CHAPTER ONE
A/N: My next big project which yet again may never get completed unless reviews are spamming the crap outta my inbox. However, as of now, it's here and I'm working on it so…
Rivalshipping…ready, set, GO!
"Wow Shou! You've improved!" The two-toned brunette flashed his trademark smile up at his best friend across the table. "I think we might be evenly matched! Isn't that awesome?"
The smaller, bespectacled boy clutched his cards nervously and peered over his frames at his beaming friend with a doubtful expression. "Aniki…you better not be going easy on me! This is our last duel before we have to get to bed! We have a field trip tomorrow you know!"
Judai frowned at this and then shot quick glance to the clock on the nightstand. He then returned his gaze back to the shorter boy wearing a bit of a puzzled look. "Eh? It's not even 7 yet! We can have one more round! Besides..." He trademark smile danced its way back onto his face once more. "I haven't been going easy on you! It's all you, Shou!"
Shou responded by reclining back in his chair, closing his eyes, and letting out a deep sigh. Slowly, he opened them back up again and let his gaze wander over toward the clock as to confirm Judai's protest. 6:53…perhaps maybe there was still time for another duel…
Or there would have been. Had not the front door burst open and slam shut; causing both boys to jump about from the abruptness of it all. They both turned their heads in sync to the source which had strolled in. There stood their third roommate; wearing his same black trench coat, usual frown, and carrying the weight of a sour atmosphere as always. His normal but base-lacking agitation apparent on his face as he glared their way.
"Oi, oi! You two are still awake?"
'Yep, there went any chance of another duel. No way would Manjoume let them keep him up from his beauty sleep. They'd have better luck getting a hug from Chronos-sensei.' Shou shivered at that last thought and was immediately startled before he could think any more by Judai's laughter filling the air.
"Ahahaha! I guess we were having so much fun; we lost track of time! We're almost done, right Shou?"
Shou pursed his lips together into a nervous smile. "Yeah, we should be finished really soon. Sorry, Manjoume."
"That's Manjoume-sanda to you." He responded without looking up from kicking off his shoes followed by slipping off his black coat and tossing it onto the back of the chair of which the smallest boy sat. Shou nearly jumped out of his seat from this and turned toward the black-haired boy in full; signs of alarm all apparent on his face.
"Sorry, sorry! Manjoume-sanda. I forgot." Shou blurted out; sounding as if he was ready to cry at any minute.
Judai let out another laugh; a bit more gentle then his last. "Don't worry Shou; Manjoume's probably just tired which is why he's acting kinda grumpy. Right, Manjoume?" He turned back to the Ebony-haired boy with a wide grin which Manjoume returned with a scowl.
"Sanda! San-da! You really are an idiot with no manners!" He stormed past the two and crawled up to his bunk, threw the covers over himself and flipped over with his back facing them. "If you're going to finish, then keep it down." They heard his muffled voice from the top bunk say. "I'd like to be up early to get a decent meal before we have to board the ferry."
A frown formed onto Judai's face. "Are you sure you don't want to stay up and watch? You can duel one of us afterward!" He turned his head up in the direction of the dark-haired boy and flashed him a smile. The paler boy then responded by flipping over and looking at him liked he had just asked him to set his deck on fire.
"Are you really that much of an idiot or did you not pay attention to the announcement every day in class for the past few weeks about us having a field trip EARLY IN THE MORNING?" He finished the last of his sentence with a bit of a growl; causing Shou to wince. Although despite how obvious it was; the venom in his words didn't seem to stir any negative emotions in the brunette. His smile still danced as brightly as it always did upon his face.
"Haha! How could I forget? I've been so pumped to see the new tag team duel stadium! I wonder what it'll be like?" Judai's eyes sparkled with the enthusiasm of his voice as he went quiet into thought.
Shou turned toward his friend with an eager look of his own. "It's supposed to be the best one yet! Everything is supposed to seem so real! Even the monsters are suppose to seem like you touch them! I heard you can feel the heat from fire attacks and the cold air from ice attacks too! And the best part is, we all are going to get a chance to duel in it!"
Judai's eyes shot open wide at his smile exploded like a firework in the sky.
"Oh wow! I can't wait! Come on then Shou! We better hurry and finish up! This is gonna be so awesome!"
A loud scoff was heard from the top bunk. "It won't be if you two idiots keep talking and don't finish up soon."
Judai laughed at this. "Sounds like Manjoume's really excited to hang out with everyone on the field trip tomorrow and he wants to be awake and having loads of fun, right Manjoume?"
Manjoume shot up at this; anger scorching his facial features. "I NEVER SAID….ugh! Never mind!" He laid back down and flipped back over toward the wall with an audible 'hmph!' escaping his lips. "Just finish up already, will you?"
"We will!" The two chimed in unison and resumed their previous duel.
. . .
"Ehhhhh? We're not in the same group?"
Both Judai and Shou exchanged looks of shock and then back up at their 'temporary' principal.
"Precisely! Since Mr. Marufuji is now in Ra Yellow; he will not be taking the ferry along with you lower Osiris Reds, no ne!"
They both watched their teacher then push through the crowd of students to make his way over to the Obelisk-colored boat and the front of the line for it. Their gazes then fell on both the yellow and red boats that were docked alongside it.
Shou let out a disappointed sigh and turned back toward his best friend. "I'm sorry, Aniki. I guess I should have just stayed in Osiris..."
Judai's face went blank for a moment before the usual smile resurfaced. "Don't worry about it Shou! It's just for the boat ride! We'll still hang out and have all the fun when we get there!"
A small smile grazed Shou's lips as he felt himself become hopeful from his big brother's words. "Okay Aniki!"
"Pfft…idiots."
They both looked up toward the source of the voice to find Manjoume strolling up beside them; his steel-colored gaze set on the red ferry. He then set down his small bag he had slung over his shoulder and turned to face the two. "You both act like it's the end of the world. It's just a field trip, you know."
Shou frowned at this. He honestly was quite jealous of Manjoume; him being lucky and able to go on the same boat as his best friend and all. It really wasn't fair when he thought about it. Manjoume didn't even want anything to do with any of them and here he was; taking the spot that Shou felt should belong to him. What he wouldn't give to trade spots. He wondered for a brief moment if he brought it up; maybe Manjoume would let him. It's not like the black Osiris wanted to be there anyway. However, before he could say anything; Judai's voice broke through.
"Manjoume…" At this firm tone, the black haired boy turned his full attention on the brunette whose expression changed from serious to smiling in a matter of seconds. "You know, all you had to do was ask! We'd love to hang out with you too when we get there! It'll be fun with the three of us!" The cheery Osiris then startled both boys by wrapping an arm around each of their shoulders and bringing them in closer. Shou cast a nervous look down at his feet and Manjoume bitterly yanked himself out from under Judai's arm; his expression venomous.
"Don't assume I want to be around you! This is my chance to get away from you idiots! Being stuck in that little room with you has been the worst!" He spat out.
Judai's expression went blank and he responded by cocking his head at the fuming black-haired boy. "Come on, Manjoume! You know it'll be much more fun if we all…" He was cut off by a loud ringing followed by Professor Chronos stuttering into a microphone up front. A hush fell over the crowd as their 'temporary' principal cleared his throat loudly.
"Attention all students at duel academia! In a few minutes you will be boarding your respective boats! We will start with the Blues boarding first, Yellows second and lastly and naturally of course; Reds will be last of them no ne. When you reach the front; you will be handed a wristband which has a tracking device on it no ne." At this he held up what looked to be like a black wristwatch. "Each of these have en gemello, a twin no ne. They will show you a compass on how far away the other one is. You will take which one is given to you and find who has the other on the boat and that will be your partner for the trip no ne!" He paused and looked amongst the crowd of students. "Good! Now if you will all line up to your respective boats; we can began the boarding, no ne!"
Shou then turned worriedly over to his best friend "Aniki! This is horrible! Since I've been staying in the Red Dorm; I don't know hardly any of the Yellows! What if I get partnered with someone who's a better duelist than me? The stadium is for tag teams! My partner will be upset if I hold them back." Shou bit his lip and cast his gaze on the ground. "I really, really should have stayed in Osiris Red…"
"You'll do great Shou." Shou looked up in surprise at his friend who was looking back at him with a sincere smile. "I know you. You're an amazing duelist. Everyone will be amazed at how great you are, you'll see!" Judai clapped him on the shoulder which Shou responded with a hopeful smile.
"Aniki…"
"Oi! You guys!"
Both boys turned to see Misawa and Kenzan waving at them. Misawa cupped a hand around his mouth to allow his voice to carry a little more.
"Shou! We're over here! Come line up with us!"
Shou once again cast a nervous glance in Judai's direction and back at the other two. He really didn't like the idea of leaving his big bro all alone….
"Come on saurus! We're not gonna save this spot in line forever, don!" The voice of Kenzan boomed over toward their direction clear as day. Misawa frowned and covered one ear as to avoid Kenzan's voice breaking in.
Shou gave one last look toward his big bro. "Aniki…I…"
"Go on Shou!" Judai smiled and gave a wink accompanied by a thumb up. "We'll see each other when we get there. Maybe we'll even get to duel each other!"
At this, Shou expression became one of pure relief. He broke into a full smile. "Yeah! I can't wait! I promise I'll meet up with you later Aniki!"
Judai held out his fist which Shou returned with a bump of his own "That's a promise I'll keep too, Shou!"
END REVIEW: The first chapter is always the hardest. I never know how I wanna open and I get so impatient to get to the main plot. Never thought I'd get into a GX pairing but rivalshipping has so much good chemistry to it and it's so overshadowed by spiritshipping that I couldn't help but want to give it some attention!
