Chapter One
In Sho's POV.
"These violent delights have violent ends, and in their triumph, they die. Like fire and powder. Which as they kiss, consume."
We had met during the duel admittances into Duel Academy. He approached me, of all people. I don't know why me, I'm no better than anyone else. Actually, I'm just... plain, normal. I'd learned to duel from my older brother, Ryo,and followed his example by entering Duel Academy. I was rather surprised to get in, but not as shocked when I was admitted into Osiris Rd. That was the group of "drop-out" students who could get expelled at any given moment. I immediately earned the title as Ryo's "weaker" younger brother. Which was true. But I was amazed when he started talking to me... even more when I found we were rooming together. I unconsciously began following him everywhere.
Judai Yuki.
I don't know when my "crush" started to develop for him. But I was relieved that he chose me to be his best friend. (Maybe it was sometime during then..?) Judai was the best- I preffered his company over Ryo's any day. The nickname of "Aniki" stuck, and he accepted it. That was a start.
The tag-duel... that was the worst. But I can't bring myself to hate Chronos-Sensei for doing it. Not now, at least, since I had at the time. But when I went to "run away" per say, I guess Judai finally realized his feelings for me? Why else would he want a burden like me around? He did save me from drowning.. (Yeah, I can't swim. So what?) But.. that was when we finally became an item.
And we stayed like that since..
Oh yeah.. I forgot to mention: Yuki Judai is a vampire. Unlike "normal" vampires, I guess you can say, je doesn't sleep during the day, or in a coffine; he's not pale white either. He's actually rather tan, and looks like a normal human.
But Judai's too gorgeous to be normal. Too gorgeous.. and all mine.
I was running as fast as my short legs would carry me. It was one of those strange dreams that gets your heart racing and adrenaline pumping. It was chasing me again. Since I had first spotted it, had dreams I was being chased by it. But the creature was so large, it usually caught me. Everytime. I hate having these dreams, because Judai was never there to save me. He promised to always protect me, so... where was he then?
The snarling grew louder, then the sound of padded feet hitting the dull earth stopped momentarily. A loud wolf howl surrounded me, my gray eyes widening as I gasped in fright, jumped out of surprise, then turned and ran another way.
For some reason, I always ran for Osiris Dorms.
I reached the clearing, that faint hope starting to grasp at me again as I headed for the stairs, thinking I wouild be safe if I could reach my room. I was almost up now- almost there!
Then.. with incredible speed and force, I was knocked off, hitting my back to the ground with two mighty black paws pinning me down- one on each shoulder. The dark gray eyes of the large canine stared into my lighter, fearful, wide eyes. It's cold, gray eyes that were.. so familiar, yet not..
"Judai!!"
I hated verbally screaming that in my sleep. Because, as usual, the brunette shook me awake. "Sho," he said with the utmost concern to his smooth, velvety voice. "Sho! Wake up!"
My eyes snapped open, my heart beat still racing as I pushed the covers away, shooting into an upright position which earned me a bump on the head from the third bunk. My eyes were blurry once I got around to looking at my surroundings, and I reached over for my glasses. But Judai promptly placed them on the bridge of my nose for me. There.. now I could see perfectly. I slowly blinked, then looked at the time: 5:30 AM. Well.. for once, we had woken on time.
"Aniki.." I slowly started to say once I found my voice, "I'm so sorry.."
"Dream again?" What a response. As if he didn't know. Why else would I scream? But, I nodded nonetheless, moving to the closet. He was by the door to lead outside by time I reached the closet, though. "I'm off to the cafeteria," he mumbled, then disappeared.
I sighed, thinking that I was in the clear. The dream.. it had taken his- and mine, thank Ra- mind away from the real problem: My Birthday. I was turning sixteen today, great.. He probably didn't remember anyway, which was good.
"Oh, by the way," Judai popped back in. I jumped, squeaking, which earned me a chuckle from my angel. I hoped he wouldn't say it... "Happy Birthday, Sho."
"No!" I exclaimed, stomping my frustration out. Judai chuckled again, then disappeared. Well.. he'd remembered. Great..
After throwing on my uniform, I ran out of the dorm roon, jumping down the stairs as if playing hop-scotch on them. I was yanked in to a surprise hug on my last step by a taller girl, who accidentally pressed my face into her chest.
"Happy Birthday, Sho!"
"Ah- Asuke!" I tried pushing her away, since she was crushing my face in her chest still. Maybe I was muffled? "Thanks- Thank you- Alright!" I pushed against her until she finally dropped me, leaving me to gasp for air for a moment. Judai appeared by my side- where he had come from still evades me.
"Asuke's a bit excited," he mumbled as he kissed my forehead, making me blush lightly. "Come on, I need to get you to class.."
"What about you?" I asked as he took my hand and started leading me away, handing me a doggy-bag with the Osiris' crappy breakfast food.
"The chancellor needs me for something." And with that, no further questions were asked. He dropped me off at class- Chronos'- and I didn't see him again for the rest of the school day.
The only person who gave me the time of day today was another Osiris student, whom I accidentally bumped in to once I was leaving my final class: Jun Manjoume. The raven haired Manjoume turned on me, his cold gray eyes locked with my pleading lighter gray irises.
Why did it feel so familiar..?
"Watch it, Slacker!" He scoffed and turned away, rushing off. ...Some birthday wish.. Whatever, it's not like I wanted him to wish me a happy birthday. Jun Manjoume wasn't exactly my best friend in the entire school anyway.. So his behaivor was expected. I think he doesn't like me at all..
Never has Judai disappeared on me for so long before.. Especially during a time like this, which Shadow Riders and such about. It made me worry as I shuffled through the surrounding forests, ignoring all of nature's life until I was back at the Osiris Dorms. Then I sat myself on the last step and stared out into space, thinking.
My thoughts were immediately going to the worst, and just when I had concluded that Judai was kidnapped by a Shadow Rider, and possibly killed-
"Sho."
I looked up when my name was caled, gray eyes meeting the form of Judai, and my face lit up instantly. "Judai!"
"Come take a walk with me," he gestured as he turned and started walking towards the surrounding woodland. I instantly jumped to my feet, eagerly following behind him, glad to finally see him. But.. I don't think he was too happy to see me.. which made me start to dread why or where we were walking to.
And he stopped, his back still to me, somewhere between the main building and the Osiris dorms. A light 'whats up, Aniki?' escaped me involuntarily, my curiosity getting the best of me.
Said brunette sighed, then turned to face me for the first time during this walk. His face was serious, which was rare for him. I was sure something was up as his brown eyes read the emotion of sorrow and regret, even if his face did try to hide it behind a mask of seriousness.
I was ready to-.. do something to whoever made him upset like this! I could see right through his mask, his eyes always gave him away.
"I'm getting transferred to another Academy," he finally spoke.
I paused, then responded, "Alright. I'll find something to tell Ryo-" I stopped by the look of his eyes. The dreaded feeling that.. he didn't want me to tag along struck me. No, no... That couldn't be right.. But.. the look he was giving me said otherwise. I paused, not wanting to believe it. "You... are leving then..?" I never thought I would say those words. He nodded, making my heart sunk. "Without me..?" Another grave nod, which tore me apart. It took everything I had for me not to cry.
"I won't have time to keep in touch." Did he want to tear my heart out? "So.. we'll meet again in the Pro Leagues. Good bye, Sho."
"Judai-!" I did the worst thing I could do in a situation like this. I blinked.
I always envied how fast Judai was, since he was a vampire and all, but now.. I was just.. stunned. He was gone, just like that..
I grabbed my left arm with my right, my eyes downcast at the dirt, and his foot-steps. He.. couldn't.. leave me.. Not me! He loves me!
"Judai!!" I knew it was futile to chase after him, especially with my shrimpy legs. But, I just couldn't help it. I had to know- he wouldn't just leave his stuff behind! This is some cruel joke! Any moment now.. and he would pop out and pounce on me, laughing and hugging me, saying he was only joking..
My fears, however, were confirmed when I came up to our dorm room, finding all of his things gone, and- for once- his bed made up. My gray eyes widened, tears forming at the sides of them as a painful pressure started to grow in my chest. My body started to tremble, and a sob escaped me, wracking my body. No- I had to stop him!
I turned and jumped down the steps, yelling his name again as I dashed off towards the main building. I ran through bushes and off the usual path, going towards the docks. Towards where I thought they were, lower limbs and shrubs grabbing at my pants and jacket, tearing and tattering it, my hands pushing some out of the way of my face, and I jumped over a bush, landing with a splosh in the mud which splattered upwards on my shoes and pants.
And then.. I came face to face with it- a cliff edge a few paces away. I stared, wide eyed.. having gone the wrong way.. And I slowly dropped to my knees.
After a moment of staring out at the water, I crawled to the edge, looking over at the rocks below.
I.. lost.. Judai..
And on my birthday of all this..
He was gone. He didn't have time for me anymore..
I curled up into myself, burying my face in my hands, finally allowing myself to fall into hysterics, punching the ground. "Judai, no!! Please!" I pleaded to no one in general. As if he could hear me.. maybe it was some form of taking the pain away. But it didnt work. I had no experience in this feild..
So I lay there, eyes closed shut, crying my eyes out about losing my dearly beloved Judai.
