JC: Stupid internet! It shutdown on me the whole day yesterday. I was so frustrated I couldn't get to upload this. Now my internet is running fine, so I'm pretty relieved. Here's chapter 15, everyone! I'm glad that I've managed to write up 15 chapters for this story already. I don't know if this is going to exceed 22. It really depends on how I'll handle each situation from now on. Things are gonna get serious. Jaden and Alexis' relationship will really be put to the test.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, people, or its characters, but the plot of this story is mine. All rights belong to Kazuki Takahashi.

White Vow

Turn 15: Pieces of the Puzzle! A Dark Resolve Commences

Jaden cursed under his breath as Zane gripped his arm. The look on Zane's face told him that he did not need to go after Alexis. So many questions had piled up in his head, and he figured Zane could probably enlighten him.

"Say what you want to say and be quick about it," Zane said icily, folding his arms in front of his chest.

He quirked an eyebrow at his strident tone, but decided it was best not to comment. "What exactly happened between Alexis and David?"

"Alexis first met David on the night of Atticus' 13th birthday," Zane started.

"The same date when he got engaged to Mac?"

"Exactly. The party had gotten off to a good start until David challenged Alexis to a duel. David was a cocky little brat and Alexis couldn't stand him."

"How did the duel go?"

"It ended in Alexis' favor."

Jaden's lips curved into a smile. Sweet!That's Alexis for you!

"But David became obsessed with dueling her every chance he got. He wanted to get back at her for the humiliation of defeat, but Alexis would always win. She never held back. It didn't stop David though. Their rivalry continued until they got into Duel Prep School."

"He attended the same Prep school as you guys?"

"Only for the first semester before he got transferred to America. Trust me, it was chaos when he was around," Zane explained. "David acted like he ruled the school."

"So he was a bully." Jaden was disgusted at the thought.

Zane nodded. "But he was mostly targeting guys close to Alexis…or at least trying to get close to her," he went on. "Alexis was a popular girl, but everyone soon became afraid to talk to her because of David. Atticus eventually introduced me to Alexis and the two of us became good friends. When David found out, he immediately challenged me to a duel. He was a good Duelist, I'll give him that, but he had flaws in his strategies. I ended up winning. Being the sore loser that he was, he told me that Alexis was his girl and threatened me to stay away from her. I realized then how obsessed he was."

"Man…So such a guy exists?" Jaden muttered, shaking his head in dismay.

"Love can sometimes do that to a guy," Zane said. "And love is something mundane to the likes of Mr. Rhodes."

"Yeah…I know what you mean."

"As if Alexis already didn't have enough problems, her father decided to have her betrothed to him."

Jaden looked away. The idea of Alexis and David getting engaged burned him inside. "And Alexis didn't take it too well, huh?"

"We had to get her out of it somehow. It didn't take long for Atticus to come up with a plan though."

"And what plan was that?"

There was a momentary silence between them.

"To pretend that we were a couple…"

Jaden stared at him wide-eyed. Not too long ago, he and Alexis did the same thing in front of her father. But what surprised him more was the fact that Zane had to be her pretend-boyfriend.

"That put the engagement on hold. Her father thought it was best to let her be free for a while."

"But he was still dead set on the engagement, right?"

Zane sighed. "No kidding. And the things we had to do to make our 'relationship' convincing… Anyway, things got better for us when David left for America." He paused, closing his eyes for a moment.

Jaden waited in tense silence for him to go on.

"At least we didn't have to pretend anymore…" Zane said.

"The story doesn't end there, does it?"

Zane grimaced. "On the night before my graduation, David paid me a surprise visit. He invited me to the Duel Arena with the express intention of dueling me for Alexis. I refused to duel him. Alexis wasn't a prize to be won. But he was persistent. He wanted to duel me so badly." He heaved a sigh. "It was wrong of me…but I took him up on the challenge. It was a difficult duel. He had improved since the last time. I almost lost."

Jaden swallowed hard, thinking of the bet with that MAN, and felt guilty. "But you still won. You're still the stronger Duelist," he said.

Zane didn't respond to the compliment. "He didn't seem too sore about the lost."

"Why?"

"Because Mr. Rhodes had already handed his daughter's future to him. Even though they thought I was her boyfriend at that time, they didn't care."

"But David said you talked him into canceling the engagement."

Zane's jaw hardened. "I blackmailed him."

Jaden almost gasped. "You…blackmailed him? You? Why do I find that hard to believe?"

Rather than deny it, Zane went on, "It was the only way to save Alexis from him. I knew something was up the moment he showed his face to me, so I took precautions. I recorded the whole Duel and the deal we made. He had no choice but to stick to his word about leaving Alexis alone. He didn't take it too well, but he valued his pride."

Zane had blackmailed David for Alexis' sake. Jaden was surprised and impressed at the same time. If it were him, he may have made a mistake in judgment in that regard. Zane always knew how to play it cool.

"Now the blackmail means nothing because I'm no longer her boyfriend," Zane said, his eyes flashing transient sadness.

"I'm her boyfriend now," Jaden said earnestly. "I'm not gonna let David take her away from me."

Zane sighed. "She's been hurt before. Tread carefully, Jaden."

"Jaden!" Atticus came running toward the younger brunette. "You're wanted inside now." He had a big smile plastered on his face.

Jaden took a quick step back. "Um…Is it about David? Did the guy challenge me or something?"

Atticus shook his head. "Forget about David. Mac's there to make him behave." He stifled a laugh. "My mom wants you to change into THAT outfit," he told him, tugging his arm. "This is the chance to prove yourself."

"To prove myself? What am I supposed to do?"

Zane's expression lightened. "We have to prepare as well, Atticus."

Atticus grinned. "I can tell that you're as excited as I am."

"Believe me, I've been looking forward to this."

Jaden scratched the back of his head. "I don't think we're on the same page here."

"Just go and get change, J," Atticus said, giving the guy a hearty slap on the back, which almost upset his balance. "You'll find out soon."

David was pacing the length of his guestroom, his mind in an uproar when Mac entered the room. She eyed his stiff stature, then asked, "Cool it, why don't you?"

David looked at his sister with irritation. "I flew all the way here from America only to find out that she's with another guy. Zane was trouble enough and now I have to deal with this Jaden Yuki."

"You think you have a chance?" Mac said firmly. "Wake up! You're never gonna end up with Alexis."

"I'm not giving up."

"She doesn't like you. PERIOD."

David frowned. "So what? You think I'm just gonna back out because of that?"

"Try to force her and you might get hated even more," Mac suggested, placing a hand on her hip. "You've already hurt her in the past."

David wanted Alexis. He had fallen for her hard. It was rivalry at first, and then his heart soon learned to love her. During the years he was separated from her, David had gained a reputation with the ladies because he went out of his way to meet as many girls as he could. It was only the last several months that he'd grown tired of them. He could never forget about Alexis. He loved her, he found her special, intelligent, beautiful, and he even enjoyed her strength and independence.

"I have no intention of hurting her, Mac," David said, turning his back at his sister, as he clenched his hands. "I'd never…"

"Then don't do anything stupid," Mac said as she turned on a heel. "The duel is about to start soon. I'm not missing that for the world. You can stay here and mope around if you like." With that, she walked up the door and stepped outside.

The instant she was gone a malicious grin curved David's lips. "Yeah, that's right. I have no intention of hurting Alexis…But I'm not gonna leave that Jaden Yuki alone."

Jaden faced the full-length mirror to check out the new outfit made especially for him by Mrs. Rhodes. He wore a black shirt with red linings under an open long-sleeved red trench coat with a white hood, dark gray leather pants, and a pair of black-red shoes, along with a pair of black fingerless gloves. He had two black belts with silver adornments wrapped around his waist and an embellished deck case wrapped around his right thigh. He had his Slifer Red Duel Disk on his left arm.

He stood in front of the mirror for a whole minute. He absolutely loved the outfit. It had class and style.

"Wonder what Alexis will say if she sees me in this threads," Jaden said curiously.

"I'd say that you look great."

He paused for a while, then turned to meet the hazel eyes and the beautiful smile of the girl he loved.

She stood there by the door with one hand planted on her waist. She appeared very casual and relaxed, a far cry from the way she was before when she met David earlier. Her current outfit, Jaden noted with awe, looked similar to his. She wore a sleeveless black-colored, blue-outlined mini-dress with a white-colored, blue-outlined sleeveless coat of the same length. The hood of the coat was draped off her shoulders, attached to the dress by two blue buttons. She also wore a pair of white mid-calf boots, a blue storage pack on her left hip and an embellished black deck case wrapped around her right thigh. Her pair of black fingerless gloves was of wrist length and she sported her Obelisk Blue Duel Disk on her left arm.

His mouth fell open. She looked completely stunning in her outfit. He was speechless.

"Just look at you," Alexis said, studying him from head to toe. "Mom did a good job."

He chuckled, restraining himself from blushing like a schoolgirl. "Forget me, look at you." He turned his eyes away nervously. He couldn't bring himself to talk properly. Alexis was giving off such a glow that it was difficult for him to maintain focus. "You look amazing." He was then graced with a smile that melted his heart.

"Thank you," she replied with a giggle.

It was great seeing her smile and laugh again. After the meeting with David, Jaden thought he wouldn't be seeing her smile for a while. I guess giving her some time along helped…And though Zane's story was still fresh in his mind, he decided not to bring up the subject for her sake.

"About what happened earlier…" She was frowning thoughtfully, and he waited, watching her. She knew he would have questions and was afraid to learn what they would be. "David…He's not…"

"Don't try to force yourself, Lex," he said, lifting both hands to the round of her bare shoulders. "I'll wait until you're ready to talk."

Meeting his gaze, she said, "Did Zane tell you anything?"

"A gist of it," he said. "I'm sure there's more to the story, but I'll be patient. Still it surprises me that you and Zane actually became a couple…Well a pretend one to be exact."

"Zane and I…We…" She was not her usual self, she knew that, and she hated being vulnerable.

His finger touched her lips, and she was sure her heart stopped beating for a moment. "Hey…No worries." He pulled her close against him, his nose so near her ear that his breath blew a warm breeze across her neck. "I totally understand what you guys did."

A fluttery sort of shiver raced through her. Her body welcomed his touch and his warmth as it had from the first, and his breath against her skin soothed her. Jaden always made her feel safe and relaxed. Remembering the past with David, she had a disheartening notion of keeping some things as a secret from Jaden, though she knew it would be foolish to do so. Still, Jaden was her fiancé now. He deserved to know, even if it was going to hurt. But she needed more time to see her volition through.

"Thanks, Jaden," she muttered under her breath, slightly pulling back to face him. "After tonight no more secrets…I promise to tell you everything."

Jaden quickly looked away. She had said he was going to tell him everything. His heart pounded at the thought. A fleeting thought of that MAN flashed into his mind. He had secrets of his own. He wasn't sure how to bring it up without causing too much damage. Nevertheless, he had to tell her before someone else will.

She caught his chin in one hand and shifted it to her. "Something wrong? You seemed pale all of a sudden."

Oh, man…Time to think of an excuse. He then grinned. "I've just realized that we're so close!"

Alexis could not resist the grin and smiled back. "Does it make you uncomfortable?"

Jaden shook his head, then remembered one of Atticus' lessons and thought of giving it a try, though it seemed embarrassing in his head. But he did feel an overwhelming desire to kiss her right there. "I like having you this close," he said, putting a hand behind her head, cupping it, as he brought his lips slowly to hers. He held her for some time before he pulled away. "I'm gonna get addicted to your lips." He let out a chuckle.

"I feel a lot better thanks to you," she said.

"Good to know."

"Are you ready to Duel?" Alexis said, slightly raising her Duel Disk.

"I was born to Duel, Lex," he said confidently. "Don't go easy on me, okay?"

Alexis shook her head at him. "You're not going up against me."

"What? But I was told—"

She took his hand in hers and said, "You'll see once we get there."

Soon Jaden found himself in a large Duel Arena located underneath the mansion. Under the spotlight, surrounded by an audience, Jaden felt so much excitement coursing through his body. His friends were on the bleachers, cheering him on, while his girlfriend stood right beside him, her hand entwined with his. On the other side of the arena, he saw Zane and Atticus, and he knew then that they were going to be their opponents in a Tag Duel.

Zane and Atticus wore a doublet of black miniver-trimmed velvet and black leather pants with zippers running down the leg. The wide knightly girdle of silver medallions and belts linked around their hips held a long dirk with a jeweled hilt in a finer leather deck case. Atticus wore a fine coat with a mark shaped like the Red-Eyes Black Dragon on the back. Zane, on the other hand, wore a magnificent Cyberdark Dragon –themed trench coat.

"Today's victims are you two," Zane announced, activating his Duel Disk that was modeled after the Cyber-End Dragon.

Atticus' lips curved into a big grin as he waved a hand to Mac in the audience. "I'm gonna bring home the gold!" He then turned his attention to Jaden and Alexis. "No holding back now, we go all out." He activated his Red-Eyes Black Dragon-inspired Duel Disk.

Her hand left the comforts of Jaden's as she raised her Duel Disk. "Think you can win? Bring it on," she declared, starting her disk.

Although his concerns about Alexis and David lingered, it eased considerably when he saw how excited Alexis was. "Gotta put my best foot forward," Jaden said excitedly as he turned on his Duel Disk.

It wasn't going to be easy, and Jaden knew exactly what his opponents were made of. Zane and Atticus were both phenomenal Duelists. They could adapt to any kind of situation in a duel and work things out in their favor. But Jaden wasn't scared because he loved challenges. The tougher the opponent, the more fired up he got. Alexis being his tag partner made it even more exciting for him. They've been partners before and he has full faith in her abilities.

"Are you ready?" Atticus pointed to the ceiling with elegant flair. "Coz it's time to get this show on the road!"

4000 LP flashed for both teams on the screen above the arena as each Duelist drew five cards from their decks.

"All right, guys!" Jaden said, fisting his hand in exhilaration. "Let's get our game on!"

To be continued…

JC: To get a better picture of the Jaden's and Alexis' outfit, go to my DEVIANTART page (link found in my FF profile) and find the art entitled 'White Vow'. The picture is, however, a half-body shot of the couple. Zane revealed only bits of the past to Jaden. There's a lot more to the story than just that. Alexis swore that she'll tell Jaden everything. Jaden, on the other hand, also wants to tell his secret. It's troubling to have secrets in a relationship, but every couple has to deal with them sooner or later. That's all for this chapter. Please review! No flaming!