Mew: Apparently, the epilogue is longer than the final chapter. LAME.

Draiku: You can say that again.

Mew: I will. The epilogue is longer than--

Draiku: SHUT UP. READERS, STOP READING THIS CRAP UP HERE. GET TO THE STORY.

Disclaimer: Mew Draiku STILL fails to own Yu-Gi-Oh.

Scythe

Epilogue

Marik and Bakura were in their mid-thirties now, living together in Marik’s huge mansion. Marik had retired, and Bakura was finally a famous book critic.

“How’s the book so far?” Marik asked while Bakura read a book for his next article.

“Quite good. The plot is exciting, the characters’ personalities are consistent, and it’s a rather unique topic to be writing about,” Bakura replied, not looking up.

“What’s the topic?” Marik said, deciding to read over his lover’s shoulder.

“Basically, it’s about a teacher-student relationship. The main character, Jeff, falls in love with his math teacher, who just graduated from college the year before. Jeff’s a senior in high school, and the math teacher, Mr. Klyde, is twenty-five. Klyde returns the love, and it’s mostly lust for a while. Then they actually develop some feelings for each other. I haven’t gotten to the end yet, so I don’t know what becomes of them,” Bakura explained.

“Sounds interesting,” Marik commented. Bakura nodded, and finished the chapter he was on. He bookmarked it, and looked to Marik.

“We should go out today,” he said. Marik blinked.

“But that article is due in two days.”

“Let it rest,” Bakura said. “Come on. A movie, lunch, dinner, anything.” Marik smiled and kissed his forehead gently.

“How can I say no?” he asked. Bakura chuckled and they decided to eat dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants in town. They hadn’t been there for a long time, and it was a great idea to visit the place again. The food was, as usual, superb. Marik looked at Bakura, noticing the man’s somewhat wistful expression.

“What’s on your mind?” Marik asked. Bakura sighed.

“I was just thinking about what it would be like if were married,” he replied softly. Marik paused.

“We haven’t really thought about that, have we?” he asked.

“I wish we could, though,” Bakura said. “But it was made illegal in our state last month.” He sighed again.

“Then we’d do it illegally and privately,” Marik said, chuckling. Bakura stared at him, a little sadly. Marik didn’t really seem that interested in getting married. He looked away. “Just one moment; I have to use the restroom,” Marik said, getting up. Bakura nodded, and Marik walked to a middle-aged woman on the other side of the restaurant. She was eating alone, and had many beautiful rings on her hands.

“Excuse me, ma’am?” Marik asked politely. “How much was that ruby ring on your index finger? I want to get the perfect ring for my future spouse, and, well, that’s the one. Also, where did you buy it?” She blinked.

“I paid 400 dollars for it, and bought it at Custom Jewelers. It’s one of a kind,” she said. Marik eyed it.

“I’ll pay double that price for it,” he said.

She couldn’t refuse the offer.

Marik wrote out the check, and took the ring. He smiled, placing it into his back pocket, and returned to Bakura.

“Sorry I took so long,” he said. Bakura just nodded, and smiled back.

“It’s alright,” he answered. “Are you finished eating?” Marik nodded.

“Yes; are you?”

“Yeah. Should we get going, then?” Marik agreed, and paid for their meal. He and Bakura left.

“Well?” Marik asked, taking off his sunglasses to look at Bakura. “Where do you want to go?” Bakura gazed at the sky for a moment.

“How about that park that we like?” he replied. “I don’t think that there are any movies on right this moment, or much else to do.”

“Perfect,” Marik said with a grin. He drove to the large, beautiful park that he and Bakura visited every now and then.

The two walked through the dark area slowly, Marik clutching Bakura’s hand tightly. They arrived at a dock by a small, shimmering lake. The moon was full, and high in the sky.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Bakura asked. Marik smiled at him.

“Not really,” he replied with a chuckle. Bakura raised an eyebrow.

“It’s probably because of your sunglasses,” he said. “Take them off and look.” Marik removed the glasses and stuck them into the pocket with the ring in it. At the same time, he removed the ring and hid it in the cuff of his suit.

“Not much of a difference, really,” he said, gazing at the lake. Bakura sighed.

“You’re just being difficult tonight.” He pouted a little bit.

“No, I’m being honest. I’ve seen things far more beautiful, you know.”

“Oh? Such as?” Bakura asked. True, Marik was rich, but this place was peaceful and lovely. What could be more beautiful?

“You,” Marik said with a smile. Bakura chuckled, looking away.

“That’s incredibly corny,” he said.

“It works,” Marik said with a shrug. “Speaking of you…”

“Yes?” Marik got onto one knee in front of him and gazed up at him. He dropped the ring into his hand, and held it up to Bakura.

“Would you marry me?” he asked. Bakura gasped, and took Marik’s hands, pulling him up. He gazed up at the taller male, smiling.

“You already know my answer,” he said.

“I do? What is it, then, just to be sure?” Marik asked in a teasing tone.

“Yes. Of course I’ll marry you,” Bakura said. Marik gently slipped the ring onto Bakura’s finger.

“Is it the right size?” he asked. Bakura nodded.

“It’s perfect. It’s lovely,” he murmured. Tears gathered in his eyes, and Marik gently wiped them away just after they fell. “Thank you so much. I’ve…I’ve always dreamed of this day.” He looked up at him and kissed him passionately. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Marik murmured, holding Bakura tightly. He carried Bakura to a gazebo, and they sat together in the shelter. Marik kissed him lovingly, heatedly, and Bakura kissed back. They rushed back home, and decided to “celebrate” in their bed.

-

The next evening, after a day of calling their families to inform them of the good news, Marik heard a crash. He went downstairs to investigate, only to see two men, dressed in black, breaking in through the side window.

“Hey!” he yelled, glaring. Bakura rushed downstairs to see what was going on. “Get out of here, before I call the police!”

“Shut up!” one man yelled. He shot Marik and Bakura both in the stomachs. The two fell to the floor, crying out in utter agony. Marik managed to crawl to the alarm switch, and quickly pressed it. He collapsed on his back beside Bakura, who panted heavily and clutched his stomach.

“Oh, god,” Bakura whispered. “It hurts so much.” Tears fell from his eyes, and Marik reached over with a hand and wiped them away. “This isn’t fair!” Bakura growled. “We were going to get married, and after so many years…!”

“I’m sorry,” Marik managed out. “I should’ve asked you sooner, or something. This is my fault.” Bakura shook his head as Marik came closer to him. The two were almost touching now, and Marik clutched Bakura’s hand. Bakura gazed up, and chuckled bitterly.

“It’s our time,” he said softly. Marik blinked.

“But I called…the police station,” he whispered.

“There must be some sort of jam holding them back. We’re going to die,” Bakura said. Marik stared straight ahead, and put a hand over his eyes. He sobbed quietly, taking off the sunglasses.

“Oh, god. Is Death here?” he asked. Bakura nodded.

“He’s waiting,” he said. Suddenly, he got an idea. “Death, make yourself visible for a few minutes.” Death suddenly appeared, standing before them and holding the scythe.

“What do you want?” the skeleton asked. Pain and Suffering had obviously already entered their bodies, since the two demons were nowhere to be seen.

“Please,” Bakura said. “Please, marry us. You obviously have a position of power—you can do it, right?” Death sighed, obviously annoyed, but nodded.

“Fine,” he said. Bakura smiled at Marik, who was still crying.

“Did you hear?” he asked. Marik looked to him. “We’re going to be married, right now.” Marik gasped.

“Now?” he replied. Bakura nodded, smiling. He clutched Marik’s hand tightly.

“I love you,” he whispered. “And I want to be with you forever.”

“I want to be with you forever, too,” Marik replied. “But it’s so ironic…we waited almost an entire lifetime just to get married.” He laughed bitterly.

“Can I start?” Death interrupted. They nodded. “Do you, Marik Ishtal, take Bakura Touzoku to be your lawfully wedded spouse?”

“I do,” Marik said with a smile.

“And do you, Bakura Touzoku, take Marik Ishtal to be your lawfully wedded spouse as well?” Bakura nodded weakly.

“I do,” he whispered.

“You may now kiss each other,” Death said. Marik propped himself up and gently kissed Bakura’s lips. Bakura kissed him back as best as he could with the little energy he had left. Finally, Marik fell over.

“This is it, huh?” Marik asked.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Bakura replied softly.

“I guess we’ll move on together, forever now,” Marik said. He gazed at his hand. “I just wish I had a ring so Ryou and Malik knew.” A ring of pure white appeared around his and Bakura’s fingers.

“There. Your souls are bound together forever. Wherever Marik goes, Bakura goes. Wherever Bakura goes, Marik goes. Normally you’d go to different places, depending on your sins, but now you have a choice. Bakura would go to Hell, while Marik would simply wander. So choose. Forever wandering the earth, planets, and universe, or Hell?” Death asked.

“This should be your choice,” Marik said, looking to Bakura. The other man had grown extremely weak. He was passing on already.

“I want to go where Marik’s going,” Bakura managed out in a whisper. Marik smiled and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“Alright, good,” Death said. “You each have exactly two minutes left.” Marik kissed Bakura gently, and Bakura smiled feebly.

“I love you,” he said, and panted slightly.

“Don’t speak,” Marik murmured. “I already know. And I love you too, Bakura. I always will.”

“Same, here,” Bakura whispered. He closed his eyes, and Marik did at the exact same time. They were still alive; their souls were just making the transition. Death stared at the men in front of him. He almost felt sorry for the two—an emotion he hadn’t felt in a very long time. With a regretful sigh, he swung the scythe over their bodies. Their souls were finally severed, and free from the earth’s binding grasp. The orbs of light—the souls—sped up into the air, past the ceiling and roof, then they stopped. The two orbs made a sharp bank east, and disappeared into the horizon.

When the authorities finally arrived, they found the two men lying on the floor. They looked so peaceful, so perfect, that they looked like they were simply resting. Were they asleep, or dead? It was hard to tell. But one thing was certain; they’d moved on together. Their hands were entwined with each other, the rings touching.

“Shame,” Death muttered. He left the house, and saw a girl sitting in an alley. Death laid his scythe next to the child, and this time, he was serious about retiring.

-

Mew: I cried while writing this. Sorry for a sad ending, guys.

Draiku: At least they got married.

Mew: True. That poor girl got to be Death, though. -grins- She wins!

Draiku: Depends on your definition of "win".

Mew: Point taken. Anyway, thanks, everyone, for sticking with me through this fiction (if you did)! I really appreciated all the reviews--particularly the ones with crits in them--and I want to thank you all for reading it! It's been great. -grins-

Yoko: As usual, please, leave a review. We want to know your thoughts on this, y'know!