A/N: This is the first complete Yu-Gi-Oh! fanfiction I have ever written, much less the first one I have ever posted. I used to write Invader ZIM fanfiction—hence the pen name. I have grown fond of a new show now, this obviously being Yu-Gi-Oh!

While reading, I suggest thinking about what could be improved. I would hate to be the one to destroy the characters of YGO. Please be kind in saying what you think; constructive criticism and flames are two different things.

Disclaimer: All of Yu-Gi-Oh! is property of Kazuki Takahashi. I do not own these characters, nor the show.

Now, on with the fic!

"You cannot kill me! For I am the shadows and the shadows never die!"

After all that he'd been through, Ryou Bakura couldn't help but believe that his yami might have been right.

He sat on a large stump that seemed to be the center of many trees. His elbow was leaning on one of his legs—chin resting on his pale hand. Green, yellow, brown, and red colored the autumn leaves that practically defined this area, consumed in all kinds of foliage.

It was this exact place, this exact position that he would reside in every late afternoon. This seemed to be the only place he could ever get his thoughts sorted out.

It had started a few weeks ago, the need to be at this place. After many unfortunate circumstances, he felt it was a necessity to find some kind of place where he could be alone and forget about the world around him.

This became that place.

It became so crucial that he was to be at this place each evening, that if he did not, he found himself unable to fall asleep at night.

No one knew why, and no one even knew that this place existed but him. This was his security, his only escape from the terrors of the world.

He sighed as the wind softly caressed his face. His brown eyes stared into absolutely nothing, letting his mind wander away, far away…

To some this particular act may seem "unmanly," but frankly, he didn't care. He was concerned only for his sanity—past events had stirred up questions about the state of his own mind.

He found himself here again on a late October afternoon.

- - -

"So young…"

Serenity Wheeler raised her head at the sound of a lady's voice. She watched the woman stare down inside the coffin and shake her head. The woman looked at Serenity and offered a compassionate smile.

Tears filled the young girl's eyes as she resumed staring mindlessly at the floor. She didn't know half of these people anyway; why were they here? Of course, she could understand the presence of Tea, Yugi, Mai, Tristan, and Duke. They were all Joey's friends, as well as hers.

She had an extremely difficult time looking inside the coffin. She had already tried once, and became so overwhelmed with fear and sadness that she fell to her knees, crying hysterically. Tristan and Duke had helped her up and led her to a nearby chair.

Why did Joey have to pass away because of her? Her face grew wet with tears as she cried into her hands. She began to shake until she felt two pairs of arms encircle her. She opened her eyes to see Tea and Mai, both of their eyes red from crying.

"Aw, honey, don't cry…" Mai whispered, as Serenity buried her face into her chest. Mai's face was smeared with mascara, running down with her tears.

"It's… it's all my fault…" Serenity sobbed, holding onto Mai tightly.

"No, Serenity," Tea spoke, her voice shaky. "Don't say that! You know it wasn't your fault."

Serenity lifted up her head to face the brunette. Tea didn't know how wrong she was, and Serenity pitied her for that.

She would not tell them what really happened that day. She couldn't. What would they think of her if they knew? Would they all ditch her? She knew she would not be able to afford being alone. Not now.

Yugi, Tristan, and Duke approached her to offer words of encouragement. She smiled reassuringly at them, though what they said did not make her feel any better.

Everything was so dark here; never had death seemed so terrifying. Everyone present, including her, wore at least something black. Was that what death would be like? Eternal blackness? She hoped that her thoughts were just folly, and that he was in a better place, somewhere where he would be completely happy. The thought improved her spirits somewhat, but she still felt terrible.

"You can stay with one of us if you'd like," Mai offered as Serenity looked up. "I don't mind, and I'm sure nobody else does either." A murmur of agreement erupted from the group, and Serenity nodded. She still felt it would be intruding if she were to live even temporarily at one of their homes. She didn't want to be a burden.

Before they could say anymore, someone grabbed a microphone and officially started the funeral. Prayers were said, poems were recited, and tears were shed. Mai and Tea were next to Serenity, both of them comforting her whenever she began crying again.

After what seemed like hours, the funeral was almost over. The chance came again to see her lifeless brother before the casket closed for eternity, never to be opened again. Serenity didn't even do so much as raise her head until Tristan spoke.

"You know, it might be a good idea for you to see him one last time. I know it sounds painfully hard, but you may regret it later in life," he told her as calmly as he could. She nodded, and headed toward the casket with her friends following her.

There he was.

Her brother, her role-model…

Her everything was in that casket.

Dead.

He looks so…empty, Serenity thought, looking at his white, inert face. "Joey…" she whispered. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry I let you down." Duke put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She began to cry once again, pressing her tear-stained face into her cupped hands.

"Darn you, Wheeler…" Serenity heard Mai murmur. The blonde stared down at Joey sorrowfully. "Why'd you have to go?" Serenity glanced at Mai, sympathizing. Joey had loved her so much. He never had the guts to tell her, either. Now, now it was too late…

Yugi came up slowly and placed an object inside next to Joey. Once Serenity got a better look, she saw that it was his Duel Monsters deck. He used to love playing Duel Monsters; he was good at it too.

Memories flooded Serenity's mind. Ah, Battle City. It didn't seem like four years had passed already.

She remembered when Joey had to duel a man called Marik, who actually turned out to be a servant of the real Marik named Odion. She recalled the fear that took over while watching him duel; something was different about the dueling there. Instead of the monsters being harmless holograms, they were real, and capable of hurting him badly. They ended up doing so later on.

There was a point where she felt that she could no longer bear the sight of her brother in so much danger. She almost left, when he spoke to her.

"I need you, Serenity."

I need you too, big brother, she told him inside her head. How can I be strong like you? You were always strong for me…

After the funeral, many people came up to Serenity and apologized, commenting on her brother's death. She secretly wished they would all leave her alone, but she was too kind to say anything.

"He was a good boy." Like they knew him.

"Ah, such a young age…" Like they understood.

"I'm sorry." Like they cared.

It was getting dark outside. Why did she plan a funeral at night?

"You sure you don't want to stay with one of us?" Tea confirmed, giving her a hug.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Serenity assured her friend, lying through her teeth. She could not imagine the trouble that awaited for her when she tried to sleep.

"Alright, hon, we'll see you later, then, okay?" Mai offered a smile through the blatant despair on her face.

"Call us if you need us," Yugi told her. "You know all of our numbers."

Serenity nodded, and headed home. She didn't have a car, but the apartment she had shared with Joey wasn't too far away. Walking to her apartment, she felt alone. This is what it would be like at home. This is what it would be like forever.

Once she opened the door, she walked into her room to change into more comfortable clothing. Sweat pants and a t-shirt felt nice. After doing so, she went inside Joey's room.

She allowed herself to smile at his lack of organization. Clothing, shoes, and comic books covered almost everything. His bed was unmade, the sheets untucked. She vowed to never change or clean his room, not ever. This was the only piece of him she had left, and she was not going to mess with it.

She walked in, trying not to step on his possessions that practically served as his floor. She spotted a card on his dresser. Could it be?

Yes, it was certainly a Duel Monsters card. She picked it up, and held it in her hand. It was the Red Eyes Black Dragon. This was one of his favorite cards. But why did he have it out and not with the rest of his deck?

She put the card in her pocket, and told herself to keep this card with her at all times. This would be the part of Joey that she would carry around with her at all times. Maybe it could help her out a bit.

Sighing, Serenity walked out of his room, and back into hers. It was so quiet without him here. She turned off the lights, and climbed into her bed. She attempted to fall asleep.

She failed.

Ever since he passed away, she had the hardest time falling asleep. There were nights where she had not slept at all. Joey kept on filling her thoughts, and when she did fall asleep, she dreamt about terrible, horrible things happening to him. She would awake from these dreams with sweat pouring down her face and tears waiting to emerge from her hazel eyes.

She closed her eyes once again. She waited.

No luck.

She pulled the sheets off of her body and stood on the floor. She placed a hand on her forehead and sighed. The reality of her situation slowly made itself clear in her mind. Now it became so terribly overwhelming that she could barely hold herself up.

The walls around her started to seem closer then ever. They were moving slowly—ready to crush her at any moment. She was alone and helpless; Joey was nowhere in sight to help her. He would never be again.

Her breathing pace increased rapidly. Everything started spinning. Panic filled her trembling body. She had to get out of here. She just had to.

She rose to her feet and ran out the door as fast as her legs would carry her. Into the darkness…