Gah! Sorry for not updating in forever… school… back hurts… man! My back is sooooo messed up! I think it has to do with my bed being all funky and then carrying a heavy backpack… (I carried two one time for a week and consequently… I am in very much pain and it has been months since I did that. My back is permanently damaged! Suggestion: Don't EVER carry a friend's back pack! Screw your friends and run off and enjoy your own life! Who needs them anyways!…) Okay, I'm done being anti social… on with da news!

Mokuba will be making an appearance soon! (we would like to believe)

But man do I have a messed up plot thingy for him….

WHY MUST THIS FIC BE SOOO F***ING WEIRD????!!

Nothing really bad… (in my opinion ^^;;;) just odd… and… odd…

AND I WILL SOON HAVE SOME ALTRA (like alta vista kinda) SUPER SPIFFY AND FLUFFY SLUSH COMIN UP FOR KAIBA AND JOEY!!!!!! *does happy dance*

….but of course there will be the usual stuff in it…

…if you know what I mean. (maybe not)

ANYWAYS!!!

All I can think of is that I'll probably update quite a bit on this holiday break so ya…

Well, on with the fic, readers thingy at the end.

Unexpected Surprises

Author: Aera-chan

Date: 12-18-03

Series: Yugioh!

Rating: PG-13 (SERIOUSLY PUSHING IT!!)

Chapter IX: A Lost Voice… A Lost Cause

________________________________________________________________________

"Ready to go sweetie?"

"Mom…"he groaned. "Why do I have to?"

"Duke, quit being such a brat about it. Its only for a few weeks. Maybe you'll have fun."

"Mom… I'm gonna be like a million miles away from everyone! Its gonna be so boring!"

"Oh just suck it up. I have to fly across the country to take care of grandma and he is the closest relative. Now quit being such a nuisance and get your bag into the car."

"Mom…" Duke whined. "Cant I just stay with Tristan or someone?"

"No, absolutely not. I know Tristan's a good boy and all, but sometimes the urges get strong, especially with boys, and-"

"Mom! I'm not going to… you know.." he blushed. "…sleep with him or anything." he whispered.

She gave him the look.

'Guess its settled then.'

He sighed as he tossed his sports bag in the front seat. He got in and slammed the door, making extra sure that his mother knew what he thought of her idea.

His mom got in her side of the car. She sighed. "Duke, your making this harder than it is."

"No I'm not, you are." he said crossing his arms angrily.

She just sighed tiredly again as she started up the small white car.

"Can I at least say goodbye to Tristan then?" He asked, his voice pouty and a bit snotty.

"Fine." she said as she pulled the car out of the driveway and into the road.

Duke laid his head in the window ledge letting the wind take his hair back from his face.

He sighed. This was going to be the worst summer he ever had.

No Tristan. No friends. Just his uncle and a bunch of cows in the middle of nowhere.

Duke sighed, his head slumping to the hard block cement picnic table.

'I hate him…' he thought angrily. '..but…I shouldn't have let it happen… maybe its my fault in the end…'

"Hello?"

No sound came from his mouth. His throat seemed to close up upon hearing his boyfriend's sweet and gentle voice.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

He tried to form words, but his throat was dry, his tongue thick with tears. The phone shook in his trembling hands.

"Hello?!"

He couldn't make the words come. He couldn't get him. He gripped the phone.

"Hello? Is someone there? Are you okay? Do you need help?!"

His sobs screamed into the phone. He needed Tristan. He needed someone's help.

"Are you okay?! What happened?! Where are you?! Who is this?!" the other boy demanded highly alarmed.

After a long silence, Duke found the courage to speak. Just a word.

"…Tristan…"

But that was all he needed to say.

"Duke?! Where are you?! What happened?! Oh my god! Who hurt you!?"

His voice was gone.

"I'm coming to get you! I'll be there soon!" 

Then the phone was dead. Silence.

He fell to the floor shaking. He clutched the phone to his chest, sobbing hysterically.

Tristan was coming to get him. He couldn't get hurt again. Not with Tristan around.

He laid his head down on the cold hard wood of the floor. He rolled onto his stomach and lightly tapped his forehead against it.

Coldness.

He thought last night.

'Why didn't I…'

He pounded his head down.

'…why..?'

He brought his head down again.

'..why?!'

And again.

Harder.

Faster.

Crashing.

His eyes closed. His head spun. White laced with black. Circular shapes spun and danced around his view seducing him with their mad dancing.

'…I'm falling down…'

He gripped his head.

He couldn't think anymore.

Then it was black.

Duke brought his head down to find the coolness. The relief.

Down again.

Faster.

Down again.

Harder.

Down again.

Stop.

"Duke? What are you doing?"

Duke looked up. Tristan's hand stopped his head from meeting the cold stone again.

He looked at him blankly, his mouth dead.

"Duke?"

Down again.

Stop.

He let his head fall away from his hand. It hit fast. His skull bouncing. His brain dancing in its cage.

Stop.

Stay.

Fade.

Duke closed his eyes. Black beckoned him like an old friend.

"Duke?! What the hell is up? What's wrong?"

Let it fade.

Duke closed his eyes. Willing out the voices.

Stop.

Duke just laid there.

"Duke? What the hell is going on?! Why wont you say something? Duke?!"

Tristan was getting really worried. He didn't move, save his back that moved slightly with his breath.

He gently ran a hand down his back.

Up and down gently.

He felt the boy flinch slightly. But he relaxed soon enough.

"Duke?"

Nothing worked. He was so silent.

Tristan sighed. Maybe he forgot something. Maybe it was Duke's birthday. Maybe he forgot.

No, that wasn't for a while.

Was it an anniversary of some kind?

Did he forget?

Just as he was about to ask, he heard some familiar voices approaching.

"Hey guys!" Joey called running over. Yugi followed behind shortly.

Tristan waved slightly, his mind still on his boyfriend.

The two new comers sat down on their normal side. Duke got up suddenly, turning away and starting to walk to the building.

"Duke…?"

"I'm going to go get lunch." he said without turning.

"Um, oh, okay." Tristan said in response.

Yugi smiled cheerfully. He sensed that something was tight but he knew that his friends relied on his constant cheeriness to lighten their own spirits.

He opened his new Duel Monster lunch box and started into his meal.

"So Tristan, um…" Yugi wasn't sure what to say. Tristan and him weren't very close and he didn't know all that much about him in reality. This made him a bit sad. Friends, or at least in his definition, were supposed to be at least closer.

Tristan sensed his thoughts. He smiled.

"I'm okay Yugi, don't worry about it."

Yugi smiled kindly. "If there's anything you ever want to talk about.. Just let me know."

Tristan smiled again. Yugi was such a loving person. Such a great friend.

He felt someone walk past and stop by them. He turned.

"Hi guys." Ryou said.

"Hi Ryou! Sit down." Yugi said patting the seat next to him.

Ryou sat down besides him and grabbed his lunch from his bag.

It was Bakura's turn to pack lunches. He opened his Tupperware container.

"WHAT!?" He stared down at the orange squiggly worm thingies.

Bakura WAS obsessed!

"What's wrong Ryou?" Yugi asked.

"Bakura packed me cold left over mac and cheese… I am beginning to worry about him.."

Everyone started laughing. Tristan smirked good-naturedly. He wasn't particularly in the mood to laugh at the moment.

"Hey guys!" Tea said bouncing up to the group. She sat down next to Tristan. "So what's up guys?" She asked.

"Oh nothing really, just hanging out.." Yugi said. Everyone else seemed quiet today.

"Bakura packed me mac and cheese again." Ryou groaned.

Tea giggled. "That Bakura."

Duke returned shortly with a salad.

"Here Tristan. Eat." he said putting the plate in front of his boyfriend.

"..nah that's okay." Tristan said pushing it back towards him.

"No." Duke said firmly.

"..what?"

"No, its not okay, now eat." He pushed it back in front of him and sat down at his side. He stabbed a fork into the green contents.

Tristan took the fork quickly, especially after seeing how forcefully Duke stabbed it into the green matter, showing he meant business today.

Duke ate quietly. Tristan followed his lead, he chewed the food slowly.

He swallowed.

His stomach squirmed and made sounds.

"See. You are hungry. Eat." Duke said into his ear, only loud enough for him to hear.

His secret was safe in his care. He wanted Tristan to know that.

They both sat there in silence as their friends continued to chat about the first three periods of the day.

"Don't be so distant, come here." Tristan whispered as he snaked his arm around Duke's waist drawing him in near.

Duke didn't pull away.

He wasn't mad.

Tristan pulled him into his arms. He kissed his cheek softly.

"I.."

Here was not the place.

Duke laid his head on Tristan's shoulder.

"Of course." he whispered.

Lunch was nearly over. Kaiba still hadn't arrived.

'I wonder where he is?' Joey thought to himself looking around.

"Hey guys, I'm gonna go inside 'kay." Joey said getting up.

He disposed of his trash and went inside. He wandered through the halls in search of his new boyfriend.

'O where art thou Kaiba?'

He searched around in the halls and looked in the classrooms.

"How many places can you hide a Kaiba anyways? Jeeze."

Sighing, he finally gave up. It was only five minutes before the end of lunch anyways. A lost cause.

As he walked along, he passed by one of the rundown back bathrooms and his bladder decided on making its self known.

'Pee break pee break! Must have a peeeeeeeeeeeeee break!'

He danced from foot to foot. He really did have to go.

He opened the door slowly and quietly.

He really didn't like this bathroom because creepy boys were rumored to 'hang' around there. Not really bullies. The others. The victims maybe.

Of the mentioned. And of life.

Boys that did the whole 'cutting' thing. Took pills. There was room for the few bulimic guys too.

Basically a bathroom for the misfits.

He could just imagine walking in on a kid spilling his blood in front of his very own eyes. Or his guts.

Not something he particularly wanted to see. Not that he wouldn't try to stop him, he just didn't want to have to deal with it.

He peeked in slowly. He glanced around nervously.

His heart jumped up into his throat as his eyes fell upon two dark blue broad shoulders.

He wondered why Kaiba would use this bathroom. Maybe he needed a pee break too.

Kaiba was facing the wall opposite of him at a sink. He stood there for awhile. There was no mirrors left in the room, he could probably guess why, so consequently he didn't see Joey enter.

He waited for the brown haired boy to turn around and notice him, but he didn't seem like he was going to.

Was he washing his hands?

No.

He was just standing there.

No, he was doing something.

Kaiba's shoulders slumped slightly, his head bowing. He breathed in deeply.

What was he doing?

Just then Kaiba's trembling hand reached down and grasped the cloth resting on the side of the cheap white porcelain sink.

He turned on the water and drew the cloth to his arm.

'Its… not like that… I'm seeing things… Kaiba wouldn't… Kaiba's not one of them…'

He wanted turn around and to shut the door, pretending he had never seen anything.

'What am I thinking… Kaiba's not doing anything. He's not like that. Why am I being so paranoid?'

He felt the need to call out to the other boy, but he sensed someone coming up behind him.

More like he heard them.

"Are you going in or what?"

He turned around quickly letting the door close behind him silently. He leaned against the wall and his eyes met the blankest black depths he had ever seen.

Fighting back the urge to scream, he stood still and allowed the other boy to talk to him.

He knew the kid.

A cutter.

"Um…"

"Coming to join our clan of death seekers?" He laughed at Joey's shocked look.

Joey was silent for a few moments. What do you say to one of these kind of kids anyways?

"You don't have to be so shy… why don't you just get over it and flirt with me?" he said teasing.

He laughed once again as Joey blushed brightly.

He leaned his back against the wall also, about 4 feet away from the blonde.

"What's wrong? I've been in your classes before, where's your voice all of a sudden? Nervous? Scared of me? What is it?"

Joey didn't know what to say exactly.

"If you want to know… just ask."

Joey looked at him. Okay.

"Does it… hurt?"

The other boy smiled gently. Joey was really acting shy.

"Does what hurt?"

"Um.. You know… the whole thing you…" he looked away.

"I guess… its not so bad…" the other boy said musing slightly.

"Why do you… do that?"

"Sense of control. Feels like I have some control over my life again. Almost like I can control one element of my life. Pain. Or death I guess…" He looked at Joey again. "Why the sudden interest?"

"Is that the reason everyone does it?"

"No. Everyone has his or her different reasons. Everyone does it…"

"I don't."

"Not just cut… other things… everyone does something to hurt themselves. Maybe you don't notice it… but everything you do, you have a choice to make it positive or negative towards yourself. Even the comments you make about your appearance in you own head are examples."

"What do you mean?"

"Like saying…'You're so ugly I should just kill you…' something like that… I've done it. I've heard countless girls AND boys say it out loud. Everyone does it… some just choose to do it to their bodies in this way instead.."

Joey nodded. He may not have understood it exactly, but he did get it.

"What does it feel like?"

The other boy shrugged. "I'm not really sure… it just does."

Joey nodded again. This kid sure was weird… but understandable in a way.

"Well…" Joey hesitated.

"Alright then, see you later." The other boy said turning and leaving.

Just then the bell rang.

The door swung open.

Kaiba's icy blue eyes widened.

"…Wheeler…?"

To be continued…

BUM BUM BAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! *supposed to sound dramatic*

So… what did you think? Good? Bad? Terrible? Horrible?

…okay?

Alrighty then…so, now Duke likes beating himself… interesting..

Every time I type up his part it always gets so abstract.

Single word sentences y' know.. abstract ideas… just so weird..

Joey is weird…

Bakura is weirder… (MAC AND CHEESE OBSESSION!!)

Ryou I feel sorry for… (refer to… MAC AND CHEESE OBSESSED YAMI!)

Yugi is too damn smart and perceptive…

Kaiba is who knows what.

Mokuba is a ___________ (YOU'LL SEE!! BWHAHAHAHA!)

Tristan is confused and lost…

Duke isn't helping…

Yami is… not in the story yet…

Marik and Malik… not there… yet still possible

Mai… who the hell knows… (Mai is cool thou!)

Tea… is Tea.

Serenity… who knows…

Anyways! Yep, that's the scoop.

On with the reviewers thingy!

Mai Valentine: hehehe, I'm glad you liked it. ^^ Writing that part was lots of fun! Actually I didn't really intend to put it in there… but then if just popped out of nowhere! Oh well! We all had fun I guess..

MAC AND CHEESE!

FREAK014: Seriously?! *huggles* THANKIES!! I'm so happy that you liked it! *sobs*

…sorry…

OH! I have no real clue how I keep him under control… maybe its cause he's a guy…

Aerik: I AM A GUY!! DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THOSE JOKES!!!!!

Aera: *refrains from thinking about the jokes*

Anyways, I think its cause he's a guy… I have some strange power over boys…

Not cause I look remotely good or anything at all (I REFUSE TO LIE ABOUT THAT!! EVEN THOUGH ITS NOT LIKE ANY OF YOU WILL EVER PROBABLY EVEN SEE ME ANYWAYS… BUT STILL!!)

I think I have that demanding tone like a mother… they just do what I say.

Ex.

Put this back. *gives random science labs supplies*

Boy: *does obediently, no questions asked*

Me: ^^ *goes off to boss around other boys*

Ex. 2

Me: Hold this. *gives coat*

Tom (my friend): *takes it* *stands quietly*

Ex. 3

Brendan (one of my other friends): *making mean comments*

Me: Knock it off! *smacks shoulder*

Brendan: *obeys obediently*

-Ending note: I RULE!

Anyhoo! I hope you can get it all straightened out with your yami!

Ranma Higurashi: RANMA! (sorry, couldn't resist.. LOVE THAT MANGA/ANIME!!)

I'm glad you liked it!

Shi-no-Nezumi: I saw them (the boys) doing it again today… *sighs happily* GOODIES!

Yes, I did not even foresee that either… it just got this way some how… really depressing too… OH WELL!! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope the future chapters will be just as enjoyable… WHICH I WILL WRITE ONCE I GET SOME ALONE TIME!!! HINT HINT FAMILY!

Big Rikku fan: Wow, thank you soooo very much! *sniffles* You think its cool… *sobs*

Sorry, refer to my self esteem level… SHUDDUP!! .sorry! Voices!

Yamis Fan: Hahahaha! KILL MEEEEEE!!!!!! …actually your lucky, I don't hug random peoples, I'm probably the one killing off all the random people huggers… I don't like hugs actually… too creepy for me..

Liza (my old friend who is "too popular" for me now): LYNNSEY! *hugs/glomps* (WHICH I REPEAT IS TOTALLY FAKE HUGGING!! THEY DIDN'T LIKE ME LIKE THEY PRETENDED TO!! I KNOW IT DAMMIT!!)

Me: *shudders* *locks up* *thinking* …don't… touch… me!!!!!!!

Misura: My, you are pretty observant, but I will tell you this… actually Kensuke isn't from Digimon (or the one I was referring too anyways ^^;;) I was actually thinking of Kensuke from NGEvangelion. He's kinda geeky (but nice) and so is Shima in the story.. Although he probably will rarely come into the fic though

Kari is from digimon thou… I COULD NOT THINK OF ANY OTHER GIRL'S NAME AT THE MOMENT!! TALK ABOUT TOTAL BRAIN LOCK DOWN!!

So, ya… oh well! Just think of that geeky little dude every time you hear his name in this fic! May help!

Shima isn't really as bad as Joey makes it. He's just sore, Shima is actually a really nice guy, that's why Kari is having a hard time understanding Joey's views on it. But, more on that later!

I couldn't help but add the part with Kaiba and his jokes… he just needed something weird to say.

OH! Thank you for reviewing as often as you do!

Smarty1: Thank you for reviewing so often! That is so kind of you! Thankies!

PawPrints: Of course! Coming right up!

Thank you again to everyone who reads this fic! Thank you also to those who review so many times! And to those who review in general!

Your thoughts mean so much to me and I'm not kidding! Thank you so very much! *huggles*

…I'm weird…

ANYWAYS!! I will update soon (hopefully)

Later!

(lets hope I didn't forget something ^^;;)

-Aera