Sorry about the delay, but I decided to rewrite the end of this story. Originally, it ended with Yugi rotting in jail and his future uncertain. Given the ugly state of the world, and now recent events, I decided that there is enough misery and strife already, without adding to it by writing a story with a depressing ending. Sadly, I couldn't bring Bakura back to life, but I could at least make Yugi and Anzu's future a little less bleak. I hope you will enjoy the way I have ended it.

Warnings: Themes that could upset some people, including death, mentions of suicide, child abuse and sexual abuse. This has been quite a heavy, angst ridden story -maybe I'll write something soft and fluffy next time.

Epilogue.

Never Lose Hope.

The surgery to put a small plate and some screws in Yugi's forearm went well and he was deemed fit enough to be transferred onto a regular ward. His ribs were still painful, but he was going to make a full recovery and would then have to face trial.

Throughout his recovery, Anzu supported her husband and remained by his side, as much as visiting times would allow her to.

Unfortunately, while Yugi was in hospital the police were never far away, and it annoyed Anzu that they were watching over him day and night to ensure he did not try to run away again – as if he would.

It annoyed her even more that they could eves-drop on every little intimate conversation she and Yugi had.

"He's not going anywhere," she said tersely, as she arrived for visiting hour. "You could at least let us have some privacy in the short time I'm here." The bored looking officer, who appeared even younger than she and Yugi were, ignored her.

Anzu reached Yugi's bed and leaned over to kiss him. "How are you feeling today?" she asked. He certainly looked a bit brighter than he did yesterday, and the nasty bruising on the side of his face was fading.

"Bored. I wish I could go home," he replied morosely. His eyes flicked away for a moment and he suddenly looked afraid. "I don't think I'll ever be allowed home. Ushio came to visit earlier, and told me that when I'm discharged I'll be taken into custody and charged with involuntary murder, unlawful disposal of a body and perverting the course of justice. He told me I should plead guilty and accept my punishment, which could be anything from five to twenty years. He said that if I confess, the judge might be more lenient with sentencing due to the circumstances leading to Bakura's death."

Anzu was incensed. "Don't let Ushio bully you into pleading guilty. I know you, and I know you would never hurt anyone deliberately. Bakura did…" she became pained at the thought, "...he drugged you, and molested you."

Ashamed, Yugi looked away again. "It doesn't matter, the police only have my word for what happened and have jumped to their own conclusions. But whatever they charge me with, be it accidental manslaughter or murder, it doesn't change what I did after Bakura died. And to make things worse, I lied, to you, to everyone, and I tried to pretend it never happened." His eyes started to brim with tears.

Anzu felt herself welling up in response. "Oh, Yugi," she said sadly, and gently took the hand on his uninjured arm. "I don't care how long they lock you up for, I'll wait for you."

He gave her a woeful smile, gently running his thumb over the back of her hand as he held it. "No. I might not get out until I'm nearly fifty! You should divorce me and move on. Find someone who can look after you, and give you the things you want, like a family." It was not what he wanted to happen, but he could not ruin her life too.

Anzu shook her head. "I don't want anyone else. I want you." She leaned forward and buried her face in the crook of his neck and cried.

Yugi squeezed his eyes closed against his own tears and caressed her soft hair with his cheek, inhaling her scent to remember her by. He feared that these would be their last moments together, before he was taken away and convicted and he wanted to bottle it for those long, cold nights of imprisonment.

:::::::::::

Anzu watched from the gallery, as Yugi was taken away in handcuffs. She had gasped when she heard his sentence would be ten years, and as he was lead away, he glanced up at her with a desolate look of sorrow on his face.

The hearing had been short, and sentencing swift. It felt unfair, and she suddenly hated the judicial system for being so single minded. She was also terrified of what lay ahead, both for herself and for Yugi, but mostly for Yugi.

Prison was harsh and strict, and Yugi would be expected to follow the rules. She hoped that the other prisoners were not really awful, hardened criminals, like violent gang members with vile and cruel intentions –tactless as always, Jonouchi said that kind, attractive, non violent men were liked by them because they did not fight back. And if rumours spread about what had happened between Yugi and Ryou they might decide to use him as their toy.

The thought of that made her shudder.

:::::::::::

Before being transported to prison, Anzu was allowed to visit him. But any hopes she had of holding him and kissing him one last time were dashed by the three inch plexiglass between them.

Yugi pressed his hand against it and Anzu did the same – it was the closest they were going to get.

"I love you," he said, his voice sounding strange through the tinny speaker.

"I love you, too," she said, guessing her voice probably sounded just as tinny.

They didn't get long, before he was lead away to a waiting van.

:::::::::::

Three days later, and Anzu was woken by the doorbell ringing. Although it was two in the afternoon, she was still in her pyjamas; there simply was nothing worth getting dressed for now that Yugi wasn't here.

Pulling her messy hair into a hasty ponytail, she went to answer the door, not caring that her pink dressing gown was crumpled. She was crumpled, so it kind of felt right to be wearing it.

Standing on the doorstep was a man in a fancy suit holding a briefcase. She thought he was a journalist. "Go away!" She tried to close the door but he put his hand against it to stop her.

"Mrs Muto. I'm a lawyer. I think I can help free your husband." That piqued her interest, and she let the door be opened.

"How?" she asked. A small spark of hope rose within her, but she did not want to get carried away. She showed him through to the dining area. "Sorry about the mess. Things have been kind of rough lately," she said mirthlessly.

He smiled sympathetically and sat down. "My name is Mister Takeda. I work for Seto Kaiba," he said, opening his briefcase and pulling out a file. "Mister Kaiba has looked at Mister Muto's case and has instructed me. I have reviewed it and I believe I can have your husband's conviction quashed. Not only that, raise awareness for other victims of sexual assault as well."

Anzu gasped. "Kaiba! But why would he do that?!" Yugi had been an employee, but she could not imagined him important enough that Kaiba would want to help free him.

"Let's just say, Mister Kaiba suffered his own form of abuse as a child, which, once he was old enough to defend himself, resulted in him being forced to take drastic action to remove his abuser. But I didn't tell you that." He had defended Seto Kaiba against the allegations that he had 'helped' his step father fall out of the tenth floor window.

Anzu gasped. There had been rumours of foul play, but nothing was ever proved. The inquest reported that Gozaburo Kaiba's death was suicide, following a coup lead by his adopted son, Seto, which had resulted in him being ousted as the CEO of Kaiba Corp. Although witness statements had been contradictory, money and power talked, and the subsequent civil case brought about by Gozaburo's former personal assistant was thrown out and the case closed. The assistant was branded an alcoholic by Seto Kaiba's lawyers and later hung himself.

"B..but I can't afford to pay you!" From this month on she would lose Yugi's salary, and her income was non existent when she wasn't working.

He waved her away. "View it as a favour; your husband is the main contributor in a project that is very lucrative to Kaiba Corp. In the meantime, Kaiba Corp. will continue to honour your husband's salary."

Anzu's mouth fell open. Suddenly, her preconceptions of Seto Kaiba being a cold hearted bastard were very rapidly being revised. "Thank you!" she breathed in disbelief.

Was this really happening?

Could they really free Yugi and get him pardoned?

:::::::::::

Three weeks later:

As a man who more or less owned the city of Domino, Seto Kaiba had Yugi's case brought to court quickly.

The plight of sexual assault victims was something people found uncomfortable and was often brushed aside and denied. Many also tended to blame the victim, rather than the perpetrator, and were dismissive of it even happening, especially to a man.

The judge presiding over the retrial seemed to be one of those people, and Anzu started to fear that Yugi might not be freed.

But Mister Takeda was impressive, presenting a solid case in Yugi's favour.

Unwavering under cross examination, he explained that Ryou was a friend and Yugi had trusted him; he and certainly had not expected that trust to be broken by his friend drugging and assaulting him. Mister Takeda told the court that the chemical elements used in Bakura's potion were known to cause cognitive dysfunction, drowsiness, subservience and compliance, and when the effects started to wear off, the person to whom the drugs had been administered, would experience confusion, paranoia and distress. Yugi, a well respected, honest and upstanding citizen, struggled to comprehend what his friend had tried to do to him and was suffering from the symptoms caused by drug withdrawal. This had resulted in him following a course of action that defied his usually kind, honest nature. In that moment, when he took the decision to dispose of Bakura's body, rather than call the emergency services, his mind had been unable to process the difference between right and wrong.

During his first trial, and subsequent imprisonment, Yugi had been advised not to offer any defence, and was told he had no choice but to plead guilty to all charges. He had not wanted to, but the law had already decided he was guilty, and therefore he had no other choice but to do as he was ordered.

But this time, with Mister Takeda defending him, the opinion of the court was soon swayed in Yugi's favour, and in less than a week, Yugi left prison a free man.

Outside the courtroom, Anzu greeted him with a tearful hug. He hugged her back and tried not to weep.

As this was a ground breaking case, journalists were also waiting and cameras flashed, capturing the couple's joyous reunion.

The publicity surrounding Yugi's case resulted in several people coming forward seeking justice, claiming they too had been victims of predatory men, but until now had been too afraid to speak out. While most of those victims were women, a few men did come forward as well, but most did not want their cases taken any further due to the shame they felt.

Seto Kaiba's personal bodyguard approached Yugi and Anzu. "Mister Muto. Follow me. A car is waiting to take you both home."

Looking at Anzu, Yugi smiled tentatively and took her hand, following Isono down the steps and into Seto Kaiba's private limousine. He could not believe he was a free man; at any moment he expected Detective Inspector Ushio to come up behind him, clamp a hand on his shoulder and tell him it was all a mistake and he was going back to prison.

Isono opened the car door and they got in. Seto Kaiba was inside the car, waiting.

"Yugi. Anzu," he said simply.

Yugi was not sure what to say. "K..Kaiba!"

"You could try being a little more grateful, Yugi," Seto said with a smirk.

"We are grateful, Kaiba," said Anzu. "Eternally so! Aren't we, Yugi?"

Yugi nodded. "We just don't know how we will ever repay you!" he said.

"I don't expect you to. However, I do expect you back at work on Monday."

"S..sure!" Yugi said hesitantly. "And… thanks again, Kaiba.

"Thank me again and I will send you back to prison myself," he said, with a hint of irony.

Yugi opened his mouth to apologise, but thought better of it.

"Where are we going?" Anzu asked as the limo sped away.

Yugi just wanted to go home and sleep in his own bed, but Kaiba told them they would be spending the night at the Kaiba mansion, where they would be safe from any media intrusion.

"Do you expect them to be interested in us?" asked Anzu.

"I hope not," mumbled Yugi.

"Possibly. I don't know. That is why it's best you stay at the Kaiba mansion, for now," Seto told them. "There is also a little surprise waiting for you. And before you ask, it was Mokuba's idea, not mine."

Intrigued, they arrived at the Kaiba mansion to find balloons and a banner on the door saying, WELCOME HOME YUGI!

As the door flew open, his friends were there to greet them.

All except one friend: Ryou Bakura. Despite all that had happened to him, Yugi would always feel sad about it. Ryou had not deliberately been a malicious person. He had been lonely and just wanted someone to love. Try as he might, Yugi could never hate him for what he had done. He hated himself more, for handling it so badly.

Had he dealt with it differently, his friend might still be alive.

:::::::::::

A little later on, Yugi crept away from the celebrations and found Kaiba, who was working in his study.

"Yugi. If you've come to thank me again, don't."

"That's not why I'm here. I wanted to ask you why you helped me? I'm not even that important to you."

Seto arched his fingers and looked him in the eyes. "You created Spherium. Without you, the project would fail."

"It's just a game, Kaiba," said Yugi. "The team are more than capable of looking after it." He shifted awkwardly. "That's not the real reason you helped free me, is it?"

For a moment, Seto's facial muscles tightened and he looked haunted, but then he regained his steely facade. But Yugi was looking at him with that same determination he had when he approached him to pitch his ideas for a game he wanted to develop, and asked for Kaiba Corporation's backing. "Very well. Let's just say… abuse is something that I have witnessed and… experienced." Yugi was unsurprised and nodded knowingly.

"I thought it might be something like that. What happened?"

Seto took a shuddering breath. Yugi's question was direct, but held empathy, which he appreciated.

"I've had never told anyone this," he began, "but when Mokuba and I were at the orphanage, there was a man there who used to come into the dormitory at night and prey on the children. Every night, we would go to bed terrified it might be our turn. I would shield Mokuba in my bed in order to protect him. Luckily, we were never on the menu, but I still hear the terrified whimpers of the boys who were, and I hate myself for not being able to stop it from happening."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. The perpetrator will never abuse children again. I made sure of that." Yugi did not like to ask. He let Seto continue. "When Gozaburo adopted us, I thought our troubles would be over. Sadly, I was subjected to a different kind of abuse. One where I was not allowed to have any friends or play with other children, and I was forced to study for hours on end. If I failed to meet the required standard, or started slacking, I was beaten with a cane. Gozaburo thought he was creating an obedient ally; moulding me into an heir to his empire. Instead, he created a bitter, powerful rival. My one goal, was to take control and oust him as CEO. Of course, I wasn't expecting him to jump out of the window, but I'm glad he did." He fixed Yugi with a look. "Does that shock you?" Yugi shook his head.

"No," he said quietly.

Nodding, Seto then said, "This conversation is in strict confidence, Yugi, and does not get repeated. Is that understood?" Seto turned his attention back to his laptop.

"Yes. I understand." Realising he was being dismissed, Yugi turned to leave, but stopped in the doorway and turned around. "Kaiba?"

Slightly startled by Yugi still being here, Seto looked up. Yugi offered him a friendly smile. "Thank you for confiding in me. I promise I won't tell anyone."

"You had better not," Seto said gruffly. "Now go!" He made a shooing motion with his hand. "Your friends are probably wondering where you are!"

Yugi did as he was told.

:::::::::::

That night, Yugi and Anzu spent their first night together since before his arrest. Not in their own bed, but in a guest suite at the Kaiba mansion.

The bed was larger than their own, extremely comfortable and the linen expensive.

Although the memory of being unable to perform the last time they attempted to make love was still in the back of his mind, Yugi had no trouble getting it up this time, and, as the couple fell into bed together, he was already hard as rock.

"I was thinking," he said, pausing their kissing for a moment. "We could start trying for a family, if you still want to?"

Anzu wrapped her arms around him and pulled him even closer. "No time like the present," she said. He smiled.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," she said, nodding. "I already stopped taking birth control, and since we don't have any condoms…." Trailing off, she waggled her eyebrows and then kissed him passionately.

And for the first time since that awful night at Bakura's, Yugi began to feel like a whole person again.

And….roughly nine months later….Anzu will give birth to the happy patter of tiny little Yugi feet.

The end.

Thanks for reading.