Okay. I've never written anything remotely similar before. I finished Death Parade and it broke my fragile little heart, and I was just itching to write something on it. The ending of the Anime needed a little re-writing in my opinion. I was not satisfied. Grrr! They deserve to be together! I will do a second chapter. I won't make it such a long story. I tried my best, bare with it. ;)

Decim's head was swirling. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, he felt stress. Arbiters don't feel stress. Was he even an Arbiter? All the mixed emotions flooding from his brain to his heart, and on top of that he had to deal with the onslaught of borderline psychotic guests. Although he had begun to learn and understand many things from each of their memories. Every month he would have to have them all erased. Once he'd asked Nona if it were possible for him to keep just a few. Since he was not of the human world, he hadn't experienced normal human interactions. He wanted to know much more. All of those moments he'd kept locked away in the depths of his mind. In the place he stored all his most cherished thoughts. Nona disagreed and told him it would only lead to disaster. That it would taint his judgments. Decim pleaded. Nona then gave in and allowed him to salvage the memories of the Black-Haired woman and the one's he'd learned from. She was not pleased with this new development in the Arbiter, due to the fact Oculus was on her back about it.

Every afternoon, when he'd been given free time, he would spend it chatting with the dummy of the Black-Haired woman. When she left the Quindecim, he'd experienced a grievance. The loss of a great friend. Who taught him so much. How to feel. She brought out the human in him. If there was any. Sometimes he'd catch himself wishing she'd come back. Though he knew that was impossible. Not even Nona herself had enough power to retrieve a reincarnated soul. Of all the dressed up dummies he'd collected, this one held value. It was what he cherished most dearly. Not a single day had gone by that the man hadn't spoken to it. Treated the dummy as if it were a real person. Decim always made sure it was clean. Free of dust. Lately though, he'd been feeling more gloomy. The empty shell that used to be his best friend Chiyuki just wasn't enough.

"Hello miss Chiyuki." He spoke. Slightly bowing, left gloved hand over his chest.

It was a new day, and with that, new judgments. The next guests were to arrive soon. Decim took out the ingredients for a special drink. The doll seated to his right lifted itself from the chair and sat on one of the bar stools. The martini shaker rattled and he poured out two light blue colored drinks. It had always been Chiyuki's favorite. A Momento Mori. The doll, controlled by invisible spider threads, gently grabbed the glass. Always amazed at how delicious it tasted. He tilted his head and tried his best to smile as she had taught him to do. Decim poured out the glass for the dummy and washed them. Placing them both back on the rack of martini glasses. All of a sudden, he felt like dancing. The dummy seated at the piano begun to play a tune. Chiyuki's doll gently landed in his arms and he carried it to the platform near the piano. The romantic tune rung out through the bar. Connecting the doll by a few threads, he allowed it to stand. Trying his hardest to remember the time they danced. It had only been once, when Decim asked Chiyuki if she knew how to dance after witnessing two guests preform the Waltz.

"Of course!" She laughed. "My father taught me how to slow dance when I was a teenager." She had grabbed Decim's white gloved hand and pulled the shocked man to the dance floor. Alongside the two tearfully happy spirits.

Decim closed his eyes and tried to imagine the doll as Chiyuki, retracing the steps and movements involved. First he entwined his fingers with the doll, like she had done with him. They begun to slowly move in each direction. The dummy, expressionless, moved along with his steps. He stepped back and let the doll twirl, only touching it by the tips of it's fingers.

"So this is how humans dance?" He asked. Genuinely curious. Only seeing visions of it in people's forgotten memories.

Decim was a natural. So gentlemanly like and yet he wasn't even human. "Yes. Though there are different types of dancing." She smiled. Decim felt a new human emotion brewing. Then felt confused, not knowing what it was. She held his hand tight and leaned back in a dip. Coming back up, looking at his face. Their eyes met. Decim averted her gaze. Her eyes were violet, the color of the galaxy. She admired his strong features. Although she hated how he always kept his right eye hidden under his long white bangs. They twirled, Decim's arm resting delicately on her shoulder as she had shown him. Chiyuki's smile radiated happiness. Porcelain skin glittering in the light of the crystal chandelier.

The sweet memory he had been reliving was cut short by the barrage of many other jumbled pictures and scenes being shoved into his head. Doubling back, hand to his temple. His eye spun around and the cross design began to glow. With a sigh, hinting at disappointment, silk threads appeared by his control. Chiyuki's dummy was lifted up and placed back gently in its respective seat by the bar. The next guests were in the elevators on the way up. Decim straightened his vest and took his usual place behind the bar. Not before giving Chiyuki's dummy a half smile.

The twin elevators had dinged. Two people had stepped out, dazed and confused. A man and a woman in their early twenties jumped at the sight of each other. Embracing each other in tight arms. The woman shrieked out of happiness. He lifted her off the ground and swung her around. Putting her down, the man looked puzzled.

"Wait Anna, what are we even doing here?" The man rubbed the back of his head. His ginger colored hair ruffling.

The woman looked around. They were in an, apartment? No a hotel? Her voice was sweet but a little scared. "Not sure."

Decim piped up. "Right this way please." The two walked hand in hand to the bar and seated themselves. Decim knew everything about these people but was unable to judge them in dire situations.

"Where are we?" Anna's voice was tiny, cute but weak.

"I cannot disclose that at the moment." Decim recited. "I hope you will forgive my abruptness but do you remember anything up to your arrival?"

The man thought hard, but came up with nothing. The woman also. They both shook their heads.

"As long as we are together I don't really care where we are." He turned his head to the beautiful dark skinned woman and gave a loving smile, placing his hand atop her shaky one.

Decim coaxed the two into playing a game. They both agreed out of curiosity and the woman pressed the red button that had been given. The screen behind the bar began to flick between each square on the green design. Eventually slowing down and stopping. It flipped over with a click to reveal the game of ping pong. Decim remembered that it had been one of the games Chiyuki had suggested. She'd grown tired of the same bar room games over and over.

The nervous but excited woman, Anna sprang from the chair in excitement. Suddenly, large green mat style ping pong table rose from a trap door under the floor. Dusty smoke filled the room around the trap door but was dispersed in seconds. On the sides of each table were intricate gold detailing, and in the corners were the signature chrome skulls. A spider web looking net separated the two of them in the middle of the table. They took their places on each side. He was just relieved that he didn't have to threaten them into playing the damn game.

"This is going to be so much fun!" She called, frittering about. Then rubbed the back of her head in the embarrassment. "But how do you play? I can't seem to remember, ahaha."

Decim appeared on the left side of the playing table. "The rules are simple. Each player gets a paddle, the ball is to be hit back and forth until one person misses. When a player misses the ball, the other player scores a point. The first player to reach five points wins the match."

"Ladies first." The man called. Tossing the ball to Hanna.

She let the ball bounce once before lightly tapping it. It flew over the net and bounced once more before the man hit it back. "Haha I won't lose!"

Decim admired how well the two people got along. How they actually remembered they were a couple as they reunited at the Quindecim. He greatly missed Chiyuki's input and wished she were really alongside him at that very moment. Her human thoughts put a new spin on things. Bringing insight on what people's actions really meant. From what the memories he'd received portrayed, the woman had died of a hemorrhage. The man had smashed his head in. The events that lead to their deaths is what really mattered.

The woman's arm shot right, smacking the ping pong ball across the table. "Wow Kent your really good at this!" Her pink mini-skirt flapped when she had to jump left and right. Her body was skinny, frail. Like she hadn't eaten a decent meal in weeks. Her face was drained, eyes sunken. Dark lips tinted with a slight shade of blue. Her converse shoes were left untied, as though she was usually very forgetful.

Decim peered back at the still dummy. It sat, with it's hands placed on it's lap. Decim quietly sighed in disappointment. Just as he turned to look back at the couple, Kent scored a point. As he raised a fist in the air in his victory, his face went expressionless. Shocked in the moment with a flashback returning to him.

The room was silent. It was his apartment. He'd just made enough money this pay to cover the rent. Tired from a long day he sprawled out on the sofa and flicked on the television. A key could be heard unlatching the lock, and Anna stepped in carrying two paper bags full of groceries. "Hi hun." She spoke, distracted. Kenta moved to the door to greet her with a kiss. Taking the groceries from her. Revealing her small rounded belly.

"Work hard today?" She giggled. Taking off her shoes and replacing them with fizzy slippers. Kent was in the kitchen filling the nearly empty fridge with the groceries.

"All the time. Knowing I have you to come home too." He smiled. Exiting the kitchen, he put his arms around her and lifted her up. She kissed him and cupped his face in the palms of her hands. He backed her onto the nearest wall and buried his face in her neck. He knew he loved this woman with all of his heart and soul.

"Wait put me down!" She threw a hand over her mouth and squirmed out of his grasp. Dashing down the hall. The sounds of vomiting could be heard.

Kenta followed her into the bathroom and pulled her hair out of her face. Rubbing her back in circles reassuringly. She thanked him kindly.

"Kenta whats the matter?" She yelled. The man had fallen. His legs given out, his hand caught the edge of the table as a crutch and a hand grasped his fluttering chest. How could he have forgotten such an important time in his life?

Pulling himself to his feet he dusted his pant leg off. Leaning down to retrieve the little plastic ball. "No biggy. Ankle rolled is all."

He served the ball. It hit the table. They rallied it back and forth a few times before Anna got ahead of herself and sent it shooting across the table. Out of Kenta's reach. He congratulated her on a point and she felt proud. The scoreboard on Anna's side buzzed and was scored one to one. She fell forward and put her hands on the table for support. The memories flooding back to her.

Anna laid in bed. The warm white duvet around her ruffled. She was naked from head to toe, her husband sound asleep next to her. The night was still young. The luminescent glow from the moon filtered in through the blinds and cast beams of light on his naked back. She traced her fingers along the rays on his back, other hand on her pregnant belly. She admired how beautiful he was when he slept. Wishing she could keep this moment forever. Remembering how delightful and pleasuring the sex had just been. Kent was careful to not harm her large stomach. It was slow. Passionate and caring. Thinking over how her heart had leapt with each gentle butterfly kiss on her dark skin, leading down her belly. This man was her life, her one and only.

Sitting up in the bed, she threw on one of his old baggy t-shirts. Leaving the room to get a midnight snack. As she made her way down the hall, she began to cough. A tickle formed in her throat that she could not calm. Anna began to panic as a drop of saliva filled blood dripped from her lip and onto her hand. She swore to herself it was probably from coughing too hard and wouldn't tell Kent. She did not want him to have to take time off work to care for her.

Decim still stood by the bar and watched as the girl snapped out of her memory. Kenta, concerned for her health ran to the side of the table where Anna had just nearly fainted. "Hey you! What is this some kind of sick joke?"

"No sir I am afraid not. You have to keep playing the game until someone reaches five points."

The man seemed to be in a frenzy. Anna regained her self and stood. "It's okay Kenta. I don't mind playing! I remember things!"

"What happens if we chose not to play?" Kenta fumed.

"You will experience death." Decim recited for the millionth time. It was a joke even if it did seem like the truth in the moment.

The two both came to an agreement and continued to play. Afraid if what the white haired man was telling was true. Decim watched silently. Judged their interactions. They were good people, as he'd depicted from the memories he'd received of them. Somewhere deep in his own heart, he felt as though he would like to have a relationship as strong as that of Kenta and Anna. With a sad expression, he remembered that Arbiters are to not experience love. For it would make them too close to human and taint their judgment. The only one he'd gotten close too was Chiyuki. Every time they spoke, his words became jumbled. Never knowing what to say and when to say it when she looked at him. If only she could have just known. Known what he really meant when he'd told her he wanted to get to know her better. If only. There was just some emotion that he could not comprehend, how much it hurt him.

Many loving couples had come and gone from the Quindecim. All brought the many stories of love they had with them. Then eventually left with them. It often made Decim feel as though he was alone. Chiyuki was gone too early. Arbiters are not supposed to have friends. For they do not know what friendship means. Many times he'd sworn those human emotions a curse. Then he would remember the times he'd been with Chiyuki and take it back. All he wanted was someone to cherish. Not just something.

Kent was at a score of four which was also tied with Anna. They were both breathing rapidly, pulses beating harder from moving and winning back painful memories. The memories of Anna getting sick, on life support in the hospital. How Kenta felt that he could never go on without her. He hadn't been a religious man, but he prayed every night in that hospital that she would make it through. The baby was gone. Emergency abortion in order to giver her a fighting chance. Kenta remembered taking a flight back to see his mother with cancer. Not only was the love of his life on death row, but his dear mother was suffering through cancer. The stress had been unbearable for him. Decim decided it was time to up the stakes.

The ball was rallied five times before Anna's paddle hit the ball at a wrong angle. Hitting the net and tumbling back towards her. She screamed and fell to her knees. Clutching her chest in agony. Thick blood squirted from her mouth. Kenta was at her side in an instant.

A memory of being alone in the hospital bed, surrounded by nurses filled her head. They hurriedly spoke and were fiddling around with something to her side. She was too weak to see what the beeping noise was. Her vision began to blur and she could see black forming in the edges of her sight. Someone in the room screamed, called out but she could not make out who it was.

"K...Ken...t...a" All faded to black.

"What the hell was that! Why do we have to do this!"

"Whichever player scores a point from now on will inflict pain upon the other's body part, as the design shown on the ball. I cannot say otherwise. I am truly sorry."

Within moments, Anna had stopped feeling such pain. Pulling herself back to her feet, she wobbled but stood. "It's okay Kenta... I'm not in pain anymore."

She straightened her gray sweatshirt and stared Decim in the eye. "We're dead already aren't we?"

"I'm afraid so miss."

Kent roared. Falling with the flashback.

Nurses in surgical masks zipped about the room as the meter next to Anna's bed freaked out. Kent tried to squeeze in between the nurses and see her. Hold her hand as she died, but they kept pushing him out. He screamed. Called out her name. Nothing worked.

"Please sir you have to wait out here, it will be under control soon." and with that, he was shoved from the room. Along with the sound of the love of his life flat-lining.

He slid down the door. Tears poured from his eyes. "Anna... Anna... No."

Utterly, he could not go on. His heart ached. As if someone was reaching into his very chest and was trying to rip it from his body. With every ounce of strength he had. With ever fiber in his being, he picked himself up and found the stairs to the visitors balcony. The cool air of the early morning felt great. There was an old couple somewhere to his left playing cards. He had hoped that could have been them one day. Old but still in love. It was almost as if he was a drunken man, coming home from a night at the bars. Climbing the railing, he stood with his arms extended wide. Taking in the view through his tear blurred eyes. He felt it had all been his fault. How he'd worked so hard but was unable to provide enough money for their family. Unable to keep a stable job, nor income. Holding sole guilt for being unable to provide her with the prenatal care she needed. There was nothing left in this world for him.

"I'm coming... Anna." And with that, he fell. From the tenth story height. Onto the concrete below.

Decim had felt some sort of sadness towards this man. Having found the love of his life, and lost it. Unable to live without her.

"I'm so sorry Anna!" The man sobbed. The two ran to each other. She began to cry as well. They kissed and held each other tightly.

"It's okay Kenta."

Watching them brought Decim back to the time when Chiyuki had still been with him. The time during her judgment, when he'd selfishly recreated an illusion of her old house. With her mother crying whilst she prayed at her daughters in house shrine. That was the only time Decim had ever felt his heart feel such sorrow. He felt so sorry for having watched Chiyuki break down and sob for wishing she hadn't done what she did. It pained him. Just as Kent had killed himself, and was feeling so utterly sorry towards Anna. Decim wanted nothing more than too embrace Chiyuki and tell her once again how sorry he was for causing her such agony.

As the two finished reconciling, Decim had begun to feel the wetness welling up in his eyes. Patting them dry he spoke.

"My judgement is finished. You two have not committed enough sin to be cast into the void."

The two held hands. Each hand entwined with the others. Fingers laced. Never letting go. "I don't care where we go... as long as I'm with him."

"If you would please make your way towards the elevators." They had their fingers knit tightly until the very last moment, when they had to separate in each elevator.

"Promise me we'll reunite someday on the other side?" Anna cried.

Kent wiped away her tear and smiled. "Of course."

Each elevator became occupied. The doors closed. With a ding, a bright light could be seen between the cracks of the doors. Above the doors, two angelic looking masks hung. Decim bowed and wished them luck being reincarnated. For he truly wondered what it was like.

Decim rejoined with the doll of Chiyuki. He knelt before it and held one of it's hands. Giving a half smile. "How did I do today... Chiyuki?" He uttered.

Something snapped. He could not take it any more. He missed her so much and it was unbearable. Before the doll of his best friend, he sobbed only for the second time in his existence. His chest pained. Longing for something he could not retrieve. Would it be like this forever? If he'd known he'd become so attached to this woman, he'd have asked for Nona to have removed her. So many couples had come and gone. Ones that shared such love for each other. Ones that spent their lives together and what was he? Destined to be alone for all eternity? To go stir crazy by talking to the remains of those who led fulfilling lives? Putting his arms around the doll, he pulled it close and hugged it. It was cold and lifeless. It only held some resemblance to Chiyuki from the clothing it wore. Wishing for the warm caring embrace that the Black-Haired woman had. How she held him when he felt sorry and told him he didn't need to apologize. The dummy did not fill that void. His ocean blue eyes returned to human once again. Tears of sadness fell to the black marble floor. If only he could see her just one more time.

"Chiyuki..." He whispered. "It still hurts" Were those even the right words to explain what he felt? Decim felt as though he was a failure of an Arbiter. Cursed with this longing.

Nona sat on the white porch of her beach side house. Her hair in it's usual french braid. On her galactic table, she placed her glass of iced tea. With her fingers she zoomed in on the screen. The Arbiter felt like a god, controlling this man. She was the one who gave him human emotions in hopes he would be able to conduct better judgments. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought that single choice would have lead to these painful situations. Arbiters didn't feel their own emotions. Though somewhere deep inside, Nona felt a little twinge as she watched the white haired Arbiter break down and clutch the dummy of what used to be a woman named Chiyuki.

"What have I done." She sighed in disappointment. Oculus was quite angry towards her about having given him emotions.

Nona hadn't the slightest idea why this woman held such value to him. Though something in her chest felt odd, she didn't know what it could have been. An emotion? No, impossible. Chiyuki was gone and it couldn't be reversed. Although, Nona couldn't help but watch him on her screen as he continued to hold the doll, tears flicking to the floor. Little did she know, was that Oculus was also watching.