This is the second sequel I wrote yesterday. For the full message, and for those of you who care about me more than the ones who just care about my stories, please go read The Reflection.

The first part of this is the original fanfiction by lilrubydevil. The second part is what I wrote. The lyrics are from Please Don't Leave Me, by Pink. She's the best when she's upset.

And review please!

Splinters

Sequel to Toxic Remorse, by lilrubydevil

"There will always be the little things that you keep, the little things you cherish, and the little things you love. It's a treasure, a jewel, a gem you keep with you for all eternity. But sometimes, that thing that keeps you going can suddenly become so much less in value and that is terrifying.

For some people, that thing isn't really a thing at all. It's really a person, a human being, a life. It's that person that breathes the life back into you when you least expect it to... at times, that person could suck emotion and drain energy from you as well.

I used to have someone like that, once upon a time. That feeling I got was not like any other. It was great, it was wonderful. It was something beautiful, so beautiful. It made me smile. It made me laugh. It made me happy.

Now, all it does is make me cry. Now, I just wish I am something more essential in life. I wish I am important. I wish I am to that person at least.

I'm at the beach right now. I'm drinking. It's been years since I last poured alcohol down my throat. I had promised him I would quit after I started being around him. He was scared—scared of me. I was scary when I was wasted. I terrified him to no limit. He used to hide from me so he wouldn't smell the stench on my breath when I go to hold him. I reminded him of his father, the man who spent years tormenting his life and shredding him apart. I reminded him of that pathetic excuse for a father, the one person I would never be. Yet, at one time, I was.

I didn't like it. It wasn't right.

It doesn't matter now of course. He isn't here with me; he's gone. There, I said it. Gone. He's gone. I can drink all I want now. No more sacrifices, no more compromises, hell, no more swears or promises. I'm done, just like he's done with me.

I was done the minute he walked out that night. I had screamed at him, threatened him one too many times. I had yelled at him to leave. I thought that was what I wanted at the time. I thought it was over. I thought it was all coming to the bitter end.

So he left.

Just like that.

I take another sip and swallow. The alcohol tastes nasty, but I can't stop. I laugh, softly at first, but then laughing louder and louder. My laugh sounds hollow and fake, but I can't stop. Laughing right now seems like the only thing I can do right now. There's nothing else I can do to make the situation any better. I can't shut it away, I can't hide, I can't even confront it. All I can do is stand here, months later, and laugh at myself.

It's funny. I'm the guy that can take any crap that's thrown at me. If anyone can do it, I can. I'm not used to feel so helpless... I'm not supposed to feel this way. If anything, I should be glad he's cut off from my life. He can't bring me down anymore. He can't influence in the way I act or the way I think anymore.

You hear that? I said I'm DONE with you. There's nothing left of you here in me. You're erased from me, as if you never existed. There's no more proof, no more humiliating evidence, no more burden.

Except for one.

I take out a picture in my pocket. I let out a laugh again and drink. I spill some liquid on the photo. It spills on you, blurring your blonde hair and brown eyes from my vision. Isn't that ironic? The very drink that you thought would destroy us is going to help me through this. I wish you could be here to see this. You might actually laugh about it with me.

Or would you laugh? Would you wish you could change me before it was too late? Would you wish you could hold on and savage what was left of you and me before you walked out? Would you wish that I hadn't yelled at you that night? Would you wish that I hadn't told you to leave? Would you?

Because I do.

And would you believe me if I said that alcohol will replace this empty hole inside of me?

I blink. Another liquid drop falls onto the picture, but this time, it isn't alcohol. I wipe my eyes before I could let another one like that fall.

I stare at the picture and I grow angry. I feel my glue unraveling and my ends loosening. I feel myself losing control and I feel the pain hit me for the first time since I've been here. I feel myself letting my mind travel back to those happy days, those happy times.

And I can't do that.

I cannot, and will not, allow myself to untangle. I have led myself down this path and I'm not going to regret it. I'm Seto Kaiba. I choose my direction in life and I choose what do with my mistakes. I can't turn back. I can't rewind. I can't put myself in reverse. I can only fast forward and move on ahead.

I look at the picture one last time. You and I. It was something special. It's not anymore. I don't need you. I promise you, I don't. I'm fine without you. I can live with my regrets and I can live my mistakes and yes, I can live with my conscience.

It was a beautiful gift I had in my arms. You were a wonderful thing to come home to. You kept me through many hopeless nights. You were my treasure, my jewel, and my gem. I never told you. I never will.

I throw down the picture onto the sand and stare it for one last time before turning my back and walking away. Before I leave, I throw my beer bottle into a trash can. My beer is still there and is still unfinished, but I do not care.

I am able to make it to my car before I completely fall apart just because I can live without you; just because I can make it on my own; just because I don't need you any longer.

And just because I can live myself with my mistakes, regrets, and actions hitting me on the head and heart every time I think of you.

Don't be fooled that just because I can do all that, doesn't mean I'm not suffering. Just because of that doesn't mean I don't miss you, Katsuya.

Because I do miss you.

There will always be the little things that you wish you had. You will always wish you for the things you destroyed, but could have kept. You will always for your mistakes to be corrected and for the pain to go away. There will always be a treasure, a jewel, a gem you wish you could keep with you for all eternity. But sometimes, that thing that keeps you going can suddenly disappear.

For some people, that thing isn't really a thing at all. It's really a person, a human being, a life. It's that person that breathes the life back into you when you least expect it to... at times, that person could suck emotion and drain energy from you as well. But most of all, it makes you happy and makes you cry. And though you cry, it's a sign of how much you love that person and how much you would miss that person if he or she left."

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"Nii-sama, are you alright?" Mokuba asked.

I don't know if I can yell any louder...

How many times that I kicked you out of here...

"Of course." Seto replied crisply.

Or said something insulting...

"Would...it be so bad if you weren't ok?" Mokuba said. Kaiba's throat caught, and he only nodded.

I can be so mean

when I wanna be...

I am capable of really anything…

"You know, sometimes it's better to go through all the pain at once than to prolong it. Remember, Niisama, that's what you taught me." Mokuba started.

I can cut you into pieces...

When my heart is....

Broken...

"Just like with a band-aid. You rip it off all at once, and then it heals sooner. Or a splinter. Sometimes you have to take off some of the skin to get the splinter out. It'll hurt, and you'll have a gaping wound there, but...it'll heal sooner."

Please....

Don't leave me...

Please…please…

Don't leave me…

Mokuba looked up at his brother. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I always say how I don't need you...

But it's always gonna come right back to this...

"Aa." Seto replied quickly. Mokuba knew from his brother's tenseness that his words were working.

Please...

Don't leave me...

Mokuba finally sighed. "I know it's hard, and you're a big boy now...so I won't interfere anymore."

"After this." Mokuba finally said. Seto started out of his seat. "Mokuba, what do you mean?"

How did I become so obnoxious?

The door swung open. He looked exactly as he had left that day, a year ago, and yet he looked completely different. He sported a dull purple jacket now, with a navy shirt and navy jeans. He also wore a ridiculous pair of purple shades, and his face had become more angular.

What is it with you that makes me act like this?

Mokuba quickly left the room, and Katsuya took a few slow steps into the room. His eyes were still downcast.

I've never been this nasty...

Seto wanted to run over there and tackle him, to keep him from ever leaving again, but Katsuya deserved someone BETTER. Not some bitter man who was no better than his shit-ass dad. Not some kid who had to grow up too quickly, and still had the heart of a kid. Not Seto. Katsuya deserved BETTER.

Can't you tell that this is all just a contest?

The one that wins will be the one that hits the hardest....

But Kaiba couldn't bring himself to move. And so they stood there, both with their eyes downcast, and both still nursing hurt wounds.

But baby I don't mean it...

I mean it...

I promise...

Katsuya absentmindedly scratched at the carpet with his foot. Kaiba decided to take a chance. Atem had taken a chance by throwing away the afterlife for Yugi, why couldn't he just say something?

Please...

Don't leave me...

"It's up to you, you know. If...if you want..." Seto choked out. When had he started crying? Was it when he though that this was hopeless, or was it when his chest constricted painfully in the beautiful way of love's bite?

Please...

Don't leave me...

Seto rubbed his eyes like a kid. Joey crossed the room and gently tugged at Seto's hand.

I forgot to say out loud...

How beautiful you really are...

To me...

"Don't rub your eyes. Your hands are dirty..." He whispered. Joey let Seto's hand fall before wrapping his arms around Seto's waist and falling into the large armchair with him.

I just can't be without...

You're my perfect little punching bag...

Seto couldn't take it anymore. "Don't you ever think I don't want you, Katsuya." He growled out, pulling Katsuya into a painful hug. Katsuya hugged back, crying now.

And I need you...

I'm SORRY...

"I know. I love you too." Katsuya whispered back, sobbing.

Please...

Don't leave me...

I always say how I don't need you

But it's always gonna come right back to this...

Please...Please...

Don't leave me...