A/N: Thank you all so so much for all of the wonderful comments - it was way more than I expected, and I'm so glad I have you all supporting me and the story! This one took a while to write because it's a very heavy chapter, and I've been going through a lot the last couple months with my grandparents.

[WARNING] Please refer to the full summary on my profile page for all possible triggers this story has!

[DISCLAIMER] I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, Yu-Gi-Oh is not mine. I make no profit from this, please support the official release.

Text 26: I'm So Sorry

The morning light filtering through the crack in the blinds roused me awake. I stretched and yawned as I blinked open my eyes. The sight of an unfamiliar room made me uncomfortable; it took my brain a few seconds to catch up enough for me to realize where I was at.

The Hospital.

I looked over to see Yami still snoozing in the recliner - he was bundled up and I couldn't help but smile at how cute he looked like that. He liked to wiggle his nose a lot when he was sleeping.

I must restrain myself from tickling him... I thought as I slowly got up and looked at where Grandpa lay. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully, and I smiled more.

I stretched more and went to the bathroom to relieve myself. My stomach was already growling for food, and I raised a brow at myself in the mirror as I ran my fingers through my wild hair - trying to tame the bedhead at least.

It was weird that I already felt starved and looked at the clock when I got out of the bathroom. Well, it was around eight-thirty... And I believe the cafeteria opened up for breakfast at eight, so I might as well go get some breakfast and bring it up.

How much could they really screw up eggs?

. * . * . * . * .

It was a good thing that I knew what Yami liked for breakfast - I managed to get the right stuff to make him a spicy breakfast burrito. I decided we could share a cup of milk, and I carefully held the plates and cup as I walked back to the room.

Just as I thought I was in the clear of having no accidents, I nearly bumped into Miss Yukinai as she turned the corner.

"Oh!" she gasped, surprised, her reflexes sharper than mine as she got out of the way quickly to avoid a head-on collision. That would have been nasty.

"Oh good morning, Miss Yukinai!" I greeted her with a smile, hoping I didn't have morning breath. That made me remember that I didn't even have a toothbrush here... yuck.

She smiled, "Good morning, you're getting breakfast early."

"Yeah, I got up early so I supposed I might as well. When will they come in to bring Grandpa's food?" I asked and she looked down at her clipboard.

"It looks like they'll be making their round to your section in about an hour or less... He should be sleeping until then."

"Okay, thanks!" I told her and she smiled and waved as I finished walking to the room.

When I returned, you could barely tell I had left, Yami and Grandpa were still sleeping. I carefully set the food and cup down and wondered if I should go ahead and wake Yami... It wouldn't be any good to eat the food cold...

I stepped toward him and lightly shook his shoulder, "Yami..." I whispered to him, trying to wake him. "Yami, wake up."

He mumbled unintelligible garble and before I knew it, he slung an arm around me and pulled me to him.

I yelped a bit, staring wide-eyed at his smiling too-handsome face.

He fluttered his eyelids a little before closing them and then yawned as he snuggled into me - his long legs caging me into him on the recliner.

I was really glad Grandpa was still out of it for now.

"Mmmm..." Yami let out a long note of that and rubbed his face against my burning cheek.

I could barely contain myself from not squeaking in a very, very unmanly way.

"Y-Yami!" I whispered harshly, trying to wake him as I squirmed in his hold - he had an iron grip on me!

I kept wiggling against him until I was tired, and that's when I saw the small, amused smile on his still 'sleeping' face.

Instantly I squeezed his nose shut until he struggled against me in need for air.

"Yugi!" he gasped when I let go of his nose and he breathed in precious air.

"About time you woke up." I knew I was pouting, but I didn't care.

He grinned at me then, and I felt his arms tighten around me. I shouldn't feel so warm and good by being caged like this to him. I didn't want to leave from here ever, or at least that's how my heart felt.

Yami has made me so mushy lately.

"Good morning," he greeted properly as he nuzzled my face - and there went my face turning multiple shades of red.

"M-Morning..." I got out as steady as possible.

"You're up early." Yami said once he saw the time.

"Yeah, and I got us some breakfast." I told him, and he grimaced at the sight of the hospital food.

"Wonderful. Although it's not preferable, thank you for going and getting it for us." And he kissed my cheek and my face lit up like a beacon.

Our morning was spent relatively calm after that. We got to watch some early morning shows while eating and when the nurses came in to feed Grandpa I started feeling a little bit better. Grandpa was looking better and I was convinced that all he really needed was some R&R.

I didn't feel like leaving Grandpa when Yami offered to take me out somewhere. I know Grandpa would be asleep most of the time, but I still felt the need to be here.

So Yami instead left to go get some things while I stayed.

"Yugi, you have a visitor." I heard Miss Yukinai say when the door opened and I looked to see Anzu coming in.

I smiled more when I saw her and she returned it.

"Can I get you two anything?" Miss Yukinai asked us and I shook my head while Anzu looked grateful at her.

"Thank you for walking me here."

She smiled, "No problem. Let me know if you two need anything!"

We waved at the nurse as she left and I looked at Anzu again. Even though she dressed like normal, I could see that she was tired like me—it honestly looked like she pulled an all-nighter with the way her eyes were dark and baggy, skin a little paler.

"So how is he?" she asked me, voice quiet and I spoke in the same tone.

"Better. They've been giving him potassium and magnesium, so he's really tired." He had also been a little dehydrated too, but the IV's were taking care of that.

"Oh," she spoke in a whisper before looking at me after a minute. "And how are you?"

I stopped at that, still not 100% on that. How... was I? "Really tired, but more mentally exhausted than physically." I answered best I could, feeling like I was in a daze.

Anzu nodded, "I figured you would be. Just make sure to take care of yourself, okay? Eat and drink a lot."

I nodded, smiling a little at her usual worried nagging. She was really a mother hen.

"Yami's gone to get some stuff, he's been helping me out a lot."

I saw her lips curl up. "Well isn't that what boyfriends are for?"

I flushed a little at that, "Shush." I mumbled, looking away and she laughed, keeping it low for Grandpa's sake.

"Hey, just know we've always got your back—the gang is all worried about you and Grandpa. We'll all help in any way we can. And you know I'll always be here for you," Anzu promised me and I blinked a lot as I swallowed around a lump of emotion in my throat.

"I-I know... Thanks." It was all I could manage to get out, and she understood what I couldn't say; thank you for always being there, it means more than you can imagine.

It didn't take long for Yami to return carrying more stuff, and even sooner for Grandpa to wake up.

Anzu got to talk with him while I took a much-needed shower—they've always been a great source of relaxation for me.

When I came out, Anzu had left and Keira and Ami were now in the room along with Yami.

They greeted me and I smiled, "Thanks for taking the time to come by."

Keira smiled back, her bright blue eyes reassuring. "Of course. We would come around more if work wasn't working us so much."

I nodded, understanding of this, and I saw Ami nudge her. I was curious when Keira nodded and turned back to me.

"Yugi, can you come with me for a bit?"

I followed her outside the room where she stopped and looked at me with a somber expression.

"So... Ami and I were talking, and we wanted to offer you to stay with us until your Grandpa is able to return home. We talked it over with him and Yami, and they thought it would be best so you wouldn't be alone in the house." She smiled reassuringly, and I felt better at that.

"But what about your jobs? I don't want to get in the way or be a burden..."

She instantly shook her head, clamping her hand around mine. "You won't be! And besides, with how our schedules are, there will always be someone at home with you. We have plenty of space and an extra room." She rested her hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. "Please, we want to help."

I bit my lip, feeling put on the spot and my mind still felt too tired to think properly. "Okay, thank you." I relented, just so those puppy dog eyes would be put away.

She smiled and moved back. "Don't worry, we'll take care of everything."

Those words were something my mind decided to pick up and remember. They echoed in my mind as we went back in to talk to Grandpa and the others.

Soon, the day grew longer and I found myself with a bag of my things from home and in my cousin's apartment.

There was a meow, and I saw Kuriboh was here too. I'm glad Keira and Ami like cats.

"Come this way and I'll show you your room," Ami told me from the hallway and I could smell beef being cooked in the kitchen. "Are you coming?" Ami asked me after a few minutes —I hadn't even realized I wasn't paying attention to her until she was waving a hand in front of my face.

I blinked, startled out of my daze and nodded at her. "Y-Yeah, sorry."

She gave me a hard look before turning to guide me to the room in the back they were giving me. It was quite spacious, and beside the bathroom for easy access.

"Thanks," I mumbled, taking it all in. It was styled like a hotel suite—per Keira's creative talent. It was all so well kept up that I felt a little intimidated; too afraid to touch anything.

"Dinner will be done, but take your time. Holler if you need anything," Ami spoke casually, like her usual self then and I smiled a little.

She shut the door for privacy when she left, and I walked over to the large bed and fell face first onto the elegant quilt. The bed bounced at my weight and I took a moment to marvel at the soft mattress. This will be really comfortable to sleep on.

I sighed as I laid there, too heavy to move really. Maybe I was still too numb, but it felt like everything was moving so fast. I'm suddenly living with my cousin until Grandpa gets to feeling better. I hope it's soon—not for the sake of I don't like being with my cousin, because I do, but just for normalcy.

I wanted everything to be happy again.

I must have spent longer on the bed than I thought because there was a knock at the door to let me know dinner was done.

My stomach growled at the smell of food, at least I get to eat some of Keira's home cooking.

"Yugi, do you like broccoli?" Keira asked me as she served my plate; she had all but forced me to sit at the table before I could help out.

"Only with cheese." I told her, and she grinned.

"Just the way I like mine~" she sang as she filled my plate up with all sorts of good food.

I was already feeling spoiled.

The food was amazing, as per usual, and afterwards I managed to coax Keira into letting me help her clean up—which Ami had no qualms with since she didn't like to clean.

"So tonight what do you want to do? We have an entertainment system so we can totally game or dance, or we can watch something on Netflix." Keira said as she washed the dishes and I rinsed.

I thought about it and shrugged, "I wouldn't mind just watching something. Anything new good?"

Her mouth opened and she went on and on about a zombie series that was exceptionally good and that I had to watch it.

So that's what we did, and I got to relax so much that I fell asleep half-way through the season.

Ami dropped me off at the hospital on her way to work. She would be working a few hours and then would come back to pick me up.

I passed by the glass garden on the way and noticed that Miss Yukinai was in there. I decided to go in and say hi, noticing she seemed to be on break because she was reading from a book and had her food beside her.

"Miss Yukinai?" I called out since she didn't notice me. She looked up then, startled, but then smiled at me.

"Why hello there, Yugi! Here to visit your Grandpa?"

"Yeah, I'll be here for a few hours." I told her, smiling and not sure if I should leave...

She seemed to catch on and instantly scooted over on the small bench. "Here, you can sit with me."

"Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt your break..." I told her, cautiously stepping toward her.

"You're not interrupting anything, I like to have company." She said, and I sat down.

I watched her tuck a strand of brown hair behind her ear. It's hard to believe how old she is, and how long I've known her...

"I remember reading this book to your mom as we sat here, you know?" Miss Yukinai spoke, smiling fondly at the old book in her hand. It looked like a book that held classic short-stories. "She would tell me her favorites, and we would go on and on talking about the characters and their stories. She had been the first patient that I got close to, that I could count as my friend."

I didn't say anything, I just listened and pictured mom sitting with us, laughing and reading along.

"I see a lot of her in you." She smiled at me and my heart skipped a beat at her words, "She was very likeable, and so easy to get along with. She was a real sweetheart and loved to gush about her son."

I felt my lips quiver a bit as I looked down, still smiling. Mom was so great.

"Maybe one day I'll tell you all about the things she said about you." She winked at me and then looked up at the skylight, "She always wanted to show you how much she cared and loved you, she was what every mom should be. A great one."

We sat there in silence, and I remembered coming home every day from school to a warm meal and her 'squishy hugs' as she liked to call them. She would help me with homework and I would help her around the house. I was her little partner, and she was Super Mom. We would always make a mess in the kitchen when we baked, but it always turned out good...

"I love you more than words can say."

I sniffed as my eyes burned. I didn't mind reflecting like this, remembering the good times was what kept me going.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset." Miss Yukinai said as she squeezed my shoulder. "It's just so easy to talk about her with you. I felt so horrible when I found out what had happened to her, I felt like I failed her. She was my patient, but she was also my friend."

I didn't realize how much Miss Yukinai had been suffering over this. She had been her nurse, and now she was Grandpa's. She was practically part of the family.

"I'm sorry," I rubbed my face and hopped up. "Let's remember the good times we had with her, okay?" I smiled, and she slowly smiled back.

"Okay, sounds good to me." And she got up with me and we walked together through the small garden.

When we were done and she was timed back in, we went to Grandpa's room.

We walked in to see Grandpa awake and watching TV like normal, so normal it made me smile wider.

"What are you doing here so late?" Grandpa asked me, obviously concerned even though he's really not in the right position to be. He just needs to worry about getting better.

"I came to see you, what else?" I joked, and he laughed. "Ami had to work tonight so she dropped me off. She'll pick me up later." Miss Yukinai was going through and checking everything as we talked.

"Solomon had been telling me about your work history - I didn't know you worked in the mall!" Miss Yukinai said, beaming a smile at me and I shrugged.

"Yeah, it's really fun." I told her. "You should come by sometime, I'll be working a small morning shift Saturday."

Her eyes lit up, "Great! That's actually perfect since my weekend is free - first time in six weeks." She laughed, but I could tell she was tired. "Maybe we can go for ice cream when your shift ends? They have a really good place in there."

"That sounds good to me!" I smiled, I could never turn down ice cream.

"You'll have to do something special then, especially with all the work you do." Grandpa told her and then asked, "I forgot to ask, do you have someone special yet? I feel bad for not keeping in touch with you."

She waved it off so Grandpa would stop feeling guilty. "Oh I've dated off and on through the years, still haven't found a good one."

"A good one will come around, though I don't know if he'll be worthy." He chuckled and we both laughed with him.

"Well I should be going, got a few more patients to visit. I'll stop by in two hours with dinner, okay?" Miss Yukinai said while giving Grandpa a kiss on the forehead, which made him turn bashful - he got so mushy when women did that. She looked at me as she headed to the door. "Want me to bring you something up when I bring your Grandpa's?"

I shook my head, making a face at remembering the last dinner I had from here. "No thanks, I'll live without it."

She laughed loudly at that and opened the door. "If you change your mind, ding me!"

I nodded and she left while I went to sit beside Grandpa.

"Did I ever tell you that I used to work with her parents?"

I shook my head as I got comfortable in the recliner beside him. "Nope, I didn't know you knew her that well."

"Well we became good friends when she became your mother's primary nurse, when I found out her family's name I was astounded that I hadn't ever gotten to meet her when she was younger. I had been good friends with her parents a long time ago." Grandpa talked on and on, and I let him. I listened mostly while he got to talk; it was so good to hear his voice, to see him behaving so lively. Despite the uncomfortable surroundings, it almost felt like we were back at home, sitting on the too-comfy couch in the living room.

Gosh how much I longed for the normalcy of that. I swore I would never take anything for granted again—you just never know when something can change it.

"So tell me how you're doing," Grandpa suddenly asked, looking serious and I became flustered.

"Ah, um, I'm doing just fine. Keira and Ami are taking care of me and I feel at home over there, school is tedious right now and work is being really good to me and—"

"I mean how are you really doing?" Grandpa asked again, and I couldn't deny what he was really getting at. I shuddered in a breath before letting it out, growing serious instantly as I looked down.

"I feel... really numb, and hollow right now. Like my brain knows what's happening but it's all happening so fast that my heart can't catch up. I'm not sure how to handle anything anymore, I just want everything better and normal! I just... just want you better." I let out quietly, my eyes burning and there was a dull pounding in my head from the intense emotions running through me.

"Yugi," Grandpa spoke softly, yet firm, and his bigger hand laid on top of my pitifully small one. "Everything is going to be okay, you're strong and I know you can make it through anything. Remember you're not alone, you have so many friends now by your side. They'll help you through it all, so just relax. I'm here for you too."

My lips quivered, "B-But who will be there for you?"

He looked at the TV, smiling. "I'm a strong old man, I'll be just fine. I have a wonderful grandson to rely on, and all his friends—who inadvertently all became like my own grandchildren." He chuckled a little at that.

I clenched my free hand in my lap into a fist. "Let me be here for you now, okay? I want you to relax and know that everything is going to be okay."

He smiled more at this, his face having more color in it already. "All right. I'm sure I can manage to do that."

I smiled too, and we got caught up in a TV show that we used to watch all the time.

Time seemed to fly by as we talked about anything that came up, and I saw that Miss Yukinai was late with the food for Grandpa.

"I'll just go check at the front desk to see when she'll be running by." I told Grandpa as I got up, stretching sore muscles. Yami would be annoyed that I haven't been exercising and stretching properly.

"Okay, but there's really no need to rush. I'm not that hungry," he answered and I pursed my lips.

"Yeah but you still need to eat—you'll be getting sleepy soon, too." I had my hands on my hips, not budging on this and he relented.

"Oh all right," he huffed, but he was smiling.

I left the room and instantly a sharp cold chill went through me. Jeez, why was the hallway so cold? I checked my phone on the way there, responding to messages from the gang and seeing when everyone was coming. We were trying to work out a schedule so someone would be by to visit Grandpa. It looked like Tristan would be coming by tonight, probably after I left. He would leave when Grandpa was sound asleep, which would hopefully be before visiting hours were over.

I saw the receptionist and walked up to the front so she could see me so I wouldn't have to awkwardly get her attention.

"Um, I was wondering when Miss Yukinai would be making her round to my Grandpa—Solomon Muto." I asked her and her eyebrows were furrowed like something was bothering her.

"She hasn't been by yet? That's strange... she hasn't gotten in contact with me about any delays..." she started checking through her phone and papers.

"That's weird... do you know where she was last?"

"She was on the first floor, in the east wing where comatose patients are... I'll ring her again and see if I can get in contact with her. I'll send another nurse to your room, okay?" She smiled sweetly and I nodded.

"Okay, thank you. I'll just go to the cafeteria and get something to drink." I said and started to walk away as she started dialing. The cafeteria did have an awesome slushie machine.

Hopefully she'll reach Miss Yukinai... I wonder what she's doing? It was all I could think about as I used the elevator to go down.

The east wing was past the cafeteria, and I noticed it was dark and quiet. It really screamed 'Do not disturb' and that's exactly what I was going to do.

I started heading for the cafeteria when a sound came from the ominous hallway. It was a voice, and I tried to focus to hear it.

"Miss Yukinai?" I called out, my voice just above a whisper so I wouldn't wake anyone. She was suppose to be down there...

I knew I should be in the cafeteria, that I should wait on her to get done with whatever work she was doing, but there was another sound then.

One that spurred my legs into moving, it was like the dream I had... the awful nightmare of hearing that familiar scream. I couldn't ignore it, I had to find her...

There was a loud sound at the end of the hallway, and I felt goosebumps all over my body.

My heart pounded so loud it was all I could hear, and my breaths were coming out short. It felt like my lungs were about to burst as I ran through the quiet hall. The doors to patient rooms were all shut, as if to hide them from the growing darkness and the sinking dread filling up inside me.

Something was wrong. If I ever believed in my gut feeling, it would be now.

"Miss Yukinai!" I shouted, wanting desperately to find her.

I went around the corner when I smelled it. That familiar smell that I had become so acquainted with as a child.

It was so thick and potent that my stomach lurched, and I took a few steps back.

When I looked at the door jarred open, my heart was in my throat. I saw a label reading 'Staff Only' on the door. It was too dark inside the room to see anything, but the smell was coming heavily from it.

I didn't want to go in there, but I... I had to find her. "Miss..."

I stepped inside and shakily flipped on the light switch. "...Yukinai?"

I stopped, my entire being frozen at the sight. The red was everywhere, the blood splattered, coating and tainting the equipment room.

It was all too much.

I slowly looked at her body and felt my stomach heave, forcing me on my knees as I emptied whatever was in my stomach.

I shakily moved toward her, her... Miss Yukinai was...

My breathing was coming out quicker and quicker. I took her in with unseeing eyes, the disbelief clogging my throat tightly.

She had been beaten, that much was sure. Someone had... someone had ripped into her body—

I clutched my mouth as it all wanted to come out again. Her eyes were lifeless, staring at me and my eyes burned until I had to squeeze them shut.

How long I sat there, I wasn't sure. Her blood had soaked into my pants by the time I felt vibration in my pocket.

My fingers were cold and numb as they fumbled for the phone. I saw the bright screen and it read 'Ami.' Was it already time for her to come pick me up?

I was too late to open it, and I missed her call. My brain just wasn't functioning properly for me to call her back.

Why was I still here? I should go alert the staff, who did this?

My legs were too wobbly and unresponsive to move. I couldn't even get up to help...

So I sat there, waiting for my head to get it together. I heard footsteps, the sound echoing in the hallway as they came closer and closer.

"Shit," I heard her voice, and then tan arms wrapped around me, helping me up. "You okay, kid? Were you hurt?"

Once I was standing, it was surprisingly easy to stay that way. Ami assessed me when I didn't answer right away.

"She... Miss Yukinai is..." I couldn't even finish, vision blurry and my voice shaky.

"I know." Was her answer that silenced me once more, it was so definite that it hurt. "Do you know what happened?"

I slowly shook my head. "I... I came looking for her, and f-found her like this."

Ami wore a grim expression before she started nudging me out of the room, "Okay, let's get out of here."

I was about to say something when the police investigators came in, and it felt like there were rocks in my stomach. I felt so horrible on top of being cold and numb. Was this really happening? Or was it all a bad dream?

Ami led me into a room and looked me over once again with a frown. "You need to be out of those." She told me, and when I didn't move, she started helping me into the bathroom. "Listen to me, you need to take your clothes off and wash up, okay? I promise everything will be okay." She looked at me carefully, but her voice was soft and nice.

I nodded and started doing like she told me, and she shut the door.

There was so much red, and it bothered me. I got into the shower, not caring what temperature it was and rested my forehead against the cool tile of the wall.

Red was all I could see.

Miss Yukinai... she was dead, and I don't know how or why. We had just talked together.

. * . * . * . * .

I still felt awful the next day, and I continued to feel sick when investigators questioned me. There was so much uproar; the headlines reading: "NURSE OF RENKA HOSPITAL MURDERED!"

I couldn't escape it, and I stayed with Keira and Ami more and my friends came by pretty often.

"No one knows who the murderer is?" Anzu questioned one day when we sat in the kitchen drinking tea and eating hot cakes—Keira's idea of lightening the mood.

"No, so police have been deployed to guard patients and staff at all times now." Ami told her, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. She had been in and out of the apartment a lot lately.

"Which is why we always have someone of the gang hanging out with Grandpa, we want him to be at ease." Keira mentioned to the two visiting; Anzu and Ryou.

There was a short pause of silence, and I saw Ryou turn to me, a bit cautiously. "And you, Yugi? How are you holding up?" He spoke with a gentle hesitation, just like with everyone lately. They were all tip-toeing around me in fear that I would break again.

"I'm doing better... I just wish we could find the killer so this can all be over." I said, feeling so tired still.

I still haven't woken up from this awful dream yet. I wondered if one day I would wake up and realize that this was the truth, that this was reality. That someone's life had been taken away in cold blood and there was nothing I could do about it. That someone as sweet as Miss Yukinai could be taken away from me just like that.

We were going to eat ice cream together. We were suppose to talk more about mom, we were suppose to hang out more and see Grandpa get well enough to be back at home.

It was a few days after that that Yami pulled me away from my temporary home for a 'surprise date.' Yami had and will always be good at cheering me up.

I was surprised to see a picnic basket in the backseat when he picked me up.

"What's with the basket?" I asked him, forcing myself to forget all of the crime and mourning so I could have a good time.

He wore a secret smile as he glanced at me, pulling out of the parking space. "Don't ruin the secret, aibou."

"We're going on a picnic, aren't we? How romantic," I teased, unable to keep the grin off my face.

"Aibou!" He spoke in a warning tone, but he was grinning too. He looked really good today—better make that always—he was wearing a black collared shirt that really made his facial features stand out. He just knows how to wear black...

"I was thinking that perhaps after graduation we can go back to the beach as a celebration to conquering school," Yami voiced as he got on Main Street.

"That sounds like a good idea, I'm sure the rest of the gang will be on board with it." All you could do was keep moving forward... Time didn't stop just because somebody died.

We sat in companionable silence up until Yami pulled into the park. I got out and held the basket of whatever food Yami decided to pack, and he got the blanket from the trunk.

Spring flowers were blooming in the park as we walked along the trail. It was so peaceful out and was the right temperature of warmth. It was a perfect, beautiful day...

...and I still only saw grey skies. My mood was still shaky, even after a week past the incident.

Yami led us to our secret place, and he placed the large blanket on top of the hill overlooking Domino. It was a really pretty sight.

I sat down with the basket in front of us. "So what goodies did you pack with you?" I asked, curious.

He smiled a bit... bashfully? And started going through the inner contents of the basket. He got out two plates for us both, and then a vase and a bouquet of real red roses.

"For you," he spoke, flushing a bit but still looking me in the eye and smiling warmly.

Ra how my heart fluttered and I became a blushing mess at just that. He set everything up, setting the vase with the roses to the side of us and he got out the food containers. It was all of our favorite foods, and I wanted to die very pleasantly in embarrassment. He knew me so well, but then again, I knew him the same way.

"Let's dig in, shall we?" he asked curtly and I smiled at him, thanking him before doing just that.

This was one of those magically romantic dates that I see and read about... it was so perfect, and I loved every second of it.

When we were done with the food and left satisfied, Yami wrapped a strong arm around me and held me close to him. The closeness made me feel warm and flustered, but I loved it all the same. I leaned my head onto his shoulder, looking at the city and feeling calmer than ever.

I felt so safe being here with him, like everything was going to be all right.

"Thank you for taking care of the shop," I told him, I can't think him enough for going and keeping the Game Shop up and running.

His lips were in my hair, and I felt the smile. "I'm honored to do so."

I tilted my head up to look at him, smiling at those warm crimson red eyes staring at me. Even though the blood had made me scared, his eyes didn't. I still felt so calm and protected, like always with him.

He leaned in closer, our noses rubbing together before we pressed our lips together. It was a soft embrace, and Yami's lips were so gentle and plump. We're better at kissing now—we know how the other moves and it becomes an intimate dance.

Everything became hotter and exciting, and I breathed in what Yami breathed out. I briefly wondered if this was what it felt like to be drunk or high. I felt so important, and made an embarrassing noise when I felt Yami rub my back and sides—I was too sensitive.

I felt him gently lay me down on the blanket when I was lost in the kisses. I felt daring, and I licked at his lips—which made him gasp and we broke apart, chests heaving for air as we stared at each other.

His eyes were wild and dark, his lips swollen and bruised darkly while his face was flushed. He looked... so Ra damn sexy. I pulled him back to me and latched our lips together, sucking his bottom lip and making him moan.

The sound sent shudders running through me, and I felt so alive. All I wanted was Yami, to stay like this forever. I wasn't sure how long we stayed there, feeling and kissing each other.

I know my lips were numb and I couldn't feel my toes, we ended up watching the sunset together before deciding to leave.

The date was magical. It wasn't until that night that I realized Yami had made me forget everything bad. He was so amazing, able to make the bad things go away from me.

I really wanted us to be together forever.

I strived to focus in school more. Even though Pegasus agreed to pay for everything for me to study the right courses under him, I still felt the need to get high scores on my tests.

School would be over soon, I had no time to waste. Fortunately, I had Keira and Ami's help with most of my stuff since they had already 'been there, done that.'

We sat around the living room drinking homemade lemonade, a type of manga podcast went on in the background. It was a sunny day so Keira had the windows open, providing all natural lighting and it really helped make the mood brighter.

We were going over one assignment after the next, and the best subject in my book was literature—which Keira excelled at.

"You got this kid," Ami told me while ruffling my hair during a break. Kuriboh was curled up in my lap, always switching from me to Keira.

"You're making great progress!" Keira fist-pumped and grinned, "You'll be able to meet the gang when you're done."

Between everything's that happened and now schoolwork on top of it, it's been hard to find time to spend with everyone. I think when everything blows over it'll be easier to get back into routine.

But a part of me worried. What if that old routine is gone? Once we all graduate, who's to say everyone will still be around? They may all move off and leave me here! Then we won't be able to hang out together, no more funny shenanigans to be had... It sucked. Why was growing up so awful?

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Keira's voice cut into my thoughts and I blinked as I focused my sight on her.

"Oh, just... growing up really sucks, ya know?" I scratched my head, feeling down despite the bright mood still around us.

Keira was busy tidying everything on the coffee table we sat at. "Yep, it does... sometimes you're forced to grow up due to things in your life, but sometimes you don't ever really grow up."

"What do you mean?"

She looked at me with big blue eyes then, finished with organizing. "What does it mean to be 'grown-up?' To have a car, a house, a spouse, a job - bills to pay? Not necessarily... I think it's your mind-set, your own choice to suddenly be the most mature, the adult the world sees you as. It's when you decide to... 'put away childish things.'" She air-quoted and continued somberly, "You can still do adult things, obligations that are set for you, but still not be wholly an 'adult' or 'grown-up' at heart. Because you are you on the inside, and only yourself can change that. Everyone has free will to make choices in life, good ones and bad ones... So don't let others dictate you on who you should be, or how you should feel. Just be you, and no one else." She smiled, and I watched as she folded a pink paper intricately.

I was a bit quiet at that, soaking in everything she said... It was so wise. I guess wisdom really does come more from experience rather than age. "So... are you a 'grown-up?'" I asked her.

Her smile stayed as she kept folding and forming the paper into a small bird. She held it up when she was done and handed it to me, "The world may see me as a grown adult, but I don't. There's no rush in life, we're just drifting along for the ride." She was really pretty, I'd always known, but it was so natural for her to smile like that.

"Is that poetry?" My mouth twitched into a contagious smile, and she stuck out her tongue, rubbing the back of her head.

"Yeah, from one of Ami's poem books."

"Hey!" We heard a shout from the kitchen, causing us both to dissolve into giggles. I forgot how secretive Ami was about her poem collection.

I felt better though, a lot lighter knowing I didn't have to give in to the world's demands. I could still be me, and take it one day at a time. It was all I could do.

"More lemonade~!" Keira sang as Ami brought in the next batch in three tall glasses. "We should really make some sugar cookies next!"

"You ARE a sugar cookie, silly." Ami retorted as she flipped Keira's long red ponytail. "Besides, there's enough sugar in this lemonade to give us all a sugar rush."

Keira laughed and raised a brow, "Ami dearest, you clearly underestimate mine and Yugi-kin's sugar capacity levels."

"Ugh," Ami groaned like she had a headache, and Keira just giggled while I smiled wide. It was so easy being with these two.

It made me remember the time I went over Keira's house when we were kids, her mom had made us lemonade and sugar cookies (great combination by the way) and we played in their big backyard. That summer had been real fun...

"Remember when we had a bug-hunting contest when we were little?" I spoke fondly, looking at Keira over my glass.

Her eyes flickered with emotion before she settled on a smile, "Yep, I remember how scared you were of the big beetle I caught." She giggled at the memory and I cringed a little - it had been a really creepy one.

"I remember how you tried so hard to catch all of the butterflies in the garden," I laughed at the memory of her falling into the dirt over and over again—and complaining about it the whole while.

She looked sheepish, "I really wanted the monarch-looking ones, they were so pretty and I wanted to impress mom since she liked those."

I grinned. "We had raced through the woods too, and we kept tripping over the tree roots."

Something flashed across her face then—too fast for me to see—and she nervously picked at her skirt. "Y-yeah, I was so clumsy." She laughed, but it sounded forced.

I was about to ask what was wrong when Ami interrupted.

"Isn't it time for you guys to start Math lessons?" she spoke in a bored tone, but the way she was eyeing the situation had me believing she was speaking up for the sake of changing subjects.

"O-oh yeah!" I laughed a little, "Great, stupid math huh?" I tacked on in hopes of uplifting Keira back into study-master-wiz.

"Yeah, we'd better start if you want to finish before your boyfriend calls." Keira teased, looking better as she looked over the worksheet.

I wasn't completely sure why the mood had changed with Keira, but I didn't want her to be sad so I wouldn't question it. Not now, at least.

. * . * . * . * .

We finished in time for me to change into a 'hipster outfit' Keira chose for me, and her and Ami dropped me off at the arcade on their way to see Grandpa.

The arcade was busy with its usual crowd, so I was pleased it wasn't so packed. Everyone was sitting around eating pizza and my lips curled as I snuck up behind Yami to surprise him.

He jumped when I touched his sensitive areas (always the sides and neck) and it made his water splash up onto his face.

Marik and Bakura snorted with laughter and I grinned as he turned around to mock-glare at me. "Aibou..."

"Yami..." I said in the same tone as him and kissed his cheek before I could think about the consequences of said actions when among the group.

There was a flash before I pulled away, and all I could see was Yami's shocked face at me giving him public display of affection like that.

"Heck yeah! Finally got some footage of you two being grossly cute together." Malik cheered and went to sit with Marik—or well, on Marik.

"Jeez, 'cool the PDA' as one Pharaoh would say..." Bakura spoke in a harsh teasing voice.

Yami flipped him a bird. Must be one of those days then.

"Well, someone's in a good mood!" Anzu was all smiles as she focused on me as I sat beside Yami, handing him paper towels to dry off with.

I shrugged as I looked around, noting who was all absent. "Where's Joey and Tristan?" They were probably playing games, but I was just making small talk at the moment.

"Ohhh~" Malik excitedly jumped over to me, and I just knew he's had an energy drink of some kind. If Ryou's heavy sigh was anything to go by. "Kaiba's here, and he's so focused on beating this ONE game! It's hilarious, so the puppy is being good and rooting for him." He giggled maniacally and I was confused, Kaiba was here? "And surprise, surprise! Duke's here too and you know what that means."

"Oh God," I said, just imagining the heavy flirting with poor Tristan!

"We should probably go get them all so they can eat." Ryou advised, the ring on his finger twinkling from the overhead lights.

"We should, but who wants to waste time on those fools?" Bakura shrugged as he ate some of Ryou's fries, his hand holding his quite visibly. Huh, what an adorable notion... Guess Bakura is kind of 'fluffy.'

"'Kura," Ryou reprimanded him with only his name and a stare.

"Alright fine!" Bakura grumpily stood up while Marik was howling with laughter.

"Malik-pretty, did you record?" he asked and Malik wore a grin.

"Oh yes." And he evidently put the camera away while Bakura glared at the two.

"What in the buggary are you two doing?" he demanded, and then Ryou was leading him away before he could start something.

My how things have changed... I'm actually still surprised by how much of an upper-hand Ryou has on someone like Bakura. To each their own, I guess.

Anzu decided to stay behind to watch over the food and Yami nudged me as we walked with the others. I smiled at him as we walked close. "Forgive me?" I asked, giving him my best set of puppy-dog-eyes-of-DOOM.

His face slowly gave in to a smile, gotcha. "Of course, aibou. You know that I am no match for that look."

"Ah, yes. The fatal attack of the puppy dog eyes, works every time." I couldn't help but smirk as we walked.

He chuckled and grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. We followed behind Malik and Marik as we stopped at the 'Munny Wheel' arcade game. It was a wheel that spun when activated and the player had to stop it at the right time to win the prize - which were many, but there were also lots of spots where you didn't win anything, and then of course the main hard-to-get-spot, the Jackpot.

Which seemed to be what Kaiba was aiming for, naturally.

"C'mon, you's spendin' way too much on this!" Joey tried to pull him away from it, but the esteemed business owner wouldn't budge.

"I will win!" Kaiba declared as he started it up again, and I felt myself sighing. Kaiba's pride had no chill.

"Poor Joey... They're going to be here all night," That was until he got lucky enough to hit the elusive Jackpot slot.

Yami was amused by all this it seemed, his eyes flitted to me and then back to the show. The calculating look I saw in that handsome face only spelled trouble. Great, if there was someone to compete with Kaiba's pride, it was Yami.

I'm going to be here all night; well at least I had Joey.

You could hear Kaiba gritting his teeth as he lost again and that was when Yami stepped up for the challenge.

"Let me give it a try, I'm quite good at these." He sounded so confident and held his head up high as he walked toward Kaiba. I wish I could be like that...

Kaiba whipped his head around to glare at him, oh great. "Be. My. Guest."

Yami smirked good-naturedly. "Why thank you, that's awfully kind of you."

The three psychos were laughing their heads off while Ryou was sighing like me, but he was smiling. It was good entertainment—so long as it didn't drag on.

Kaiba stood to the side in a calm anger, his arms crossed as he watched Yami start up the wheel. Yami then stayed still as he watched the wheel, his hand hovering over the button to stop. Finally, he stopped it and it landed on the 500 ticket prize, the slot just beside the Jackpot. Wow, that's extremely lucky already.

"Close, but no dice." I heard Duke say and turned to see him and Tristan come up—Duke's arm pressed against Tristan's, but it didn't look like Tristan minded it.

"Where have you two been?" Ryou asked them—guess they've been away for a while.

"We've been around," Duke winked, "sorry to have worried you, I took good care of Tristan. It's a shame Serenity didn't get to come." He sighed at the loss, running a hand through his jet black locks.

"She had to study, remember?" Tristan reminded him.

"Oh I know, but I still can't help but miss our little butterfly." Duke said in a somewhat whiny tone, rubbing his face against Tristan's arm.

Tristan actually smiled, not sure if it was from what Duke said or his action, or both, or what. Huh.

"My turn!" Kaiba shouted as he threw his jacket off and Joey managed to catch it before it could hit the floor. He instantly went to the game and started it up, all while Yami stood amused beside him.

"Um, we actually came to get all of you because the food is ready." I spoke up so everyone could hear, and Joey looked extremely happy about that—and I think this time it was more for the distraction then his actual love of food.

"Hey, awesome! Let's eat!" Joey cheered, grinning as Kaiba grumbled.

"In a minute!" he shouted as he once again hit the button just after the Jackpot. "I am not leaving until I win this. I will not let such a low-level game defeat me."

Joey shrugged, "Suit yourself, I'm starvin'!" And he started walking away, still carrying the rich jacket that's probably worth more than my paycheck.

The others started following him and I looked back at Yami.

"Go ahead and go, aibou. I'll stay here until we're done, we'll join you all shortly." He told me, smiling at me and I smiled back.

"Okay!" And I hurried after the others.

.

We were mostly done eating when Yami and Kaiba joined us, carrying a pile of tickets each.

"Looks like someone hit the jackpot!" Anzu noted out loud and Yami grinned while Kaiba just sat down beside Joey.

"We both did," Yami said and sat down beside me.

"Well, I'm going to head to the dance machine." Anzu told us as she got up and I smiled and waved as she left. Most of the gang was already out there anyway, Joey and I had just been waiting on Yami and Kaiba.

I pushed a plate of pizza toward Yami. "Have fun?"

He took it thankfully and started picking off the pepperoni for me to eat—he was picky like that. "I'll have more fun once you're out there with me," he winked and I laughed.

I saw Joey fake-gagging over his head and I rolled my eyes at my best friend's antics. Gotta lov'em.

We played arcade games on into the evening, and then Yami took me home. Like always, he stole my breath away at the door with a kiss and I slipped inside the apartment.

"Hey, short stuff." Ami greeted from the living room where she was currently hovering over a canvas she was painting.

"Hey," I greeted back, smiling. "How was Grandpa?"

"Better, he's gotten more of an appetite now so it may not be long now until he's out of there and back at home." She explained, still focused on her work, but she spared me a glance. "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, I really needed an outing." I beamed and put leftover pizza in the fridge. "Where's Keira?"

"She's in her room, taking a nap. I told her not to binge-watch that zombie show last night, but she did anyway."

I laughed at that and started to my room, "I'll be quiet."

"Thanks."

I decided to get to studying, since it helped take my mind off of things.

. * . * . * . * .

I stretched sore muscles from where I had been hunched over the desk studying. Man, how long had I stayed like that? I didn't even hear my phone go off...

I gazed over at the time on the alarm clock, the red numbers reading a little over half past eight. The sun had already gone down... No wonder it was darker in here.

I decided to take a breather from textbooks and stretched like a cat—hearing joints pop as I did - as I stood up and walked out of the room.

I was getting used to staying with my cousin; her and Ami kept to themselves mostly, though I think they were just giving me space. Eating dinner with them had been nice...

As I walked down the narrow hallway, I heard what sounded like... sniffling? Like the upset kind, and I grew worried. I stopped at the source, realizing I was at Keira's door.

Should I knock...? But what if she was just watching a really sad anime (she tends to do that a lot) and crying about that? I don't want to interrupt...

Swallowing, I took a hesitant step back when her voice made me stop.

"Please... stop..."

It was a voice I'd never heard from her. Keira has always been so cheerful and bubbly, it's one of the things we had in common. But this... this broken, pitiful voice that rose just above a whisper didn't even sound like the cousin I knew... The one I grew up to know and work with.

I realized that the door wasn't all the way shut, it was cracked just a little as if it came open after not being closed good enough.

I could hear her through it, and as I took that step back to being closer I could make out that a dull light was on somewhere. I peered in, trying to find Keira and see if something was wrong when she spoke again.

"It hurts so much, I don't want anymore!"

The broken, louder tone stopped me again as it sent a chill running down my spine. It made me feel sick. What was happening to her?

I forced myself to take control of my growing numb limbs, and take that extra step to push the door open more.

The sight that greeted me made me almost choke on a gasp. My eyes widened as I saw the mess on the floor, on the bed, on the walls...

Her long red hair that was normally always well-groomed and put up with a headband was in a mess around her; sticking out everywhere with knots and tangles as if she had been pulling it and twisting it herself.

The room was in an even worser state. Every neat bookcase had books pulled out and laying everywhere. Some had pages torn out and were strewn everywhere as if in an angry fit. Clothes were scattered about, paint had been splashed onto the wall, adding to the destructive look of the bedroom.

"You did this to me!" Her voice shook in outrage as she banged tiny fists against the wall.

I hadn't realized I regained my breathing so rapidly, it was coming out heavily and she heard me.

I watched as she swiftly turned around, bloodshot eyes wide as she stopped. Her normally pretty ivory complexion was clammy and her make-up ran down her face in angry black streaks, even her clothes were torn at the ends.

"Yugi..." she murmured in disbelief and I stood there, frozen and not knowing what to do. I wanted to ask, "what's wrong? What happened to you?" but I was still shell-shocked.

She appeared to be struggling too, then suddenly I felt a hand grab my shoulder and gasped as I turned to see Ami there.

"Hey, short-stuff. Why don't you head to the kitchen for a bit and I meet you there?" Her words were friendly, but she was serious. More serious than I've ever seen her get.

"O-Okay..." I managed to get out as I willed cold legs to move and walk away.

I felt so cold from shock, my brain numb and unable to think properly.

I could hear crying and shouting as I walked away, trying to not listen as I hurried to the kitchen.

My mind could only repeat a simple, but deadly knowing question.

What just happened?

It was in that mindset that I pulled out a chair to sit at the table.

It didn't take long for me to hear them. Soothing words from a gentle voice—Ami trying to comfort her in a way I didn't know how. There was more unintelligible shouts and sobbing and my heart broke at hearing the pained voice of my cousin.

It hurt worse because I didn't know what was wrong. I wanted her happy, she didn't deserve to be this sad...

I wasn't sure how long I sat there, body cold and feeling numb, before I heard a heavy sigh.

Ami pulled out a chair and sat across from me, looking more tired than I've ever seen her. She ran a hand through red-streaked black hair.

"I'm really sorry you had to witness that. She... I know she never wanted you to see her like that." There was a stillness in the air that seemed to settle at her voice.

"What..." I licked my dry lips, "What was that? Is she okay?"

"She will be," Ami seemed to stare off at something and winced before looking back at me. "Sometimes that happens, a breakdown triggered by something that makes her remember a traumatic time in her life." At my questioning gaze, she looked so serious, the hand she had on the table curled tightly into a fist. "It isn't my place to tell her story."

She looked down the hallway and then talked back to me in a hushed tone. "Do me a favor and try to be easy with her, okay? Don't bring up what you saw, I'm sure she'll get around to telling you about it."

I nodded, understanding and feeling worried for my cousin.

"I've got her calmed down so you can go—"

"Wait," The small voice stopped Ami and we both turned to see her standing there. She looked sickly pale, her hair up in a messy bun and she was wearing sweats and a T-shirt—something she never wears.

She silently walked over to sit beside Ami in front of me. She breathed in slowly and then out, and no one said anything. She looked... so fragile, I was afraid to say anything that might break her.

"I'm sorry for freaking out like that." She murmured in a voice that honestly wanted to break my heart.

"Don't be sorry!" Ami suddenly looked angry about something, and she stared hard at the smaller girl.

Keira only kept looking at the table, not meeting eyes. "He doesn't know."

Ami leaned back at that, and I looked at the both of them in question. "What do I not know?" I asked before I thought about it, that I should probably just stay quiet.

Keira smiled sadly as she rubbed her fingers together. "I'm so sorry, Yugi. I wish I had been strong enough to say something... I feel like it's my fault for what happened to you all those years ago."

I felt alert all of a sudden, my stomach twisting and heavy as I stared at her. "Your fault...? What do you mean?" She couldn't possibly be talking about...

Her fingers clenched together. "Remember the last time you came over my house to play when we were kids?" She looked up then, but her eyes were closed as she still wore that sad, forced smile. "We drunk lemonade, ate sugar cookies, played in the garden, and... played hide-and-seek in the woods behind my house." Her voice grew deathly level at the end, and I gulped. My chest was rising in anticipation, an air of dread hung over me like a swarm of gnats. I suddenly didn't want to know anymore; I didn't want to know what happened to my cousin to make her like this. I was afraid to know what could damage her so much.

"Your... your dad came by to pick you up, right?"

I looked down, remembering it and feeling a lump swell up in my throat. I tried to force it down so I could talk clearly, "Y-yeah, A-Auntie had been worried about you because you were still playing in the woods, so he... he offered to go look for you..." I gulped, my hands shaking under the table. My brain didn't want to acknowledge what was coming.

"Yeah, and I looked pretty bad when I got back from the woods, I remember what I told you even now." Her eyes were open again as I looked at her, but they were unseeing—the same way my eyes would look sometimes.

"You," I licked my lips, "You told me you had tripped and gotten lost, and that's why it took so long for you both to get back..." My eyes were widening, my breathing coming out quicker when I saw tears swell in her sad eyes. No.

"There had been more," Her voice broke as she blinked furiously at the tears, looking up at the kitchen light and then clutching her mouth as she looked down again. "H-He found me, and I was still so innocent that I decided to laugh and run away from him, a game of tag. I, I'm so clumsy—" Here she breathed in sharply, her forced sad smile returning, "—that I tr-tripped and he got me. I was giggling like normal until he gripped me harder, and—"

Ami had to support her as she lost it briefly and my eyes burned, fury swelling inside me in place of the cold numbing.

"He... he started touching me. I was in such shock that I couldn't move, when I tried to fight back he gripped me so hard I cried. No one could hear me, he ripped off my dress and started—" She started crying once more, clutching herself as if to hold herself together and I knew all too well that feeling. I felt boneless, not wanting to believe that what she was telling me was actually true. That he had—

"He raped me, and I... I never knew how to tell you." She spoke in a broken voice, eyes too blue as she cried.

My heart broke, I couldn't believe he done that to my cousin, to someone I saw as a sister. To his own niece.

I swallowed as I tried to get my bearings together, to remember everything after that. "That had been the last time we hung out together, you... you never called or came by, and he—he never took me to see you." It all made sense now. When reflecting on it years ago, I had felt bitter for my cousin and aunt for not being in my life during all of that... But Keira had been dealt with the same—if not worse—treatment as I had.

I thought I had been alone in all this, but he had gotten to her first. "I'm... I'm so sorry." I didn't know what else to say, how to make it better for her.

I felt so angry at my father now, more so than ever. I didn't feel broken anymore, I felt like a warrior, I wanted to make him pay so much for what he done, wanted to bring him out of the grave so I could make him pay. No one deserves the pain he inflicted. No one.

"If... If I had just been strong enough back then, to, to tell someone what had happened—then maybe, maybe they could have locked him up before he hurt you." She sounded so pitiful and apologetic, "But I couldn't tell anyone! I waited too long, I couldn't even help you when it happened—I was so messed up."

I reached over to hold her hand, rubbing it gently and I smiled. "Don't blame yourself, you did nothing wrong. He was just severely messed up, he deserves to be rotting in the grave right now."

Her eyes flickered again and lips quivered, Ami ended up tightening her hold on her. "Y-yeah... Still though, I still feel bad for not being there for you."

I shook my head to reassure her, "You're here for me now, and that's all that matters."

She laughed at that and reached over the table to hug me. "Thank you... I love you, cuz."

"I love you too."

When we pulled apart I barely caught Ami's distant look. I never knew what she could be thinking, so I didn't question it now.

All I know is I'm going to make my cousin feel like a princess tonight, she deserved it.

A/N: This was such a heavy chapter to write, ohmygawd. Talk about putting your beloved characters through literal hell (meanwhile the villain is still loose). So in case you didn't realize it yet, the character from the last Extra of Text 25 was Miss Yukinai, not Anzu like everyone thought. =P A bit of insight leading up to her untimely demise. Now, so no one is mad at me, everything happens for a reason, and all loose ends will be tied by the end of all this. You'll see. ;) Next Text will be less heavy and more cheery - now's the time to give me any scenes you would like to see happen with the characters before the pre-climax of the story. Just note that all major points of the plot (like Yugi's past and memories being revealed to him and Yami) will be done at the end of TFAS.

Love ya guyz, thanks for sticking with me so long. Be sure to swing by YGO-Magazine over on Wattpad if you can't get enough of Yugioh! If you're a writer, then please consider giving us a Sneak Preview of your story or chapter! It will help promote you story to a wider audience. =)

That's all, thank you for your time and see you in the next Text!