Author's Note:

Heart: When was the last time we updated? Shit I think it's been a couple of years huh? Well a lot has changed since then my friends. Me and Evil are in college, roommates, and facing the world on our own together.

We'd like to apologize for the wait. This chapter has taken so long to write, in fact it's taken me about a year of writing and re-writing. I know what I want and how I want it but putting it into words is a lot harder than I remembered. This chapter is a wakeup call, to not give up. We promise to finish this as long as we can.

Lastly, thank you all. Your support has been the driving force of keeping me to this project. I can't promise another speedy chapter but I'll do my best. Now enjoy the chapter and please don't hold back on your reviews. We appreciate what you guys think and want to hear everything. Have a great read!

Chapter 16: I Won't Give Up

The thing about darkness is that it is oblivious. Oblivious to cares, oblivious to worries, oblivious to all the things wrong with the world. It seems like a dream really. In total darkness you can't feel pain, you can't feel hurt. Sadness, anger, despair, they're not really there anymore. But the thing about being totally oblivious is missing on what's out there. Colors, sights, people. Joy, happiness, laughter, you won't feel it. The green lush grass, the wide blue skies, the mazes of the cities, you won't see them. So why does everyone want to run away into the black? Away where there's light and color? Why do we continually linger in the dark side of ourselves? And so willingly? Who would chose to abandon a world full of possibilities when the pain was only momentary? Why?

Why, Yugi asked herself, why are people so silly? More than anything she wanted to see her brother. Though he lay comatose before her, probably covered in bruises and scratches, she would give anything to see his face again. She could feel the softness of his skin, the ridges of his scars, and traced the contours of his face. She could map the shape of his face and memorize it all, but would never see it. Never see the color of his bruises, his soft brown eyes, or his smile.

She could hear his soft, shallow breaths. How they echo across the room. If she listened closely, listen under the mechanical sound of Jaden's heart monitor, she could imagine she could hear their hearts beat in time together. She heard the sound of her own shifting, of the nurse's footsteps as she entered and left the room. She heard the doctor and the swish of his coat, his soft footfalls as he stood on the other side of Jaden's bed. She heard him sigh and the silent resonance of his retreat. And with the silence of all others, she knew she was alone.

She could smell everything. The sharp smell of medicine, of freshly washed sheets, the flowers in vases all around the room. Everything was unfamiliar and their scent said so. The room was too pristine, too new. Like everything was scrubbed meticulously, like the person before was erased with disinfectant. The only thing that grounded her was her brother's faint scent. Every sister would've said their brother smelled of sweat and too much cologne, but Yugi would disagree. He smelled like home. As she laid her head on his bed with his hand in hers, she felt comfort, she felt warm next to him.

She tasted bitterness. Her throat swallowed dryly as she choked back another sob. Her eyes stung, and she knew if she didn't quell her tears, she would be washed away. She was bitter all right. Bitter that more tragedy came to pass, that she was helpless to do anything. Not many things fell into place for the young girl. Adversity, obstacles, pain. That's what she had become accustomed to. She was used to the taste of bitterness in her mouth, like bile was waiting at the back of her throat. But despite the horrid taste in her mouth, she moved on. There was only one thing she wanted now more than anything.

Yugi knew, that even though it would hurt to see Jaden so damaged if she had her sight, she would give anything to see it. Living through pain was better than living without sight.

For two months she faithfully sat by her brother's side, waiting for a response. Waiting for some kind of sign that would show he was coming back. So far, nothing. Many people came by to visit Jaden. Friends from his school, Chazz, Yugi's friends, their parents. She sat there silently through each visit, not speaking a word. They would offer their condolences and leave their 'get well' balloons or flowers then head out on their way. What else could you really do while visiting a comatose boy? Every single day since she found out about the accident she was by her brother's side. After school and almost well into the night she stayed. She read to him from her limited Braille library, played his favorite music, and just talked.

She talked about everything. Tristan and Serenity's newfound relationship, Joey's reaction and her eventual acceptance of it. Duke and his gaming company and new releases that Yugi was sure her brother would enjoy. She just talked about nothing until she fell silent. She repeated her cycle once more. Touch, hearing, smell, taste. She felt everything through her heightened senses. Sight was the only one that failed her. For the first time in three months she cried.

The tears were quiet. There were no sobs or gasping for breath. She didn't shake or tremble, she didn't fall to the ground because she couldn't feel her limbs. The sorrow she felt ran deeper than the outwardly expressions of pain. There was no violence or desperation in her. Instead she sat in her chair beside her brother and just let her cries sing in her head. Why is everything so hard?

"Sometimes I'm glad I can't see… Jaden. If I saw you right now, I don't think I can be strong anymore."

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

"It's my fault right? That you're like this? I wasn't there to protect you and you got hurt. I just left for my own selfish wishes."

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

"Do you think you could forgive me? Forgive tis poor excuse of a sister? Please?"

And again she was met with the beeping of Jaden's heart monitor. Taking in a deep breath, she wiped her tears away like unanswered prayers and scars to be swept under the rug once more.

"Please don't cry anymore Yugi."

She didn't speak. She didn't move. The seconds ticked by far too long for her liking. Yugi sensed him in front of her, the last man on earth she would want to speak to right now. His stare was soft, sad. The slight tingling on the back of her neck told her that. Warmth touched her free hand, covered the chill that her was her skin. She didn't shake him off. Keep breathing. In and out, in and out, she told herself.

"I'm sorry for showing up like this out of the blue and all… And I know this isn't a good time but I really wanted, no… needed to see you. After I heard the news about Jaden, I needed to know if you were okay. Yugi?"

He was rambling and they both knew it. His hand shook over hers, clutched it a little tighter. Yugi didn't want to speak. She had nothing to say. He knew of her past now, her dead brother, her secret. He must pity me, she thought bitterly.

"Yugi… You never answered my calls… I don't know what to do. Will you talk to me please?"

He was getting desperate. Pretty desperate. His voice climbed higher and higher with distress, so unlike his usual calm baritone. Behind her glasses, Yugi's eyes fluttered to a close. The longer he kept talking the harder it was to resist reacting to him. Despite the time they were separated from one another, a sliver of what she felt for him, her crush perhaps, still lingered. She buried that thought. She was here for Jaden, here for Jaden…

He sighed, squeezed her hand once more before letting it go. "I'm sorry this happened to Jaden, Yugi. I'm sorry for upsetting you at the cemetery. I'm sorry that you've had to live like you have… And I'm sorry for what I'm about to say because now isn't the best time for it."

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

"I'm not going to give up on you."

She felt his breath by her cheek, warm and steady. His hand was soft and gentle as they cupped her face.

"You are too important to me. So please… Don't ignore me… I promise I won't give up on you."

And with that she let go of her worries. She let him kiss her forehead, let him wipe her tears. She knew, without a doubt, that even as his steps echoed farther and farther away, he would keep that promise.