Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX

Prologue

Off To A Good Start

The tent was up and secured, its hooks placed firmly in the ground and the flaps that proved for window coverings - the windows were, of course, made of a form of plastic instead of glass - were rolled down to give some privacy to the occupants of the small, navy blue tent.

Inside said tent, five rather grumpy students sat and listened to the constant pitter-patter of the rain hitting of the material that was their shelter.

The floor of the tent was made of a rather scratchy material that Jaden Yuki really didn't like. He kept scraping his knuckles off the floor and feeling the discomfort of it, which was why he was now taking care not to touch the floor with his bare skin.

Jaden leant against Jesse Andersen, his best friend.

Opposite the brunette was another of Jaden's friends - who was, honestly, more like a brother to him. Syrus looked more fed up than he did himself.

Beside the short boy with glasses was Hasselberry. The dino duellist was in a daydream, sprawled out across the floor and leaving little room for the other people.

Much to the annoyance of the fifth and last person of their party, Chazz Princeton.

Chazz hadn't wanted to come on this little trip at all. Now he knew never to make a bet again with Alexis that he could beat her in a duel. He had lost, and as a punishment, he had to join the slackers on their little getaway. He wouldn't have minded so much if they had been going to a fantastic beach or something, but to this dreary part of the country?

He hadn't known that Jaden had even wanted to go camping, but this was that damn Slifer's idea, and his three friends had agreed willingly to it, while Chazz had been forced into the whole thing.

/

The students of Duel Academy had a week off school. The school had been hit with a storm, and as a result, part of the roof had collapsed and needed repairing. Thankfully the repairs were going quickly, but it was under reconstruction and students couldn't be in the building. Shepherd had decided that it would be easier to just give them a week off than it would be to organise classes around the work.

And, of course, none of the students were complaining.

Most weren't leaving the island at all, but Jaden had decided that, since they had seven free days, he wanted to try camping with his friends for the first time. But he didn't want to do it at Duel Academy, they could do that any old time. No, they had to get off the island.

Maybe Chazz was just pissed because he had been the one to fork out the money for the whole trip? Jaden had to hand it to Alexis, the girl was good. She forced him to accept her bet and she won the duel. Alexis had said she wouldn't come because she wanted to catch up on some studies that she didn't want to fall behind on, but that Chazz could take her place.

Jaden wondered if maybe Chazz still harboured feelings for the girl, and that was why he listened to her and actually did what she said?

Whatever the reason, he had done well. A nice campsite, thick woods to explore all around - there were wild animals there, so it was said, but they didn't really come into the campsite - shops around the area to buy food …

And he had the company of Chazz, Syrus, Hasselberry and Jesse.

What more could a guy ask for? A four day camping trip with his two best buddies, his rival, and his secret crush!

Yes, Jaden had secret feelings for Jesse Andersen, feelings he'd never tell him about. Had he been the drastically emotional type, he might have been pining over Jesse. As it was, he was more a get-on-with-it type of person, and so he just hung around with Jesse, best buddies.

/

"Hey, guys, the rain's stopping" Syrus said, and the others all listened hard for a moment before smiling at one another in agreement.

They had been so used to the rhythm of the rain that they hadn't even noticed it had gone off.

"Well, it's a bit late to start exploring the woods" Jesse said thoughtfully. "But someone should go to the shop and get some food for the night."

The others nodded in agreement. Jaden really wanted to explore, but it would be wet underfoot and he - being him - had forgotten to bring a change of shoes. He really didn't want to go trudging through the mud at the moment. In the morning, sure. For now, food sounded like the best idea in the world.

"Who's going?" he asked.

Everyone said that they were staying right where they sat.

"Alright, soldiers. Flip for it" Hasselberry grumbled, pulling out some coins and handing one to each of his friends, keeping one copper coin in his palm.

"Can't we duel for it?" Jaden moaned.

"Jay, that'll take too long" Syrus said reasonably.

Jaden grumbled a little but followed his friends' lead and flipped his coin.

The five laid their fists in the middle of the 'circle' they created and removed their hands, showing their coins.

Everyone's coin showed a 'head'. All but one.

"Aw man! Why me?" Syrus groaned.

The others cheered and each threw him some coins, Chazz all but kicking Syrus out of the tent.

Syrus glared back at the tent before he began walking in the direction of the shops.

Or so he thought.

/

Syrus had been gone a long time. The shops were a five minute walk away. Jaden tried to do the maths in his head - not easy, since he hated maths, particularly when he was tired and hungry.

Five minutes there, five minutes back. Ten in the shop to decide what to get, possibly five to purchase the items if there was a queue? Less than half an hour.

So why had Syrus been gone forty five minutes?

The other four went out in what was now pouring rain to look around for him, spent fifteen minutes looking, and then met back up in the tent.

The four sat at four corners, forming a square, as Jaden looked at the others with worry in his eyes.

"Syrus is gone!"

Please R&R