Not Yet Unforgotten Chapter 1: Not Yet, a yu-gi-oh gx fanfic

N O T - Y E T
U N F O R G O T T E N
Part One

Fan-based fiction written by Katsuya Weller

Rating: T for Tee- Note for Shounen-ai (Japanese for boy love)

Featured Pairing: Jaden/ Judai Yuki and Jesse/ Johan Andersen; Spiritshipping

Inspired by the song "Unforgotten" from the video-game Halo 2 and "Not Yet" from the movie Gladiator (recommended to listen)

It was the night of the graduation for Duel Academia, and how the fireworks were launching streamers of brilliant, variegated lights across the moonlit sky. Students and faculty were all at the Obelisk Blue dorms with treats, drinks, and all their friends reflecting back on all of their experiences as a student in the island school of Duel Monsters. Who would've thought it really come down to this after three years? Surely most of them ask themselves the very same thing over and over, both in excitement and in fear. It was that time to fly off the nest into the real world. Some were taking this moment of their lives as a chapter of happiness in their little scrapbook, however there were some who chose not to process it through and lied to themselves that it was some sort of dream.

He sat on the main stairs of the party room, his head hang low and his dearest students surrounding to help reassure the professor that it's not all that horrible to have them graduate and leave the prestigious dueling school, "Are you all really going to graduate- na no ne?"

"Are you still talking about that?" Sho responded to Chronos' depression.

"Don't worry, Chronos-sensei. As long as I'm left, your concerns aren't going anywhere- saurs!" Kenzen reassured while taking a bite out of his drumstick.

"Well, isn't that troublesome, na no ne?" Chronos-sensei commented with some thought of that there'll be trouble ahead, but all in a joking matter.

"What's that suppose to mean?" he snapped, feeling a bit hurt from his comment as everyone else laughed. Not that Kenzen took any offense to it in any way. Manjoume looked around and couldn't help noticing Johan and O'Brien on the other side of the staircase railing, "Hey, what happened to your graduation ceremonies?"

"We graduate at different time than you guys," Johan stated while everyone else glanced back towards him and O'Brien. Both of them, along with Jim, had already graduated from their representative schools. He grabbed a chip that he'd gotten from the concession table and stuffed it in to munch on, "We thought we'd drop by since it was on our way back," O'Brien finished Johan's statement while he was still chewing on his snacks. All Johan could think about was wanting to see Judai so desperately, but he didn't want to be rude and ignore the rest of his friends he'd made here. At the very least, he could tag along with O'Brien and say 'hi,' to the others and wish them a good graduation.

"Talking big again…" Manjoume retorted quietly to himself annoyed, as mostly expected.

"Congratulations on graduating," Fujiwara announced approaching from behind the crowd. He came along with a genuine smile on his face, but his eyes hinted a bit of guilt. It was kind of hard for him to not feel guilty after what had happened. He had turned against his cherished companion, Honest, and cooperated with Darkness

"Fujiwara, are you alright now?" Fubuki expressed with concern for his friend. He was good friends with Fujiwara, and understood well what he went through. After all, Fubuki did become Darkness at one point during the battle against the Seven Stars.

"Everyone, I'm really sorry. I don't know how to make it up to you guys… I probably don't deserve to be here…" Fujiwara

"What are you talking about? This is where you belong," Fujiwara glanced up towards everyone, who were looking down upon him with smiles of acceptance. "This school accepts the growth and mistakes of every student. That's our school, Duel Academy." Fubuki

"Thank you, Fubuki… thank you, everyone," Fujiwara

"By the way, where's aniki?" everyone's attention was automatically fixated on Judai.

"Oh, Judai-sama, is he late again?" Rei sighed in worry. She had admired him since the time she was chasing down Ryo,

"That Judai, he was a random guy until the very end," Manjoume

Meanwhile, Judai was at his dorm room packing his belongings before he leaves Duel Academia for his journey ahead. He puts on his army green, short sleeve blazer and shoves in the remaining items into his bag when Daitokuji-sensei appears on the top bunk next to Pharaoh.

"Are you leaving already?" he asked from what he's observing.

"My work here is done," simple and blunt. That's all that response needed.

"What are you going to do from now on?" Judai wasn't expecting that sort of question, since he didn't seem to have a full layout of his journey in his disposal. He'll just have to answer Daitokuji-sensei's question anyways with what he had brainstormed.

"We have the power to connect with spirits and people. Somewhere in this world, there might be people who need it. We'll have to travel around to look for them." He stood up, feeling positive with a smile plastered, and looked at his Osiris jacket as he grabbed his luggage. His inner ability to muster up and remain confident was surely a talent, and one that was strongly enhanced by the assistance of Yubel back during their duel that changed Judai's view of line completely. Even Daitokuji-sensei was impressed by how much Judai has grown since day one.

With belief, he commented, "Then, we might never be able to meet you again,"

During all the commotion in the animated room, Asuka had stepped out to get some fresh air, only for it to be slightly interrupted by the appearance of Johan and O'Brien. Asuka knew secretly that Johan had harbored deep feelings for Judai. She knew that he wasn't just Judai's best friend, but that Johan loves Judai and loves him. As much she hated to admit it to herself, she still managed to find it within her heart to accept it, and if it were something that would make Judai smile then that was good enough for her.

"It might've been Judai who changed in the past year," as if this were some sort of play, Johan came right behind her, with O'Brien next to him, and talking about everyone's favorite duelist. When they got to the edge of the lake, she revert her eyes forward like the other two.

"People change one day. That's what becoming an adult is," O'Brien spoke boldly of his theory. He had also matured into a well adult. Maybe not in the same fashion as Judai, but he did and it all happened over time.

"I wonder if he left already…?" Johan questioned himself, but it was the thought that was announced out loud for the other two to hear. He felt himself blush a tad bit from embarrassment, but he couldn't help himself for thinking that way. It was all from his heart, and like everything that's from the heart it all meant that it was the truth; pure and simple.

"He's the one who doesn't like sitting around," O'Brien pointed out. That was true about Judai. No doubt about that, and Asuka and Johan had no objections to it.

"But that's what Judai is like: always like a tornado that appears and disappears like a ghost, our youth being blown away," Asuka stated. Her words were spoken full of hidden emotion and understanding. Johan couldn't help but smile pleasantly at her words.

"But again…"

"We'll meet for sure,"

"Yes. For sure," Asuka's eye released a tear into the wind.

Johan soaked in the entire calming atmosphere around him: the bright-lit moon, the cool breeze, and the restful view of the lake ahead of him. He was able to smile honestly, feeling some sense of relief that there's still some hope left for that second chance to come, "If only you were here with me…" Johan grasped onto his cloths above his heart, feeling the steady pulse against his fist, "Please… please let me see you,"

The breeze began to bring in some unpleasant coolness around them, so O'Brien excused himself back into the Obelisk dorm. It was just Johan and Asuka now. The silence seemed a bit awkward at first, considering they never really got to know each other very well. They only thing that they both had in common was their strong love for Judai. However, Asuka was the first to realize all the signs and finally came up with the conclusion of who gets Judai in the end. She already had decided to let it be Johan who should rightfully have Judai's heart. That's why she couldn't form the confession about her love to Judai that night. As much as she wanted to, she knew that she would end up facing rejection, and she didn't want to risk their friendship knowing the outcome.

Just as she was turning around to join her fellow peers, she stopped in mid-distance, signaling Johan something and made him turn around to her. Sure she had her back to him, but she proudly said, "Johan. Take care of Judai," and walked off like a woman.

He just stood there, and watches her walk off into the Obelisk dorm, bewilder and astounded, but mumbled a small 'thank you,' to himself. He knew that now was the time to go find Judai, hopefully before he had left Duel Academia.

He began his search for the Elemental Hero duelist walking around the island, but not having a set destination in mind, since he could be anywhere by now, just allowing his subconscious instincts to do all the navigation and his feet to do all the driving. In a matter of minutes that turned into the longest hour he was approaching the familiar, small, home-like dorm rooms on the Osiris side of the island. He stopped to take a minute for reality to catch up from behind and soon enough he spotted a distant shadow heading to his direction. The figure had a light jacket on that flared out on the bottom and was carrying a small, oval size luggage over his shoulder. As he came closer into a much clearer view, Johan was able to ID him as his closest friend, and the one he secretly loved.

"Judai…? That you…?" Judai froze at the soft, alto voice and turned around to see Johan standing a few feet away from him.

"Johan… you came back." He smiled; a real smile. Johan just has that power to make Judai smile for real whenever he's around.

"Yup! My graduation already happened, so I thought I come here to your graduation and sees everyone again," but deep down the real reason was to see Judai one last time.

"Oh, really now? Are you sure that's not the only reason, Johan?" He knew Johan a bit too well now, or so it seemed. Johan blushed in complete embarrassment. Johan was caught in his tracks, and so easily, too.

'Does Judai know…?' Johan stammered and was playing with his fingers nervously as he was trying to formulate his answer, "W-well, I-I… I, uh, thought I'd bump into you, too. Plus… I was hoping I could see you one last time before you go… You weren't at the party, so I uh… thought I come and find you," Johan gulped quietly, eyes were now drawn to the ground, but with a serene smile on his lips and cheeks lightly shaded with a blush.

"Johan," he breathed speechlessly. His jaw dropped a little, his heart was throbbing against his rib cage, and his eyes widen a little. He was entranced by Johan's words. He could tell it was straight from the heart, and he couldn't be any more happier. Judai was actually relieved and fortunate to see Johan just before he was about to leave; now leave with some peace.

"Judai… you're going now?"

"Yeah…" he flashed an insecure smile towards Johan as guilt blanketed his heart. There was a disliking silence between the two, now having both of them consuming time to contemplate what to say and when to make the move to shatter this uncertainty.

"So… uhh… what are you going to do?" This question is known to be an innocent one of curiosity, but at the scenario they were thrown into it seemed chancy or even murderous to ask.

"I'm not sure, exactly, but I know that we have the same abilities: to connect to spirits. I'll travel around to find those who need that ability. I guess that's the only thing that seems to be my duty… for now…" Judai was honest with his response. There just wasn't any other way to put it. However, he would be a liar if he didn't admit that he felt sadden and guilt at all. His feelings for Johan were the strongest of all the heart-felt bonds he'd shared: from back when he had met him on the roof of Duel Academia to the tag-team duel against Fujiwara, his heart was engulfed with an unknown, strong, and warming feeling for Johan. He had loved him, and still do till this moment, and will be in the days ahead.

"I think you may be the only one to accomplish that duty. I would try to do so myself, but after all that has happened in the other dimension, there's no way I could do that now. Only you have the capability and the power to carry out that mission." Johan smiled showing reassurance and confidence to the brunet.

"Johan…" he looked down solemnly, allowing the words to absorb through the ears to the brain. After recording and replaying every syllable of that statement, he glanced to the beautifully, pixie decorated sky. The stars were twinkling luminously from the thermonuclear fusion they all held down inside their core, and the full moon gleaming boldly showing off its impact craters and Maria of solidified lava.

"Asuka was right. You are like the wind; always coming and going unexpectedly," Johan spoke up against the calming silence. Judai looked at him puzzled at the statement, "but no matter where you go… or how long you travel for… I know that I can see you again. That's why I won't say 'good-bye,' Judai. Instead, I'll say this…" Johan turned to face Judai with nature green eyes glued to the earth brown eyes. Although his face was smiling, he also showed a bit of seriousness, "I'll see you again soon, Judai."

Judai stared at Johan stunned and hearten by all that Johan has said. From that simple yet riveting gesture alone, Judai's love for Johan must've increased off the charts, "Johan… Thank you…"

Johan and Judai clasped their hands together in the same style handshake as they did that year ago. Their eyes were glued to each others with warm smiles illustrating on their faces. To think that they've known each other for about a year, 365 long days ago, but time flew so quickly. However, their bond had grown stronger within each passing second; more than average, sort of speak.

Suddenly, Judai tighten his grip and tugged Johan closer to him, wrapping his left arm around Johan's torso and released his right hand to place on his soft cheek. Johan gasped surprisingly at Judai's sudden action, but he went along with it and placed both his hands on Judai's shoulders firmly. With a whisper of the other's name, Judai leaned in and placed his lips upon Johan's. At that instant, the world seemed to stand still completely. Although the intimate kiss –the contact that had the magic to flow love through one heart to another's– only lasted for only a second, but what felt like an eternity. When they broke apart, they couldn't help but go in for one more because it would be a long while for them to meet again; God knows how long that would be. Judai takes an opportunity to deepen the kiss by slipping his tongue past Johan's lips, waging war with Johan's tongue for dominance. It's no surprise that Judai declares victory, especially if one has matured greatly in a short amount of time. The moment was eternal in the world they were in, though it was merely two minutes in the real world; sadly had to come to a close when the plea from their lungs registered into their brains.

Johan still kept his eyes closed, not out of fear that this might've not been real, but to take in that new entry of his life: the kiss that he had dreamt of one day giving to Judai for a long while. Johan moved one of his hands from the other's shoulders and firmly wrapped it around Judai's neck, lancing his fingers. Judai couldn't help himself but pause and assimilate the image that was in front of him: Johan's face expressing content and pure happiness, making his heart flutter. His hand took Johan's arm, pulling slowly out and entwined his hand with his own. It was harmonious to the atmosphere they were lost in. He sighed pleasantly as he closed his eyes, thus tightening his grip and eyed deep in Johan's natural, emerald eyes.

"Johan… you know I love you, and I always will. You're right: This isn't goodbye."

"I know, and I'll see you again… but not yet."

Judai gave him his final hearten smile as he stepped backwards slowly, still holding to Johan's hand and causing arms to stretch out; never taking his eyes off him. He wanted to memorize every clear, physical detail of Johan: his eyes, his face, his smile; all of him, and not missing a single detail. Water started to gather up in the corners of his soft, amber eyes, eventually having them flow freely down his lightly tanned cheeks. The same was happening to Johan as he was standing there, watching his beloved inching away into the night. His heart wanted to break out and capture Judai in a cage, not allowing him to break free and keep him in his embrace forever. But he knew what cannot be, what can be, and what he can do now. Knowing that he loves Judai and Judai loves him, what more can he ask for?

After a few steps, their hands began to untangle as Judai's hands gently glided across Johan's palm, through the finger tips until they took flight, and returned to the owner. He kept walking backwards a little bit, small tears continuing to fall from his earthly eyes, and whispered…

"I'll be with you. I promise… but not yet…"

"Not yet…"

"We'll see you again… but not yet… Not yet."
Juba (Djimon Hounsou) Gladiator