Well, I'm back. Sorry for not updating sooner, but I've been focusing on my other story, not to mention that I've gone back to school. Chemistry was created by the devil, I'm sure of it.

Recap: Syrus has left to go back to Duel Academy, but Zane isn't so sure he should have let him go.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh GX. I will, however, when I win the lottery.

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"We're back!" Jaden tried to cartwheel down the gangplank, but failed miserably. He crashed headfirst into Chazz, who nearly went into the water. Fortunately (or unfortunately, for Jaden) he regained his balance, and threw a punch at Jaden, who barely dodged it. The latter decided it was time to make a run for it, and ran he did, sprinting backwards so that he could wave goodbye to his other friends.

"SLACKER!" Syrus laughed as he watched the two run off, Chazz swearing revenge.

Some things never change.

"I'd better go break it up," Alexis sighed. "I swear those two are never going to grow up. Are you going to be okay, Syrus?"

"I'll be fine, Alexis. Don't worry about me." He tried to smile convincingly. She raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

"Bye, then." She picked up her suitcase and went jogging after the distant figures.

He picked up his bags and began walking down the pier, heading towards his dorm. The weather was getting warmer, and a nice breeze was playing with his hair. Students of all dorms and years were walking around, reuniting with friends. The sound of laughter was everywhere.

"Syrus Truesdale, please report to the Chancellor's office." A voice over the loudspeaker announced. He changed direction, heading towards the main building, instead of his dorm.

As he walked through the halls full of students, the laughter and chatter died away. People were staring at him as he went by, muttering to their friends behind their hands; turning away as if it could mask their gossip.

"Did you hear? His parents died during Spring Break." How did he know?

"Poor kid. Isn't he Hell Kaiser's brother?" Well, that's old news. Maybe the rumours aren't that bad.

"I heard that he's mentally unstable now. He's been put on suicide watch." Ouch.

"No way!" Tune them out, Syrus. Just don't listen. He tried his best, but random comments kept slipping through his mental block.

"Yeah, and I've heard that Hell Kaiser is going to send him to a boarding school in Siberia." Where did that one come from? These tales are taking on a life of their own. Syrus thought in a slight panic.

"He found out from his lawyer that he was adopted." I have to get out of here before I throw up. He was finding it harder and harder to block things out. To Syrus, it seemed as though everyone's voices were melding into one giant chant; a story with all the details; his entire trauma being laid bare for everybody to know.

Syrus could feel the walls pressing in on him as the stares intensified. Some students were edging away from him as he passed, acting like he had a contagious disease. How did all these people find out? It's the first day back! He was beginning to hyperventilate, and he put his hand on the wall to steady himself. Everyone watched with some interest. They probably expect that I'm going to break into tears and murder someone.

"You okay, Little Blue?" The academy's current heartthrob/resident ukulele-playing surfer put his hand on Syrus's shoulder. "You look pale." Syrus didn't answer; he was busy gasping for air. Atticus must have understood what was going on, for he glared at the crowds around them. "What are you looking at? I'm sure you all have things you should be doing. He needs some air, so get lost!"

Everyone scurried away, somewhat scared by the usually mellow Obelisk's fierce announcement. Syrus slumped against the wall, his breathing slowly returning to normal. "Thanks, Atticus. I freaked out because they were all staring and talking about me. How did the news spread so fast that Mom and Dad…?" his voice trailed off.

"The gossip grapevine. Someone reads about it in the newspaper, phones to tell three of their friends, and the next thing you know, the entire school has found out. But don't let it get to you, 'kay? Pretty soon there'll be something new for them to gossip about, and they'll forget all about you. Trust me on that." The two of them were walking through the halls, towards the Chancellor's office. They stopped outside the door. "I gotta jet now. See you later!" With this, he took off, running backwards so that he could wave goodbye.

"Bye! Thanks!" Syrus returned his wave, feeling a little bit better. He knocked on the heavy oak door.

"Come in," the Chancellor's booming voice announced. Syrus opened the door and slipped inside. "Ah, Syrus." He stood up from his chair and walked over to Syrus, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I'm very sorry about your parents, Syrus. I knew them personally, and I considered them to be friends. They were good people, and we'll all miss them."

The bluenette looked down. "Thank you. I…I miss them a lot." To Syrus's horror, he started to tear up. He roughly wiped away the tears. "You wanted to see me about something?"

"Yes. Besides offering my condolences, there are a couple of matters that I would like to discuss with you." He walked back to his desk and sat down, motioning for Syrus to take the chair opposite him. The teen sat down, the cool leather creating a pleasant sensation on his hands as he placed them on the armrests. "Firstly, how are your physical injuries?"

"They're okay. My arm is still sore, but my ribs don't hurt that much anymore." Syrus decided not to say anything about his headaches. Perhaps he felt slightly intimidated by the fact that he was talking directly to the Chancellor, or maybe he just didn't want to cause anyone any trouble. Whatever the reason, he stayed mum on that matter.

"I see. It has been arranged that you will not have to take PE until your arm is completely healed, so you will not need to be worried over that." He leaned back in the chair a little and looked at Syrus with a bit of concern. "These past few weeks have been a trauma for you, I'm sure. Losing a parent is never easy, especially if you're still young, and you've lost both at the same time." As if I need to be reminded. "I only say this because I'm worried about you. This kind of shock can have lasting negative effects, and I owe it to your parents to watch out for you. If it's alright, I'd like you to talk with the school counsellor until further notice."

Syrus nodded. "I was planning to do that anyway. I have a psychiatrist that I can phone, and Zane is demanding that I check in with him every day." Sheppard smiled at this.

"I've heard that Zane has had a change of heart in the last few weeks. It's good to hear that he's returned to the person we recognize."

But at what cost? Syrus couldn't help thinking. If Mom and Dad were still alive, chances are that Hell Kaiser would still be hanging around. I've lost part of my family, only to gain back another part. I wonder if Zane ever thinks of this. "Syrus?" The chancellor was watching him with mild concern. "Is something wrong, my boy?"

"No, I was just…thinking. May I leave now?"

"Yes, you must want to go and meet with your friends, and I have taken enough of your time." Sheppard walked ahead of Syrus to open the door for him. "It's good to see that you are totally not incapacitated by grief, Syrus, but remember that you have a right to mourn your parents for as long as you want. Don't let anyone tell you to stop moping around." Syrus left the office, praying that he wouldn't have to run into many students on the way to his dorm room.

--Later on, in the Ra Yellow dorms--

Syrus had finished unpacking his things and was in the midst of reading over some notes from his duel psychology class; the professor had announced that he was holding a quiz during the first week back, so the bluenette decided he was going to be prepared. As a Ra Yellow, he wanted to uphold his academic standing.

He was feeling quite peaceful, amidst the comfortable silence, as he flipped through his papers. I've got this down pat. Maybe by next year, I'll be an Obelisk! This thought greatly thrilled him. Zane would be so proud of me. Mom and Dad would have been too. As quickly as the elated feeling had surged through him, he was now sad. Stop it, Syrus. Crying won't bring them back, so suck it up! He went back to studying fiercely, so into his work that he didn't notice that his phone was ringing.

BRIIING! The highly-annoyed sounding phone rang for the umpteenth time. Syrus jumped slightly at the sound before realizing what it was. Diving for the receiver, he scooped it up before the person hung up. "Hello?"

"Syrus, it's Zane." Only then did Syrus remember his promise to call his brother once a day. But then, they had only parted this morning, so did today count? Before he could ponder more on this, his brother was speaking again. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Syrus wound the phone cord around his fingers in an intricate loop. He didn't want to tell Zane about going through the rumour mill; it would only raise his blood pressure. "Just studying. Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me. You're the one with the head injury." Zane's logic was, as ever, totally impenetrable sounding.

"I do worry about you! How am I supposed to know that you won't get all depressed and go Hell Kaiser on us?"

"I promise I will never get that depressed. If I do, you can sic Atticus and his Magic Bag of Fun on me." On opposite ends of the phone, both brothers sweatdropped at the mere mention of the Magic Bag of Fun. Atticus had invented it back when they were in grade school; it was full of…objects that were supposed to bring hiccups and giggles to all who fell victim to it. Prominent among these…objects were sock puppets, magic tricks, useful guides on dating, storybooks (which Atticus had written himself) and the occasional firecracker. The Magic Bag of Fun had played a large role in the "clown incident".

"Well, I guess we'll never see Hell Kaiser again." Syrus yawned and glanced at the clock. "It's getting kind of late. Do you mind if I go to bed now?"

"I was just going to suggest that. You shouldn't be overtaxing yourself, you know, or you'll end up straight back in the hospital." Zane stopped and thought about how he sounded. "Sorry. I guess I lecture a little too much."

"I don't mind, really. You don't do it as much anymore, and besides, it just means that you care. Goodnight bro." Syrus switched off his light and settled himself in between the sheets. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Goodnight kid." Syrus pressed the 'End' button on his phone and let it drop to the floor.

--Back in Domino--

Zane was sitting in his favourite chair, holding the phone loosely in one hand. He stared into the gas fireplace. He sounded okay, but who can tell just by the voice? Maybe I'm worrying too much. Sheppard won't let anything happen to Syrus, and Alexis is reporting to me. Even if something does happen, Zane unconsciously touched the wooden coffee table; he'll get sent right back here.

He stood and walked into the kitchen, leaving the phone in the seat of the chair he had just been occupying. The former Obelisk was peering into the fridge, looking for his vanilla bean yogurt, when the phone rang.

WHAM!

Surprised by the phone, he started upwards and whacked his head on the top of the fridge. Cursing under his breath, he ran to the living room to answer it, tripping over the coffee table in his haste. "Ahhhhh!" He grabbed his bruised knee and hopped around on one leg for a moment, then snatched up the phone.

"Yes?"

"Zane, honey? It's me, your agent." Of course. I smack my head and almost break my knee for my annoying employee. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm moving to London, and so, I have to quit my job. Sorry. I know that you'll miss me, but that's life, I suppose. Consider this my two weeks notice. It's been a blast!" She hung up before he could say a word.

Wow. I think a miracle just happened. It dawned on Zane that he would never have to hear her fangirl-esque voice again. Alright, no more agent! Now maybe I can pick someone who's not so infuriating and has just a little common sense. He sat back in his chair, basking in his newfound freedom. The pain in his head and knee didn't seem to even matter anymore.

--

"Heh heh. Now that I've caught him off guard, we can begin our plan." Zane's now ex-agent smiled at Shroud, who was standing in the corner, watching.

"Excellent."

--Back at Duel Academy--

Syrus had woken up bright and early so that he could be one of the first in the classroom. Not because he wanted to be a goody-two shoes, but because he wanted to avoid all the stares he kept getting in the hallway.

He arrived before Doctor Crowler himself did, which was fine with him. Spreading out his binder, he prepared himself for Crowler's class, which would almost certainly include lots of note-taking.

The doctor walked in the door, and began to arrange things at his desk. Spying Syrus, he made a motion for him to come down.

Great. I probably forgot to hand in a piece of homework before break and now he's going to stick me in detention. However, what Crowler did was the opposite of what he happened.

Dr. Crowler put his hands on Syrus's shoulders and squeezed them. "I'm very sorry about your parents, Syrus. When I heard, I…" he had to stop; wiping his eyes. "I can only imagine what you and your brother have gone through."

"T-thank you, Dr. Crowler." Syrus was shocked. Crowler was actually displaying a kind side, a side that was usually reserved for the top-ranked Obelisks.

"It's no trouble at all. It takes a very strong person to participate in a normal life after a tragedy such as this. In fact, I admire that trait. Your brother had it, and apparently, so do you."

"Oh, I…" Syrus didn't know what to say. He had fully expected a lecture of some kind, but instead, he was being praised!

"If you need to talk to someone, dear boy, you can always talk to me. I just wanted you to know that." Dr. Crowler patted him on the head and blew his nose loudly, on a piece of lacy tissue.

"I'll do that. Thanks again." The doctor waved him back to his seat, too overcome to continue. Syrus practically skipped back to his seat. He really is nice, under all that strictness.

With this revelation, he could almost ignore the stares of his classmates.

­--

And that's all for now. Once again, I apologize for the irregularity of my updating.

So, Dr. Crowler has shown his rarely seen nicer side, and Syrus has survived the school gossip. But Zane's agent and Shroud have made their appearance. How will this all play out? Read on!

Atticus: R&R please! Or I'll come get you with my Magic Bag of Fun!

Zane, Alexis, and Syrus: Please review. If you don't, things could get ugly…