Here you go. Remember: AU, possible OOCness, actions of prejudice, mentions of character death

This chapter was a pain to write, so I hope you enjoy!

(Chapter 3)

No More Hope

Pink eyes stared at the wall, causing Haruto to worry. Ever since Kotori died Yuuma had been distant. He would still go out and scout out people and supplies but he hardly spoke.

No one dared to get too close as he walked around with those despairing eyes and metaphorical cloud of grief hanging around him. Many Resistance members had backed off and even stopped the Traitor comments.

Sitting next to the teen Haruto wrapped his arms around the grieving male. He so badly wanted to see Yuuma smile again. He wanted his second big brother to stop staring out into space and just do something. Anything but be a walking husk with nothing within.

An arm wrapped around him in return. The feeling of wetness falling onto him caused Haruto to look up. Yuuma had his eyes closed and head down, tears falling freely.

Smiling sadly the light blue haired boy merely curled up closer, hoping to give some sort of comfort to the teen.

They stayed like that for a bit before Yuuma spoke.

"She was my first friend. We met in the park. I was tossing stones into the pond in frustration seeing someone had the wise idea to steal some of the sweets I was selling."

Haruto merely adjusted himself into a better position and listened.

"She came up and started tossing stones with me. It turned into a small competition. We don't really know who won. But by the end of it we were laughing and plotting how to get back at the thief."

A small smile twitched on the teen's lips, much to the boy's delight.

"We ended up walking home together and planned to meet up at the park the next day."

And on and on it went. The play dates and fights. Yuuma's parents disappearing and how Kotori and Tetsuo helped him get through that. The creation of the Number Club. Said Club all signing up to to go Duel Lodge with Yuuma. The lessons at the old dueling school. The outings with everyone. The attempts to get Akari's old ex, Charlie, to leave his sister alone. Getting information from the school library for Akari's reports. Getting dragged along shopping with Cathy and Kotori. The nights playing video games with Takashi, Tetsuo, and Tokunnosuke. Cooking with Gran-gran and delivering food to Master Rokujuro.

Haruto listened and gave a look when his Father and brother came into the tent. Daring them to interrupt. The two didn't, instead they found a seat and listened. To how Tetsuo would make Kattobingu challenges and how often Yuuma would fail at them. To how Kotori helped him with math while he got her lost with all the facts he would dump on her about whatever historical event they were learning in class. To how Takashi got wrapped up in the corrupt system of a disciplining committee before getting some sense talked into him. To the many exploits of Tokunnosuke as he pranked half the school. To Cathy's dressing up Yuuma in practically any outfit she could think of.

By the end of it Yuuma was out of tears and falling asleep onto Haruto who was also falling asleep.

Kaito smiled as he helped the two settle into the bed and pulled the covers over them. It was good to see Yuuma get out of that despairing haze he been in the last few days.

XYZaF

Shun didn't know what to think about Tsukumo. While a Fusion user, the teen was usually honest and open about practically everything. He got along well with the children and was always making the day better for the refugees at Camp. Yuto was a little scared of him though the purple and black haired teen would never admit it. Which was a bit strange to the Raidraptor user.

After all, the only thing he could see of being threatening when dealing with Tsukumo was the fact he used Fusion. But other than that there was nothing he could think of. Except possibily how easily the teen could read others. One look at Shun and Tsukumo found his overprotective side and anger towards the Academia. He looked at Ruri and had began warning her to not trust anyone lightly. While Yuto more or less ran from the teen after he got his password.

The yellow-green eyed teen really wanted to know just what was up with his friend when it came to Tsukumo. There wasn't anything Yuto had to hide right? Besides Tsukumo wouldn't use anything against them, no matter what some of their fellow Resistance members would say. Tsukumo was just a nice, happy person who worked hard to help others.

Then Mizuki died. Everything changed after Mizuki died. While still helping, Tsukumo was a wandering husk with no one home. He also started going out by himself. Which was not only against policies he made, but highly dangerous especially in his state.

Then one day Tsukumo walked into the Mess Hall with a smile on his lips and more energy in his step. You could almost feel the relief in the air. The number of people worried about the teen was too high to count, and seeing him on the mend was something which lightened many hearts.

The teen then began going out with a different Scout every time he left the Camp. Everyone was happy that they had Tsukumo back, even the Resistance members who still swore that he was a traitor. An upset Tsukumo was not a good thing.

Then he started disappearing for long periods of time. No one knew where he had been, just whenever he came back he was focused on something which wasn't there. It was also the one thing Tsukumo was being secretive about. Anything else and he would babble on like there was nothing better to do.

Shun was not all that worried about it, however. He could trust Tsukumo. How he knew that, he couldn't really say, but he could leave his life in Tsukumo's hands and he actually would most likely come out the better for it.

When Ruri went missing Tsukumo only looked resigned. As if he saw this coming. Shun was so angry at the response that he wasn't really thinking when he grabbed the teen.

Which wasn't the wisest idea seeing he was Kaito's friend and said duelist was in the same location as them. And never mind the fact that while Tsukumo was small, he was strong. Shun was just grateful that he didn't meet the Wall. That punch and kick were hard.

He was quite surprised when Tsukumo then handed a device to both him and Yuto. Wishing them the best of luck on finding Ruri and should they need any help working the device to look under 'Settings'.

Tsukumo gave them a homemade dimensional travel device which was designed to go into their duel disks. Which was actually very confusing to operate, even with looking under 'Settings'.

XYZaF

Things were better. While everyone he knew before the Invasion were dead, things were looking up now. That Yuuma as sure of. He got the Dimensional Traveling Device up and working and now Shun and Yuto are off to find Kurosaki Ruri where ever she may be. He got some possibilities figured out on how to undo the Carding Process the Invaders love using. And he got the Dueling System up at the Lodge updated along with the wards. Soon it would be ready to move in again. Just a few adjustments to security and it was good to go!

Humming happily he made some adjustments to his gazer as he sat near the tent he shared with the Tenjos. It was a nice cloudy day and with only light breeze. Yuuma was fully planning of enjoying it.

But the world had other plans.

Three Red Scarves stalked over to the happily distracted teen, who heard them but didn't register it.

One of the Resistance members crossed their arms across their chest.

"A gazer?"

Yuuma merely nodded as he scrunched his face. His fingers working like hurricane to fix something in the coding.

The Red Scarf in the middle scowled before slapping the device out of Yuuma's hands.

"What?! Is Our Presence Not Good Enough For You?! Making Such a Face When Jun Merely Spoke To You?!"

Bewildered Yuuma looked down at the gazer which was now on the ground before looking up and blinking up at the Resistance member.

"I'm sorry? I wasn't making faces at you. Just some of the coding in my Gazer..."

The on the left huffed.

"Yeah right. Bet you can't even read coding!"

Pink eyes looked over at him before closing for a moment as Yuuma dropped his shoulders. Bending over he reached out for his gazer.

Only for it to be kicked away by the teen on the left.

Standing Yuuma squared his shoulders.

"Please stop with this foolishness. While I use Fusion I am still a native of Heartland."

He walked around the teen only to be pushed down. Wincing he was thankful he didn't land on his gazer. Glass in him didn't sound like fun. Quickly he snatched the duel gear and put it into his pocket as he pushed himself off the ground.

Only to be shoved back down.

"Native of Heartland. Pah!"

A bit of spit hit the ground near him.

"You were probably the reason why the Academia came! You're their little spy!"

Yuuma rolled his eyes as he quickly pushed himself onto his feet.

Turning on his heel he faced the three teens. Crossing his arms across his chest he raised an eyebrow.

"If I am their spy then why build this Camp and protect it?"

Jun scowled.

"Just an act to get back on everyone's good side. I willing to bet those little trips you are so secretive about are you going and telling everything to the Academia!"

Yuuma rolled his eyes.

"My side trips to my old house? To pack somethings which survived and move them someplace safe? And to work on making said place even more safe so we may move there? Is it so wrong to want some privacy as I grieve my loss?"

The middle one spat in his face. Causing Yuuma to reach up and wipe it off.

"Rude. Bias prejudice jerks are not people who I want to deal with. So if you will pardon me."

The teen turned and quickly moved out of the way of the attempted punch. Rolling his eyes he put his hands into his pockets and began the dance. A punch dodged and a twirl around the one who was on the left. Trip Jun who landed onto Lefty before both of them fell onto the ground. Grab Righty's punch. Twist wrist and guide to ground. Stomp onto junction between hip and thigh at a sixth of his strength. Don't want to break anything after all.

Move forward and fall into a flip. Kicking the hands out to punch and push is a nice side effect. Turn around on hands before landing on feet and relax the body. Watch as two other Red Scarves joined the fight. Dodge three punches at three different intervals. Trip the idiot who ran up with such a poor stance. Block a punch. Take control of the arm and force the teen to take the punch his comrade was trying to give.

Spin out of the way of a tackle, which was a dumb move seeing he was still holding onto their comrade. But seeing that they ended up tackling the teen who was in his grip a moment ago, Yuuma wasn't going to question it too much.

Spin, kick the one coming from the side. Grab the incoming punch. Move the person to the ground. Drop down and hover over them as two Red Scarves tossed rocks. Push up and go into a handstand before bending back to stand up straight and block one punch while dodging another.

Scowling Yuuma gave a look to the panting Resistance members.

"If you can't keep up, I might put you out of your misery."

Suspicious looks were given at those words.

"What turn us into cards?!" Jun spat.

Pink eyes narrowed.

"Oh of course. Use the same thing which killed my love ones. Nope!" He moved into a fighting position.

"I am just going to show you how to properly fight."

XYZaF

There was an influx of people in the infirmary after the fight in near the Tenjo tent. Many were declaring that Tsukumo Yuuma was a monster in hiding. However seeing of them were hysterical most people brushed it off. They also blamed them for provoking Yuuma into fighting. If they couldn't fight back then they shouldn't started it.

But that didn't mean everyone agreed with that statement. Many Red Scarves only saw proof that Tsukumo was an Academia Spy seeing he didn't think twice on breaking bones or turning their comrades black and blue. They didn't want him there. There must be a way to get him to leave.

It was after watching Tsukumo talking to Taichi that one of them got an idea. Looking at his comrades he gave a grin before standing and moving over to the now alone teen.

Yuuma was watching as Taichi ran off to find Haruto and talk about the new cards he found, when he was grabbed from behind. Turning to look at the person who clutched his shoulder in such a tight grip the teen merely raised an eyebrow at the Resistance member who had a sinister smile on his face.

"You are such a joy aren't ya? Such a pity no one laughs with you."

Yuuma rolled his eyes. He heard worse.

The Resistance member scowled at the response, before giving a nasty grin.

"You have no one."

The Kattobingu Duelist merely looked forward.

"Not a single person. You may think Tenjo likes you. Or that his family has accepted you. But I can tell you right now."

He forced Yuuma to turn and look at him. Which only got him a pink colored glare.

"They don't. You are a worthless duelist. You can't even XYZ properly. That's why you rely on Fusion."

Yuuma snorted as he rolled his eyes.

"I can XYZs just fine thank you."

The Red Scarf scowled.

"Oh? Then you have a love of disregarding the price your loved ones paid."

A black brow rose.

"They died due to Fusion. And here you are using it without any thought."

Pink eyes closed as Yuuma took a deep breath. Grinning the Resistance member plowed on.

"Was it a fusion monster which killed Kotori?"

A twitch. He was so close! Soon he would break this worthless traitor!

"Such a sweet girl who didn't do anything. Except be by your side. Why didn't you save her? You had Fusion and XYZs. Why didn't you save her?"

A punch was the next thing he knew before the world went dark.

XYZaF

Dr. Faker didn't know what was wrong, but his adopted son has been tense the last few days. Yuuma was decent at hiding it whenever he was around Haruto, but he would always slip whenever someone mentioned a Red Scarf or Kotori.

Worried he got the teen alone to talk, which didn't get anywhere. When Yuuma wants to be quiet about something he was good at it. There was a reason Haruto didn't know about the trips Yuuma been making to get the Duel Lodge ready for a sudden influx of people moving into it. It was to be a surprise for the boy and Dr. Faker couldn't lie and say he wasn't worried whenever Yuuma went out by himself for the little project. At least Kaito could go with the teen, but Yuuma has been trying to have it as a surprise for Kaito as well.

So he backed off though he kept an eye on the boy. He was in his care after all. Besides Dr. Faker remembered the Tsukumos. Hardheaded didn't begin to describe them. He remembered Tsukumo Haru as she took Heartland's population's love for Duel Monsters up to the next level. Even in her old age she could bring down the best.

Her son and daughter-in-law did everything to make the museum rich in historical artifacts, before the two of them disappeared. Her granddaughter was the top reporter of Heartland, and was more than willing to crack eggs to get her way.

Then there was Yuuma. Stubborn and caring Yuuma. Who stood up and brought hope when people were losing it. Who picked himself up after the death of his best friend.

Who was now looking as though that cloud of despair from that event never left.

The boy was having trouble sleeping due to an increase in horrible nightmares. He barely ate, and was working himself ragged.

No matter what was said or done, Dr. Faker couldn't figure out just was wrong with his child.

And he never knew just what made Yuuma run. Just what made him run out of the Camp, right passed him with tears in his eyes.

He tried to catch him. Bring him home and sit him down to talk, but he never was able to find him before the world went bright with that beam of light everyone feared.

XYZaF

Kaito desperately searched the crowd of survivors. Just where was Father, Haruto, and Yuuma? The attack the Academia preformed caused a large dent within their forces, and many were lost.

So just where was his family?!

Turning to some of his comrades who stayed in Camp, he opened his mouth to ask the whereabouts of his relatives when he noted the gleeful looks on their faces.

Closing his mouth, gray eyes narrowed.

"Just what are you happy about?"

One of the members snickered.

"Oh. Just the fact we got rid of the Traitor."

Dread filled Kaito at those words. Yuuma.

Grabbing the teen by his collar he pulled him closer.

"Just what did you do to him?!"

Wide brown eyes stared up at him. Unbelieving at the tone being directed at him.

"What? He was a Fusion user! Thus a traitor! Besides he ran off after we reminded him that he was the reason for Mizuki's death!"

The teen hit the ground as Kaito threw him away in disgust.

"After all the Scouts have done for you, you tear into Yuuma merely because he uses Fusion?"

Gray eyes glared down at the teen.

"There are many in the Camp who uses Fusion. And yet you only target Yuuma. Who is more than willing to give his life for your worthless one."

The brown haired Resistance member who was still standing shuffled her feet guiltily as she looked at the ground.

Turning Kaito stalked off, worry bubbling in his chest greater than before. He thought they were getting over their issues with Fusion users. Seeing they would talk happily with the other Scouts without a harsh word to be found. And then they turn around and do this.

Running he searched the Camp and surrounding area.

The only things he found was the carded forms of his Father and Haruto. Nearby with blood staining the ground around it and its golden band, a ring with a emerald embedded on it. Yuuma's ring. His late grandmother's old engagement ring. One of the few possessions he had left. He never took it off.

Holding the items to his chest Kaito let himself mourn. He lost his family. Anger grew in his chest as he looked up at the wasteland before him.

Duel Academia killed his family. And the Resistance sent Hope to its death. He would not forgive either of them.

It was very hard to get Yuuma ran off. The Camp members clung to him and said "Nope!" The Tenjos did the same thing. Thus I only had the prejudiced Resistance members to go with. Then my attempts at keeping Yuuma in character. Stubborn hard head does not begin to explain him.

Anyway! Up Next! Yuuma's trip to Fusion, Allen and Sayaka's attempts in finding a new place to set up the Camp, Kaito's vengeance run begins, and Kazuma and Mira find out just what has been happening in Heartland.

So Forward!