Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh, blah blah blah.

Author's Note: This little fliclet thing was inspired by a fanart I saw here: http : www . janime . net / images / FanArt / couple / 01 / 30 . jpg . Kudos and credit to the artist! XD

Anyway, this takes place right after Yami was let out of the Puzzle. When he's getting used to the world again. While reading this, please remember that Egypt has no Momiji trees. ;)

. . . That's all I have to say.

Please enjoy!

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Left, right. Up, down. A gentle twirl. Wide, violet-tinted pools watched the path of the fallen thing with a stunned sort of fascination, amazed by the simple complexity of its autumn dance. He'd never seen anything like it.

"Partner. . . ?" he whispered, voice hoarse from lack of use. It cracked. He licked his dried lips; gaze still locked upon the dried maroon wonder. "Partner, what is this?"

"Mmm?" A tired Yugi cracked an eye open, fists stuffed into his pockets as he took a silent moment to discover the identity of the 'this'. He smiled lazily when he recognized the object, amused; eyelashes fluttering shut once more. "That would be a leaf."

"Leaf," the other echoed slowly, rolling the word around on his tongue like a new kind of candy. He seemed to like the taste. Pausing for a moment, hands on his knees, he simply observed this leaf- mouth half open in awe. A beam of the warm fall sun fell upon the pair, Yugi drifting off once more. Still, his translucent body remained beside the Spirit, rather than disappearing into their shared soul. "My friend- this leaf. What sort of magic does it hold? Where does it come from? What is its purpose?"

A sleepy snort. So curious. . . "It holds no magic, my other self. It's only a leaf. You know, from a tree. And it's completing its purpose right now."

"Which is. . . ?" the inquisitive personality pressed, a sudden breeze rippling his coat.

"The purpose of all living things. To be born, to live, and then to die." The boy yawned loudly, head nodding. A second leaf fluttered past, catching the other Yugi's attention.

"This leaf is alive?" He cocked an elegant eyebrow, sounding unsure.

Yugi shrugged, unsure how to explain. "Well. . .Not like us humans, but in a way it was. . . when it was on the tree."

". . ." The second considered, seriously contemplating this astounding new information. "And now. . . it is dead?"

"Yes."

The Puzzle's servant frowned, displeased. "That is most depressing, my partner." Another weary- though mirth filled- chuckle.

"Maybe. . . but that is the path everything walks. That is the fate of us all."

A swirl of wind, a brand new dance, a murmur of understanding. Then a pause. A pair of dark, haunted orbs searched for innocent warmth, but were met instead by lashed eyelids. His heart clenched; he swallowed.

". . . Can any escape this fate, Little One?"

The rustle of bare branches, a few chirping birds. Nature sang. Sleep called. Voices faded. Yugi, with no thoughts of anything past this nap in regards to the future, shook his head.

"No, Yami. . . No."

And then he fell asleep.