Author's Note (March 7th, 2018) - Greetings, fans of Yu-Gi-Oh! To those that are new, I welcome you all to my story. For those that read this story in the past ever since 2008, I must forewarn you that I did some changes during the years. I deeply apologize if it's not how it used to be back then. There were times that I had to fix it out, considering this story has been at times updating for the past 10 years. I have not mention my actions of doing so before, so again, I'm sorry that it's not the same as it originally was. Please bear in mind that I changed the "fan" like version to what is this current update, plus I had some sidetracks and technical difficulties in the past times. Things that happened in the past were hectic and at times... depressing. When times have turn out for the worse (and I'm not sure if I should say by doing so because it's still painful to speak of), I wasn't sure if I should explain to anyone what happened during the years and the reason of my recent of absences. As I said, I got really sad during the years and went through things as I kept at the story. I know I worried some people before that I used to talk to, so again, I apologize to them and even to everyone that reads my stories. Up to now, it means a lot to me, whether you're new or not, that you continued reading, following, favorite, and tabbing me as an author or the stories themselves. Thank you again so much to those that follows into this story for the past 10 years.

With that said, the following story you're about to read occurs after the ceremonial duel, which of course, that we all know, the Memory World arc. Please note that the story you're about to read is mostly through Ryou's POV with a mix of Yugi's, Yami Bakura's, and... one more that I can't say... until future time. This story takes place afterwards, one year later after "What To Think" and "A New Revenge". If you had not read them, then I suggest you read them before you read this.

(October 29th, 2018) - Disclaimer: Before you begin reading, I shall warn you that on the first shot (since I've worked on it for over 10 years), it's at first a rated T to a slowly M rated content. For this case, this is a PG-17+ rated content... So if you're actually new and you're younger than 17, please do not read until you're old enough. I've worked so hard to progress this story since 2008 and as I said, I made some changes and improvements every few times when I get the chance to update.

With that said, let us begin...

Why Can't I Forget You?

Summary: After the last showdown between Yami Bakura and Atem, Yugi and the gang are now living their normal lives, no longer worrying about the Millennium Items. But not everyone is happy…

It's been a year... It's been a year since the exhibition trip to Cairo, Egypt... A year since the ultimate showdown between Yugi Moto & the nameless pharaoh took place... A year since the day that the pharaoh passed on towards the afterlife... It was then along with it, all seven of the Millennium Items were put to their final eternal resting place... From then on, it was then known that destiny was fulfilled and that life itself was at peace. But even though it said to be at peace, peace was not lasting forever... for after a year later, something unexpected happen... For this is when the tale begins...

—{o}—

Chapter 1: Remembering The Past

Finally, it's over… everything. No more madness about the Millennium Items, no more losing control of my body. I'm on my own free will with no longer… Well, no longer with him. Bakura, you remember him, right? He was the man that possessed me ever since the very beginning when I first received the Millennium Ring at the age of nine. According to my father, I was destined to have it. I don't really remember why I accepted it in the first place. Maybe I was in a daze trance back then, curious about this mysterious artifact that my father got from Egypt. Maybe it's because I didn't want my father to get disappointed that I don't want it. Well, either way, I always wondered why destiny brought us together.

I sighed, pushing the wooden door as I entered that same church that Bakura possessed me… when he took over me again. I just never believe I'm back here. This place… This church… This is the exact same church where I ran to hide when I was running away from Bakura. I was running away from him, hoping that he won't get what he waited for 5,000 years. (Author's Note: In the Japanese version, instead of 5,000 years like the US version, the number of years in the show was 3,000.)

I felt the back of my spine shiver at the thought of it. Just thinking about this place gives me the creeps. Why did I have to go back to this church? What am I doing here? The only thing this place gave me is that same nightmare replaying in my head over again… that day when I tried to fight Bakura and be forced to help him. It still burdens me everywhere I go even though he's no longer around. With every slow step I take, the echo of my footsteps within the emptiness chambers of the church feels sort of like a déjà vu. It's like everything seems to be coming back to me like it was yesterday.

I closed my brown eyes as I remembered the night I was running away from him. Back then, I was under Bakura's control, being used as his pawn… his puppet.

—{o}—

Bakura… I thought he would never come back. But who's to say that he'll never find other ways of getting back to me? We were bonded by destiny or in my case, a cruel fated destiny that I never wished to have. I only wished for a friend, but not like this.

I quickly turned a corner toward an alley, avoiding the flicker of lights on the lampposts. There's got to be a way to escape this. There has to be! I can't let him do this to me again! I refuse to do his bidding! I will never let him get to me nor let him hurt my friends in any harm danger he's planning again.

I hit my legs against the bars and felt myself falling hard on the pavement ground. I bit back the cry that I wanted to give out. I'm so weak and tired, yet I can't stop to rest when he's after me. I was panting, clutching the stitch I have upon my sides. As I shut my eyes, I was thinking frantically, panic rising within me. It's always the same old story that I'm the innocent prey and he's the one that hunts me down.

"And where do you think you're going?"

I felt the back of my hair stand up as fear washed over me again. No! He's found me! I had to get away from him!

"This can't be happening, not again!" I cried.

I sprinted to my feet, forcefully making myself to keep running. Normally, I don't run this fast like in gym class in Domino High. But when it comes to running away from my Yami that haunted and frightened me so much, I know that I don't have a choice. It's either I face him (which apparently won't turn out too good) or I save myself by running away from the cruel plan that Bakura has in store that involves me.

Desperately, I ran to this exact church to hide, believing that he won't come here. From what I recalled about churches, some people believed that evil spirits can't penetrate a place like this. That's probably one of the reasons that I went there to hide from Bakura.

"I should be safe in here," I muttered, looking at my surroundings calmly.

I wish I can admire the glass mosaic windows and how peaceful it is to be here. Unfortunately, I must have spoken too soon when I heard his maniac laughter ringing in my ears once more. I felt my neck sweat beadily, my eyes widen worriedly. No, I thought I lost him! Now, he's trapped me in here! I gasped and quickly step back when I noticed each candles lighting up one by one. No, this can't be happening to me. I won't let it!

"Stop it! Stay away from me!" I cried fearfully.

"I can't do that," he replied back, his voice ringing twice more than usual. "We still have a mission to complete."

"Mission?" I questioned.

What is he talking about? I don't remember doing a mission with him nor did I agree with whatever he's up to in the first place. He would only use me for my body because he doesn't have his own.

Even though I'm not sure where the source of the voice is, I knew Bakura was somewhere close by where he can see me. He continued, speaking calmly at me and yet it still shaken me.

"How quickly we forget. Allow me to remind you. Does the term Millennium Items sound familiar? Well, you promise to help me obtain all seven. And at the moment we only have one. But not to worry, I know where the others are. I just need someone to take me to them. And that's where you come in. After all, you're the vessel that allows me to exist in this world. Now, stop resisting and join me!"

"Never," I shouted, giving all the courage I could give.

Sure, I may be afraid of him, but that doesn't mean I'll let him have his way. I'm sick and tired of his actions, forcing me to do something against my will. I might as well try to fight him.

"What makes you think I'm giving you the choice? You will help me and the most powerful force that ever existed will be mine!"

I shut my eyes, hoping this was all a dream. "You can't force me!"

I seemed to have made him angry because I yelled at him. The one thing I couldn't forget about is how his voice seems more different when he spoke to me.

"That's where you're wrong, mortal!"

I heard the many of the glass windows break and I felt him clutching me, binding me. I must resist him. I had to fight him. This is my own body. I struggled, squirmed, and I could no longer take it.

"No…"

—{o}—

I sat myself down on one of the seats to the front, examining my hands and then fisting them tightly. You torment me, Bakura. You forced me to do things I don't want to do. I hate doing your bidding time and time again. You're even the reason that I can't be around friends. You hurt them and sent their souls to the shadow realm. Now, you faced the consequences and gained nothing for yourself. If only you weren't evil.

Sighing, I slipped my hand into my left coat pocket and pulled out a worn out photograph. It was a picture of my father, my mother, my sister, and me when our family was still whole. Back then, we were so happy then before the Millennium Ring ever came into my life. Now, ever since my mother and my sister passed away, plus my father is too busy over his trip to Egypt, I'm always alone in my own apartment… by myself.

I bit my lip as I stared at my father in the picture. He was once here for me. So, why can't I see him anymore? Why did he decide to leave me alone while he's on an expedition? It's been years now and I still haven't heard from him! He was the one that gave me the Millennium Ring!

I clutched the photograph in my fist, a fire blazed within my heart. I never felt so angry, filled with rage inside. Is that why you left me here? You left me here because you've known this was going to happen? Is that the reason why I don't see you anymore? You just wanted to abandoned me here all by myself? Is that it?

"Mother… Amane… Please forgive me," I whispered under my breath.

I then tore a piece of the photograph that contains my father and pocketed the other half away. I let it drop to the ground as I ran off toward the double doors, sobbing quietly in my hands. Our family used to be together, but now it's broken and shattered to pieces. Just like my heart, just like my hope and dreams. The only thing is sorrow and hatred lies inside me now. I blame Bakura… and my father.