DD: Hey, guys. We're here. We've made it. This is the first book I've ever spent this long on and finished. I hope you guys enjoy the final chapter and that it didn't ruin the book.

Reviews:

LittleMe100: Aww, thanks!

Kigen Dawn: Indeed it will be.

Ern Estine 13624: He will be; he's Bakura's brother. And thanks so much for staying with us since chapter one.

JaytheAnimeLover4EVER: Hope this was soon enough.

animatronic 2.9: Naturally, he does. But he's never taken his shirt off in front of Yami before, so Yami hasn't seen them and therefore couldn't make note of them. But also my mom fell into a fire when she was young and doesn't have any scars, so it is possible to do it.

thor94: Of course he can be taken seriously if he's under eighteen, but Aknadin's lawyer was just trying to invalidate his claims for the jury. It will be explained in the chapter how he got the gun. And he might be.

Goddess Lyre (Guest): Omg that's amazing XD But Ryou would be more the person to try and hide it. Malik. Now he would be one to do the jokes. Thanks!

Lorelei Jacques: XD Don't worry; I'd be doing the same. And thanks. I'm sorry for traumatising you though. It really wasn't my intention.

The apartment was dingy – at best.

The originally purple walls were yellowing, and the carpet was a mix between muddy brown and bile green. The beds – two twin beds that had been pushed together to make a double – had ominous stains on the mattresses.

The television was a stocky, grey box and the only channel it seemed to have was constant static.

There was a rickety bedside table with a magazine from 2010 on it. Inside was a faded copy of The Bible and two condoms.

The only redeeming part of the room was the black and white tiled bathroom, and that was ruined by the filth of the shower and the bugs crawling along the walls.

Heru sat on the edge of the bed, gripping an open notebook tightly. His tanned knuckles were on the verge of turning white from his grip.

Three indistinguishable words were written on the paper, and although he kept the pen pressed to the page, Heru didn't write anything else.

Every few minutes, he would look up at the door, and finally, he heard someone knock.

His eyes lit up as he leapt off the bed.

He was already at the door before his expression grew guarded. "Akefia?"

He heard someone snort on the other side of the door. "Who else would walk up three flights of stairs because of the broken elevator in this shithole and knock on your door specifically?"

Heru grinned and yanked open the door.

Before Akefia knew what was happening, Heru had thrown his arms around his neck.

Akefia chuckled and returned the hug tightly. "So no one came into the room to stab you?" He teased, though he stroked Heru's tame silver hair.

"Shut up," Heru muttered into the crook of Akefia's neck. "You know I'm-"

"Used to marble floors and silken robes?"

Heru pulled back – just enough to scowl at Akefia. "I was going to say that I'm not used to Japan."

Akefia snickered. "I know. I just like teasing you."

Heru rolled his eyes and walked back into the apartment with Akefia following him. "So how'd it go?" Heru asked as he sat on the bed.

The mattress sagged under him, despite his light weight.

Akefia scratched the top of his head. "It was a bit weird." Heru raised an eyebrow. "Someone opened the door, shoved a pillow in my face, called me 'Mar-Kura', told me to go back to bed and closed the door again. Without letting me inside."

Heru stared at him for a moment. "Are you sure that's what they said? Your Japanese could still use some work."

Akefia nodded. "I'm sure."

Heru covered his mouth to hide a giggle. "Well that's what you get for showing up at a house in the middle of the night."

Akefia huffed and leaned against the wall. "So sue me; I want to see my little brother again."

Heru sighed. "I know you do. But you need to take the time difference into consideration."

"It's only ten."

Heru shot him a look. "Akefia, in Japan it's five in the morning. It's a seven hour time difference. Your brother won't even be awake yet."

"Well I know that now," Akefia grumbled before looking Heru over. "You changed."

When they had arrived at the motel, Heru had been wearing the white, silken robes and gold-threaded leather sandals that the Kosey family always wore.

Since Akefia had left, he had traded the traditional garb for black skinny jeans, a grey t-shirt with a panther on it, black sneakers and a black and white sweatband on his right arm.

Heru looked down at himself and shrugged. "The robes were making me draw too much attention to myself, so I changed our money into yen and did a bit of shopping." He pulled a bag out from the side of the bed and offered it to Akefia. "I bought you some things too."

Akefia frowned. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Heru hesitated. "Nothing. It's just… not very Japanese."

Akefia's frown morphed into a scowl. "It was made in Egypt. It's not meant to be."

Heru gestured to the bag. "Well you need to blend in a bit more."

Akefia looked away, gripping the sides of his scarlet robe.

Heru's gaze softened. "You don't need to throw away your father's robe, Kefie. You can still wear that one if you want. I just thought it might be easier to get around this way."

Akefia sighed. "I know." He waited for a moment before taking off the robe and carefully folding it. "You're right."

Heru stopped him. "You don't need to change yet. I just meant before we leave." He gave Akefia a small smile. "But you might want to sleep before we go."

Akefia paused, his nose crinkling. "What was the time difference again?"

"Seven hours."

"Fuck…"

"It's the nineteenth."

Yami wasn't sure why he said it.

Neither was Yugi by the looks of it.

He paused, in the midst of picking up a card to add to his hand. He slowly set his hand down on the table. "So…"

"So his execution's in two days."

Yugi was silent for a few minutes. His gaze was on the bed.

It had been one of his better days; Yami wasn't sure why he brought it up.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Yugi mumbled. "You were right to tell me. If you didn't, I would have been mad when I found out."

Yami nodded, but Yugi still didn't raise his gaze from the paisley bedspread.

Ninety seven days.

Yami had counted them all.

Ninety seven days since that day in court.

Ninety seven days since Aknadin had been put on death row.

Ninety seven days since Aknadin had bribed his attorney to sneak in a gun not made of metal so it wouldn't be detected by the metal detectors.

Ninety seven days since that bastard had shot Yugi.

And only two more days until he was going to die.

Yugi's eyes slipped closed. He looked tired; very tired. More tired than he had been in a few days.

His stats were very unstable. Some days he'd laugh and talk, and some days he would stay quiet. Some days he'd want to laugh, and some days he'd let Yami do the laughing for him.

Some days he'd smile at his boyfriend, and some days he'd just lie there and watch him, taking in everything that happened but not reacting to any of it.

They hadn't found a donor for him yet, and none of Yugi's friends had the same blood type as him.

Seto was working over in Germany to find a donor as well, despite Yugi's protests. Seto – no, everyone – had enough to deal with without worrying about Yugi as well; that was Yugi's reasoning.

The doctors still weren't sure whether or not he'd live.

But that day had been good.

That week had been great; Yugi had been in a better mood than Yami had seen him in since he entered the hospital.

And Yami had to go and ruin it.

"I'm not going," Yugi mumbled, closing his eyes.

"You can't anyway," Yami pointed out with a soft smile. "You can't leave yet."

"I don't want to see it."

"You don't have to, aibou." Yami reached out and cupped Yugi's cheek.

Yugi opened his eyes again and met Yami's gaze.

Yami smiled and caressed Yugi's cheek with his thumb. "It's okay."

Yugi swallowed. "I hate this," he whispered.

"I know."

"I hate him."

"I know."

Yugi clenched his fists. "But I still don't want him to die."

Yami stayed silent though he nodded.

"And I hate it so much." Yugi gritted his teeth. "And I hate what he's done, and I hate him, and I hate how much he's hurt everyone, and I-I hate him, but…" He sniffed. "But no human deserves to take another's life."

Yami nodded again and gently wrapped his arms around Yugi. "I know, aibou," he whispered, kissing his forehead. "I know."

Yugi closed his eyes and nuzzled against Yami's chest. "I don't need to watch, do I?" Yami shook his head. "Even on the news?"

"I'd sooner set the TV on fire than let you see it if you don't want to," Yami assured him with a grin.

Yugi giggled slightly and smiled up at him. "Thanks, Mou Hitori." He leaned up and pecked Yami's lips.

Yami didn't even blink. Yugi's kisses and touches didn't trigger him the way the same kisses and touches would if it was anyone else.

"Come on." Yugi picked up his hand again. "I want to get back to kicking your ass."

"Excuse me?" Yami laughed, setting down an ace and a ten. Twenty one. "I believe I'm kicking your ass."

Yugi smirked and he set down two aces and a ten. Twenty one. "Oh really?"

Yami narrowed his eyes. "It's a tie. Doesn't count."

Yugi's smirk grew. "I dealt."

"So?" Yami raised an eyebrow.

Yugi laughed and leaned over to kiss Yami's cheek. "Don't you ever play card games aside from Duel Monsters? The dealer always wins."

Even as he stared at Akefia, Bakura's face was blank. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

Akefia hesitated. His younger brother was taller than him now, by about two inches. His glare was harsh, and his tone was as sharp as a scalpel.

This isn't a good idea. Despite the eleven, nearly twelve years he had spent looking for Bakura, now that he was in front of him, Akefia was having second thoughts.

Heru's grip on his hand tightened in a reassuring squeeze and he swallowed. "I'm… Akefia."

Bakura's eyes narrowed and he folded his arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Bullshit."

Akefia raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I said bullshit."

"Kura!" The boy that had called Akefia 'Mar-Kura' the previous night elbowed Bakura and smiled at Akefia and Heru. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Ryou. Would you like to come in for some tea or-"

"That won't be necessary, Ryou." Bakura turned away from the two. "They were just leaving."

"No, actually," Heru cut in, "we weren't." He smiled at Ryou. "Tea sounds great."

Ryou nodded and lead them into the house, despite Bakura's glares. Bakura followed the group a few paces behind Heru the whole time.

When they reached the living room, he refused to sit. He stood, leaning against the wall again.

When Ryou scurried out of the room to put on the kettle, he glared at Akefia again. "Who are you and what do you want?"

Akefia smiled feebly. "Is it a sin to want to see my brother?"

"You're not my brother," Bakura snapped instantly. "I don't have a brother."

"Really?" Akefia stood again. "Are you so sure?"

"Of course I'm sure." Bakura narrowed his eyes further.

"How?"

"Because my brother's dead!" Bakura slammed his fist into a wall. "He was killed in a massacre! He's dead!"

Akefia could feel his scar itching. It always did when he thought of the massacre. "No, I'm not."

Bakura growled and lunged at him, tackling him to the floor.

"Guys, stop!" Akefia heard Heru yell, and he could feel hands trying to pull him away as he grappled with Bakura.

"Bakura!" Ryou was back in the room now, trying to help Heru pull them apart. "Bakura, get off him!"

"Not until he admits he's lying!" Bakura yelled, trying to get Akefia into a headlock.

Akefia growled and rolled them over so that he was on top of Bakura, pinning his brother's wrists to the ground. "I'm not lying!" He felt Heru trying to pull him off, so he reluctantly stood up. "Bakura, I'm your brother!"

"No you're not!" Bakura strained against Ryou's one armed hold.

Ryou winced and added his other arm. "Bakura, please…"

Bakura reluctantly stopped when he saw how Ryou was holding him. "Sorry, Ry."

For the first time, Akefia noticed the wooden hand attached to Ryou's arm. Bakura followed his gaze and glared at him, as though daring him to mention it.

Akefia stayed silent.

"Honestly, can't you two just talk about this?" Heru sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Talk about what? How he's impersonating my dead brother?" Bakura snarled.

"I'm not dead."

"Yes, I can bloody well see that for myself!" Bakura snapped, turning to glare at him. "But he is!"

"Why are you so sure that your brother's dead?" Akefia shook his head. He didn't think Bakura would have given up on him.

"Because he told me!"

Akefia didn't need to ask what 'he' Bakura was talking about. 'He' had been all over the news for the past few months.

Aknadin.

"He lied."

"And how would you know?"

"He tried to kill me." Akefia ran a finger down his scar. "But he missed. He partially blinded me though. I can't see out of this eye anymore."

Bakura scowled, but stayed silent.

"I'm not dead, Bakura." Akefia took a step forward. He took another when Bakura didn't back away.

Bakura swallowed audibly. "Yes you- he is," he whispered, but his voice shook. "He killed you- him."

Akefia shook his head. "No he didn't." He took the final step and reached out.

Bakura flinched but didn't step back as Akefia cupped his cheek. Akefia smiled softly as he gently rubbed Bakura's cheek with his thumb and began singing a lullaby their mother used to sing.

Bakura's eyes widened as the Arabic lyrics rolled from Akefia's tongue. He only managed to sing a line or two; he didn't remember many of the lyrics.

But he managed to hum until the verse ended.

Silence hung in the air; heavy after the soft melody.

No one moved. Heru and Ryou watched their partners, both waiting for Bakura to start screaming again.

But then Bakura's arms were thrown around Akefia, and Akefia was holding him close as he buried his head in his shoulder.

"You were dead," he whispered. "He said you were dead."

Akefia held him closer. "I know." He brushed Bakura's bangs away from his forehead and kissed it. "But I'm not dead anymore."

"Die on me again and I'll kick your ass."

Despite the situation, Akefia chuckled. "I don't doubt it."

He and Bakura pulled away after a few minutes to see Heru and Ryou walking into the room with mugs of tea. Heru was carrying three, despite Ryou's protests. "When did you two leave?"

"About five minutes ago," Heru replied, placing the mugs on the table. "You were too caught up in your reunion to notice."

Ryou smiled softly at them as the two brothers scowled at Heru. "I thought it was sweet."

Heru gagged. "I'm not one for that touchy-feely crap."

"You're not one for putting a filter on your words either, are you?" Bakura sneered.

"Not at all." Heru grinned at him. "And you should get used to it, because we're not leaving anytime soon."

"Hello; Ishtar residence, Ishizu speaking. How can I help you?"

Silence.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Malik hesitated. He couldn't do this. This was a horrible, horrible idea.

"Hello?"

Maybe he should just say 'wrong number' and hang up? No, Ishizu would recognise his voice.

He could always just say nothing until she hung up.

"I have caller ID and unless I hear you speak and identify yourself, I will call the police."

Malik nearly cursed. When had Ishizu learned about caller ID?

He cleared his throat. "Ishizu."

"Yes?" Her response was clipped. She was distracted, then. She always had a very short response while working.

He had probably caught her on a museum-related project again.

He heard nothing but silence for a moment. Then a slight click, as though she had set something down. "Malik. It's good to hear from you."

It didn't sound as though she believed what she was saying, but Malik went along with it.

"You too, Ishizu."

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

Malik shrugged, leaning against the wall of the landing. "Don't I get to call my sister if I miss her?"

He was on his own. Somewhat.

Marik was there, but he was watching something. Ryou, Bakura and two others had gone off earlier that day though.

"Is this to do with the execution?"

Malik's eyes slipped closed. "I don't want to talk about it."

"If you say so." Ishizu's tone was clipped again. "I don't understand how you're okay with this going ahead."

"He deserves it."

"Does he really?" Malik could almost see Ishizu raising an inquisitive eyebrow. "Could he not have been punished instead? Placed in prison, perhaps?"

Malik shook his head. "Sister, sometimes death is a kinder option than prison."

Ishizu clicked her tongue. "If you say so." She really had no idea. "So what is it you wanted to talk about if not that?"

Malik swallowed. This was such a bad idea. Who had talked him into this again?

Oh, that's right. His conscience.

Well his conscience was going to die for this, and he wasn't paying for the funeral.

"I was… thinking about coming back," he said. "For a visit."

He could hear the click, click, click, tap of keys from a keyboard in the background.

Not Ishizu's; she never used them. But if he could hear it, that meant she had set the phone down on the table to write.

Sure enough, her voice sounded farther away. "Really?" She was just as clipped. "And would your- would he be accompanying you?"

Malik bristled. "Yes. My boyfriend, Marik, would be coming with me," he said firmly.

"And your attire?" Again, he could almost see the eyebrow quirk. Not in an inquisitive way anymore; in a judgemental one.

"I'll be wearing clothes of some kind."

"Yes, but what kind of clothes?"

"The kind that covers you."

"Malik…" Ishizu's tone was warning now.

"I'll be wearing a dress, sister. Maybe a skirt and a t-shirt."

Again, Ishizu clicked her tongue. The click was longer this time; or maybe it was the build up to the inevitable click.

"I see."

Malik swallowed. "So… what do you think?"

"I'm busy."

"Well, I didn't mean today. I meant in the next week or tw-"

"I'm busy," Ishizu repeated firmly. "And I always will be as long as you continue to disregard the morals you were brought up with."

Anger bubbled up in Malik. "What?"

"I refuse to have you in my house unless you are dressed in the proper, befitting garb, and unless you leave that murderer at home."

"It was manslaughter, Ishizu. He didn't mean to kill him!" Malik insisted.

"Manslaughter is only a subcategory of murder." He heard another click, and Ishizu's voice was closer again. "You know my conditions, brother. Abide by them and you can return home."

The anger threatened to wash over Malik and leave him devoid of any other emotion. But without warning, it faded into calmness.

"Fine." His voice was just as cool and just as clipped as Ishizu's. "I guess I won't be coming back then."

"You can return, brother; just as soon as you-"

"Don't call me 'brother'," Malik cut her off. "I'm not part of that family anymore." He shook his head. "Tell Odion I said hi," he muttered as he hung up.

He stared at the phone for a moment, resisting the urge to hurl it against the wall, before resting his forehead against the wall.

The anger was back, and the plaster was refreshingly cool against his flushed skin.

"Malik-pretty?"

Malik turned to see Marik watching him. "I thought you were watching SpongeBob."

"I was," Marik said, stepping closer. "I heard you on the phone."

Malik looked away. "Don't ask," he mumbled.

"I wasn't going to." Marik wrapped his arms around Malik's waist.

Malik sighed and rested the side of his face against Marik's chest. "I'm fine."

"I didn't say you weren't." Marik held him closer.

"I can handle it." Malik nuzzled closer.

"I didn't say you couldn't." Marik kissed his temple.

Malik closed his eyes. "I don't have a family anymore," he mumbled.

Marik's arms tightened around him. Malik knew he didn't need to explain.

If Marik hadn't heard that part of the conversation, he would have asked.

"You have Ryou and Yugi," Marik said after a minute. "And Duke, Tristan, Joey, and Anzu. Hell, you've even got Yami, Seto, and Bakura." He rested his forehead against Malik's. "And you've got me."

Malik bit his lip to force the lump in his throat back. "It still hurts…"

"I know." Marik kissed his nose. "I know."

"I want it to stop." Malik closed his eyes.

"It won't," Marik said softly. "But it'll get easier. And maybe one day, they'll be lucky enough to call you their brother again." He kissed Malik's forehead, eyes, nose, cheekbones, and finally, lips.

Malik slowly opened his eyes. "You think so?"

Marik shrugged. "I don't know. If you decide they're worth it, then they'll be lucky. If you don't, then you won't have done anything wrong and they'll need to deal with that."

Malik nuzzled against him. "Thanks, Mar."

Marik cupped Malik's cheek, guiding Malik's head up so that Malik was meeting his gaze again. He leaned down and murmured against Malik's lips, "Anytime."

Yugi had ignored it when he heard Tristan's stomach growl.

He had ignored it when Marik had winced due to stomach cramps.

He had even ignored it when he heard Duke mumbling about food in his sleep.

But he couldn't ignore it when Tristan mumbled to Anzu about her flight back to America.

"Okay, everyone out!"

They all stared at him. "Yugi-"

"Nope." Yugi shook his head. "Everyone out. Get out. Anzu, go get the taxi to the airport before you miss your flight. Everyone else, go and get something to eat."

Everyone hesitated; Yugi could see reluctance in their eyes.

He sighed. "Look, I'm not going to die just because you guys leave the room. I'll be fine."

Ryou was the first to speak. "Yugi, the doctor said-"

"I know what he said, but I'm telling you I'm not going to die because you guys spend half an hour getting food." Yugi narrowed his eyes. "Now go."

The group exchanged glances before slowly standing up and leaving the room. Anzu gave Yugi a final, tight hug before scurrying out to her taxi while the others made their way to the cafeteria.

"Think he'll be okay while we're gone?" Malik mumbled.

Duke nodded, grabbing a tray. "I think so. He's stronger than he looks."

"Still…" Ryou's gaze was downcast.

Tristan shook his head. "He's survived this long. He won't give up yet."

"What the fuck?" Marik scowled.

"Well it's true-"

"Not that, idiot. The fucking engagement ring you're wearing."

Everyone paused and looked at Tristan's ring finger, and then at Duke's.

Ryou's eyes lit up. "You guys are getting married?"

Malik snickered. "You guys are getting married?"

"No!" Tristan glared at Marik. "Well, maybe eventually. But not yet."

"Then what's with the bloody engagement rings?" Bakura raised an eyebrow. "You don't just buy an engagement ring because you think it looks nice."

Duke looked away as Tristan shrugged. "They're promise rings."

Marik and Bakura were silent for a grand total of seven and a half seconds before they burst into laughter.

"That is the dumbest shit I've ever heard of," Marik laughed, ignoring the half-hearted warning look Malik gave him. "If you're going to ask someone to marry you, do it properly."

"Exactly," Bakura snickered. "Don't promise to promise to marry them. That's the easy way out."

Duke rolled his eyes at them. "Shut up. You guys are-"

"Jealous because we're not engaged to be engaged?" Marik snorted. "Sure."

Duke shrugged. "You said it. Not me."

"Guys, knock it off!" Ryou groaned as Marik clenched a fist. "We're in a hospital cafeteria. This is not the place to argue."

"Exactly." Tristan took Duke's hand and led him towards the line. "And we're taking all the deserts!"

"No way in hell you are!" Malik called, chasing after them.

Ryou shot Bakura and Marik a look before following the three. Bakura nudged his younger brother as they followed. "Engaged to be engaged."

Marik snickered, shaking his head. "Dumbest shit I've ever heard of."

"Abolish the death penalty!"

"God will judge you for this decision!"

"Murder is murder, no matter the cause!"

Akefia did his best to ignore the mob of protestors and reporters swarming him as he shoved his way to the building.

Heru clung to the back of his red hoodie, scared to get washed away in the crowd of people.

The microphones and signs thrust into his face were growing harder to ignore.

"You will be judged!"

"Murderers!"

"No one deserves death!"

He just had to make it to the building. If he did, he would be fine.

If he did, it would be over.

He felt Heru take his hand and squeeze it. He squeezed Heru's hand in return, only to almost smack into a microphone.

"Mr. Touzoku, how do you feel knowing that you're murdering an innocent man?"

Innocent?

"Akefia, don't."

Akefia barely even heard Heru as he turned to face the reporter. "Innocent?" He sneered. "You call him innocent?"

Finally, he spoke. The yelling began to die down.

"His case was only won because of speculation." The microphone was back in his face again.

Akefia growled, fists clenching. "A massacre of an entire village is speculation? What, did someone change the meaning of the word in the dictionary while I wasn't looking?"

"Akefia, come on," Heru pleaded. "We're almost there."

"Hang on, Heru." Akefia glared at the reporter. "I just want to know how the fuck this guy seems to believe that Aknadin is innocent. How any of them do!"

"You really believe that in this day and age, someone would be able to lock three boys up in an attack and abuse them daily without someone finding out?" The reporter asked. He wasn't with the news then. Well, maybe Fox.

"Well, he managed it," Akefia growled. "Just like he managed to orchestrate the mass homicide of Kul Elna."

"That massacre was a myth-"

"I was fucking there for it!" Akefia shrieked.

The crowd had fallen completely silent. Even the reporter seemed to be struggling to find words.

"He also managed to murder Atem and Heba Mutou without anyone realising it, didn't he?" Akefia snapped. "He managed to sneak a gun into court and shoot someone!"

"That was due to a corrupt cop."

"No, it was due to his fucking attorney and bad security!" Akefia snarled. "You know how he did it? He got a Glock, bribed his attorney to hide it in the cistern in the bathroom, and because it wasn't metal, it didn't come up on the detectors. How the fuck would he bribe a cop to give him a gun when the cop would know that they'd go to jail for it for years?"

Heru tugged at his hand slightly. "Akefia, come on."

"You take the word of a brother you haven't seen in years on this?" The reporter asked. "You only met him again recently, right?"

Akefia was close – so very, very close – to grabbing his microphone and shoving it down his throat.

"Yes, I do. I'd rather take his word over some sleazy reporters," he snapped, turning away. "Now buzz off!"

"Touzoku's a murderer, just like Aknadin!"

If it wasn't for Heru's tight grip on his hand, Akefia would have lunged at the protestor.

But Heru's grip stayed firm and he led Akefia into the building.

Once they were through security and the screams and yells had faded into the background, Heru wrapped his arms around Akefia. "Ignore them," he murmured. "They don't know what they're talking about."

Akefia returned the hug, burying his head in Heru's shoulder. "I know," he whispered. "I just hate them so much…"

"They don't know any better."

"Well they should."

Heru sighed softly. "Yeah. I know."

They stood there for a few minutes before Akefia pulled away. "We should go inside…"

Heru continued to hold him. "I know you want this to end, but I also know it hurts." Akefia looked away from him. "It's okay to feel like that, Kefie."

"Then why doesn't it feel like it is?" Akefia muttered.

Heru shook his head. "Because your head is a dick." Akefia cracked a smile. Heru leaned up. "It's nearly over."

Akefia nodded. "I know…"

Heru pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "I love you."

"I love you too, Akhu."

Bakura stared at the building, a knot forming in his stomach.

His brother and Heru were already inside; they had text him to let him know that there was a mob of liberal protestors outside.

He honestly wasn't surprised. If it hadn't been Aknadin, he might have been holding the, 'murder is murder, no matter the cause,' signs with them.

But it was Aknadin.

It was all about to end.

Bakura reached for Ryou's hand and squeezed it. "I'm scared," he whispered.

Ryou looked up at him. "It'll be okay, Kura," he murmured. "It's nearly over."

Aside from Akefia and Heru, they were the only ones from the group that showed up.

Marik hadn't because of the protestors, and Malik had wanted to stay with him.

Neither Duke nor Tristan wanted to watch someone die. Anzu was on her way over to America, and Joey and Seto were back in Germany, having come over to spend the weekend with Yugi.

"I know," Bakura whispered.

They had decided to go in the back door; Akefia had said he would open it for them. It was the easiest way to avoid the protestors.

They quickly made their way to the back of the building. The fire escape was waiting, already open. The two walked inside and into the theatre-like area after closing the door behind them.

Just in case.

They had come as late as possible; neither of them wanted to wait.

They just wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.

Akefia and Heru were easy to spot, but the seats around them were taken.

Akefia stood up as though to walk over to Bakura, but the younger of the brothers shook his head.

He knew Akefia would need Heru.

He looked to the glass. He could see Aknadin strapped down into the chair.

Leather cuffs held him by his wrists, ankles, thighs, upper arms and chest.

The needle was already filled.

Bakura's eyes locked with Aknadin's through the glass as the needle was held to his arm.

No fear. No resignation. No regret.

Just amusement.

Bakura looked away, his skin crawling as the needle was inserted. He could almost feel the liquid being pumped into Aknadin's blood stream.

Ryou gently pulled him closer, and Bakura buried his head in his boyfriend's shoulder.

Ryou rubbed his back with his good hand the whole time. Finally, he pulled back slightly.

Bakura met his gaze and Ryou pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

No words passed between them, despite the murmurs of the small crowd.

The curtains had been closed.

Despite insisting that he didn't want to see Aknadin's death, Yugi had quietly requested for Yami to turn on the news.

Today was the worst Yami had seen him.

He didn't blame him; it was the worst Yami had seen everyone.

Reporters were flocking the building that Aknadin would receive the lethal injection in.

Cameras flashed in Heru and Akefia's faces as Akefia screamed at the crowd. Judging by the lack of their presence, Yami suspected Ryou and Bakura had crept around the back.

Smart.

Their faces all came up. Yami's, Yugi's, Bakura's, Ryou's, Marik's, Malik's and Aknadin's.

An old photo of Heba and Atem popped up for a few seconds as well.

There was a timer on the side of the screen. As it drew closer to zero, the camera switched to the room.

Now Yami could see Bakura and Ryou. Bakura looked like he was about to faint.

He felt Yugi bury his head in his chest. Yami gently wrapped an arm around him, using his free hand to stroke his boyfriend's hair.

Five.

It was almost over.

Four.

Nearly there.

Three.

All the pain.

Two.

All the heartache.

One.

It was finally…

Zero.

"It's over."

Yami's voice was no louder than a whisper.

He could hear the news reporter announcing the successful and quick execution of Aknadin Sennen.

He turned off the television as the camera switched back to the protestors. He didn't need to see any more.

Neither of them did.

Yugi still had yet to move his head.

"Aibou?"

It took Yugi a few moments to react, but he raised his head. "Y-yeah?"

"It's over."

Yugi's face was pale and his breathing was a bit ragged. He nodded. "I know," he whispered. His eyes slipped closed.

"Do you want a nap?" Yami asked softly.

Yugi nodded. "Yeah," he mumbled.

Yami stood up to get a nurse; one always had to check Yugi's vitals before, during and after he slept.

"Mou Hitori, wait."

Yami turned back to see Yugi weakly raising a hand. Yami quickly took it, alleviating the weight from Yugi. "Yes, aibou?"

Yugi smiled softly at him. "I love you," he whispered.

Yami returned the smile and leaned down to kiss him. "I love you too," he murmured against his lips.

After a moment, he pulled away. "Do you want some water too?"

Yugi shook his head slowly. "I don't need it," he mumbled.

Yami nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Yugi smiled softly and nodded, watching as Yami left the room.

He lay back, sinking into the pillows. It was over. It was all over.

He let out a slow, long breath. He could finally let go.

A dull, resounding beep echoed through the room as his eyes slipped closed and he let out one, final breath.

It was over.

DD: Yes. I did the unspeakable and killed Yugi. And I am proud of myself for doing so. I hope you guys liked the last chapter and that if you ever, ever see this book on shelves in a bookshop (fingers crossed) that you might pick it up and buy it. If you guys want more of my Puzzleshipping stories, check out Glass Coffins. I haven't posted the second chapter yet because I wanted to finish TBITA first. Thank you all so, so much for sticking with me through all seventeen chapters. I love you guys. Bye, Killer Queens.