To recap: Zane's agent is conspiring with Shroud; Syrus's conversation with his psychiatrist was overheard by Zane.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh GX

Warning: Truesdale fluffiness and tears ahead. You have been warned.

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The two brothers simply looked at each other for a moment, silver staring into steel-blue. Zane looked away first, and proceeded to sit down and look out the window. Syrus blinked in surprise. He had expected Zane to get mad, or to just leave the room. He waited, but Zane made no move to speak.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, and all the while, the silence was killing Syrus. Why won't he talk to me? Is he just too mad to speak, or is this some form of twisted punishment?

"Zane?" Silence. "Zane, please. Say something, don't just sit there." He continued looking out the window, but opened his mouth to speak.

"So. The truth finally comes out." The teal-haired teen looked at Syrus, his face emotionless, but Syrus thought he could see just the smallest hint of hurt in his eyes.

Syrus took a shaky breath. "I won't pretend that I sometimes wished you weren't my brother, or that you were different. I never meant for you to hear that. I've never told anyone before and all I can say is I'm sorry that I've hurt you. So, so sorry." Tears were running down his face.

"Sorry doesn't take it back." Zane said quietly. He clenched the arm of his chair. "I knew that you were afraid of me, but I never suspected that you hated me that much."

"I don't hate you, Zane. I love you." Zane didn't look that convinced.

"You love me, but you don't want me as a brother. Make up your mind. What do you want?!" The last part came out harsher than he intended, but the words struck home. Syrus broke down into hysterical sobs.

"I want my life back! I want Mom and Dad to still be alive. I don't want to be in the hospital anymore. But most of all, I want you to go back to the way you were, full of respect and love." He wiped his eyes. "What happened to you, Zane? Why did you have to change?"

Zane was utterly taken aback. Syrus had always been a little weepy, but he never screamed out his problems like this. He would bottle it up inside until he was rotting from the inside out.

"Answer me! Why, Zane, why?!"

Zane began talking, choosing his words carefully, so as not to set Syrus off again. "After I lost to Aster, I couldn't win a single duel. I participated in an Underground match because I was…" Syrus cut him off sharply.

"I'm not talking about recently, Zane. I'm talking about how you changed after you went off to that dojo in the Himalayas. When you got back, the person I knew as my brother was gone. And he's still gone."

Zane stared at his brother in a state of sick, shocked horror. The words hit him like a ton of bricks. Oh my God, did I really change that much? I never noticed, but I guess I wouldn't. If I transformed like he says I did, then no wonder our relationship has never been great. "I didn't realize… was I so…" He couldn't find the words to explain his actions. Syrus could almost see pieces of his Hell Kaiser persona slipping away by the second. So, he pressed on, hoping to get through to his older brother.

"You were. You used to have a sense of humour, Zane, and you were fun to be around. Then you turned all cold and distant. You never played with me anymore; all you did was lecture." Syrus fell back against the pillows, tired out. "I used to think that you were just like your dragons. And deep down, I hated them for changing you. But last year, when the Shadow Riders attacked, and you saved me from Camula, I thought that I finally had the real you back. Then you left for the Pro Leagues and became…this stranger. I mean, you duelled me with the electrodes, and threatened to have me committed!" These were both sore spots with him, but Syrus needed to get the message across.

Zane put his face into his hands, trying to collect his thoughts. He's right. After that duel with Camula, I felt closer with my brother than ever. How could I have been so blind and hurt him so much after we made that bond? Memories of their duel, and his behaviour after Syrus woke up in the hospital rushed back at him. Realization slapped him in the face. I am a horrible brother, not to mention a horrible friend.. Jaden should have been his brother. He's been there for Syrus more than I have. But it can't be too late. I have to make this right, before I lose the thing most important to me. (1)

--Meanwhile, in a café a few blocks away--

Mr. Shroud and Zane's agent sat in a private, secluded booth in the back. No, they were not on a date. They were discussing a course of revenge against their common enemy, namely, Zane Truesdale.

"Are you sure about that?" Ms. Jannys eyed the Southern (he is Southern in the 4Kids version, right?) man. "I know he's a bit dark, but would he really go that far?"

"Oh, I can assure you he did. He showed no mercy over it either." Shroud picked up his coffee cup and sipped it, watching her expression. "Just like in the Underground duels."

"Once that comes out, he'll be disgraced, and declared unfit to boot." She smirked evilly. "I love it. That brat has had it coming for a while now. Can you get me the tapes and records?"

"My source will have them in a few weeks. Keep stringing him along, keep him in the dark." He stood up, picking up his hat and putting it on. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Jannys."

"The same to you." She cooed.

--Back in the hospital--

Zane was unable to move, paralyzed by the fact that he had been the worst brother on the face of the earth. Even worse than Atticus, who was always trying to set up Alexis; worse than the Princetons, who had intimidated and disowned Chazz. He wanted to reach out to Syrus and say the right words, but he was so afraid of being pushed away.

"Syrus. Don't be sorry for not wanting me to be your brother." The words popped out of his mouth before his brain processed them. Somehow, though, they felt true.

"Huh?" Syrus stared at Zane out of bloodshot eyes. "What did you say?"

"I said don't be sorry. You have every right to wish me out of your life. I haven't been a good brother. You would have been better off with Jaden. I'm the one who should be sorry. And I am. I'm so sorry for hurting you for years." He wiped a rare, stray tear from his face. This was a side of Zane Syrus hadn't seen for years. "But as I said earlier, sorry doesn't make it better. I'm going to make up for my behaviour to you, even if it takes a lifetime. I hope that one day you can forgive me." Syrus couldn't take this with a straight face and started to cry again.

"I have nothing to forgive you for. You were doing what you thought was right. How can I fault you for that, when that's all anyone ever tries to do?" Zane laughed a little.

"How philosophic." He sniffed. "What do you think about wiping the slate clean and starting over?"

"I'm good with that." Syrus smiled a smile of pure happiness. Hell Kaiser is gone, finally gone. "So, are you back now?" Zane enveloped Syrus in a tight, warm hug, similar to the ones their father used to give them.

"As back as I'm ever going to be. I can't promise an instant change, though." He stroked his brother's hair and frowned a little. "Old habits die hard, unfortunately."

"So long as you don't use those shock things or that new deck anymore, I'm good." Syrus gave his brother a grin as he released him. "The gang is going to be thrilled. Especially Atticus. He keeps going on about getting you together with Alexis when you're more…normal."

Zane rolled his eyes. Some things never change. "I'm not looking forward to seeing them again. I was a jerk, and they're not going to forget that." He examined his hands.

"They'll understand. Don't worry." Syrus wasn't used to seeing his brother this insecure. "Shall I call them and tell them to come over?"

"Tomorrow. It's getting kind of late." The sun was sinking behind the horizon. Wow, I guess Dr. Salin and I talked for longer than I thought. Syrus said to himself. As if reading his mind, Zane said "I guess I should thank that psychiatrist. After all, if you hadn't opened up to her, I wouldn't have realized what I was doing."

"Good idea. Maybe you should schedule some appointments to talk with her yourself." Syrus suggested hopefully.

"We'll see." Zane gave Syrus another hug. "Do you need pain medication or anything before you go to sleep?"

"No. My eyes actually feel better than they have. My head isn't hurting anymore, either. Maybe I can get out of here soon!" Syrus was ecstatic over this fact.

Zane didn't have the heart to tell him about the threat of blindness hanging over their heads. I can't spoil things now, when everything is coming back together. "Sure." He lied lamely. Syrus, luckily, was so tired that he didn't notice. "Sleep well."

He walked into the hallway and rested his head against the cool wall. Maybe the doctor was wrong. If his eyes and head are feeling better, then maybe he isn't going blind after all.

"Why, Zane, fancy seeing you here." Zane's head snapped around and he stared in shock at a person he hadn't seen for quite some time. "What's the matter, don't you remember me?" The Southern drawl was unmistakable.

"Shroud!"

--

1. Remember this from somewhere?

Hope that chapter wasn't too mushy for you. Personally, I hate writing like that, but the situation called for it.

So, Zane and Syrus have made up, and Shroud has shown his evil face at the hospital. What will happen next? Keep reading! R&R.