I do not own anything in the story. I only own the story itself.

Death's Grip

Chapter 3

Meet Jesse

The sun was already half way down by the time Jaden arrived at the front of his house. He could also see that his parents' car was already parked in the driveway.

'Wonder when they got home.'He thought, walking up the drive. However, he stopped. Something wasn't right.

He turned his head towards the bush that was up against the fence. Something about that bush wasn't right. It was the same bush he could've swore he heard voices from yesterday.

Knowing it would only take him a minute, Jaden advanced on the bush.

'Shit!'The figure in the bush thought, as they began to panic. Lord only knew what would happen if he was seen. He was about to ru, however, it was too late. Jaden's hand was already moving aside the leaves of the bush.
The moment Jaden moved the leaves, his eyes were instantly locked with a pair of light green eyes. They both blinked, before Jaden jumped back, and whatever in the bushes jumped out.

"Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!"

Jaden slipped and fell on his back, and he could hear that whatever had leapt out of the bushes had hit the fence. Groaing slightly, Jaden used his elbows for support and sat himself up slightly. To say he was surprised was an understatment.

There, with their back against the fence, was a boy his age, with wild, teal-colored hair, and light green eyes. He was wearing a short-sleeved, blue jacket with the collar rolled down, a white shirt, and faded blue jeans. A white belt was around his waist. He had blue sneakers on his feet, while there were blue sweatbands on his wrists. He also had a blue pendant hanging by a gold chain around his neck.

The two just stared at eachother, the bluenette as nervous as hell, the other shocked and confused. The silence was so great you could hear the wind blow.

Jaden slowly stood up, and stared at the boy. Something about him seemed familiar. But what?

"Uh,"Jaden started, but was stopped by his mother.

"There you are, Jaden,"She said, making the two look over. She was standing in the doorway, hands on her hips.

"I was starting to wonder when-"She stopped abrutly, when she noticed the teal-haired boy against the fence,"Oh! You brought a friend over!" It was more of a statment than a question.

"Well, why not bring him inside,"It looked as if the boy was giong to protest, but his mother had already entered the home. The boy looked at him clearly confused. Jaden just shrugged.

"Well,"Jaden said, pointing to the door,"You coming in?" The boy seemed to give a nervous glance at the bush, before following Jaden inside.

They were now both in the kitchen, Jaden looking through the fridge for a snack, and the boy simply moving his head to look at the kitchen.

"Pudding?"Jaden offered, holding out a vanilla pudding cup and spoon to the boy. He looked at Jaden, then the cup, then Jaden again, as if making sure he wasn't going to try anything. He then shrugged and took the snack from his hand, and opened it, while Jaden opened his choclate one.

They ate in silence, each taking small bites from the pudding. However, Jaden couldn't help but stare at the other boy. Where the hell did he see him before!

The boy seemed to notice Jaden's staring, since he carefully lowered his spoon, and raised an eyebrow at Jaden. Those eyes...

"Aha,"Jaden exclaimed, pointing at the boy, also startling him so bad that he ran into the counter, almost dropping his pudding cup,"Now I remember!" The boy seemed to glance at Jaden nervously.

"You're the guy that was in the hoodie!" He proclaimed. It was at this that the boy's nervousness was washed away by genioune confusion.

"Hoodie?"He asked, looking at Jaden like he was crazy,"What ya'll talkin 'bout?" It was then Jaden felt extremly stupid. He had just remembered the guy from before had orange eyes, and he was taller. Taller than the boy standing infront of him. Not only that, but this kid had a heavy southern accent, while the other guy had none. Jaden nervously scratched the back of his neck.

"Sorry,"He apologized,"But you just seemed like someone I met earlier today." The boy sighed, however Jaden couldn't tell if it out of annoyance, or relief.

"Look,"the boy said, putting his pudding cup on the counter,"Maybe we got off on the wrong foot."He, too, began to scratch the back of his neck in emabaressment.

"My name's Jesse,"He said smiling and holding his hand up, however he quickly put it down,"And ya'll are?"

"Jaden,"The brunette replied, pointing to himself with his thumb,"Jaden Yuki. It's nice to meet you Jesse."

"Likewise,"Jesse nodded, before picking up his pudding cup and pointing to it,"And thanks for the pudding." It was then the two began to laugh. Jaden didn't know why, but he felt like he could trust Jesse. Just like he felt he could trust Syrus, despite just meeting the two today. It was then Jaden noticed something on the side of Jesse's hip. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Hey, Jesse,"He said, getting the other's attention,"Do you play Duel Monsters?" Jesse gave him a look that suggested he wanted Jaden to elaborate on what he asked. It was then Jay pointed out the case on his hip.

"Oh,"Jesse said unhooking it, and bringing it up so Jaden could see it,"Yeah. I love the game." It looked pretty normal, it was black, but was held closed by what looked like a red stone.

"Sweet,"Jaden exclaimed looking excited,"I play the game, too!"

"Really,"Jesse asked, also looking excited,"That's great!" It was then the two began to chat excitedly about the game. About how they got into it, how they learned. They even went as far as to say what card they liked best.

"You wanna go a round?"Jaden asked, smirking. Jesse returned the smirk.

"Ya'll got yourself a deal, Jaden."

The two put threw their pudding cups away and ran towards the stairs.

"Good lord, Jay!" Jesse said, staring at the cards that lay on Jaden's bed.

"That's the fifth time you beat me!"You could hear the slight chuckle in his voice.

"What can I say,"Jaden said,"I'm a natrual." It was then the two began to laugh.

"Hey, Jay,"Jesse said, getting the other's attention,"I think I have a card that could help ya out."It was then he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a card.

"Here,"he said, handing the card to Jaden. The brunette looked at it in curiosity. It looked like a Kuriboh, only it had angel wings.

"Winged Kuriboh,"Jaden said, reading the card's descrption,"Wow! Thankx Jess. You're right, this could help me out alot." He then picked up his cards and placed them back inside the case along with Winged Kuriboh, and Jesse did the same.

It was then someone knocked on the door, and Jesse visibly tensed. However, he soon relaxed when he saw it was Mrs. Yuki who came through.

"You boys having fun,"She asked only to recieve a unison of 'Yeah' from the both of them, causin her to giggle,"That's great." She then looked at Jesse.

"Jesse?"She asked, getting his attention.(They introduced him before they came upstairs.)

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you stay the night tonight? It's getting late and we don't want you walking home in the dark."

"Uh,"Jesse seemed to think about it, as if he wasn't sure the idea was safe, however he soon nodded.

"Sure, Mrs. Yuki,"He replied,"I'd love to." Mrs. Yuki chuckled.

"Then I'll get you some blankets and spare clothes,"she said,"And please, call me Sara." Jesse nodded, and she walked out.

It was dark, and both Jaden and Jesse were already laying down. Jesse insisted he take the floor, being the southeren gentleman he is, despite Jaden's protests. So Jaden was now on his bed, staring at the cieling. He then turned over and looked at Jesse, who was facing away from him.

'He shouldn't have to sleep on the floor,'Jaden thought, before coming to a desicion.

It was then Jesse heard something thump! right next to him. He looked over to see Jaden getting under his covers that he pulled off the bed, and laying on the floor.

"What're you doin', Jay?"Jesse whispered, surprised by the boy's actions.

"You shouldn't have to sleep on the floor, while I get the bed Jess,"He replied in complete honesty,"After all, you are the guest." Jesse actually looked genuinly touched by this.

"Thanks,"He said, before facing his original direction,"Go'night Jay." Jaden nodded.

"Night Jess." The brunette then turned, however, he glanced one more time at Jesse, to see that he was already fast asleep.

'Good idea,'He thought, before letting himself drift off into dreamland.

Continued in Chapter 4...
Finally! Jesse makes his appearence! Sorry if he seemed out of character, but it's important to the plot, I promise you. Also, thankx for those of you who are being so paitent with me, I know there isn't too much to these chapters, but all I ask is that you bare with me till it really starts rolling. And thank you for your reviews! Remember, you don't have to review, but I do apreciate it! Again, thankx!^-^