But I digress. ^~ On to the fic.

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO. It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi-sama, whose shoes I am not fit to shine. *prostrates herself in front of Takahashi-sama* I am not worthy!

Dedication: Once again, to Eruantale. ^~ This is the chapter she's been dreading. XD And to IrishJade and her "Pretty Other's Other". ^o^ Yay for IJ updates!

Muse-ic of the moment: Bring Me To Life, by Evanescence.

()()()()()

It was two weeks later, and I had to know.

That first night, Jou had run by the alley where I was hiding at least twice, obviously looking for me. He seemed almost frantic. But since then, I hadn't seen so much as a hair from any of Yugi's friends. Even Kaiba seemed to have vanished entirely.

And so I made my way up the steps to Anzu-san's appartment. Not knowing what to expect, I knocked on the door and braced myself for a screaming tirade. Just because a guy brings bad news once... Okay fine, so it was my fault Yami and Bakura had vanished. But I was worried about Yugi.

I remember what it was like, those first couple days after it had truely sunken in that Bakura was gone. I wanted to die more then anything, but I knew my fate was to fade. Not that I didn't try. I still carry the scars on my wrists and arms.

The door was opened by Anzu herself, and for a moment she just stared at me. I don't think that she quite believed it was me for a moment. Then to my surprise she all but flung herself at me, throwing her arms around my neck and burying her head in my chest as she began to cry. I just stood there in shock for a moment, not knowing what to do. Then Anzu looked up at me, and while I could see sadness in her tearful eyes there was fear too.

"Oh Ryou!" she said. "Ryou, it's so horrible! Jou's so sure it's all your fault, but I know you'd never do anything like that, and Shizuka believes me too. But Jou and Honda want you bad Ryou, you've got to leave!"

"Slow down Anzu-san," I said, pulling away from her slightly. When had I gotten taller then her? "Jou and Honda think what is all my fault?"

Anzu stared at me in surprise, then glanced around before pulling me inside her apartment and shutting the door behind us. She bit her lip, and then ran toward a bedroom. She came back out a moment later carrying a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt that looked like it might fit me. She handed them too me and then pushed me toward a bathroom. "Here's some old clothes that my dad will never miss. Go take a long hot shower and get cleaned up. I - I have to think about how to tell you what's happened these last couple weeks."

I stood there and blinked at her, and she gave a little laugh that sounded bitter even to my ears. She made little shooing motions with her hands and smiled saddly. "Go on, there'll be plenty of time for me to tell you after you're comfortable." I stared at her a moment longer, then trudged into the bathroom. There are no words to describe how wonderful a shower and a shave felt! And being dressed in clean clothes to boot? Marvelous.

I wandered back into the livingroom as I was towel drying my hair. Anzu was sitting on the couch, and motioned for me to take a seat across from her. There was a tray with two cups of steaming tea sitting on it, and I stared in surprise. How long had it been since I'd had tea, let alone hot tea? "A-Anzu-san, I don't know what to say..." Unexpectedly I felt my eyes brimming with tears of gratitude. "No one's been this kind to me before. Certainly not lately. I can't thank you enough."

Her face twisted for a moment, into something that looked like remourse, but it was quickly hidden. I wondered what that quick glimpse ment. Was she regretting letting me have a shower? Gratefully I took a sip of the tea. Mmmm... It seemed a little bitter to my tongue, but maybe that was just because I hadn't had real tea in so long. I set the cup down and folded my hands politely in my lap, cocking my head at Anzu. "What's been going on?"

She looked down for a moment, staring at her hands. I had to strain to hear her whisper. "Yuugi's gone."

My eyes widened, and even though I knew what she meant, knew it down to my very bones, I had to hold on to the slim chance that I might be mistaken. "W-what? You mean he ran away?"

She laughed mirthlessly. "You know what I mean. You know it, and I know it. Yuugi's dead."

I had known the words were coming, but still it sent my head reeling. I grasped my cup and took a long drink, and it served to settle my nerves somewhat, although I still felt dizzy and my stomach was churning.

"He comminted suicide the day after you told him Yami was gone." she continued, a few tears rolling down her cheeks to splash on the carpet. "Jou and Honda are trying to make it out that you killed him, drove him to commiting suicide by showing him the shards of the Puzzle. Well, that's what they're telling Jii-san and I. They're telling the police you actually killed him, and set it up to look like suicide."

"What?!" I sat up straight, not even aware that I'd been slouching. "B-but that's preposterous! I wasn't even in that area!"

"I know. But Ryou, I saw him. I got inside before Honda could stop me. He was so still... He'd slit his own wrists, with a note saying that he'd gone to find Yami again... Ryou, I loved him." Anzu said, almost whispering as she watched me finish the last of the tea. "Oh please forgive me Ryou, you have to go. If Jou and Honda find you... Do you have somewhere you can go?"

Gone to find Yami. Don't wait up...

Going to find Bakura... Hm, not such a bad idea.

"Hai, I do," I said saddly, standing up and heading for the door. "I'll wander, as I always have. You'll probably never see me in Domino again, if Jou-san and Honda-san are so worked up."

"I'm sorry Ryou-kun..." she said again, and suddenly she stood up and threw her arms around me all at once. She hugged me tightly for a moment and then let go, and I realised that her tears were as much for me as they were for Yuugi. "I loved you too, you know." she whispered as I left. I didn't answer her, but I knew she knew I had heard.

And so I left Domino City forever. A new stage of my life was just beginning, but in return the old life had to die.

I didn't want it to die, but it already had. The moment Yuugi slit his wrists, no, the moment the Ring shattered... No, even before that. The moment Bakura stole the Puzzle, my life had begun to end. It had been fading ever since, and I just hadn't noticed.

Oh Yuugi forgive me. It shouldn't have ended this way...

()()()()()

WSJ: *snicker* Just you wait Ryou. It ain't over yet! ^^v Yes, I know, this chapter sucked. *sweatdrop* Originally it was focused completely on Yuugi's suicide, but it sorta moved off track...

Ryou: *drugged and zonked out on the floor* Zzzzzzzz...

WSJ: ^^;

God bless minna-san!