Author's Notes: this is the last chapter for this fic. After this there will be no more 'Identity'! WAAAH! I liked writing this fic. It was my first multi-chapter YGO fic and now that it's finished . . . I miss it already! OMG . . . I feel sad for some strange reason. I loved the reviews (the first that got more than just five – but now 'Judgment' has more) and all the good feedback I got.

Also, don't blame me for the ending. I did what I felt and if anyone doesn't like it – well . . . drum roll I'M DOING A SEQUEL! That's if I feel like it. I might have moved onto a new fandom by then coughYYHcough. Anyway, that hasn't been decided. I've planned a little bit already, but nothing's been put into action. Just hope for the best people.

---- Doing What's Best ----

Ryou looked up, startled, as the metal doors to the dungeon burst open with a 'bang'. Seto stiffened protectively. Guards swarmed in and Otogi Ryuuji followed a key in his hand. He went straight to them, unlocking their chains from the walls, ankles and wrists, but the guards held them securely.

"Otogi?" Ryou questioned.

"I'm not able to speak of what's happening," the other replied flatly. "But I have to take you to the king immediately. Follow me."

He led them to the throne room in silence. Seto edged closer to her bit by bit, until they could touch. He grasped her hand briefly and she glanced up at him with a gratified expression as they continued to walk. Otogi opened the throne room doors and bowed to Sugoroku, Yugi and Yami.

"I've brought them, Sugoroku-sama."

"Good. That is all, thank you for your time, Otogi."

The lord bowed again and retreated to the side of the aisle, taking his place in front of the Ishtars. Malik looked furious and Marik was just stonily silent. Ryou and Seto were led down the aisle and rested on their knees in front of the throne. The chamber was eerily quiet.

"The two of you have been sentenced to death prior to this assembly," Sugoroku began gravely. "Bakura Ryou, you have committed a grievous crime in your lifetime. Needless to say, hiding your identity, assuming a male post with a false male identity is considered treason and should be rightfully punished by death."

Ryou, who was staring at the floor, closed her eyes in shame.

"Under normal circumstances, the law would bid me to destroy your house, but seeing as you have served the kingdom loyally and dutifully these past years, I allowed for you to shoulder full responsibility. This will not change, unless you choose to fulfil a pledge made by myself and your mother."

It was Seto who shut his eyes this time, a throbbing pain in his chest. Ryou shook. This was – she would prefer to die with Seto, but this could not happen. She could not die. As long as she lived and married Yami, the two houses would merge into one and the Bakura line would not end. But then Seto . . . her eyes filled.

"Think over this choice," Sugoroku said gently. "In the meantime, I have an announcement to make."

He called over his shoulder to an attendant, who bowed and retreated into the back room. Moments later, he came back out again, two people trailing after him. One was a woman dressed in modest silks; nothing to fancy or well cut out. The other was a tall, tanned and pale-haired man. Ryou looked up and bit back a gasp.

"Anubis . . ." she breathed.

Bakura Anubis grinned.

"Ryou." He moved forward to kneel down and take her hands. "You've grown."

"You've changed," she replied shakily. "How did you – I thought you died."

"More about that later," he murmured. "Right now, you have a decision to make."

Sugoroku cleared his throat and the court turned towards him. He looked at Ryou seriously with his purple hues.

"Although the Bakura line has a legitimate heir, there is still the blood pact made by your ancestors and myself. Even if you assume the head of your house no longer, you are the sole daughter of your family who has not wedded and is of an age similar to the only available son in our house. This must be fulfilled."

"I – I need some time," Ryou stammered, losing her calm exterior.

"Very well. I will give you a week from now to give me your answer. During this time, no one who will affect your decision is allowed to come near you."

--------

Anubis watched his little sister stare out the window.

"Anubis," Ryou whispered.

"Yes, Ryou?"

"You still haven't told me how you survived."

She turned to face him slowly and he could see the pain in her eyes. Her mind was desperately searching for a distraction from the decision she had to make. He put an arm around her shoulders comfortingly and she leaned against him, eyes blank and unseeing.

"Well, I fell into the river," Anubis began, "and I was unconscious at the time. So I was washed a long way downstream . . . how long, I have no idea. But anyway, a fisherman in a nearby village brought me in and his family looked after me. I was too weak to go anywhere at the time, so I stayed until I had recovered. Then a flood hit the village and I had to help them move. By the time they were settled again, Ishizu had found me and we . . . well, let's just say we got married and lived there for a while.

"Until recently, we had heard no news from the capital, so we assumed that everything was all right. As soon as we heard the news of your arrest, Ishizu and I took leave of the village and returned as soon as possible."

Ryou blinked a few times blankly, before pulling away from him. Anubis pressed his lips to the top of her hair briefly and affectionately. A brotherly gesture, but one that was welcome.

"It's been fourteen years, Anubis. I've missed you so much."

"Me too, Ryou." Anubis stroked her hair. "We've both grown a lot. You don't have to worry about the Bakura house – I've got it under control. Those three bitches and their retarded husbands can't harm me . . ."

"Anubis, really," Ryou reprimanded.

"Well it's true," he retorted. "They wiped out more than half of our treasury and then runs off to the Ishtars, who, by the way, now happen to be our brothers-in-law. If they come crawling back to us, I'm gonna give them a good kick up their . . ."

"Anubis."

Despite herself, Ryou managed a weak, amused grin. Anubis' eyes glinted mischievously, but his lips were set in a gentle smile.

"There, you're smiling again."

"You're impossible." She fingered her pendant, the one Seto had returned to her in the dungeon. "He and I went practically to hell and back, stared death in the face and yet we're still going to be separated. If I choose Yami, then Seto . . . and if I choose death . . . either way, we're going to be separated."

"Do you really love him, Ryou?"

Anubis sounded deadly serious. She clutched the pendant, mulling it over. Finally, she met his dark eyes evenly.

"Yes."

"If you love him, don't you think you should do what's best for both of you?"

"I . . ."

"I'm not saying you should commit double suicide," Anubis hastily interjected. "Just . . . do what you think is best. I can't help you make this decision, but I want you to know that I'm on your side no matter what."

They embraced each other a while longer before Anubis went back to Ishizu, who was helping the Bakura house resettle. Ryou leaned against the window frame, the breeze picking up on her new, female garments and her hair. She held up the pendant briefly, watching as it turned in front of her eyes.

--------

Honda and Anzu had fled from Domino after news of Miho's death reached them. The servants' quarters seemed so empty, now that most of the servants had left. Ryou was practicing her swordsmanship, even though she was technically not allowed to wield a sword.

As she was doing a horizontal slash, her wrist flicked upwards of its own accord, pulling her into an upward arc, slicing through the air. She did a backward flip and landed with her blade in front of her. Blinking, she suddenly realised what she had done.

A horizontal slash followed immediately by an upward arc . . . White Dragon school fourth dance. Only he had ever properly accomplished this move. They were two parts to a whole, the two pieces of an important legacy. Their lives were entwined, even if they were separated. She would never not be haunted by him.

She let her sword clatter to the ground noisily as she fell to her knees. Why couldn't she decide?

Seto was important to her – very important, in fact. They had been through hell and back. But if she chose not to marry, then they would die. She, because she would be executed and he, because he had once made a vow to follow her wherever she went. But if she chose Yami, then they would both have nothing more to do with each other and they would live separate lives.

And they would both be haunted by each other's presence.

And Yami. She had loved him first, even if that love was just a small crush. He was good to her, the only person she trusted before Seto came along. Risking himself for her . . . he knew she loved Seto and yet he was willing to help them at his own disadvantage. Who had truly given up for her?

There was no other way to get out of this mess she had created. She couldn't refuse Yami without Sugoroku having her head and both she and Seto would be disadvantaged with that decision.

---- A Week Later ----

Seto eyed Yami steadily and the Prince Regent returned his look. The week was up and both had come to the conclusion that, whomever Ryou chose, they would accept it without complaint. A truce, in other words.

The wanderer knew already what he would do. If Ryou chose death, he would die alongside her. If she chose Yami, he would wish them well and be on his way. There was no point in staying any longer. The one he loved more than anyone in the world would belong to someone else, someone with a higher social status and more respectable name than his.

I'm sorry for bringing this on the both of you, Yami had said, back in the dungeon. But this is the only way.

The Prince Regent was, back then, sympathetic and looked truly as if he had been forced to take this final step. But now, as Seto looked at him, Yami was determined to win Ryou. Gone was the man who wanted to save them at all costs. Instead, a man who loved Ryou and wanted her for his own stood before him. It was a startling change, but one that was not unexpected.

"Kaiba."

"Yami-sama?"

"I want to know what you would do, should Ryou choose me."

"It would be her choice and I will respect her decision."

Yami nodded curtly in acknowledgment.

"I see." A silence reigned. "Then I must ask a favour."

"What is it, Yami-sama?"

"Leave Domino should she choose me." Seto stiffened. "I want you to leave Domino. If you remain, I cannot live with the fact that my one greatest rival for Ryou's love is right here, tempting her. If you remain, she will undoubtedly turn against me at one stage and I don't want that. Understand, Kaiba, that I love her and I will do anything to keep her."

Seto glared at him for a moment, before sighing and closing his eyes. Then his expression relaxed and a ghost of a smirk graced his lips.

"I understand, Yami-sama," he replied. "I am also a man who loves her, with my life. If she were to choose me, I would take her far away from Domino. Should she choose you, I will do as you request."

Yami smiled, the relief evident on his features. They shooks hands, sealing the pact. At that moment, Sugoroku entered the chamber, followed by Yugi and Ryou. Neither Yami nor Seto had seen Ryou in female clothing, so when she walked in, it was as if they were in a trance.

She was wearing blues and whites, which complimented her silvery hair and pale complexion well. Two braids rested on either side of her face, underneath her fringe, which framed it perfectly. She had learned to walk with a flowing, feminine grace, almost as if she were walking on water. Maybe it was just their love for her that increased the beauty of her appearance, but Yami and Seto knew that, to them, she was perfect.

Yugi saw the looks on their faces and hid a smile. He had never seen two men more infatuated than the two of them. With the exception, of course, of Jounouchi lately. He and Mai had somehow gotten together through a twist of fate. His father, Yugi's uncle, had passed away only two days ago and Mai helped Jounouchi through it, earning his undying devotion.

"Now, Ryou has given word of her decision," Sugoroku announced. The chamber was empty except for them. "She will tell you herself."

Ryou looked as if she had been struggling internally with herself and her eyes were damp. She came to a rest at Yami's feet, showing her submission. She didn't trust herself to speak. The Prince Regent stood, shocked, for only a moment, before he took her into his arms.

"I love you, Ryou," he murmured.

She nodded into his shoulder, her eyes meeting Seto's over them. He looked distraught and the pain was evident in his eyes. Even so, he knew she was trying to apologise for her actions and nodded slightly. She let Yami help her to her feet, but didn't trust herself to face Seto entirely, so kept her eyes buried on the Prince's shirt.

--------

Kaiba Seto adjusted the stirrup on Senkou's saddle and patted her neck fondly. Without a second thought, he mounted the stallion and took the reigns.

The Bakura household was alive with activity, the preparations being made for the upcoming double wedding. Anubis and Ishizu wanted to make up for the lack of celebration at their first wedding and so decided to organise it alongside Yami and Ryou's. Everyone was invited, Seto too, of course.

But he wasn't going. No, he had a promise to keep and he was here, making sure he was keeping it. Senkou shifted impatiently under him, pawing at the dirt ground with a front hoof. He stroked the stallion's dark mane to soothe him.

"Sh, Senkou, patience."

His eyes went to the window overlooking the river. The window was open, but there was no one looking out. He watched it a while, longingly, before turning back to the road ahead.

He wasn't coming back to Domino, ever.

He was going to start wandering again.

There was no turning back.

--------

Ryou watched Seto distance himself from her, getting smaller and smaller as he rode away. She felt her heart clench and tears threaten to spill. They both knew it was for the best. Those moments together were more than enough good memories to rest in her heart.

She felt the tears slide down her cheeks slowly and painfully, burning in her eyes.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and she leaned into Yami's touch. He brushed back the tears from her eyes with his sleeve and held her.

"I love you, Ryou," he whispered. "I would rather die than let you go."

"I . . ." she couldn't bring herself to tell him the same.

"I can wait," he promised, arms tightening around her. "I will wait. I don't care how long it takes, I can wait forever until you can tell me you love me as well."

She looked into Yami's red-purple eyes and touched his lips softly.

"I love you."

---- End ----

Author's Notes:

Well, that's the end of 'Identity'! Wow, I can't believe how sappy it was at the end. Some things were left unexplained, but I'll have charge of that.

Liked it? Hated it? Thought I should have done something that I didn't?

Well, there's only one way for me to find out!

REVIEW!

And thank you to everyone who stuck by this fic for the duration of its progress. I really appreciate all the reviews! And I would be happy if there was more . . . but I'm glad it got the attention it did.

So, review people!

Relinquished

PS – there WILL be a sequel. It's called 'A Legacy Unfinished'.

Baibai!