Chapter Twelve- End of the Year

Jaden felt light-hearted since confessing; he no longer had to make excuses to feed. When told that Jaden never feed on a guy and therefore didn't know if it was less satisfying, Hassleberry offered his neck to confirm that fact or not.

Syrus watched with wide eyes as Jaden sank his fangs into Hassleberry's neck and started drinking. He watched Hassleberry's skin lose some color and his eyes slide closed as he lost consciousness.

"Jaden, it's kind of scary seeing you do that," Syrus commented as the vampire withdrew and healed the mark. "I mean, doesn't it make you feel…weird?"

Jaden hefted his victim onto his bed. "Honestly, no. The first time I was thirsty and had a small headache. I didn't hesitate to attack or think about my fangs in her neck because of how I felt at the time. When I saw Alexis later, it didn't seem weird or scary, it seemed…natural." Jaden paused, frowning. "Okay, that sounded weird. I guess, to me, feeding is normal now."

Syrus glanced up at the unconscious Hassleberry. "How long will he be out?"

"Well, probably the rest of the night, just like everyone Alexis or I have fed off. You know, that wasn't as satisfying as it was the other night. It seems girls are preferable."

Hassleberry opened his eyes and blinked at the sunlight streaming through the window. How did he get on his- oh, right. Jaden must have put him up there. He's really strong. Or maybe he got temporary super strength from my blood.

He sat up and looked down to see Syrus passed out in his bed, but once he got down, he saw Jaden's bed was empty. It was clear that Jaden had slept, got up earlier, made the bed, and left. He headed for the door and saw Jaden on the other side, leaning against the railing. He put his boots on before opening the door and stepping outside.

Jaden looked over his shoulder at the door opening and smiled at his friend. "Hey, Sarge. Feeling good?"

"Yeah, actually. So…how was it?"

Jaden knew he was referring to his blood. "Not as satisfying, just as Alexis and I suspected. I wasn't thirsty afterwards," he assured his friend. "There was just something missing that I get from girls."

"At least we know now."

"Yeah. Okay, after some breakfast, I'm dueling Satorius."

"What!? Just like that?"

"I should have dueled him a few days ago, but I was enjoying the fact that you and Syrus know my secret and I didn't want to let that feeling go right away. Well, let's eat." Jaden took off down the stairs and Hassleberry followed, however, he headed for Alexis' living space instead of the cafeteria. He knocked urgently on the door before Chazz opened it.

"What do you want?" he asked coldly.

"I need to see Alexis ASAP."

Alexis appeared behind Chazz. "What's up, Hassleberry?"

"Jaden said he's going to duel Satorius this morning after breakfast which he's having now. I was kind of hoping you could talk him out of it."

"Talk Jaden out of dueling? You're kidding." She gave him a second look. "All right. I'll try." She stepped out and closed the door.

They took a few steps away from the door before Alexis said, "Hassleberry, did Jaden feed on you last night?"

"It's noticeable, huh? Yeah, I volunteered since Ja never fed on a guy before."

"I see. I guess last night was Volunteer Night because Atticus let me feed on him."

"Atticus knows? And Chazz?"

"No, just Atticus." They reached the cafeteria and Alexis entered alone.

Jaden wasn't alone in the cafeteria, but he was alone at a table. She sat down across from him and leaned forward. "Are you really planning to duel Satorius soon?" she whispered.

Jaden swallowed some rice. "Yeah. Hassleberry told you?"

"He did. He had the crazy idea of me talking you out of it."

"Obviously you're not going to."

"Nope."

"I have to duel him. One night a week ago, he showed up in my room when I was alone and gave me one of the keys to the satellite and told me to keep it safe and not give it back, even if he asks."

"Why would he do that?"

Jaden shrugged. "Split personality?" he suggested.

"Considering what we've seen at this school, it very well could be. Just be careful."

"Of course. That nice Satorius said I could be the duelist chosen to save the world." He stood up and she followed suite before the two of them headed outside. They watched Chazz stroll by, swinging a medallion as he went.

A thought struck Alexis. "Jaden, where are your medals?"

"Gave them to Chazz. I didn't want them. Hey, Alexis, when I beat Satorius, how about we feed on a couple of Obelisks to celebrate?"

He's very sure he's going to win. Well, I'm seen him win some tough duels in the past, so he very well could win. She grinned at him. "You're on."

Alexis prowled outside the girls' dorm, waiting for Jaden. She knew he beat Satorius because those in the Society came to their senses and the white dorm would go back to blue and white as per Chazz's prize for winning the GX Tournament. But, right now it was still all white.

She heard a leathery rustle before Jaden landed and retracted his wings. He looked up at the girls' dorm. "So, the dorms will be blue and white again, huh?"

"Yeah and everyone will be allowed to return to their own dorms. However, I plan to stay at Slifer."

"Yeah?"

"I may be an Obelisk, but my heart is Slifer. Now, let's feed."

Jaden nodded and flashed a fanged smile as they separated for their victims. He turned invisible before entering the girls' dorm. Alexis planned to stay at Slifer and he knew that Syrus and Hassleberry would also stay. Atticus might go back to Obelisk, but that was fine as long as his best friends and girlfriend were with him.

And Alexis and I will be together for eternity. I wonder what we'll see, who we'll feed on and, most importantly, how the future of Duel Monsters will evolve.

The End