I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX or the wolf demon Kage. I give credit to Abyssdancer for the inspiration of this story and the image of Kage goes to the artist of that beautiful picture. However, Kage's past is mine.

blah…blah…blah- character's thoughts

"blah, blah, blah,"- telepathy

Chapter One- Meeting

Syrus had no idea that he was special, unique. He grew up in his brother's shadow, following him in being a duelist. Yes, he wasn't as good as Zane when they were kids, but he was determined to get into a dueling school. He knew that if he did, then surely his dueling skills would improve and he would be a pro duelist.

Zane tried to be patient in teaching Syrus the finer points of the basics, but Syrus sometimes failed to grasp them and Zane would put down Syrus' sills which Syrus eventually realized was done out of frustration. Syrus ended up with stage fright, test anxiety, and low self-esteem as a result, but he loved his brother nonetheless.

When Zane left for his first year at the Academy, Syrus then found out that he was special. He had started having dreams of a figure with gold eyes, wolf ears, and a tail. He exuded a confidence he envied but he also seemed arrogant as he regarded Syrus. That arrogance faded eventually and was replaced with a warmth that calmed him as the figure scared him, despite it being a dream.

"Dear Syrus, I am not a figment of your imagination," the figure finally said two months after Zane went to the Academy.

"What are you then?" he asked, wary of this figure.

"I'm a part of you. Our souls are merged together."

"Our souls?"

"Listen. My name is Kage and I am a wolf demon. I have shadow powers and use them to do a variety of things but mostly to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Thirteen years ago, while working on strengthening my powers, I was jumped by three large demons. I was fatally wounded. I used the last of my strength and energy to come to Earth and I merged myself with you when you were a few months away from being born. I spent years to recover and now I am strong enough to talk to you."

"So, what happens now? I know that we can't separate since we're merged."

Kage smiled. "You're correct. We are two souls merged and sharing one body. What happens is that I will share my history with you and train you to use our demon energy."

"Demon energy? Then…I'm not human?"

"You're half-human and half-demon."

"Oh, my head's hurting," Syrus moaned from all that he had heard.

"Then, we will talk another time and I will try to clear up whatever confusions you have." Kage faded away and Syrus returned to a peaceful sleep. He didn't tell anyone about the encounter as no one would believe it and he was having trouble comprehending who and what he was. Was he Syrus or Kage? Was he human, demon, or a combination of the two as Kage had said?

Kage's eyes softened when he next appeared and Syrus asked these questions. "I understand how distressing this revelation is for you. Syrus, our souls are merged but only one of us can be in control and that is you. You are human and demon. In time, you will be able to access my powers as your own and even take on my demon form and use my voice."

"Perhaps, use your name when I do?"

"If you wish. I would be happy if my name was spoken again."

"I'll make sure of it." Syrus smiled. "You know, I never really had a friend. I'm a bit shy."

"I can help you be a little less shy and you could help me with something."

"What?"

"I would like to understand dueling more. I have looked into your mind on the subject but I would like to know more."

"Zane knows more than I do. He's better at the game and he's attending a dueling school."

"I'm aware of that but you know more than you think you do."

Syrus considered that for a moment. "I do know more even if I don't fully understand some of what Zane tried to teach me."

Kage nodded at this. He had watched helplessly as Syrus went through childhood idolizing Zane. He had wished he could have communicated with Syrus whenever Zane spoke of Syrus' poor skills, but then he wouldn't have this sweet, shy boy who thought little of himself in terms of dueling. He needs to be more certain of himself and I can make sure of that by putting some of my confidence into him.

"Kage, how old are you? I mean, you look a little older than Zane but your voice is a lot like his."

"I am older than I look like most demons. I was 200 when I was attacked."

"So then you're 213 now?"

"That's right."

"Did you have siblings?"

"No, but I wish I did. I feel I would have made a good brother."

"I think so too. You're real nice to me."

Kage chuckled. "I think you're rubbing off on me as I was a cutthroat demon when I fought back protecting others."

"You…killed?" Syrus paled at this revelation.

"I did." Kage did not regret what he had done as his land was and is a violent place. The time he had spent recovering inside Syrus showed him a world that can be peaceful at times despite violence that can erupt elsewhere in the world. Now that he was strong again, he could strengthen while sharing them with Syrus. My powers and wisdom will belong to Syrus as well as belonging to me. I will learn about dueling from Syrus and the dueling school he dreams of attending and that is where I will start.

"Syrus, is attending this dueling school important to you?"

"Yeah. Duel Academy is the best school in the world. That's where Zane is and I want to go there too."

"You have a deck. I saw some of it."

"They're called 'roid monsters and belong to the machine class of monsters just like Zane's cards."

"There are other…classes of monsters, yes?"

"Oh, yeah. A lot of other ones. Each monster also has one of six attributes. Some people build a deck around one attribute; mine is a mixture, sort of."

"Attribute. Would that be the circle in the upper right corner?"

"Yes. There's earth, wind, water, fire, light, and dark."

"I recall seeing a green-blue card in your hand one time that didn't look like a monster."

Syrus' cheeks burned as he said, "It's a type of card called a spell card. They can do a variety of things depending on the text written on the card."

Kage quizzed Syrus to gauge his knowledge of the game before ending their talk for now and promising Syrus that they'll talk more of his past next time. Syrus smiled as he settled into bed and closed his eyes. He had a friend in the form of a wolf demon whose soul was joined with his own.

Kage was far older than Zane but he was more patient. It kind of makes sense. We're two souls in one body. He's watched me for years and I didn't know it. Well, I'll still act as I always have. Syrus gave a sigh as he fell asleep.

Kage sat in a meditative pose, closed his eyes, and called up his energy and powers. His energy had been where it was when he was attacked. He began to strengthen them to the level he had planned on before switching to his powers, giving more strength to them and creating a couple of new ones.

I will work on them and bestow them upon Syrus in about a year. I need to share my past first before speaking more of the powers. After all, we have just made the other's acquaintances.