Life After Death

By Katia-chan

A/N: hey, this update has taken less time then the others…slightly, so be proud of me!

Anywho, I just thought I'd mention, this is going to be the last chapter! begins to cry I am going to miss updating this so much, and thank you all for your undying support! You have all been incredible. There will be extensive thanks at the bottom, just a warning.

Also, just incase anyone was wondering where it went, I took chapter 3, the bloopers, down. will have a spasm and delete this fic probably if I don't, so I'm being safe. No one really liked those anyway, and they weren't a huge effort…

I will be redoing chapters later, especially 1 2 and 4…now 3, so expect those!

Warnings: My symbols are still screwy, and both Bakura and Ryou have a bit of a potty mouth, you have been warned!

Anyway, as I said, thank you all so much for your reviews, and now onto the grand finale!

Enjoy!

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Ryou stopped dead in front of the casket, staring blankly at his darker half. Who'd have thought it, Bakura was in on the drenching too. He stopped that train of thought, knowing he'd deserved every bit of what he had gotten all day. His musings were broken when Bakura, looking down at his hands, looked straight at him. "So, are you really there? Am I seeing a phantom? Or are you just fucking with my head." Ryou took a step back, the ragged harshness in Bakura's voice was staggering.

"Bakura, I. . ." he trailed off, his voice floating in the awkward silence. Color rose to Bakura's cheeks, tingeing their pale grayish color with crimson.

"You know what, don't even try," his voice started out soft, but as he spoke it rose in volume and pitch. "How the hell could you do this to me? And now! How do you dare to even apologize to me! I have never!. Ever, had someone pull such a dirty trick on me in my life, and I'm the fucking King of Thieves!" he slammed his hand into the side of the casket, and his voice fell again. "How could you be so insensitive? That is the cruelest thing you could ever do, and you did it without batting an eyelash. It would have taken you five minutes to straighten this out after the accident, and yet you didn't. Do you enjoy making people suffer Ryou? Do you enjoy playing chess with other people's emotions? How could you ignore someone's feelings like that?"

Despite himself Ryou felt the prick of indignation stab him in the chest. They were back to this again, and Bakura still didn't get it. He faced his other squarely and stared at him. "Do you know why I did this? Do you even want to know? Of course you don't, you're too concerned with your own sanctimonious hypocrisy! To bloody busy before to know how I felt, you are not one to talk about insensitivity!" He only realized he was shouting then, and before he could say more Bakura's hand had flown up, quivering their like it yearned to reach over and slap him.

"You are not going to blame me for this! Don't you realize it hurt me? Yes, your little stunt had more repercussions then on you, oh little hikari of mine! It affected someone else besides you!" Ryou backed away at the sight of Bakura's hand raised, but fire burned in his chest and he screamed back at his dark with the fury he knew deep down that Bakura didn't deserve.

"I know it had bloody percussions! I watched them all! Do you assume that this has been easy?" Bakura scoffed.

"Do you expect pity from me Ryou? Do you expect me to shed tears for your difficulties! I am not going to cry for you! I already did that, for hours and cursed hours! I shed all the tears that you deserve!" clutching his hands together Ryou dug his nails into his skin, fire spewing from his mouth.

"Maybe that was all I ever wanted! Maybe I just wanted to know you needed me! Do you know you never gave me a kind word or touch once? That was all I wanted from you, to know if you gave a damn!" The hot tears that coursed down his cheeks were the first indication to himself that he was crying. He didn't bother to wipe them away. "If you didn't bloody care then you should have said so! All I needed was a stupid confirmation of what you felt, was that too much to ask?"

Bakura's lips were pressed together, his face twisted in anger and pain. "So," he whispered, "So you decided to do this. Well, was this enough? Was it enough to see me rip my own heart in two? Do you need more Bakura-san?" There was such venom in the formality that for the first time during their argument he felt himself losing ground. The fury was draining him, and his knees felt weak.

"This. Wasn't what I wanted, and you know that."

"I'm not so sure I do. I don't know anything about you anymore. You are a stranger now, a phantom reeking havoc. Maybe I'll be sure Ryou, maybe I'll be sure if you come and tear my heart into a million pieces and crush them in your hands. Come on, come and make me understand."

"Stop it," Ryou gritted his teeth, but Bakura continued.

"Give me a pain greater then burying the person I care about most."

"Bakura shut up."

"Hurt me more then you've done, come and get your damned proof!"

"I said stop it!" he seized a hymnal on the pew next to him and hurled it at Bakura's head. The spirit caught the flying object and stared at it. Ryou slumped into the pew, his sobs echoing around the room. "Enough," he choked out through the cries that wrenched at his core. "Please don't do it anymore. I'm sorry!"

Bakura slowly climbed out of the casket and went over to Ryou. The smaller boy was huddled their, like the child he had never had time to be. The memories they shared, memories of tears and fear channeled between them. Bakura put a hand on Ryou's shoulder, their pain mingling in the purest of energies.

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words could slide through his tight throat. Instead he sat down and slid his arms around Ryou's waste, tugging him into his lap. He felt so small there, his form shaking violently.

Ryou looked up, his chest tight and realized that Bakura was holding him. He had longed for this for so long. After all his resolve, after the intensity of his wishes for Bakura to suffer he felt like he had nothing. He had no way of paying back the damage that had been inflicted. The need for penance was suddenly so strong that he could taste it. All the bitterness was gone, leaving his only longing to be forgiveness. Knowing there was no way words could say what he needed them to he lifted his head and planted his lips firmly against Bakura's. After a moment of stunned stillness Bakura leaned into the invitation. They clung to each other desperately, each seeking redemption in the other's need.

Bakura, without breaking contact removed them from the pew, and they lay down in a more comfortable place, content merely to be each other. Fulfilling their need to absolve previous crimes, and just to feel forgiven for the thousands of times when words had not been enough.

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Yami lead the way to the church early the next morning.

"I hope one of them is their," Yugi said worriedly. They had been searching all night. Malik had joined them, looking dazed and angry, but recovering. Now they were going to make one last stop here.

"Yeah, otherwise I have no idea where to look next." Marik had an arm around his hikari's shoulders, supporting the teen, who looked dead on his feet.

The group walked in silence to the church, slipping inside. Seto went and flipped a light switch, and the group froze.

"No," Joey said, open mouthed.

"Why. . ." Yugi questioned weakly, voice trailing off.

"In the name of Ra," Marik muttered.

"They are both a couple of twisted bastards," Malik said, shaking his head. They all stared at Ryou, who was wrapped in Bakura's embrace, his head pressed against his yami's chest, and they were both nestled close in the satin lined box of the casket.

"Well, I'll be damned.," Yami said, and then, to everyone's astonishment, he began to laugh.

Everyone looked at each other.

Everyone blinked at each other.

The fly buzzing in the window was saved for another hour, for the group was too stunned to hear.

Then Malik and Marik looked at each other and said in unison, "Divine retribution," and then they too started to laugh.

"They've cracked," Seto said, but couldn't help smiling.

"You're being too bloody loud, shut up, we're trying to get some sleep!" Ryou's sleepy voice echoed around, and sent the rest of them into hysterics.

Bakura reached up irritatedly, as if to pull the covers over his and Ryou's heads. Their friends all stood laughing around them, life returning slowly to normal amidst the hysterics.

And the lid of the casket came down with a hollow and satisfied thud.

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A/N: Well peoples, that's it.

I had a wonderful time writing this fic, and hope you all enjoyed reading. It took me way to long, but it is now finished! I can now go pay attention to my other poorly neglected fics. On to the final review thank yous!

Silverwitch07: Well, here's the next chapter for you, thanks for the applause, and I'm glad you liked it!

Inu382: Don't…kill…me…I tried to get this up as fast as possible! I am so very glad you liked this story, and my thanks for reviewing it!

ChaosMaiden: You're not crazy? I'm jealous. RxB fics are the best, I know! They are almost funner to read then write, I love them too! Thanks for reviewing mine!

Mana-the-Authoress: Still think Ry-Chan's an SOB? Was this redemption ok? I hope so! Hope you enjoyed this update, thanks so much for reviewing! hands net pineapple insurance.

Inu-Ice-dragon: Please don't strangle me! I wanna live!...realizes that her only bargaining chip for living is now finished um…out of the kindness of your heart let me live? Thanks for reviewing!

Queen of Games2: Thanks so much for sticking with this! I hope this chapter didn't pop your expectations…though it was more the end of the plotline then part of it…either way, thank you, and may the Llamas bless you for your review!

Windswift: Well…apparently Bakura sits, very alive, in the casket…I'm starting to wonder if it's just comfortable or something…Yes, my deadline was met and my life was spared. Thanks much for your reviews and poking my fic with a stick! Goes off to try and see what is so comfortable about this casket thing.

escptheshdw835: I'm glad you got to finish that…thank you so much for liking this! Your review is loved! You are loved!

Loathed Wolf Spirit: Yes, Bakura deserves much sympathy. Glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!

Jade Cade: I like suspending people…though, heh, if you are going to slaughter me now would be the time. Heh…heh…heh? lends her her box cutter another weapon for your arsenal, feel free to chase down Joey for me! Ah yes throws book at her That's as close to a manual on the ring and puzzle as I could find.

Caecuslupa: Only two! I made it in two! I hope the confrontation had everything it should have…Hope you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!

Black Crystall Draygon: WelcomewelcomeWelcome! Ryou is an evil little prat when he wants to be, and Bakura needs a hug! See? This isn't a cliffy…the fact that it's the end doesn't count. Thanks for reviewing!

Lil-Riter: Yes, I did have to have one, and I'm glad you added me to your favorites too, that makes me feel so special! Thanks for reviewing!

DeathXStar: You were right! This update proves you are psychic, congrats! Glad you liked it!

Dark Magician Girl/Hikaru: I know…it was short, and this one is shortish too. Hope it was ok and that the ending is all you hoped for! Thanks for your loyal reviews!

flops

That's it for chapter 12, now, the other thank yous!

Firstly, there are a few people I wanna give a little special note. Jade-Cade, Kelly Noel, Windswift, and The Queen of Games2. These guys kept bugging me until I'd update this thing, arigatou! glomps all and gives them flame throwers You're probably the people I should trust least with these, but what the heck. Thanks so much for your help guys!

Nextly…if that is a word, the people who stuck with this for so many of the chapters.

Kelly Noel, Mana-the-Authoress, Misura, Molly-Chan the Anime/game fan, Dark magician girl/Hikaru, Windswift, Queen of Games2, nOnymOus, Misune, Ryuujitsu, Darkangle322, MENace tenChi, Jade Cade, and Saak-chan!

There were so many wonderful people who dropped in, many times, but I don't have enough time to post everyone. A huge glomping thanks to all!

I hope the last chapter satisfied people, if it didn't then e-mail me and you can do your best attempt at bullying me into something, though it'll take a lot, since this story has used up its plot. I also hope it was long enough, not one of my longest, but there have been shorter.

I hope it was ok! Love you all so much!

Review one last time!

TTFN

Katia-chan