Sorry it took so long to update. Between studying for exams and preparing a speech I have to make, I haven't had any time for writing. Not to mention my writer's cramp, and a new story I've been working on…but anyways, on to the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO GX and all that jazz.

Warning: Sadness, swearing

--

Zane stood in front of the mirror, knotting his tie carefully. When he was done, he took a step back to survey himself in the mirror. I look like Dad,he thought sadly. I miss you both so much! A few tears splattered on the bathroom counter and he wiped his face quickly. There was no use in wasting his energy before the funeral had even begun. He was sure that he'd cry plenty there. And besides, Syrus needs me to be strong. He's in no condition to see me break down.

The day before, the little bluenette had almost literally broken down when talking to his psychiatrist. Zane had been at his house at the time, straightening out his paperwork and the like, when the hospital called. By the time he had arrived, the doctors were on the verge of physically restraining his brother. Zane had managed to calm him down, but a sedative was still required to make Syrus rest. The strain of the past few days was taking its toll on the both of them. There were dark shadows under Zane's eyes, and he was a little more tense than usual.

--The Rhodes'--

The gang had decided to meet at Atticus and Alexis's before heading over to the funeral, just so they could decide on what they would/wouldn't do and say.

"We are not doing anything embarrassing," Alexis said, eyeing up the guys. "That means no fighting. I'm talking to you, Chazz and Jaden. Atticus, do not volunteer to sing. Hassleberry, Bastion…" she thought for a moment. "Just watch what you say."

"Yes, Mom." Atticus looked a little indignant. "We know how to behave, Alexis. Don't go into commando-princess mode today, alright?"

"Poor blokes," Bastion finished checking himself for lint. "I can't imagine what it would feel like, having no parents. But at least now Zane's back from his stint as Hell Kaiser; that should be beneficial to Syrus's health. He was truly miserable when Zane was… indisposed."

"And that's putting it lightly." Jaden added. "Shall we go, then?" Everyone nodded and started towards the driveway. "How are we getting there, again?"

"I don't know," replied Atticus "Zane said he'd arrange for us to get picked up here." The question that was about to spring to everyone's lips was answered when a black, shiny limousine pulled up to the house.

"Whoa!" Chazz spoke for them all.

The driver walked up the front drive to them. "Mr. Truesdale sent me to drive you to the funeral. We should get going; it starts in half an hour." They all proceeded to the limousine and buckled themselves in.

--

The funeral was being held outside, in a designated spot in the cemetery. A large crowd of people wearing dark clothes had already gathered when Zane and Syrus's friends arrived.

"Who are all these people?" Jaden wondered aloud.

"Probably work colleagues, friends, obscure relatives. That kind of thing," explained Bastion.

"You're right Bastion, except for the relatives part. Mom and Dad were both only kids, and we don't have much left in the family department." Syrus, wearing a black suit identical to Zane's, was drawing near, moving slowly. He wasn't in a wheelchair, a pleasant surprise for them all. "Thanks for being here, guys." Syrus started to tear up as they exchanged hugs, and hastily wiped his eyes. "Come on; Zane wants to see you. He's over by the coff…coff…" he couldn't bring himself to say the words aloud. Jaden wrapped a comforting arm around his best friend's shoulders and they started walking.

--

Zane was watching as people began to seat themselves in the folding chairs. I feel like I'm watching a movie, he observed, I feel so detached. What's wrong with me? He turned to see his friends approaching. Alexis and Atticus skipped the preliminary greetings and went ahead to hug their friend. He didn't stiffen, as he usually would, but hugged back. "Thanks for coming. It means a lot."

"We're here for you guys," Jaden stated, "always."

There was a cough from the minister as he took the stand to begin the ceremony. Zane led all of them to the front row. Once they were all seated, the minister began to speak. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the lives and mourn the passing of two people very close to our hearts…"

--

As the funeral went on, Syrus felt more and more wound up inside. Any minute now I'm going to jump up and start screaming, he thought. Jaden, who was on his right, was gripping his hand tightly. For his sake, or for mine? He wondered. Zane, on his left, was shaking slightly. Poor Zane, this must be even worse for him. The last time he spoke to Mom and Dad was a few weeks before the accident. He never said goodbye… tears started flowingly down his cheeks, but Syrus made no move to wipe them away. Memories of his parents throughout the years came back to him, and he felt enormously sad and guilty as he recalled instances where he was mad at them, or didn't show his love. I'll never tell them…not in this life. Why, God? Why did this have to happen?! Was it something I did that made you angry? Please let this be a dream. Please, please, please! Syrus began to sob and he put his hands over his face, trying to muffle the sound. He could feel Zane, Jaden, Hassleberry, and Bastion (who were able to reach him) touch him comfortingly. Zane put a hand on his back and rubbed it soothingly, although he himself was trying so hard to keep it together.

--

Zane listened to his brother sob. I have never heard him make such a sound before. True, the younger Truesdale had often wept, but Zane had never heard his brother cry like this. It was a horrible, keening sound, full of anguish and hopelessness. Just hearing it was tearing him apart, because he could not fix the cause. I wish I could make it better, Sy, but I can't.

As the eulogies commenced, he felt his grip on sanity start to slip. My parents were wonderful people, and they loved me so much, and how did I repay them? By becoming a vicious, uncaring asshole who turned his back on everyone. I should be the one in the coffin, not them. And I never…never… like his brother, Zane started to cry. I never got to say that I'm sorry! I never will. I miss you, both of you! I want my parents! The longing that filled his chest hurt so badly that he could hardly catch his breath to cry.

Seeing this frightened them all a little, because they had almost never seen him truly cry. Atticus hugged his friend and tried to fight back his own tears, with little success. Jaden, Bastion and Hassleberry, who hadn't even known the Truesdales that well, were trying to comfort Syrus. Alexis was tearing a tissue she held in one hand to pieces with her fingers. They were like my parents! I can't believe that I won't see them again. She went to wipe her face, but realized the tissue was unusable. Chazz silently gave her another one, and held her hand while she wiped her face. Alexis didn't push him away; rather, she squeezed his hand back.

--

Somehow, they all made it through the funeral, the burial, and saying goodbye to all the guests. Zane had stopped crying, but he looked fifty years older.

"Well," he said softly, "I guess…" he faltered, unsure of what to say. "Again, thanks for coming. I doubt Syrus and I would have made it through this if you hadn't been here."

"That's what friends are for." Atticus touched his shoulder. "Are you sure that you two will be okay by yourselves?"

"We'll be fine." Even while saying this, Zane didn't look 100% sure. "I promise."

"If you feel like you're going to break down in little bits, phone one of us," Jaden said seriously to Syrus. "Don't even worry about it."

"Yeah," Chazz put in "don't wallow in your misery. Let it out." Alexis nodded.

"It's not good to bottle things up. Better to talk about it."

"It's proven to be therapeutic." Was bastion's take on things.

"I don't want to trouble you guys," Syrus said softly, "I'll be okay. So will Zane."

"You and the Lieutenant are tough. But all soldiers need their support team." Hassleberry clapped Syrus on the back.

There was another round of group hugs, and everyone took off in the taxi that had been called for them. Zane and Syrus were left standing alone in front of the cemetery.

"I should take you back to the hospital," Zane spoke up, "they'll be waiting for you." Syrus shook his head vehemently. His brother cocked his head to one side in confusion. "What?"

"I don't want to stay in the hospital tonight. Can you take me home with you? Please? I don't want to be alone there…" Syrus's eyes were welling up again, and he wiped them on his sleeve. "Just for one night. Please, Zane."

Zane hesitated a little. He would love to grant his brother's request, and he didn't particularly feel like staying in a big, empty house alone on the same night his parents were buried. But they could get in trouble for breaking hospital protocol. "I don't know. Maybe it's best if we…"

"What are they going to do, charge you with kidnapping?" Zane's mouth twitched into a small smile, and Syrus's heart leapt to see it. The smile was like an oasis in the middle of the desert. "Just this night, then I'll go back."

"Okay. Let's go home." Zane took his brother by the hand and led him to his car that was waiting in the parking lot.

--

I can't believe I haven't updated for two weeks; I feel so bad. Hopefully, you like this latest instalment. I found it very sad to write, and I think I captured the right mood. Oh, and check out my poll on my profile. I'm *thinking* about writing a new story, and I need some opinions. One final thing: if Zane had wings, what colour would they be? Don't put your answer in the review, just PM me. Thanks a lot.