Natoya: OMG!!! This is the last chapter of Shadow's Smile!

Yugi: /sniffles/ It was a good story.

Yami: Heh, heh, I'm just happy Dartz got his in the end.

Natoya: Thanks to all my lovely reviewers! You guys rock!

Yugi: Thank you all so much for reviewing! /hands out Yami and Yugi plushies to the readers/

Yami: We're very happy you all liked the story so much.

Natoya: And now we present to you the last chapter to this story. Yami!

Yami: Toya doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh, or the movie The Crow.

Yugi: She also does not own the lyrics to the song It Can't Rain All The Time by Jane Silberry.

Natoya: Enjoy the chapter everyone!

Atemu and Rebecca walked down the stairs together, Atemu's arm around Rebecca's shoulders, the little girl being the one to keep the elder man up. Joey watched them approach, his honey brown eyes brimming with curiousity. He had heard all the screaming and shouting going on, and was pleased to see that Atemu and Rebecca were both alright. They hit the landing and Atemu looked down at Rebecca, nodding and smiling, motioning towards where Joey was still sitting. Rebecca cast him a glance too, alarmed to see he was bleeding.

"Go," Atemu said softly. Rebecca left him, running to Joey and kneeling on the floor beside him.

"Joey? Are you okay?" Rebecca asked. Joey smiled tenderly at her, letting all the love he felt for her show in his eyes. Rebecca smiled back at him and hugged him as gently as she could manage, letting him know she was pleased he was alright too. Atemu slid to the floor in the doorway beside them.

"Everyone dead?" Joey asked. Atemu nodded.

"Dartz is still up on the roof. Might take some work to get him off that rod up there," Atemu replied with a smirk. Joey chuckled.

"I bet they'll love that," Joey joked. He and Atemu shared a laugh at that. Atemu's look softened after a moment and he glanced at Joey, crimson boring into brown, a serious look on his face that made Joey clam up. "Atemu?"

"Thank you." Atemu choked out. He motioned to his head. "The memories you kept... Of that night... That saved me." Joey's look softened as well and he smiled.

"You're welcome. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to know the both of you back then. I'm sure we would have been good friends, the three of us," Joey admitted, his eyes beginning to shine with tears. He recognized this, how Atemu was acting. The man was about to say goodbye. Atemu nodded, reaching over and clasping a hand over Joey's.

"I'm sure we would have." Atemu told him. Joey nodded. Rebecca began to cry as she watched this, tears making their silent way down her pale cheeks. She took her glasses off and wiped them down, slipping them back onto her nose afterwards. Atemu cast her a glance, motioning to Joey again.

"Stay with him until help comes." Rebecca nodded, looking back at Joey.

"He'll be okay, won't he, Atemu?" When she received no answer, Rebecca looked to the side, only to find that Atemu was gone. "Atemu?" She called. Joey chuckled from his place on the floor.

"He does that a lot," Joey told her. Rebecca didn't reply, her eyes still on the place Atemu was a moment ago, more tears making their way down her face. Once again, Atemu hadn't said goodbye. Sirens began wailing in the background, the police and ambulances on the way. Rebecca stayed true to her word and remained with Joey until they arrived. As the paramedics loaded him onto a gurney, a tall brown haired man suddenly broke through the crowd of policemen and medical workers, stopping at Joey's gurney as he was being wheeled through the doorway.

"Wheeler?! What the hell!?" Kaiba cried in surprise. Joey looked up at him and smiled weakly.

"I hit up on a tip that there was something big going down here. Got caught in the crossfire. Don't worry, though, your suspect is up on the roof still," Joey explained. Kaiba's eyes widened and he stared down at Joey, disbelief written all over his face.

"Damn Wheeler! Just WHAT happened?!" Kaiba shouted.

"What I just told you is what happened." Joey glanced at Rebecca, who was still looking up at Kaiba. "Hey Squirt, go on home, okay?" Rebecca nodded before walking away through the crowd of policemen and paramedics. Kaiba sighed and shook his head.

"I'm going to need a statement." He told the blonde.

"You'll get one. As soon as I get out of the hospital." Joey grinned. Kaiba bopped him on the head, but Joey merely laughed.

"Get him out of here," Kaiba told the paramedic. Joey was then wheeled away, and Kaiba went into the church.

Atemu slumped wearily in front of Yugi's grave. His strength was failing rapidly. He felt it the moment Dartz had died; his connection with the crow severed. He had no idea where the bird even was now, but he knew that he was officially done. There was nothing left for him to do, no one that needed him anymore. He collapsed completely, falling onto his stomach. At least his wounds no longer hurt. He reached up one tanned hand and gently traced over the letters of Yugi's name with his fingertips, tears pricking at his ruby orbs. He was so tired, so very tired... He turned over and lay on his back, staring up at the black night sky.

"Yugi..." Atemu murmured, closing his eyes. A moment later he felt something strange. The wind shifted and a calming presence came over him. A sudden softness touched his face then, and Atemu's eyes snapped open. He found himself staring up into the most beautiful amethyst eyes he had ever seen. Startled, Atemu shot up. He continued to stare, watching as the figure knelt beside him.

"Atemu..." Yugi spoke softly, a smile lighting his beautiful face. Atemu's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't believe his eyes. Yugi was kneeling here, beside him. He was here! Atemu reached out and lightly touched his face, stunned to his core when he came into contact with tender flesh. He jerked his hand back as if he had been burned, but Yugi merely giggled and repeated his motion, smoothing Atemu's bangs back from his face. Atemu began to cry silently, not even knowing he was doing it until Yugi began to wipe his tears away.

"A-Aibou...?" Atemu choked out. "Yugi?" Yugi smiled and leaned forward, pressing his mouth to Atemu's. Sweet relief surged through Atemu, and he wrapped his arms around Yugi, jerking him into his arms and crushing him against his body. Yugi's arms went around his neck and the kiss deepened. Atemu began to cry harder during the kiss, having missed this feeling and never believing he would ever get to feel it again. Such love flowed through him, and Atemu was at peace. Yugi pulled away from him a moment later, staying in his arms and searching his crimson orbs with his own amethyst jewels, that tender smile never leaving his face.

"I've been waiting for you, Atemu. It's time to come home," Yugi whispered. Atemu pressed another loving kiss to Yugi's lips.

"I'm ready to come home. Gods, Aibou, how I have missed you. I love you, my sweet angel," Atemu murmured, leaning forward and pressing their foreheads together.

"Then close your eyes, my love. Go to sleep. You've done so well, and I'm so proud of you. I love you," Yugi told him. Atemu's eyes slowly began to drift closed, and Yugi kissed him again, slowly and lovingly. Atemu gave his all to the kiss, his eyes finally closing completely, and then Atemu knew no more.

Rebecca began to walk past the graveyard, when something made her look up. Turning her head, she saw the crow sitting on Atemu's grave. She walked into the graveyard, past some of the other graves, to get to the ones that she wanted. The bird seemed to wait there patiently for her. Rebecca looked down, noting that Atemu's grave was now perfectly covered, the hole now gone, and her original flowers back in place. Rebecca smiled. Atemu was at peace now, back where he belonged, back with Yugi. Peace consumed Rebecca and she felt happy for her friends. They were now at peace together, their murders avenged.

Rebecca saw something shining in the crow's beak, and she reached out, taking it from the bird. It was the puzzle pendant necklace Atemu had given her. She flipped it over and read the inscription to herself, smiling as she pictured how Yugi must have reacted when Atemu gave it to him. The image made her smile. She looked over it carefully, noting with pleasure that the clasp was okay. Rebecca thought that Dartz had broken it when he took it from around her neck. She glanced up at the bird and smiled. Somehow it had been fixed, and she wasn't going to complain.

"Thanks" Rebecca told the bird, unhooking the clasp and placing the necklace around her neck. She would wear it forever, in remembrance of her best friends. Casting one last look at the bird, Rebecca turned and walked out of the graveyard.

And the crow flew away.

One year later

"Rebecca! Rebecca honey, come on! It's time to go!" Mai called upstairs for her daughter. Joey smiled and wrapped an arm around Mai's waist, leaning down to press a kiss to her cherry red lips. Mai giggled and blushed. A sudden clambering on the stairs announced Rebecca's presence, and she soon appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Mai smiled and clapped her hands together. "Oh, Rebecca, you look darling in that dress!"

"I'm only wearing this because-" Rebecca broke off and blushed, staring down at her black shoed feet. "Because you know why." Mai grabbed Rebecca and pulled the girl to her in a crushing embrace.

"I know why. It's a little tradition you're starting, isn't it?" Mai said softly. Rebecca nodded. Joey stepped forward next and hugged her as well.

"And I'm sure they'll appreciate it Squirt." He told her. Rebecca looked up at him and smiled brightly.

"Thanks, dad," Rebecca replied. "Come on, let's go!" She then bolted out the front door after making sure to grab the bundle of flowers lying on the table in the living room. Mai laughed and hooked her arm through Joey's and together they exited their house and walked down the front walk to their car.

A lot had changed in a year since Atemu's revival and death.

Rebecca opened the car door and hopped into the back, smoothing down the front of her pink dress. Mai soon got into the passenger seat, and Joey into the driver's seat. Soon they were on their way down the street, back into the old neighbourhood where Rebecca and her mother used to live. It was the second year anniversary of Yugi and Atemu's deaths, and this time Joey and her mother were accompanying her to the gravesite to pay their respects.

Rebecca thought it was silly, what she was wearing, but she was determined to do this. She remembered the pink dress she was supposed to wear for Yugi's wedding, and so she had gone out and bought herself a nice pink-colored dress and decided that she would wear one each year on the anniversary of their deaths, since she never got to wear it to the wedding. She thought Yugi and Atemu would like that. Beside her were fresh flowers, one bouquet of white roses, and one of red roses. Just like last year, the white would go in front of Yugi's headstone, and the red in front of Atemu's.

She looked in front of her, at Mai and Joey. That was something that was pleasantly different as well. Not long after everything that had happened, Joey and her mother began dating, and they soon fell in love. Joey had proposed to her two weeks ago, and the two were very much looking forward to their wedding, though it would be a year yet before it happened, since they wanted to take it slow and make sure everything was perfect. They had purchased a house together a month ago, to make room for Rebecca and the both of them. Rebecca was hoping that she would have a brother or sister in a couple of years. She had also taken to calling Joey dad, which made the blonde-haired cop very happy. He had been like a father to her for so long, and it made Rebecca happy to be able to say it.

They stopped in front of the gate leading into the graveyard, the car dying with a rumble as Joey shut it off. They exited the vehicle, Rebecca nabbing up the flowers before she got out. It was Rebecca that led them down the path, turning onto the worn one a few minutes later. She soon found the graves she was looking for and stopped, Joey and Mai stopping with her. Rebecca stepped forward, laying the white roses in front of Yugi's grave.

"Hey, Yugi. I hope you and Atemu are well. I wore pink today, just for you," Rebecca said softly. Joey laid a hand on Mai's shoulder as they watched, Mai's own hand coming up to clasp over Joey's. Rebecca moved to Atemu's grave, and laid the red roses in front of his.

"Hey, Atemu. I'm glad you're finally at peace. Do you guys like my dress? I really hope you do." Rebecca continued to speak. She cast a glance back at her mom and Joey. "Mom and Dad have been dating for a while now, and they're going to get married soon. That would have made you guys happy, right? You would love Dad, and my mom's been doing great since Atemu talked to her and Dad started dating her." Listening to Rebecca talk, Mai's eyes began to mist over with tears. She stepped forward, gently laying a hand on Atemu's headstone.

"Thank you. Thank you both so much for taking care of my daughter. I know I haven't been the best mother to her, but I'm trying now. And I want to thank you for that, Atemu. If not for you, I'd probably still be where I was before." Mai choked up, her tears now falling down her cheeks. Rebecca looked up at her, and she took her mother's hand, squeezing gently in assurance.

"You guys would be so proud of her, and we're very close now. Me and my mom love each other very much. And Dad loves us too. We're a big happy family, and we have you guys to thank for that." Rebecca wiped away a tear from her own eyes. Joey came over then and hugged them both close to his body.

"I wish I could have gotten to know you guys like Rebecca. I know we would have been great friends, but it's enough now to know you through her. And I want to say thank you, too. Thanks for everything." Joey began to tear up as well. Mai leaned up and kissed his jaw line, smiling tenderly at him. Rebecca touched each headstone one more time and then gave a little wave.

"Bye guys. We'll come and see you again next year," Rebecca said. After they were on their way back home, Rebecca looked out her window, watching the bright blue sky and the clouds go by. She thought of Yugi and Atemu, a smile coming to her face as she pictured their images in the sky above her, and she knew that wherever they were, they were happy now and at peace.

Far, far above her, flying through the blue sky, was a crow. It cawed once and dove down, vanishing from sight.

If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever.

Natoya: The end. /smiles/

Yugi: I was finally actually in this story!

Yami: Yeah, but I still died. /sulks/

Natoya: Yeah, but at least you got to go with Yugi. /grins/

Yami: Yeah, after all, that is the best paradise I could think of.

Yugi: /blushes/ Aw, Yami...

Yami: /kisses Yugi/

Natoya: /squeals/ Aw!!!! That's adorable! Alright everyone, you know the drill.

Yugi: Please review everyone!

Yami: And we hoped you liked the chapter!

Natoya: As a bonus, there are song lyrics to song It Can't Rain All The Time by Jane Silberry below these author notes. It is an amazing, beautiful, and sad song, and I highly recommend looking it up and listening to it. Bye guys! See you in my next fic! /waves/

[SPOKEN:]

We walked the narrow path,
beneath the smoking skies.
Sometimes you can barely tell the difference
between darkness and light.
Do you have faith
in what we believe?
The truest test is when we cannot,
when we cannot see.

[SUNG:]
I hear pounding feet in the,
in the streets below, and the,
and the women crying and the,
and the children know that there,
that there's something wrong,
and it's hard to believe that love will prevail.

Oh it won't rain all the time.
The sky won't fall forever.
And though the night seems long,
your tears won't fall forever.

Oh, when I'm lonely,
I lie awake at night
and I wish you were here.
I miss you.
Can you tell me
is there something more to believe in?
Or is this all there is?

In the pounding feet, in the,
In the streets below, and the,
And the window breaks and,
And a woman falls, there's,
There's something wrong, it's,
It's so hard to believe that love will prevail.

Oh it won't rain all the time.
The sky won't fall forever.
And though the night seems long,
your tears won't fall, your tears won't fall, your tears won't fall
forever.

Last night I had a dream.
You came into my room,
you took me into your arms.
Whispering and kissing me,
and telling me to still believe.
But then the emptiness of a burning sea against which we see
our darkest of sadness.

Until I felt safe and warm.
I fell asleep in your arms.
When I awoke I cried again for you were gone.
Oh, can you hear me?

It won't rain all the time.
The sky won't fall forever.
And though the night seems long,
your tears won't fall forever.
It won't rain all the time
The sky won't fall forever.
And though the night seems long,
your tears won't fall, your tears won't fall,
your tears won't fall
forever.