A/N: Hello again! I'm back with more angst! ::gasps:: Yes, that's right, if the previous one-shot didn't get you depressed enough, I've a poem that'll do just the trick! Aren't I so nice? ::grins::

Anyway, for some reason,I can't seem to put spaces between the verses, so I think I'm gonna have to drop in a full stop between every . . . single . . . one. If anyone can find a solution to this, please tell me (wow, this will completely ruin the mood).

Review responses. . . .

Yugi the Other White Meat: Yeah, I hated that part of the game too (why'd I write a one-shot about it? Well . . . !). Especially since I was just getting all enthusiastic about the Matthew/Leila pairing, too . . . darn you, Nintendo!

GoldAngel1: I'm glad you liked what I wrote. Sain comes so easily to me, for some reason. Hopefully, that doesn't mean anything . . . ! And I'm also happy you liked how I portrayed Matthew. Strangely enough, I was in a great mood when I was writing this. Heh!

Cathy Barton: Thanks a lot! Though I don't know whether or not this classifies as "soon," heh heh.

hyliansage: Yeah, that part had me depressed for the rest of the day . . . not nice. And it must've been quite a while since I updated, considering we were still on the Erk picture! ::sweatdrops::

Kevin C: You have ten muses?! ::stares:: Wow, and I thought five was a lot to handle! Minis, whoo. Don't even want to THINK about them here. They may be adorable, but after you hit the three hundred mark, they get to be a bit of a handful. ::sweatdrops:: Anyway, I'm really happy you liked this—thanks for reviewing! ::smiles::

Jessica Kite: Preferably one we didn't get to know, and one that wasn't romantically involved with a member of the army, huh? . . . But the scene wouldn't have been as effective at showing what the Black Fang had become, so much as I hate this, I suppose they had a reason for doing this. Still!

Semaj Fallen: Yeah, Ephidel was so cruel, wasn't he? ::angry:: And I actually liked him quite a bit, up until that point. And—what do you mean, Karst is coming to visit?! ::stares:: Oh boy, this isn't going to be good . . . !

Morning Mist: Thank you! I try! ::smiles::

SM together (x2): I'm putting you on a real roller coaster of emotions, huh? First chapter makes you laugh (hopefully), second chapter brings you down . . . and this interlude's going to pull you down even lower, I think. Thanks for the fav!

Megumi: Heh, people do strange things like that. I'm prone to illogicalness myself, as any of my friends or muses would tell you . . . ! I promise I'll bring in a one-shot with Wil sometime! Can't guarantee it'll be soon, but if I don't include him, I know several people who would complain quite a bit (not just you!).

Samurai101: Well, I hardly think Matthew would be rejoicing . . . ! ::grins:: Glad you like it!

gfds: ::blushes:: Thank you!

-------------

Wow, that was a lot of reviews! ::beams:: Thank you so much, everyone!

Well, I know this update's brief, but I have a lot of projects on the go. The next chapter's already half-written, so hopefully I'll be a bit faster posting it (hopefully being the key word, here).

Enjoy (if you can do that with a death poem)!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Pulled backwards into its grasp,

the fire begins to lick at me.

.

It is hungry.

.

Calling out, begging for a salvation

that does not come.

And as I begin to die, everything slows

as I realise:

.

Never a child,

never to know.

Never innocent,

never carefree.

.

I came into the world fully formed,

an adult, already with

the hundreds of careworn experiences

that make up a person,

yet never

truly

feeling them for myself.

.

The fire, spiralling out of control,

playfully feeds itself on my hair and clothes.

Sadistic enjoyment, it seems,

cruel destruction for entertainment.

.

As my skin chars, I remember

seeing so many children at play

as I walked

through Castle Laus' surrounding village,

cloaked, always cloaked from the sun.

I felt superior.

.

I felt envious.

.

Excruciating pain brings me back.

And in my last eternal seconds,

it runs through my mind

again and again:

.

Never a child,

never to know.

Never innocent,

never carefree.

.

Never a child,

never to know.

Never innocent,

never carefree.

.

Never a child

never—

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Vyctori: Ahem. Well, that's it. Short update, I know. Probably the review responses were larger! ::hears doorbell ring:: Hmm, who's this? ::goes off to answer the door::

Karst: ::walks in, carrying scythe:: Hi there!

Vyctori: ::blinks:: What are you doing here, Karst? Isn't this the wrong fandom?

Karst: ::shrugs:: Semaj sent me to visit Menardi.

Vyctori: But she doesn't cover my non-Golden Sun fics!

Sain Kent: ::enter room::

Kent: Who's this, Vyctori?

Vyctori: This is Karst—she's Menardi's younger sister.

Sain: ::opens mouth::

Vyctori: ::stomps on foot::

Sain: !!! What was that for, lovely Lady Vyctori?

Vyctori: ::whispers:: Karst has one of the biggest tempers I've ever seen; she'd appreciate your flirting even less than Menardi does. ::aloud:: Anyway, review, everyone, even though the before and after junk took up twice as much space. And Semaj, don't forget to pick up your muse when you're done.

Sain: ::clutching foot:: Yes, please review, to make this darling angel smile.

Kent Karst: ::annoyed::