Ariette: Hi! As I promised, here's chapter five! Sorry for the delay, I had a very busy week ToT
Black Mist: I'm surprised you got fulfilled your promise...
Ariette: Hey! I'm a woman of word! I always fulfill my promises! Well, I hope you like this chapter... *Whispers* I kind of find it lame...
Enjoy! Yu-gi-oh Zexal characters do not belong to me!
Note Five: How can I tell….?
A couple of days more passed. Yuma was still evading Astral's gaze but at least they started talking again. Recently, Astral started to notice a shadow. Wherever he looked he would always see a shadow near Yuma. He was worried about this but didn't tell anything to his friend, thinking that Yuma had a lot in his mind to add something else.
Yuma was in school, more precisely in Math Class. The students were doing a group project. Astral always found interesting how students would always pair each other with someone they were close to. That was proved when Yuma's friends had a fight to who was going to pair up with Yuma.
"I'm his best friend, so I should be with him." Tetsuo said, gaining a killing glare from Cathy.
"Well, I'm certainly more intelligent than you. Yuma's gonna need MY help nyan~" She said with a confident grin.
"To summarize, if we're speaking of intellect I'm the most accurate selection." Takahashi said with a smile.
Kotori laughed at her friends while Yuma was undecided of who he could choose. Astral was watching all of this when he noticed the same shadow behind Yuma. He looked towards that direction but the shadow vanished. He kept staring that point until Yuma draw his attention.
"Astral…?" Astral looked at Yuma who looked away.
"Yes Yuma?" He asked still interested in the point behind Yuma.
"Um… Are you ok? You've been staring there for a couple of minutes. It is a number?" Yuma asked looking behind him to see if he noticed something weird.
"No, it is not a number. I was just… Nothing. Do you want something?" Astral said turning his full attention to Yuma.
"No… I didn't want something. I was just curious." Yuma said. His friends were looking at Yuma expectantly while Kotori was staring at Astral worriedly.
Astral nodded and returned his attention to the point where the shadow was. He frowned but said nothing. He was very interested in what that shadow could be. For some reason, he thought that that shadow was dangerous. For both him and Yuma.
"It is not a number, I know it. But still its presence is very familiar…" Astral felt he must knew what was that shadow.
Hours continued passing and it was almost time for school to end. Yuma was in his Science class. Astral loved this class, he found it very interesting. Astral was a bit sad because the teacher moved to a new theme. He couldn't learn much about the stars. It seemed it wasn't a very important topic to discuss in school. But still, Astral liked it. Astral liked everything the teacher teaches. And he also likes how serious and eloquent Miss Lucca was.
"Today students, we are going to learn something new. I hope all of you can pay attention and have interest in this." Miss Lucca then started to give the students a paper.
"Oral report. Aw, man! Why does it have to be an oral report?" Yuma whispered in annoyance.
"What is an 'oral report' Yuma?" Astral asked curiously.
"Well, an oral report is when we have to search some specific info and say it in front of the class." Yuma whispered again, not wanting to look like a fool.
"Do you want to share something with the class, Mister Tsukumo?" Miss Lucca said. She was in front of Yuma's table and was looking at him with a kind of worried expression.
"N-no! I was just explaining to As-" Yuma covered his mouth when he realized what he just said.
"Explaining what to whom?" She asked again.
Astral was watching from afar. He sighed and closed his eyes. Yuma could be such an idiot sometimes. He heard Yuma saying some ununderstandable things, until Kotori spoke for him.
"He was just answering one of Astral's questions Miss Lucca" Kotori said bored, gaining a glare from Yuma.
"And who would this 'Astral' be?" Astral looked at the teacher when she mentioned his name.
"He's just…" Yuma trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"He's a friend of us. No one can see him, only Yuma and I." Kotori said sighing. Astral gave a little smile when he heard Kotori calling him a friend.
The teacher looked at Kotori and said nothing. She then continued with the class.
"Why did you said that?!" Yuma half-screamed in a whisper.
"I don't see a problem with it Yuma. After all it's true, and I believe Astral thinks the same." Kotori said also in a whisper.
"I must admit I agree with Kotori, Yuma." Astral said with a stoic face.
Yuma sighed and paid attention to the teacher. The teacher gave them a project about Natural Phenomena. They had to search information of the topic they were given and then say it in an oral report. After the teacher finished explaining the bell rang and the students got ready to leave the class.
"Remember students, the project is due on Wednesday. We will start the Oral report alphabetically. The students who do not give it on Wednesday will give it on Tuesday and eventually." Miss Lucca said. "You can now leave."
The students leaved the classroom with smiles, happy that it was already Friday. Yuma and Kotori leaved too but Astral noticed that the teacher was staring at them, especially at Yuma. He frowned and then leaved with Yuma and his friends.
"Finally! It's Friday! I couldn't wait to have some free time from school!" Yuma exclaimed with a happy smile.
"Oh, Yuma! You always want to have free time from school; especially when it comes to classes." Kotori laughed.
"Yeah, maybe that's true…" He said smiling at Kotori.
Astral was behind them and was watching every move the people around make. He was sure there had to be someone or something around there. He felt very uneasy. He saw the usual students that were in Yuma's class and some other students from other classes. Everything looked fine. That was until he heard a boy calling Yuma.
"Yuma! Yuma!" A boy with black hair got near Yuma. Astral quickly recognized him as one of Yuma's classmates.
"Akira, what's up?" Yuma smiled at the boy. Akira smiled back.
"I just wanted to ask if you had this afternoon free. Do you have something planned?" The boy asked still with a smile in his face.
"Well, now that I think of… I was planning to go to the Central Library. I still have to search some info and maybe I can start my project." Yuma answered. Astral looked from behind, and for some reason he didn't liked this boy.
"That's cool! I was planning to go there too! Maybe we can go together?" He asked with hoping eyes. Astral shook his head, wanting Yuma to say no.
"Yeah, sure! Why not?" Yuma said smiling again. Astral sighed. Why does Yuma have to be so carefree?
"Um… Yuma, I thought you were going to Tetsuo's home today." Kotori said. Astral noticed she was a bit annoyed. And he also noticed the killing glare Akira gave Kotori.
"Oh! That's true!" Yuma remembered making Kotori to smile confident. "Can you tell him I'm sorry? I really need to search that info. Perhaps I can go tomorrow?" Kotori widened her eyes and Akira gave her a winning smile.
"B-but! Yuma!" Kotori was about to say something but Yuma looked at her with pleading eyes.
"Please, please? Can you please tell him?" Kotori sighed.
"Fine, Yuma." Yuma smiled happily and gave Kotori a quick hug making her blush.
"You're the best Kotori! Bye!" Yuma pulled back and started running towards the exit. Kotori stayed there still with the blush in her face. Astral was still confused as to why humans would blush about something like that.
"Goodbye Kotori. I hope I'm not an impediment between you and Yuma, not that I care that much." Akari said with a grin before he leaved after Yuma. Kotori reacted at Akira's words and her expression changed to one of anger and confusion.
Astral frown for what looked like the seventh time that day. He then leaved to be with Yuma. During the walk Yuma and Akira were having they were talking about many things. They were talking about school, duel monsters, family and even tastes. They were now talking about the Science project.
"Hey Yuma, what's the phenomena that she gave you? Mine was Eclipse." Akira said with a smile. Yuma smiled too.
"Well, mine was snow, frost and hail. I think it isn't fair I have to do three of them." Yuma pouted making Akira laugh.
"Yeah, that's a bit unfair isn't?" They boys stopped at a red light and waited patiently for the light to change.
Astral saw a sudden change in Yuma's expression. He saw that Yuma's eyes saddened. He was about to ask Yuma what was wrong when Akira spoke.
"What's wrong Yuma? Are you ok?" He asked with a worried expression.
Astral frowned again. Why does this boy have to be in the way?
"It's nothing Akira. I was just thinking…" Yuma said and then looked over the street where he saw the people passing by. "The light's green. Let's go."
Akira nodded and started walking again. They reached the Library and started to search the info quickly. Hours passed by and Yuma couldn't find the info Akari wanted. He decided to do his project and then continue searching for Akari's info. Akira helped him since he had already finished his own project.
They were there for a couple of hours more until they noticed it was already late. They started to organize the books and stuff they were using and after they finished cleaning they took their stuff to leave. Yuma and Akira walked towards the exit when Yuma noticed it started raining outside.
"This can't be possible! It's raining again! It's been raining all this week!" Yuma exclaimed. Why didn't he bring his umbrella?
"Yuma, didn't you know? The weather channel told yesterday that the raining season started this week." Akira informed with a smile.
Astral, who was inside the key since they boys reached the Library, appeared beside Yuma. He looked at Yuma who had his eyes wide open.
"Why didn't they tell it before?!" Yuma asked-exclaimed.
"The reason why they didn't tell it before was because they weren't sure since it's usually raining season on November." Akira said smiling at Yuma's reaction.
"I've could bring my umbrella! Why didn't I bring it?" Yuma said in annoyance. Akira laughed a little.
"Don't worry Yuma. We can share mine. I don't have a problem bringing you home." Akira said with shining eyes.
Astral definitely didn't like this. He didn't like this boy. He didn't like Akira being so close to Yuma. But, why? Why did he felt so uneasy when he saw tis boy? Why he felt something warm in his chest every time he looked at him? Was maybe because… He was jealous?
"Jealousy… Is that what I am feeling? I do not like that boy. But, what is the reason? Why I feel this uneasiness when I see him close to Yuma? I believe… Maybe… I am jealous…" Astral stayed thinking while he was watching the boys go to Yuma's house.
Yuma and Akira laughed under the umbrella. They seemed like they were having a good time, even if it was raining. The boys reached Yuma's house and they started to say good-bye to each other.
"Good-bye, Yuma! I sure had a nice time with you!" Akira said smiling at Yuma.
"G'bye, Akira. Me too! Maybe we can talk sometime later, 'kay?" Yuma smiled at Akira.
"Sure thing! I would be glad if we can talk sometime soon! Well, Bye. I have to go now. See you on Monday!" Akira started leaving and waved Yuma with his hand.
Yuma waved back smiling and then entered the house. Astral, who was deep in thought, stayed out of the house a minute before entering. Before he entered he saw a grin forming in Akira's face. Something that makes him feels more uneasy.
Yuma was in the attic. He had said his sister and grandmother that he was very tired and he was going to sleep. They agreed but were worried for Yuma. He wasn't eating very much lately. When he came he always said that he was tired and was going to sleep and when it was morning he said he was late and didn't eat breakfast.
Astral also shared this worries. He had always saw Yuma eat a bunch of things every day. It was his favorite thing to do, after playing duel monsters. But lately, he didn't want to eat. He avoid every kind of food and when his friends asked him if he was hungry he would only shake his head and say that he already ate something.
But right now Astral didn't thought it was very important. After all, he didn't knew the consequences of this. He was more worried about Yuma's problem. What could be so big to make Yuma act the way he's acting? Astral didn't know, and he didn't like it either. He was just hoping Yuma would tell him what was wrong and let him help in any way he could.
Yuma gave his good nights and went to sleep. Astral watched Yuma's sleeping figure and started thinking again. He thought of the things that were happening that week. But the two things that really were on his mind where that shadow and Akira.
The shadow obviously was a mystery he wanted to know and Akira… Well, the truth is, he had never saw Akira before that week. He had seen him in class and that, but he never talked to Yuma before. Then, why? Why Akira is so suddenly talking to Yuma? And why is Yuma so relaxed about it? Isn't weird? The way Akira is always wanting to be with Yuma?
It's almost like… What Vector did. Astral opened his eyes. Maybe that was it! Maybe Akira was also a Barian? No, there had to be something else… Astral, still in his thoughts, retreated inside the Key.
He continued thinking. He needed to solve this mystery. He needed to know what was happening. He continued floating around the key until he stopped in the Numbers pillar. He saw the glowing numbers, meaning they were there, and the non-glowing ones. But that didn't mattered now. He decided he was going to put his full attention to Yuma.
Hours passed by. He didn't care how much time he was there, he just wanted to know the truth. Everything was so quiet inside the Key. It gave him peace and serenity. He closed his eyes tired, feeling the cold breeze from the Key. He had been so worried lately; he didn't have time to relax. For once, he decided to let go of everything and just enjoy the peaceful moment.
That was until he felt a bolt of power coming from behind. He opened his eyes and looked were the bolt came from. He widened his eyes. The power came from Number 96: Black Mist pillar. Does that mean… Black Mist is after them, again? No, no. That was bad. That was very bad. He had to warn Yuma.
Astral immediately leaved the Key and appeared in the attic. He searched for Yuma with his eyes but didn't saw him in his hammock. This makes him worry more. What if Black Mist had taken Yuma? He floated to Yuma's real room. He widened his eyes when he saw Yuma. Yuma was in the floor, he seemed unconscious. Astral went to Yuma's side desperately.
"Yuma? Yuma! Yuma, are you okay?" Astral felt pain in his chest when he saw Yuma didn't respond. He felt tears falling from his eyes. "Please, Yuma! Wake up! Please! Tell me everything will be fine, Yuma! Like you always do!" Astral felt desperation starting to consume him.
He didn't want anything to happen to Yuma. He didn't want Yuma to be hurt, neither by himself or anyone. He just wanted everything to be fine. He just wants Yuma to smile at him and say everything's going to be fine. He looked everywhere to see if he could find something to help Yuma.
He saw some notebooks and stuff in a corner of the room. He got near and saw another note. This one broke him. He didn't want to see that note, but it was already printed in his mind.
How can I tell you "Everything will be fine" when I don't even believe it?
As Astral was in the corner he heard Akari's voice from outside the room.
"Yuma? Yuma, wake up! Don't make me go to wake you!" Akari's voice sounded angry.
"Akari! Akari, please enter! You can help Yuma. Please!" Altought Astral knew Akari wasn't going to hear him; he still started talking out of simple desperation.
Akari stayed there for a couple of minutes before she opened the door. When she saw Yuma in the floor she screamed and got near Yuma.
"Yuma! Yuma! Yuma, wake up! This isn't funny! Yuma!" Akari took Yuma's shoulders and shake him a little. When she saw Yuma didn't respond she got really worried. She took Yuma bridal-style and leaved the room. Leaving behind a crying Astral, feeling useless to Yuma.
"Am I useless, Yuma? I only bring you pain and bad things, and I cannot be of help when it happens."
Ariette: Definitely, Black Mist is a bad influence to me...
Black Mist: I am not! And it's not like you have other friends to be with you *Crosses his arms*
Ariette: You little...! *Sigh* Well, thank you for reading!
To the reviewers:
Guest #1: X'D Don't mind if I call you like this? Well, if Black Mist is in the story then it's obvious I'll make Yuma's life miserable XD Yes! I'm evil! I hope you enjoy this chapter, although it's not amazing, I find it kind of lame...
Keyshipping-Jenny: Seriously?! O.O Ma'am, thanks! Hehehe, just wait and see XP Black Mist is dreamy! X'D And I'm planning him to take a major role in the story, you then will see why... Me? Emotional? Pfff! I think I need to put a bit more of emotion to this story... Lucky you!
Cyrio: Or Guest #2 XD (Don't mind me, I'm crazy :P) Thank you!~ I hope you like this chapter! And I think I still have to work a bit more with the characters, it's the first time I write in this archive nun
DaireySyns: u.u Life's cruel... And I am too! XD Thanks~ I appreciate your comments! Black Mist forever! (I'm crazy XD) Here I am! *Laughs* Nah! I still have to better some things, but thanks!
SYF: (Porque ya no quiero escribir tu nombre complete XD) Hai! I'm evil! XD Hope you enjoy!
Ariette: That's it for this week chapter! See you in two weeks!
Black Mist: Again two weeks?
Ariette: Hai! I'm very busy so I'll delay in writing next chapter nun
Black Mist: Fine... *Disappears*
Ariette: Bye, bye! Hope you liked it!
PS: MUAHAHAHAHA! I'M EVIL! X'D
PS2: I decided to bring more characters in the story, 'cuz I need more people. I hope you don't mind...