WHAT I COULDN'T SAY

Wow, I did not expect my last chapter to have as many reviews as it did! Thank you! As for those who put this story on alert and on their favorites list, you have my deepest gratitude. Every single reader (and I see the numbers!) has put a smile on my face.

This piece is inspired by the song "There's Us," sung by the Backstreet Boys. It happens to be a cover of Alexz Johnson, who originally sang this song.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh. Never have, never will. Don't own the song, either.

Title: You'll Always Be With Me.
Timeline: Alternate timeline, in which Atemu has his own body. Set after the events of the Ceremonial Duel.
Pairings: Atemu&Anzu
Rating: K+ (for slightly depressing theme)
Word count: 917

Mutou Atemu strode over to her, a smile plastered on his face. His heart wasn't in it but he promised Anzu he would always smile on this particular day, no matter what he was feeling inside. She had always told him that if he can muster the strength to smile, even a false one, then he can surely manage to overcome whatever burden he was dealing with.

He never really understood but he listened, regardless. Sometimes her advice worked, other times, like now, it did not.

Clutching the photo album he held, he quickened his pace, wondering how she always managed to smile, like nothing was amiss. Even when the world threatened to fall apart, she still lit up the fires of his heart with the brightness of her sapphire eyes and the melody of her laugh. Such a simple dreamer, yet she wormed her way into the crevices of his well-guarded heart and has dwelled there long before he even realized it.

He sat next to her, the grass cool beneath his fingers despite the heat of the sun. It truly was a beautiful day, one that would have, should have, brought joy to him.

Maybe Anzu would make him feel better. She always did have a knack for doing that. He hoped she would like the surprise he prepared for her. He greeted her, giving her a light kiss, before drawing the photo album to his lap.

"I have a surprise for you, Anzu," he said. He did not look at her but he could almost feel her curious and questioning gaze. "It's a photo album. I thought we would take a trip down memory lane and relish in our earlier days. It was the guys' idea so the credit should really go to them."

He flipped the album open to the first page and gazed upon the beauty captured in the photographs. Simply dazzling, he mused. He pointed to one particular photograph.

"There's me, looking down at my shoes," he chuckled. "The one smiling like the sun, that's you." It was one of their earlier photographs, when he was not yet accustomed to smiling in front of a tiny slim box that produced a blinding flash of light at the push of a button. He looked completely awkward, while she looked absolutely radiant.

"What were you thinking?" he asked. "What was the song inside your head?" How could someone so pure fall in love with someone who had the power to send people to a darkness outside the confines of reality? But it was pointless to ask such questions. Love knew no bounds nor held any judgments. Her heart had chosen and when Mazaki Anzu made a decision, all of heaven and Earth could not sway the girl to change her mind.

Turning the page and pointing to another photograph, he grinned. "There's us, going on about a band, working out how we'd play our hands." It was another one of their earlier photographs. They were seated at a piano, Anzu showing him the wonders of modern music. He remembered that day clearly. It was the day he told her he loved her. I lay there dreaming, later, all alone in my bed, he thought. He lay there for hours, fantasizing about their future.

"If I was stupid, maybe careless, so were you," he teased. "We are one, as you liked pointing out." Grinning at her, he continued flipping the pages. Looking at all their memories, he realized how lucky they were to have had a chance to share a piece of their life together.

"Not everything is supposed to come true," he thought aloud. "Some words are best unsaid. Some love is not really love at all." He knew they were fortunate to have found a love so true and pure in each other.

"I'll keep everything I shared with you," he promised. "And that's enough. There's us." No matter what happened, he would never let their memories go. Even though he couldn't be near her, he would always cherish her.

Freeze frame, I'm not about to cry, he chastised himself. He promised her he would smile, at least for today. It's too late for us to change, why try? What's done was done. To be honest, he wouldn't change a single thing about them.

"I've got a camera tucked away inside my heart," he murmured. So I'll always keep you here with me, he mentally added. "If I'm a loser, or just unlucky, so are you." Because you chose me. He closed the photo album and looked up at the skies, feeling the soft breeze rustle through his hair and the sun caress his skin.

"Somewhere, between then and now, I looked away when you said we'll never change," he said. I was afraid. You were so committed to me, so sure that we'd last forever. I should have known better than to doubt you.

"You've always been here, Anzu," he said, tears cascading down his cheeks. He didn't care. She had already seen through his false bravado. "I still remember your last words to me: 'And if you think what might have been, you'll lose today and we've got songs to play.'" He faced her and gingerly touched the engraving on her gravestone.

Mazaki Anzu
August 18, 1986-March 10, 2008
Beloved daughter, courageous comrade, unforgettable friend.
May the heavens rejoice at the return of their angel.

"For as long as my heart beats, our song will play. You'll be with me, always."

August 18 is actually Anzu's birthday. However, I was unable to find an exact year. I could have done the math, as she was 15 when the manga first debuted, but I didn't. Besides, 1986 is kind of a significant year for me. Her "death" date, March 10, also holds a place in my heart.

We've all read about, thought about, and written about the impact on Anzu when the Pharaoh left so I thought I'd switch it up a bit by portraying the impact Anzu's untimely death would have on the Pharaoh. This certainly isn't a unique concept but it is sort of rare.

In any case, enjoy. Happy belated Valentine's day, happy belated Chinese New Year.