OMG! 100 hundred reviews! You guys rock! :D Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh GX or Jess; she still belongs to ladydream-chan.

Claimer: YAY! This ENTIRE STORY IS MINE!!!! And the one or two or three OCs that show up that aren't Jess are also mine. :)

xXx

Jaden's POV

Atem lead me into the kitchen, closing the door behind us. He gestured for me to sit at the small table as he sat down himself. I sat down where he pointed. We just sat there for a few moments, him just staring at me. I felt a little uncomfortable, but I remained still and kept my gaze on Atem. He took a deep breath and leaned back.

"You and your members are very close, correct?" he asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, we've grown up together. The Bloods brought us together, made us family, and now it could kill us all." He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table.

"You didn't think that being in a gang would be safe, did you?" I shook my head.

"I never thought that. In fact, when I was brought into the Bloods, it was because I saved Mark's life." He raised his eyebrow.

"How so?"

"He was fighting a small gang all by himself. There was about ten or fifteen of them and they were about to kill him when I showed up. I was just passing by on my way to Jess when I heard the noise. I just acted on instinct, rushing in and taking down everyone. I had no idea Mark was the infamous Blood leader. Before I knew it, the gang was gone and Mark was offering me a place in the Bloods as L2. At first, I didn't want to. I couldn't imagine myself as a gang, but when he offered safety for Jess, I couldn't refuse. At that time, she was the most important thing in my life."

"Are you saying that she isn't anymore?" I blinked once and looked up at him in shock. I hadn't realized that I was looking down at my hands.

"What? Of course not! Jess still means the world to me. It's just that…there are people in my life now who are also my life." My face fell slightly, realizing exactly what I was saying. He smiled and folded his arms across the tabletop.

"Is that why you are asking for our help? Because you need to protect everyone else in your life now?" He sounded like he already knew the answer, and being who he is, it wouldn't surprise me if he did.

"Yes." Part of me felt like I was being a weak idiot, but the other part, the stronger part, knew I was making the right decision asking for help when we needed it.

"But you're also asking for help because you're not the only one who has a lot to lose," he stated. My thoughts flipped to Jesse, who not only has Julie but Maria. Then to Emmy, who already lost her world.

"Yes."

"And because you're the leader, you feel that it's your responsibility to make sure everyone is safe, that if anyone should be in danger it should be you." I blinked and nodded.

"Yes."

"And you feel that you can't handle it, that you weren't made to deal with this all. That if you can't think of a proper plan, people who don't deserve to die will."

"Yes. How do you know all this?" Atem, who was smiling, gave me a solemn expression.

"Leader to leader, Jaden, that's how I feel every day." I blinked in shock.

"Really?" He nodded.

"Yes, but because we're the Pyramids, I don't have the luxury of going to ask for help." I frowned.

"Part of me is feeling that by asking for help I'm admitting that I'm too weak to protect those I love," I admitted, glancing down at my hands.

"But that is where you are wrong, Jaden. By admitting that you need help in order to protect those you love shows that you are strong enough to protect them." I looked up at him.

"I'm confused." He smiled softly at me.

"Those who hide their feelings, who try to handle the stress they feel by themselves, are probably the weakest people in the world. But people who can express their feelings and ask for help when they need it are the strongest." He took a deep breath. "You want our help, correct?" I shook my head.

"No, I don't want your help." Atem raised his eyebrow. "I need your help." He chuckled and looked at me.

"And you have it."

xXx

Yeah, very short, I know. But it was a -coughs- filler.

:D Anyway, review and I'll update!

Actually...I'll update tomorrow because this is so short but only if you guys review! I mean it! Review!!! I can see you, you reader who doesn't review. Shame on you! SHAME!

-x-Anime-Queen-2011-x-

-o-Mel-o-