Note(s): I'm sorry if I got any spelling wrong. The only spelling corrections I have are google. So, it I made any mistakes, tell me.

Criticism is welcome.

I normally update everyweek, but since I'm on a HUGE writers block for this story, I'm gonna skip next week so I could write more, and see where this story goes. I'm sorry, but you're gonna have to be patient.

I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! ZeXal.

Enjoy~! xD x3

X-X-X-X

"Why I never walked away,
Why I played myself this way.
Now I see,
You're testing me,
Pushes me away!
"

X-X-X-X
Shark's PoV

Frowning, I rode by to stop him. He looked at me, and fiddling a bit.

"You're not gonna make me skip school again, are ya?" He asked, joking.

I shook my head, and offered my hand, "I promise, I'll take you to school."

He looked at me, a bit suspicious.

Sighing, and glared at him, "A friend never breaks his promise."

He sighed, and took my offer. "Alright..."

"Alright." I repeated, and pulled him onto my bike.

He smiled brightly, "Besides, I've been dueling behind my sister's back."

Confused, I turned to look at him, right after I turned the engine on.

He chuckled lightly, "I wasn't allowed to duel, so that was the reason why I didn't know how to..."

I stared.

So, I've been beaten by a beginner. The makes me sound like I've been going easy on him when I really wasn't. I sighed.

The past is the past.

I rode off, him holding onto me tightly.

As promised, I rode him to school.

X-X-X-X
After school

Waiting, I paused only to see him running. I frowned when he ran passed his friends, making them concerned.

I'd better investigate this. What is he up to?

I hopped onto my bike, and I followed him from a distance.

X-X-X-X

He left to his house, but after a while, he left, telling the same lie to his sister.

He sighed as he frowned, "... I've lied for a reason."

I rose an eyebrow. Who is he talking to?

He continued, "Besides, I can't be seen. At least everyone is safe, and we can keep the Numbers."

Silence.

I glared at nothing, "I'm not in a good mood, Astral. Could you please shut up?"

Astral... Isn't that, like, space? Has he gone insane?

Knowing Yuuma Tsukumo, he probably has.

"Well, at least we haven't seen it." He murmured, "Still... I can't be around anymore."

My eyes widen.

He continued as he paused by a beautiful place.

A lovely beach.

I've never seen this beautiful beach before. Who knew that this beach was outside of town.

Well, Yuuma does now, but still... It's breathtaking.

Silence.

He sat down, "I've always been such... A coward. I mean, yeah, I could be brave when it came to my friends, but... I really can't protect myself."

My eyes widen.

He continued, "... When I dueled Shark for the first time, I didn't know how I'd handle it. However... You came and helped me..."

I froze. Okay, who the hell is he talking to? That Astral dude? Didn't that mean he chea-Why am I getting angry? He might be talking to his imaginary friend.

Still, I've been beaten by a beginner. Doesn't that mean that he cheated?

I sighed silently.

The past is the past.

"... Ahh, you haven't seen sand before? They're... They're like super tiny rocks and salt. Sand could also be fun to play in. Would you like to see me make a Sand Castle?" He asked, grinning at nothing.

I rose an eyebrow.

Okay... He's gone crazy.

X-X-X-X

The passed few hours of the day, Yuuma spent it, playing at the beach. Talking to this "Astral" dude. Whoever he is. He watched the sunset with him, and dried off from playing in the ocean.

Once done, he turned to leave.

I hid, and held my breath as he walked by.

"Ya know, I enjoyed spending time with you, Astral. That's why you're my best friend!" He said, smiling brightly.

He paused for a moment, the turned around, all of a sudden cautous. I gasped, as he looked around.

"Are you sure? I didn't see anyone, besides you, today, Astral..." He breathed, "... Is it... Him?"

Silence.

He frowned, "If it's not him, then who could it be?"

'Him? Him who?' I thought.

"Well, whoever you are, I'm not truly alone. I have a spirit of the Key to help me..." He murmured angrily.

My eyes widen.

He continued, "... It would be wise... To leave me alone."

I growled slight, and remained silent as he walked away.

Once the coast was clear, I followed, keeping my distance.

X-X-X-X
The Nexy Day

I decided to head to school, and get some answers... Without him letting know that I followed. I gotta be careful, or else he'd suspect it's me.

I sighed. I'll figure this out.

During lunch, I decided to sit right across from him, and his friend, and eat lunch.

He turned to me and blinked, "Shark? What are you doing here? I didn't expect you to sit across from me. Normally it's the other way around! I mean, normall-"

"-Can't I just hang out with you? Isn't that what friends do?" I interrupted, a bit irritated by his rambling.

He irritates me enough already that his "Friend" thing is getting to me.

"Just because we're comrades..." He'd say.

"Just because we're comrades..."

He smiled, "Well, that's nice of you!"

Silence.

He won't avoid me in school, but before and after, he'd avoid me. I see... I should come to school more often if it's like this.

His friends then stood up.

"Uhh, Yuuma? We're gonna head to class now." Said Kotori, the green haired girl.

The cubby guy, Tetsuo, nodded, "Yeah... Catch you later, Yuuma!"

"Oh, alright." Answered Yuuma as he waved his friends bye-bye.

Silence.

He fiddled a bit, trying to keep calm. However, I could see he's nervous. I rose an eyebrow at her nervousness.

He sighed, "I'm sorry, Shark. I'm... I'm nervous that... Uh... I... Uh..."

"Nervous for being around the former school bully?" I asked, a bit irritated.

He looked at me, eyes wide, "N-No! It's nothing like that! I-I'm just... I'm just... I don't know how I would explain it..."

"It's fine..." I replied, "... I'd be nervous too if I was around the former school bully..."

He gave a sad smile, "Like I said... It's nothing like that...But if you believe that, then that's okay with me..."

I frowned.

What does me mean?

He smiled brightly, "So... Are you gonna eat that?"

I pointed at my half eaten rice ball. I rolled my eyes, and handed him the rice ball, "Knock yourself out."

"Really!? I can have it!?" He yelled happily, taking the rice ball.

I nodded, and I watched as he ate it.

This caused me to smile without realizing it until he smiled back. His happiness is contagious. I pushed my tray towards him, acting like I didn't want it.

"I'm not hungry."

He smiled brightly, "You mean, I can have it!?"

I nodded.

"Alright!" He cheered, and started eating the food. Literally inhalingit.

I sighed in disappointment when the bell rang for lunch to end.

He stood up, sadly smiling towards me, "... You wanna duel during dueling period?"

I smirked, "Oh, you're on."

"Great! Lets meet where we first dueled!" He said, also smirking.

He grabbed my empty tray, "Here, I'll get that for you. See ya during Dueling Period!"

I nodded as he walked away.

Silence.

I turned to see a sad look in his eyes as he walked away.

I sighed.

He has been giving that sad look ever since he rescued me for the second time. He's been acting like that, and he's been looking hurt.

This gets me... Angry.

Why does he look so sad?

I could see it when he smiles at me too.

Silence.

I want answers.

X-X-X-X
Later

During dueling period, I beat him, once again. Hell, I was even going easy on him. He was a beginner after all.

I sighed, "Idiot. I was even going easy on you."

"Rematch! Rematch!" He yelled, "I'll beat you!"

I shook my head, "It's time to head back to class. I'm done for today."

"What!? Come on, Shark! Don't do this to me!" He yelled, still pumped up.

I smiled, "... Alright. After school. Same place."

"Alright! Don't go easy on me, Shark!" He yelled, smiling brightly.

I nodded, "Alright. See ya after school. I'll ride ya."

"What...?" He asked, confused.

I left.

Maybe we'll hang out again, some other time.

X-X-X-X
Later

I drove him home, and I stopped a block before his house so that way his sister wouldn't see. I looked at him.

"Don't think I'm your bus. I'm doing this favor because you're my friend." I told him.

He sadly smiled, "Thank you, Shark."

I turned, and I felt something hit my cheek. I turned only to see that he kissed my cheek. I frowned, a bit confused.

He fiddled a bit, "Sorry, Shark. I thought friends do that... A kiss on the cheek..."

I sighed, and turned to face straight ahead, "... It's fine, Yuuma. It just... Felt weird. That's all. I've never questioned my sexual orientation before, so I'm just as confused as you are..."

"Oh... Alright." I said, giving a small smile.

Silence.

His eyes held a positive emotion. However, I could still see the sadness in his eyes.

I'll get the answer tomorrow.

I waved before driving off, heading back to where I live.

X-X-X-X
Normal PoV

Yuuma was now hopeful.

He softly smiled as the older male drove off.

'He let me kiss him on the cheek...' He thought, a bit more happy then usual.

Silence.

Astral appeared from the key, and looked at his partner, "You look a bit more happy then usual..."

"Shark... Never questioned his sexual orientation before, so there still a chance he might like me back..." Yuuma replied as he started walking.

Astral crossed his arms, "... Are you gonna tell him?"

"Well... We have to wait for the right time, Astral... Still... I can't have him around..." Yuuma replied, giving a sad look.

Astral frowned, "... Tell me, what would happen if you never tell him?"

Yuuma stopped, and looked down, away from Astral.

Silence.

"... Then it'll be too late." He whispered, "... I gotta push him away. However, I never walked away from him... I know the reason why my feelings are like this. I can't control emotions. The heart does..."

Astral remained silent.

Yuuma continued, "I gotta move now. It was fun today... While it lasted... I'll tell him when the time is right..."

He walked home, Astral silently following.

X-X-X-X
Meanwhile

Meanwhile a dark spirit was lurking in Heartland. He smirked when he saw Shark ride off.

"

So, Yuuma Tsukumo is with that mysterious boy huh? What's his name?" Said the Spirit.

He listened a bit more, and his smirk grew when he sees it.

"Ahh, Shark. That's his name..." He chuckled darkly, "Lets just see how good of a duelist he really is... I'll get my revenge soon... Yuuma Tsukumo..."

His wicked smirk grew, "And Shark would be the perfect key get just that..."

He laughed evilly as he faded off to get his plan started.

His dark goo searching for a victim to possess. He laughed as he possessed a random stranger.

"Soon, I'll get my revenge..."

The Stranger smirked.

"Soon... Yuuma Tsukumo!"

X-X-X-X
To be Continued...