Hero

Author's Note: Wrote this sixteen years ago and never finished it. Enjoy the story and R&R.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX series.

Pairing: Judai/Sho/Kenzan triangle.

Summary:

Edo Phoenix grew up believing his brand of justice could avenge the tragic loss of his father. Will Yuki Judai's relationship with Marufuji Sho show him what makes a true hero shine?


Chapter 2

Yuki Judai stood on the porch of the Osiris Red dormitory, his arms propped up against the flimsy wooden railing. The night air was cool against his skin, and a dolce breeze travelled through his messy brown hair, which he had left uncombed after his bath.

With a laboured sigh, the boy took a bite out of his leftover eggwich from earlier. The posts of the railing creaked as he moved to rest his chin on one hand.

"Aniki, I'm goin' out, da don." Kenzan stepped out behind him, dinosaur bones around his neck as always.

Judai waved off Kenzan's remark, but watched as the Ra Yellow with dreadlocks threw his bag over a shoulder and bolted down the dirt road. He felt slightly awkward when a voice came from within him.

Aniki is mine! Sho yelled after Kenzan, the mental image of his former roommate hugging him possessively. Aniki, you like me more, right?

"Sho…" Judai began, still unaware he was talking to himself. "Of course I like you more!"

"Maybe that's just what's wrong with you, Judai."

"Y-you!" Judai snapped back to reality, utterly mortified someone had been listening.

Edo gave the other boy a confused glance after removing his goggles. He dumped the rest of his skysurfing equipment on the planked floor: his gloves and boots in quick succession, followed by his parachute pack.

Judai tried to hide his embarrassment, though no noticeable blush crept over his cheeks. He muttered inaudibly, trailing off into a series of ums, ohs, and heys.

About a minute later, the Pro Duelist grew sick of Judai's quiet chatter, and his lips curled to form a sinister smile. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about your gay fantasies. I won't judge. Every guy's got something in particular."

Now, Judai was mad. His face turned fiery red, matching the colour of his blazer. For a moment, he looked as though he might sprout razor sharp teeth and claws and tear the place apart.

"You take that back!" he growled, attempting to maul the other with his less-than-impressively-clipped fingernails.

Edo caught the angered youth's fist in his own hand. "Show some dignity for once, Judai. Or do I have to haul that little punk of yours over here to calm you down?"

Judai regained his composure, dusting himself off, but was still visibly irritated. "Che. What are you doing here anyways?"

"Saiou sent me," Edo answered nonchalantly.

"Saiou?"

"I just don't understand sometimes," he paused, fiddling with his watch. "Well. shall we begin?"

Judai blinked with a dumbfounded expression. "Begin? You coming on to me?"

"JUDAI!" Edo nearly fell over just hearing those words.

"Cuz I'm already taken, you know? Sho and Kenzan, they're sorta…"

"All right, enough, enough! Even a blockhead like you should know that I came here to duel!"

"Duel? Is that all? I could've sworn you wanted me in bed, heh heh!"

Edo rubbed his temples. What did they do, drop this dimwit on his head when he was born? Did that stringy boyfriend of his send a phone through his skull when he found out he was flirting with other guys…or girls…or whatever?

"Gotcha!" The brunette gave Edo his victory pose. "Fun screwin' with your mind!"

"Fun, huh?"

Judai did not even have a chance to blink. The child prodigy pushed him aside, entering Judai's room without permission. With a cold sneer, Edo kicked the door shut, and Judai backed away to avoid getting smacked.

"I think I'll take you up on your offer after all! Only you're not going to be in bed with me!"

"Y-you can't! Let me in!" Judai pounded on the door.

Edo tuned out the troublesome student's cries. He relaxed against the conveniently provided pillow, humming a British tune. Although the riot outside eventually ceased, he realized something far more disturbing.

Ugh. This pillow reeks of Judai.

Alone beneath the light of the glow-spheres, Saiou Takuma was once again immersed in his divinatory practice. Two cards were already upright on his table.

"The Fool and The Hierophant, the cards of Yuki Judai and Edo Phoenix. And then this card…The Lovers?" He picked up the top card off the pile, fully aware what it would be.

Saiou spent much time reflecting on the illustration: Two figures locked in an adoring embrace, ardent and sensual. To the left of the couple was a golden cup, and to the right was a blade, firmly rooted in the river that surrounded them. Directly below the pair were two rings, united at the center.

He returned the card to the top of the deck, dissatisfied with the reading. Was his prediction truly being influenced by them? Had their power already surpassed his own and taken hold of his precious Wheel of Fortune?

Saiou shuffled and drew the next card, placing it between The Fool and The Hierophant before flipping it up and adding another above it.

"Nine of Swords: cruelty, suffering, anxiety. Eight of Swords: interference and jealousy."

Saiou grinned, standing up and letting his white shawl fall to the floor. In the process of doing so, the remainder of his deck was knocked over.

The seer, unable to resist his curiosity, bent down and gathered the cards. Among them, there were two that caught his attention, as they were trumps. The first depicted a grotesque creature with a set of barbed grapplers dangling from its maw levelling an ancient monument under a crescent moon.

"Strength. And this other one?"

Saiou's twisted laughter filled the room, echoing between the tall pillars that circled the chamber. Beneath the luminescent cross, they began to whirl ever so slowly, like the spokes of a great wheel.