me." She stepped forward. "But it doesn't matter who I am, eh Yuzu-chan."

Yuzu fell to her knees, tears rolling down her eyes. "Why?"

Rose walked over to her and lifted up her chin. "Because, you were there. You came out of that bar with your friends calling your name. You couldn't take a taxi since you didn't have enough money. So, you had to walk home instead. You walked right into my trap. I stab you a few times, letting you bleed out slowly. Your blood was beautiful, the red so much like a rose." She suddenly calmed down, anger taking over the happy look on her face. "But someone had to see us. I ran after them only for a car to slam into me. I remember seeing my own blood. Unlike yours though, the rose I'd paint with it wouldn't be as lovely."

"You're crazy!" Yuzu yelled.

Rose laughed. "Maybe I am! But I still won!"

"Yes," Decim said, clapping. "Congratulations. Now, please take your place in the elevator. It will lead you to where you belong."

Rose happily began to walk towards the elevators. "I can't wait to be reborn!" She laughed as the door closed.

"It… it's not fair," Yuzu said. Chiyuki helped her to her elevator.

"Life is always full of unfairness," Chiyuki said sadly, quoting Decim. She stepped away from Yuzu as the door began to close. "But we respect those who have lived a full life." The last thing Chiyuki saw on Yuzu's face was a smile.

"She went on to be reincarnated, didn't she," Sasuke said. He was with Naruto, Decim, and Nona.

"But didn't she lose?" Naruto asked.

"It doesn't matter who wins," Nona said. "It is how the game is played. We don't just judge on who wins the game. Like I said before, human morals matter the most. Rose should that she lacked as kind of sympathy or regret for what she's done. As such, her soul is going to the Void."

Naruto smiled. "Good."

Wow! Death Parade had to be one of my favorite Anime series of 2015. But I did notice one thing; none of the games were played by two women. It was always one man and one woman or two men. Thus Rose and Yuzu were born.