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: Established Judai x Sho.
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 8
It was the eighth day in a row. Awake and restless. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners flying by, and his attendance record in the gutter.
To him, it made no difference.
His head ached.
"He'll be back." He was convinced any minute now, Sho would come rushing into the room, plop down next to him, and tell him how sorry he was for running away. "He has to. He just has to!"
Sho, I don't know what to do. You're out there somewhere, alone and probably freezing when you did nothing wrong! Come back! Please come back!
Winged Kuriboh's spirit prodded him with its claw in a vain attempt to revitalize Judai's sunny self.
"Not now, Winged Kuriboh." He shooed it away and it obeyed.
Aniki! Judai heard Sho's voice in his head. It was chilling, and caused him to shrink under the covers in grief. You betrayed my trust, and now you want me to forgive you?
Tears forming in his eyes, he replied with an overly forceful breath: "Yes! Please forgive me! Sho, I love you!"
I love you too. But what did it mean to you, Aniki?
"It meant everything, Sho." Judai dug his fingers into the sheets.
What about Kenzan-kun and Edo Phoenix?
"T-they could never replace you!"
If only I could believe that.
"Don't go! Please! I'll do whatever you ask! I'll leap off a building! I'll drink that stuff under the sink!"
Sho's image smiled understandingly, but promptly vanished from sight.
"No! Sho, don't go! SHO!"
"Aniki!"
"Don't go!"
"Aniki, snap out of it, zaurus!" Kenzan shook him.
Judai finally awoke, clutching the Ra Yellow's well-built shoulders. "W-what happened? Kenzan, what are you doing? Where's Sho?"
"Aniki, relax! We haven't found him yet, remember? You were just having a nightmare, da don!"
"A nightmare?" He loosened his grip on Kenzan. "Yes. Just a nightmare."
"Get out of bed pronto, da don! They're waiting for you, zaurus!" The taller helped him to his feet.
"They?"
"Manjome and Asuka-senpai! They're challenging you to a Duel, zaurus!"
…
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Asuka asked.
"I was born ready."
"No you weren't," White Thunder dismissed cynically. "Everything you have now, Saiou-sama gave you."
"Watch. I'll show you."
"And Judai?"
"See for yourself."
A keen grin formed on Manjome's face as Judai's expression of pure horror came into view. He also spotted Edo Phoenix and his former coach in love, Tenjoin Fubuki, in the stands behind him.
Judai's eyes tremored. "It can't be!"
"That's right!" Manjome laughed. "Your opponent for this Duel is –"
"Me! Marufuji Sho!"
He stared at his boyfriend, dressed in the regalia of the Whites.
"I see it clearly thanks to Saiou-sama! I was weak and miserable, and it was all because I stuck by you!"
"You don't…You don't mean that! Sho! Saiou's controlling you!"
"No, this is the real me! Let's settle this! Judai!"
Judai had no choice but to accept, He was not about to leave Sho in the hands of the enemy. This was his chance to retrieve what was stolen from him, and rectify his mistake.
Their Duel Disks produced identical clicks. The battle was about to begin.
"DUEL!"
