To Protect You- A Jounouchi/Mai Fanfic

Chapter 1

"Man, that movie was awesome!" exclaimed Jounouchi Katsuya. His voice rang loudly through the peaceful atmosphere of the quiet autumn day. A cold breeze blew through the street in front of the theater exit as Jounouchi and his younger sister Shizuka walked out. "I'm tellin ya, sis, that Jet Li guy could kick anybody's butt!"

Shizuka placed a hand over her mouth and giggled sweetly. "Onii-chan, you're so silly!" she commented. "But you're right. That movie was great!" Shizuka wasn't usually one for high action movies like 'Rise to Honor,' but she would never pass up a chance to spend some time with her big brother. She smiled and confidently stated, "But I'll bet if Jet Li and you fought, you'd win! No one can beat my onii-chan!"

He knew she was only kidding, but Jou DID love it when Shizuka rubbed his ego. Jounouchi threw a light jab into the air and played along. "Oh, yeah! Jet Li's got nothin on me!" he chanted, and then burst into laughter. Shizuka caught the infectious laugh, and they started walking back across town to their ratty little apartment. They continued discussing the movie. The sun started to set, and the air got chilly. Pretty soon they were half way home and were walking through a notoriously bad neighborhood. Jounouchi had a pretty keen street sense, so even while he was happily chatting away with his little sister he kept a sharp eye on their surroundings. However, he was still surprised when he heard the voice of his friend call out.

"Jounouchi? Is that you?"

Jou turned around and saw the face of his friend, Kujaku Mai. The blonde haired, violet-eyed girl had walked out of a building just after Jou and Shizuka had passed by.

"Mai?" Jou questioned.

"Mai-san! It's nice to see you again," Shizuka said politely. "It's been awhile."

Jounouchi was still quite startled by Mai's sudden appearance. "Yeah, it's great to see ya again...but.... Why are you here in Domino? I thought you went back to America," he said.

Mai looked up to the sky thoughtfully. "Yeah, I went back for awhile, but it's SO boring over there!" Then Mai winked playfully. "Why do you ask, Jounouchi? Aren't you happy to see me?" she pouted.

Jounouchi's eyes opened wide, and he replied defensively, "No! That's not what I meant! It's just kinda a shock, ya know?"

Mai laughed at Jou's awkward response. Same old Jou -- so easy to read. "I know. I'm just messing with your head, Jounouchi," she explained and walked over to him. She reached up and ruffled his golden hair. Suddenly, she drew her hand back and wrinkled her nose. "Ew, Jounouchi! When was the last time you WASHED that hair of yours?" she exclaimed.

Jou laughed with a sense of nonexistent victory. "HA! Almost a week ago!" he proudly proclaimed.

Both Mai and Shizuka's faces became twisted in disgust at the thought of 'unwashed-for-a-week' hair...and at Jou's pride in his greasy mane.

"Onii-chan, you really shouldn't be so proud of something like that," Shizuka said in an almost scolding tone. "You should wash it once we get home."

Jounouchi waved his hand uninterestedly. "Yeah, yeah, I was gonna..." he trailed.

"Anyway," Mai interrupted, wiping her hand off on the side of her jeans, "I got tired of America, so I decided to move here," she explained. "Actually, I was going to try and get a hold of you guys, but since you're right here, it saves me some time."

A wide grin spread across the blonde boy's face. "That's great! Everyone's gonna be real happy to hear you're stayin, Mai," he said happily. Jou's friends meant everything to him, so he was always happy to see one stick around for more than just a tournament.

Mai smiled softly. Oh, how she missed that grin of his. The sky was beginning to turn a dark navy blue, and the streetlights activated. "Wow, it's later than I thought!" Mai exclaimed. "I should head home."

"Hey, we'll walk you there," Jounouchi offered.

Mai rolled her eyes. "You don't have to do that, Jounouchi. I'm pretty sure I can make it six blocks on my own."

Six blocks? Jou didn't like the sound of that, but he didn't want to upset Mai, so he lightheartedly argued. "Hey, it's on our way. Besides, you really can't keep us from going with ya. Right, Shizuka?" Jounouchi remarked. Shizuka simply replied, "Right, Onii-chan!"

Jou winked then through up a victory sign. "Well, that's 2-to-1, Mai. Looks like you're stuck with us!"

"Greeeeeeaaaaat, just what I need. Oh, well," Mai raised an eyebrow and smirked. "At least your stench will keep away any perverts or pick-pockets, Jounouchi."

"Ha-ha, very funny," Jou said dryly. "Ya know, after everything I've done for you, I'd think you'd be a little nicer to me!"

It was true. Jounouchi was always there like Mai's 'knight-in-shining-armor.' No matter what, he always stood before her in the face of danger, protecting. She didn't understand why he always took it upon himself to be her savior- whether it was some misogynistic mindset or a genuine concern for her safety- but it didn't really matter. Despite his childish antics and utter lack of refinement, in his own way Jounouchi Katsuya made Mai feel special...almost like a princess.

Of course.... She would never admit that.