Puppet Love

Oh, yeah, this is one hell of a long chapter, and another heart-tugger..and again, I�m switching places faster than Tarantino in his best years(smirk)!

Have fun
and remember to review. Arigato!^^

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22.
Dreaming

�Muuto-san, I understand this is..difficult for you, but-�

�No, not yet.� The old man shook his head in refuse.

�Give him-us-just..one more hour, sensei. Please.�

The doctor nodded in understanding, moving away from the life-preservating machines and exiting the room.

Silence claimed the small circle of friends surrounding Yugi�s bed.

Mokuba mumbled in his sleep, chewing on a non-existent mochi, before yawning and blinking his eyes open. Had that been-no impossible, he must have dreamt about an engine being started and a car taking of with screeching tires�

Tears pooled out of his blue eyes, but he didn�t care anymore.

Nothing existed but the pain, vibrating through every single fiber of his being, but
mostly, his heart.

His puppy had left.

He was not coming back.

And he had no one to blame but himself.

Puzzled, the nurse doing the nightshift scanned the desk before her.

Everything was in disarray, although she could have sworn, she had stacked the files and carts neatly upon one another, before she had gone to the bathroom.

Perhaps she really needed a vacation.

He needed to pee, but he was too lazy to get up. Besides, outside was cold, and his covers were so warm and comfy�

The scenery was breathtaking in its simple beauty:

From an endless, pale-blue sky shone a bright, yet not glaring sun, the birds' song filling the air. Cherry trees, in full bloom, lined the shores of the vast river gently whispering beneath him, winding itself past the flower-sprinkled mounds and hills surrounding him.

'Where am I?�

Six pairs of eyes stared in disbelief in at the dark-clad figure standing in the wide open door.

Before anyone could react or even utter a single word, Jounouchi had crossed the care ward with four long strides and came to a halt next to the bed.

His gaze traveled over the broken body of his best friend, and he let out a small, choked sob.

Carefull, as to not hurt him any further, he took hold of one of Yugi�s hand. Gently rubbing his thumb across the bandaged limb, he croaked out:

�I..I�m sorry, Yug'. I-I couldn�t stop him�couldn�t save you��

Bitter tears strangled the rest of his words.

�That was too close for my taste. Note to self: no more hot chocolate right before going to bed. At least not three cups full.�
Mokuba moaned, in his haste he had forgotten to put on slippers.

And the marble floor was icy.

Jou looked up, when he felt, or rather saw, a slender hand touching his shoulder.

Purple met amber, and Jou�s heart broke, when he read the truth in those sad depths.

Yami nodded, his form fading more and more with every passing moment, even as Katsuya shook his head and embraced Yugi�s still form in a tight hug, not wanting to let go.

A soft sigh
shook him aware.

The pain had faded, leaving him naked and hollow, with nothing to focus on.

He thought, he dreamed-imagined? hallucinated?-he had heard the quiet running of water and even softer footsteps, but that was probably only his mind playing tricks on him.

Amethyst orbs, once sparkling with joy and life, now dull, fading pebbles, stared at their surroundings, before coming to rest upon the worried face of a blond youth.

�..J..jou..?�

A whisper
beyond whispers, but it reverberated through the entire dorm.

�It is time, Yugi.�

The tri-color haired boy turned around to see his darker half standing there, arms invitingly opened. Letting himself fall into the offered comfort, he mumbled:

�But-but what about the others-?�

A single
finger against his lips halted his protest. Yami smiled down at him.

�Everything
will be fine. They will understand.�

It was not supposed to be this cold. Was there an open window? Mokuba patted through the dimly lit hall towards his room, when he felt a chill caressing his naked feet.

Following the draft, the raven-haired boy found himself in front of Jou�s door.

Which, to his surprise, was locked.

A small wave of the hand, a mouthed farewell, and Yami was gone.

Seto had no more tears to cry.

And nothing left to cry about.

Except�

�Gomen nasai, otouto. I know, I promised� he thought.

All
bitterness, all pain and hatred washed away with his final words:

�Ai�e�u, �a�uya. Ai..e��u��*

The faintest of smiles graced Yugi�s busted lips.

With a contented sigh, he closed his eyes again.

�..�riga..to��

Huffing under his breath, Mokuba paused before the door, before inserting the key and turning the knob.

Jou stared in disbelief at the empty husk that used to be his best friend.

Finally, hesitantly, he let go of him, gently placing him back on his pillows. His lips brushed Yugi�s in a soft kiss, before the blond turned around and stormed out of the care ward, his sister and friends still too shocked with what they had witnessed, than to stop him.

It was the last they ever saw of Jou.

�ONII-SAAN!!!�

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(Hides from Yugi/Yami fans, just to stumble headalong into an angry mob of Seto-followers):

Ok, I�m so
toast-sorry, gotta skip!(runs off, enraged fans behind her)

Back to the 'no tongue' thingy: "Aishteru, Katsuya, Aishteru." transl: "I love you."