Okay, so basically this is my first story, so no flames plz.

Chapter 1

Thoughts of a sunset

Aster looked across the sky at the sunset on his boat. The breeze gently blew at his silver hair and his suit. Normally, as a child, the sunset would make him happy, but now he had defeated the D, it made him sad.

His fist clenched at the thought of his guardian, who he had trusted, only to find he was his father's murderer, possessed by the light of destruction. He found out what happened to his father alright, but it didn't go as Aster wanted. All his father did was tell him about the light, plead with him to attack him and then he disappeared back into plasmas wings. On that one night, Aster's memories of his father came back to him, whether it was fishing, drawing or, the most painful right now, looking at the sunset. Aster longed to see his father again, to catch up on the years they left behind, and to watch the sunset one more time….

Aster felt tears sting his blue eyes. Angrily, he wiped them away with the sleeve of his jacket. He shouldn't still be upset. He's got a successful pro career, great friends and a girlfriend named Daisy. Life couldn't get any better.

Aster smiled. Daisy. She's so full of life. Hardly anything gets her down. Aster always felt happy at the thought of her face. She had shoulder length black hair with purple highlights to match her violet coloured eyes, with daisy hairclips to keep her hair out her face. Her favourite colour is obviously purple, since almost everything she wears is purple, despite it being against uniform regulations, but she's broken that rule so many times the teachers, even Crowler, can't be bothered to tell her off about it anymore. Whatever her mood, she will always be beautiful in Asters eyes.

Aster blushed thinking about her. He felt happy seeing her smile. For a moment, he forgot about his deceased father, but, knowing his memories, they always came back to haunt him, seeing his body lying on the floor surrounded by various destiny cards; the last cards he created…

Aster shook his head quickly to get the thought out of his head.

"Dammit Phoenix" Aster hissed to himself. "Stop thinking about Dad. You've got everything that can ever make you happy, so why are you still thinking about him?"

Aster looked at the setting sun again, pondering over the question. He never thinks about his father this much, so why is he thinking about him so much now? Suddenly, Aster saw his fathers smiling face in the sun. He gasped as the memories can back again.

He saw his father lying on the floor, surrounded by various destiny hero cards. He saw the D grinning evilly, holding the ultimate destiny card. He saw his father's soul trapped inside Plasma's wings, begging him to attack Plasma and save mankind from the light.

Aster returned to the present and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block the thoughts from taunting him.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" he yelled at the sun.

"Aster?"

Aster opened his eyes at the sound of his name. He looked down at the docks and saw none other than Jaden Yuki standing there, looking confused.

"You okay man?" Jaden asked, his brown eyes showing concern over the silver haired duelist.

"Y-Yeah…yeah I'm fine" Aster replied, rather embarrassed about Jaden hearing him. He was yelling at the sun for crying out loud. Next thing you know, people will think he was some kind of nutcase. A question struck Aster.

"How long have you been here? I mean, watching me"

"Long enough to know that something's bugging ya" Jaden replied. The brunette climbed awkwardly onto Asters boat and walked towards Aster.

"You've been thinking about your dad again, haven't you?"

"No!" Aster said fiercely. "Sort of…..well….yeah" Aster corrected sheepishly, looking at his reflection in the water, his blue eyes sad. "I keep remembering seeing him lying there dead and trapped in Plasma. I know I shouldn't be thinking about him now, but those memories are too painful to let go of. They keep coming back to haunt me, and I always get a feeling of loneliness whenever they do"

Jaden listened to what Aster was saying with sad eyes. He felt sorry for Aster, not knowing his father well and all, and he totally understands how he's feeling, since he never saw his dad, or his mom for that matter, much as a kid either. But, they didn't die like Asters did, so he's never surprised when Aster says that Jaden doesn't understand how he feels. Now, however, Jaden was almost the only person Aster could talk to about his father. However, Jaden was confused about why Aster felt lonely. He's got a girlfriend who's the second in line of being queen of obelisk blue for Gods sake.

"What are you saying?" Jaden asked, curious about Asters loneliness.

"Don't you see? My father was the only family I had" Aster heard his voice wavering and closed his eyes, trying to stop them from watering. "I don't want to feel that lonely again, Jay" Aster said sadly, choking back a sob in the process.

Jaden looked at the silver haired duellist, who was desperately trying hard not to cry. He placed a sympathetic hand on Aster's shoulder, surprising the pro. Aster turned his head to Jaden, who was smiling a sad smile, not his usual goofy one. Shame. Aster kinda liked that smile.

"Aster" Jaden started "You shouldn't feel lonely. You've got great friends and a girlfriend even I'm jealous of" Aster gave a sad laugh at this joke. "But you can't let memories of your dad get in the way of what makes you happy. Plus, if there's anything you need to talk about, you can always talk to me, okay?" Jaden removed his hand from Aster's shoulder. Aster smiled. Jaden had really cheered him up

"Okay. Thanks Jay"

Jaden smiled back, and then gave a yawn. "Well, I'd best be hitting the hay" He said stretching, and started to climb down the boat awkwardly. "Night Ast" He called out

"Night Jay" Aster replied. Jaden all of a sudden lost his grip on the boat and landed hard on his butt. Aster winced as Jaden gave a loud "OW!"

"You okay?" Aster asked concerned

"Don't worry…its cool…" Jaden replied, getting up slowly, rubbing his butt "God that hurt…I'm okay" He said, giving one of his goofy grins and peace signs at Aster, making the pro smirk. Aster loved it when he did that. Jaden then started to walk off, rather awkwardly because of his, ahem, graceful landing, towards his dorm. "See you tomorrow!" Jaden yelled

"Don't you have class?" Aster yelled back

"It's half term!" Jaden responded. "Bye!"

Oh yeah, that's right Aster thought.

Aster walked over to a chair that was on his boat and sat down in it, looking at the sunset again.

Despite what Jaden said, I still think there's a reason I'm thinking about my father this much Aster thought to himself

"And I'm going to find out why" Aster thought out loud, a determined look on his face.