Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Inertia ❯ Epilogue ( Chapter 9 )

And finally I have time to sit down and write the epilogue

Maoz-she really doesn't have time…she's just too lazy to go and study for exams

…. Ok, that's true as well….

Maoz-hn, just get on with things

Okey Dokey…welcome to the very last chapter of Inertia! It's been a long time coming…but the end is finally in sight…

Maoz-there will be a small side fic for Inertia since SB somehow managed to put a plot hole in

*grins sheepishly* I don't know when the side fic will be coming out….most likely whenever I'm inspired for it…after the epilogue, I'm going to put all my energy into A Hero Journey.

Disclaimer-don't own

Warnings-Angst, yaoi (Male/Male), Rape, general torturing of my favorite characters, Dark fic, swearing.

An additional warning, you'll get to see different sides of characters.

Pairings-Yami/Yugi, Seto/Jounouchi (Jou), possible Ryou/Bakura

'Blah'-thoughts "Blah"-talking /blah/- Yugi to Yami, or Ryou to Bakura

//blah//- Yami to Yugi or Bakura to Ryou

--------: that's a scene change since ff.net won't let me put my other one in…*glares at ff.net*

Inertia

`I am struggling…though, I see some light. I see the hope others have for me; I can feel their love…. I pray to the gods that I am strong enough to endure the challenges life sends me…or I am strong enough to go to my friends…Gods…please give me the strength!

------------------

Yugi's POV

It's funny how one simple event in your life can change it forever…I used to like lots of lights in my room but now, I love the darkness. I love the way it wraps me up and cuddles me. The light is too bright and shows all my flaws to the world. I used to love being around tons of people…now I can barely stand the company of Yami and Grandpa together. I know I want to be around them…but the other me won't let me. I know Yami banished him to the shadow room but his essence will never disappear completely. Sometimes…when I feel alone and that there truly is no hope left…. he comforts me like before. Right now…. it's been a little more than a month since I was released from the hospital. The people are the rehab center have decided that the one month program wasn't enough and I had to go into the 2 month one instead. To put it lightly, it's been like going to hell and back everyday. Yami's kept his promise…so far. Whenever *he* gets a chance…he tells me that Yami will leave me for good.

I let out another soft sigh as I trail a finger across the raised scar on my arm. It's supposedly supposed to disappear…eventually. There are times where I love this scar and times when I hate it and there are times where I want to make it a brother or a sister. A voice calling me from downstairs startles me back into reality. Sighing, I flick on the light and leave the comfort and safety of my room to go downstairs to see what they want.

-----------------

It's now 11pm and surprise surprise, I can't sleep again. This is a normal occurrence for me…but that does little to comfort Yami who insists on staying up with me till I fall asleep. I pick up the remote from the coffee table and begin to channel surf. There was a time where Yami would glance over at me when I did this but now, it's simply become routine and he goes on reading his book. In the beginning, I used to fake being sleepy and try to get him to go to bed but when you share a mind with someone…they tend to pick up on your lies. So now I just wait it out until I finally fall asleep in front of the TV…the funny thing being is that I always end up in my bed the next morning. I suspect Yami carries me. A commercial comes on and I chance a glance over at my other. He looks pale…maybe it's just the lack of light. He shouldn't be reading without any lights on…he'll ruin his eyes. Speaking of eyes…I can feel my eyelids getting heavy…maybe sleep will come early tonight…I let out a quiet yawn before turning my attention back to the tv, though, a few seconds later, my eyelids close completely and a sense of bliss comes over me as the darkness steals me away.

-------------

Normal POV

Yugi let out a shuddering sigh that rippled through his too thin body as they approached the ugly gray building he had learned to detest with a passion. Taking a deep breath, he glanced up at Yami, who offered him a warm smile.

"Ready to merge aibou?"

Before Yugi nodded in response, the violet eyed teen caught a good look at the pharaoh. The crimson eyes had huge bags under them and he didn't hold himself in his usual stance. His shoulders were definitely drooping as though they seemed to carry the weight of the world on them.

"No" he murmured, bowing his head slightly. "I-it's ok…you don't have to merge with me today…" Yami's eyes widened slightly as he knelt down so that he was eye level with Yugi.

"Are…are you sure Yugi?" he asked, voice soft. "Because I do not mind doing it". Yugi merely nodded, not trusting his voice. With a doubtful look in his eyes, the pharaoh rose and placed a gentle hand on his partner's shoulder. "Ok then…but if you need me, just tell me through the puzzle, ok?" Again, the smaller of the pair nodded silently, clutching the puzzle in both hands before moving away from Yami's hand and walking into the depressed looking building, trying not to let his fear show on his face. It was time that he faced some of his fears…starting with the one of being alone.

`I'm going to be fine' he stated to himself as he pushed the first set of glass doors open. `Nothing is going to happen to me….Yami will be there afterwards to meet me.' Satisfied with that thought, he pushed through the second set of doors.

--------------

Grumbling to himself, Sugoroku balanced a full brown papered grocery bag on his hip as he struggled to unlock the door. A few minutes later, he finally managed it. With a small sigh, he managed to slip his keys back into his pocket before pushing the open the door. As the elderly man entered the kitchen, his tired eyes landed on something that he did not expect to see. The bag slowly slipped from his arms and landed on the ground with a loud crunch, but that didn't register in his mind at the moment. What did register was the fact that Yami was lying on the ground, unconscious. He rushed over to the fallen pharaoh and quickly checked for a pulse, letting out a sigh of relief when he found one. However relieving that was, Sugoroku quickly noticed another problem. He gently placed his hand on Yami's forehead to confirm his suspicions; Yami had a fever…a high one by the feel of it. Shaking his head softly, Sugoroku got to his feet and moved to the phone. He needed some help with this situation.

-----------------

Yugi managed a tiny smile to himself as he slowly stood up and brought his chair over to the side of the room and quickly left, heading for the exit. The day wasn't great…but it wasn't horrible either. The smile widened slightly as he hurried towards the double set of glass doors right in front of him. He knew Yami was out there, waiting patiently for him. He pushed open one door, then the next and stepped out into the late afternoon sun…only to find out that Yami wasn't there…Instead, Seto and Jou were leaning up against the concrete side of the building. The small teen approached them hesitantly. "H-hi" he said in a soft voice. "What are you two d-doing here?" His blonde haired best friend grinned widely, though; the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Can't I come to see my bestest bud in the whole world?" Seto made a comment under his breath, but it was in such a low tone, Yugi did not catch what he said. Jou, however, did and turned to glare at his boyfriend.

"Seto!" he exclaimed. "That wasn't nice." Yugi let out a soft sigh, knowing that if he didn't stop this fight right now, they would be here for a very long time.

"No fighting" he replied, sounding tired. "So why are you guys really here? Have you seen Yami?" The taller pair exchanged a quick look with their eyes that told the millennium puzzle holder that something wasn't right. "Where is he? Has something happened?" Jounouchi immediately shook his head and knelt down beside Yugi.

"No no...He's just not feeling too good... so Gramps asked us to let you know why he wasn't here" the blonde explained quietly. Yugi's violet eyes widened drastically and his face paled slightly, but he merely nodded in response.

`Yami's sick….' He thought worriedly, clasping the puzzle between his small hands. `And I didn't even notice…what kind of friend am I who doesn't notice when something's wrong?!' He was jolted out of his thought when Jou placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Yug? You okay?" Again, the duelist nodded. "Did you want to go home now?" Another nod. Frowning slightly, the blonde stood and brushed off the small bits of gravels that clung to the knees of his jeans. "Okay…let's get going then."

`It's all my fault…' Yugi thought helplessly as they trudged through the streets of domino. `I never noticed anything….I was too wrapped up with myself to notice…I'm so selfish!' Then, almost by magic, a voice piped up in the back of his head…a voice he hadn't heard in a long time.

`Yes…of course it's your fault you selfish bastard…you let him get this way…it's all your fault!" Biting down hard on his bottom lip, Yugi resisted the urge to cry. He didn't want to listen to that voice…but for some reason, he felt as though he couldn't disagree with it. Why…why was it that when something was finally going right…the whole world came crashing down on his shoulders.

`I…I can't handle this!' he thought widely, though, by controlling his emotions on the outside, Jou and Seto had no idea how upset he actually was. `It's…it's just too much!'

`Well…you know what to do then when it's too much' the voice hissed in his ear. `I taught you what to do….now do it!'

------------------

FLASHBACK

The silvery blade glinted in the thin stream of weak light that had managed to force its way through under the bathroom door. The only sound coming from the closed off room was the sound of heavy breathing, almost as though the occupant was anticipating something…something that he/she desperately needed. The light glinted off the weapon once more as it was lowered to the point of contact. There was a small hiss of pain as it came in contact with its target, soon followed by a sigh of what one would think to be relief. Then the process repeated again until the user realized just what he was doing. Letting out a dry sob, the person threw the blade across the room before clutching his arm to him and trying to hide across the room from it. Just then the door opened to reveal a very startled Yami. Crimson eyes flicked from one side of the room where the weapon was and then to the other where his aibou was curled up, tears streaming down his gaunt, pale face. Frowning with concern, the ancient pharaoh moved towards his partner.

"I'm sorry…" Yugi whispered when he felt him get close enough. "So…sorry…I just couldn't….sorry…."

//I am not mad my hikari….//Yami said mentally as his eyes bore into Yugi's. //Everyone has their good days and bad days…I can not get mad over something I can not control…// All he got in response to that was a few sniffles. //Is it bad? Must they be bandaged? // Too ashamed to look at what he had down, Yugi held his arm out to the pharaoh, closing his violet eyes as he did so. He couldn't see the blood…it would just make him want more. The pharaoh examined the cuts with a critical eye before grabbing a Kleenex out of the box that sat on the counter and gently wiped the thin trickle of blood that was running down his aibou's arm. //It's ok...//he said soothingly. //There will be no scars…// At this piece of news, Yugi didn't know whether to be overjoyed or saddened. He jumped slightly as he felt the pharaoh's arms wrap around him and pull him into Yami's lap. The spirit then proceeded to murmur comforting words in Egyptian to his light, hoping to calm those jumpy nerves.

END FLASHBACK

-------------------

Yugi nervously chewed on his bottom lip as that memory played in his head. It had only been three weeks ago, though, it felt as though it was three years instead. And now, after seeing the pale, sickly pharaoh sleeping and after Jou and Seto had gone home after what seemed like endless questioning if he was okay or not and after he finally convinced his grandpa that he was hungry and that he was fine, was he standing there, holding a razor in his opposite hand, staring at his wrist. `I know I shouldn't…' Yugi thought numbly. `But…it's just too much to handle…and this will make everything better…I know it will…' However, just as he was about to lower the sharp blade to his wrist, a weak voice echoed throughout his head.

//A-aibou?// Startled, the tiny teen dropped the weapon and it clattered into the sink nosily.

/Y-yes Yami? /

//D-don't….please….not your fault….// Yugi's once innocent violet eyes prickled with tears that refused to fall.

/B-but Yami…it…it is…. /

//Please…come here my hikari…// Shaking slightly, Yugi exited the bathroom and hesitantly made his way over to the bed where Yami lay, eyes still closed. The pharaoh blindly groped for his partner. //Stay…stay with me? // The question hung heavily in the air for a few minutes. Finally, pushing the nasty voice to the far reaches of his mind, Yugi quickly crawled under the covers and placed a hand overtop of Yami's.

/I'm….I'm here for you…. / Yami managed a tired smile.

//And I for you Aibou….//

----------------------

TIME SKIP-ONE MONTH LATER

Yugi resisted the urge to let out a triumphant cry as the hour hand finally reached the 12. He was finally free! Practically jumping up from his seat, the small boy rushed to place his chair by the side so that he could leave. He had nearly made it out of the room before he heard someone calling him back. Swallowing heavily, he turned around and looking up into the friendly face of his…well…counselor for lack of a better word. She had helped him through his worse times here…and he had nearly forgotten to say goodbye.

"Yugi…you don't know how proud I am of you" she stated in a soft voice. "Take care now…and remember…you still have to come back for weekly appointments for awhile".

"I know" he said, though, not even that piece of news could wipe the timid smile off his face. "Thank…thank you for everything" The lady laughed softly but didn't attempt to touch him at all. Yugi didn't know what it was….but he could barely stand the touch of anyone else besides Yami and his grandpa but she respected that fact.

"I'll see you next week; Thursday at 4, now go…I think your `friend' is waiting for you". Smiling growing slightly at the thought of Yami, Yugi thanked her once again before dashing off down the hall and out the double set of glass doors, his body singing with freedom that he now had. As he opened the last door and stepped out into the warm sunlight, he saw Yami standing there. Smiling growing slightly, he practically bounded over the pharaoh and gave the spirit a gentle hug. Crimson eyes widened in surprise as he automatically hugged the smaller boy back. He hadn't seen Yugi act like this…in well…a long time.

"I take it you're pleased that you're done?" he asked a few minutes later, after Yugi had pulled back slightly. The duelist nodded, still smiling slightly.

"I still have to come back…once a week…but the day program is over finally" he replied, nodding slightly. "But that's good enough for me"

"Ready to go home them?"

"Most definitely" Yugi replied, his eyes shining with a light that Yami hadn't seen for a very long time either. With that light in his aibou's eyes, it was hard to believe that all this had happened to his partner. Yugi slipped his hand into Yami's and they walked down the sidewalk, back to they what they called home.

-----------------------

Yugi let out a content sigh. He had managed to clear his plate for the first time in 4 months…but of course, they had had pizza for supper so his appetite might have been a tad biased…but oh well. Both Yami and Grandpa were proud of him so that's all the really mattered. Tonight, all three of them had planned to go and see a movie in celebration of Yugi's new found freedom. But…washing the dishes came first. Inside of 5 minutes, Yugi's arms were covered in bubbles up to his elbows. Yami had offered to dry and Grandpa was taking care of some business with the shop. About 10 minutes into the chore, the phone rang and Yugi let out a soft groan as his hands were soaking wet. "Yami…could you answer the phone?" Nodding, the pharaoh placed his damp dish towel on the table before picking up the phone.

"Hello?" There was a small pause and Yugi watched curiously as the features on Yami's face darkened considerably. "Why can't you leave him alone?" Another pause. Yami's crimson eyes narrowed into a glare. "I don't think you have to right to ask that. You are aware of what you did, right?" Yet another tense pause while Yugi watched, very curious as to who was on the other end. "Fine, I'll ask him, but if he says no, you have to promise not to ever call again….fine….got it…." And with that, he hung up.

"Yami? Who was what?" The spirit grimaced slightly as he motioned for his aibou to sit down on one of the chairs. He did so, drying his hands on the discarded dish towel as a cold feeling inched into his stomach. Something was not right…. "Who was that?" he repeated, trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice. Sighing, Yami turned to face his light.

"It…it was Ryuuji Otogi."

For a moment, it seemed like the world had stopped. Ryuuji Otogi…that name…that cursed name rang out through Yugi's head as memories flashed before his eyes. Ryuji jumping him in the dark street…pressing him up against that rough brick wall…fairly ripping off his clothes…and…and….

"Yugi?" Yugi forced those memories to look back to Yami who looked very worried indeed.

"What….what did he want Yami?" the small teen asked, his voice unbelievably quiet.

"He…he wants to meet with you…" At this comment, Yugi's jaw nearly dropped open. Meet….Otogi? But how…how could he meet him face to face after what happened? How could he face the person that used to be his friend without all these memories coming up and torturing his already fragile mind?

//You don't have to do it aibou//Yami replied mentally, sensing Yugi's distress. //No one will think less of you if you don't go through with it//

/L-let me….think about it okay? / came the soft reply. The pharaoh nodded slowly.

//Take all the time you need aibou…take all the time you need…//

---------------------

`I hate mornings…' Yugi thought miserably as he nursed a large cup of hot chocolate at the kitchen table. He had had a horrible night's sleep and his violet eyes were blood shot. He couldn't stop thinking about Ryuuji…and what had happened. By no means should he go and visit that creep…but something deep down inside kept telling him that he owed Otogi this visit…it wasn't like the game creator had taken the drug willingly…He let out a soft groan before letting his head his the table. This whole situation was so confusing and stressful…he didn't want to handle this situation…he wanted to run far far away from it.

"Yugi?" a sleepy voice asked from the door way. The smaller boy glanced up to a sleep looking pharaoh. He was still wearing his plaid pajama bottoms that hung low on his hips and he reached up to rub the sleep away from one crimson eye. "Are you okay? It's only….6 am"

"I'm…fine" he whispered, turning back to his drink. "I just couldn't sleep…too many thoughts and I couldn't find the off switch to make them be quiet" Yami let out a small yawn before sitting down in a chair across from his partner.

"You should have woken me up" But Yugi merely shook his head. Yami needed his sleep…he didn't want the spirit to get sick again. "I would have sat with you."

"I'm fine…I don't need to babysat all the time…" Yugi replied with a hint of sarcasm to his voice. Looking up, he winced at the hurt look on Yami's face. The spirit had done so much for him… "Sorry…I didn't mean it that way…It's just…this whole situation is bugging me."

"Understandably…"Yami replied slowly. "And apology accepted. You're always a bit…moody when you don't get enough sleep." Resisting the urge to stick his tongue out at the teen sitting across from him, the pair lapsed into a comfortable silence. The minutes flew past and the next time Yugi glanced up at the clock, it was 7:30am. Glancing across the table, he noticed that the pharaoh had closed his eyes and laid his head down on the table. Chewing on his bottom lip nervously, Yugi reached out to the spirit with his mind.

/Y-yami? / he asked silently. /Are you awake? / The duelist cracked open one eye to look at his partner.

//Yes…somewhat…did you need something? //

/No…yes….well….I've come a to decision…. / At this comment, Yami's other eye opened and he sat up, a worried look on his face.

//So soon? //

/Yeah…. / There was a long pause. Was he doing the right thing? /I've….I've decided to see him…. / The pharaoh's crimson eyes widened drastically but he said nothing.

//If that's what you've decided aibou…I'll set it up then…// Yugi merely nodded.

`If anything…Otogi needs to see what he's done…he needs to see what's he's done to me…and I need to see how this has effected him as well…'

----------------------

TIME SKIP-ONE WEEK LATER

`Don't' a voice in his mind whispered into the small teen's ear.

`Do it' a more familiar one hissed. `You'll feel so much better…you'll have so much more control…' Shaking his head softly, he placed the object he had been gripping in his hand for over 15 minutes back in the drawer.

`No' he thought firmly, although, the rest of his body didn't feel that way. Reaching over with a shaking hand, he turned on the light, flooding it with brightness. He glanced up to look in the mirror, trying to not grimace at his pale, sweaty face. `The light shows all your flaws' he reminded himself quietly, but he made no movement to reach for the object he held earlier. Taking a deep breath, he swiped the back of his hand across his forehead before exiting the bathroom, making sure to flick the light off as he left. Grabbing his jean jacket from the end of his bed, the petit duelist headed down the stairs to meet up with Yami and Jou, who had offered to go with them to meet with Ryuuji. Managing a small smile as he saw Jou and Yami waiting at the door, Yugi shrugged on his jacket before going to stand with them. "Hey" he murmured softly, unsure of what else he could say. He could feel the uncertainty and tension from his two friends standing in front of him.

//Are you okay aibou? // Yami asked worriedly, crimson eyes narrowing. //You don't have to do this if you don't want to…// Yugi let out a soft sigh. The spirit had asked him this every single day.

/Yami…I don't particularly want to do it…but it's something that I have to do…/ he replied, almost sadly. /I….I don't know how to explain it….Can…can you just trust me on this one? /

//Of course my hikari…This is your choice and your choice alone…I trust you to make the right decision// Smiling tentively, Yugi brushed past his two friends and opened the door.

"Well?" he asked, trying to make his voice sound like he didn't want to run and hide for the rest of his life. "Are we going to go or not?" This seemed to break up the thick tension in the room and the tall blonde finally cracked one of his customary smiles.

"Let's get this show on the road!" Jou said, exiting out the open door. Yami followed soon after and Yugi left the house left, gently closing the door behind him.

---------------------

Yugi's nerves were at an all time high as they slowly climbed the stairs to Otogi's apartment but he was determined not to run away. It wouldn't do him any good to run away….it only caused more problems; something that he didn't want nor need. Taking a deep breath, the group entered the hallway and walked down towards the door marked with the number 6. The small teen stuffed his hands in his pockets to hide the fact that they were shaking from Yami and Jou. He didn't need them to know that he was terrified of this visit. Sensing something was wrong, Jounouchi glanced down at his best friend worriedly.

"You okay Yug?" Damn it….they had noticed something was up.

"Y-yeah….just a bit n-nervous…" the tri-color haired boy muttered under his breath, keeping his violet eyes glued to the plush carpeted floor. He was finding it particularly hard to breath at the moment…

//Aibou…calm down// a rich, smooth voice said calmly inside his head. //If this becomes too much, we can always leave…// Yugi shook his head widely. No…he had to do this…Forcing himself to a take a deep breath, the duelist lifted his eyes upwards only to find them staring at door number 6. Yami glanced down at him one more time before reaching out and knocking on the door. They waited less than a minute before hearing footsteps from inside and the sound of several locks opening before the door opened, revealing a plump gray haired woman dressed in a casual nurse's outfit. She had soft brown eyes like a pair one would find on a grandmother.

"Come in…he's been expecting you" she chirruped, smiling warmly. Taking yet another deep breath-he seemed to be doing a lot of that these days-Yugi stepped into the cozy apartment, gently sliding his shoes off his feet before going in any farther. He heard Yami and Jou doing the same behind him. The woman began chatting to them but the small teen merely tuned her out and tried to focus on breathing properly. Words like `Try not to stare' and `he's in the living room' filtered into his thoughts as he fairly dragged his feet towards the living room, only to get the shock of his life.

There was Ryuuji Otogi…Sitting strapped into what looked like a motorized wheelchair. His black hair that once was shiny and full of life lay flat on his head, lifeless. Emerald green eyes which once were full of determination were now flat and practically glazed over. Ryuuji had been thin enough to begin with but now, it seemed that his papery looking skin was stretched over brittle bones. In short, the game creator's teenage body seemed to be switch for one of a seventy year old. At the sound of someone entering the room, Otogi managed to lift his head slightly to look at his guests. A shadow of a small passed over his gaunt face.

"You…came" he replied simply, though, the effort that it took to get those words out was enormous. Yugi blinked a few times to make sure he wasn't seeing things…this was the person that had caused the hell he had been forced into for the past 3 months…Yugi tried to be angry…tried to be furious for Otogi raping him…but instead, he found himself feeling somewhat sorry for his one time friend. Saying nothing, he seated himself on a chair that was farthest away from his attacker. Yugi clasped his shaking hands together and stared down at them. Out of the corner of one violet eye, he saw that Yami and Jou had sat down on the couch that was beside the chair he currently resided in.

"I'm….glad you….came" Ryuuji managed to get out, his lips twitching into what he hoped was a smile. "I…thought you wouldn't…." Yugi swallowed hard.

"I-I felt as though…I had to…." he whispered, still keeping his eyes focused on his lap. Gods…why was it so hard to look up?

"T-thank you…" Otogi murmured, closing his eyes for a moment. "I…I owe you…an apo….apology….an explanation…." The small duelist tensed slightly as though he was about to bolt out of the room.

`An apology?' he thought widely, thoughts whirling around in his head. However, he managed to focus back on Otogi's monotone voice as the nearly motionless boy started to speak again after taking a deep breath.

"I….I was walking back here….and got attacked….something pricked me….then, they left me…on the sidewalk….I got up….felt so weird…." Ryuuji explained, voice trembling slightly as he struggled to get the words out. "I….remember stumbling around for awhile….feeling really out of it…then….the next thing I realize…I'm in the hospital….not able to do anything…." The raven haired boy haired boy took a shaky breath. "T-they told me….I…had been in…injected….with some….experimental drug….a massive dose….it made me do things….that…I wasn't aware of….it….it caused damage to…my brain….nervous system….that's…why I'm this way…." He paused for a moment to look directly at the trembling Yugi. "I…I have a 25% chance….of leading….a so called normal life again….I only….learned afterwards….of what…of what….I put you through….of what I did…." Otogi took a ragged breath as his body began to shake and a lone tear trickled down his pale face. "G-gods Yugi….I…I don't even know….where to…begin….I….I just hope you….can one day…forgive me….I won't blame you if you can't do it….but I…I had to try…" He then fell silent, tears coursing down his cheeks but he made no move to wipe them away.

`He…he can't' Yugi told himself harshly. `He's paralyzed… he's suffered so much….' He gently ran one shaking hand over the long vertical scar that was underneath his sleeve. He had suffered as well…so much…but he was healing…the scars would fade, lives would move on…but Otogi still had a long journey ahead of him…and Yugi didn't envy him one bit. He chewed nervously on his bottom lip. `I…I said….that I could never forgive him for the pain he caused me…' he thought confusedly. `But…he…he seems to be in much more pain than I…he didn't know what he did….but that's still no excuse….I…he….' his thoughts trailed off as he started hopelessly at his lap, trying to find some sort of answer. The silence in the room was deafening. What seemed like an hour later, but really only 10 minutes, Yugi hesitantly stood up and all eyes, except Otogi's were on him as the small teen slowly walked towards his one time friend.

"O-otogi…." he whispered, forcing his haunted violet eyes to meet up with the lifeless green ones. They both had been through so much pain…so much torture…In a way, they were exactly the same. "I…I've been….through a lot….and one day…I'll tell you it….but what I can say for now…is that I forgive you…" Ryuugi's eyes widened ever so slightly and the people in the background sat up straighter, making sure they heard Yugi correctly. Taking a deep breath, Yugi took one more step closer to the game creator and gently wrapped his arms as much as he could around the unbelievably thin body. After a few moments, he pulled back, a look of determination in his once haunted eyes. "Now…now we can both start to heal."

----------------

`So this is what…what it feels like…to be lifted of a burden….to be free of the guilt…free of the sorrow…to be loved by a friend…a true friend….No one said our futures would be easy….no one said it would be like this…no one told us about the pain, trials, agony of this…but together, we'll work through it. It won't happen in a week…it won't happen in a month….but with friends…and others by my side….it will get better…I just had to accept…and there is hope…hope for both of us'

------------------

Eh….Fin?? I had originally planned this to go on one scene longer…But I think that may be drawing it out a bit too long…This chapter is the same or longer than the last….So….this is the end of Inertia people. An idea that started out in driving school and turned into…well…the story you see before you. It's been a hard time coming and I know I'm *horrible* at updating regularly but a few of you have stuck through with me till the every end and I thank you. In a way…this story has helped me cope with things that have gone on in my life for the past 2 years…learning how to accept them and what to do. Again, I thank you for reading:

K-Chan Kat

Death Angel

Mononoke

Fia

Leilal5rose

Ryasha

Sakura_cherry_tree

Ooahti Elf

Techinical Dragon

Goldensea

Yamialex17

Tsuki Koumori

And thank you to all the people that review this chapter. Now remember, there will be a small side fic coming out (I don't know when) but sometime for this fic to fix my itty bitty plot hole…

Maoz-you mean cavernous plot hole that I'm amazed no one has caught on to

*glares* Anyways…that's it for now. I've hoped you enjoyed Inertia. I know I've enjoyed writing it!

Samurai Butterfly

Ps: if you see `Duke' anywhere in the story, replace it with Ryuuji Otogi…I kept forgetting to use the non-dubbed name…many apologies if I missed one

Pss: My beta reader (not Telpei, a different one) seems to have disappeared…..so I'm putting up this chapter un-betaed because it's been over two weeks since I've heard anything from them…hopefully the good chapter will be up soon!