A/N: After I saw the dark-side of dimension I wondered if Joey would run into Mai when was trying to build up his new caterer as a duelist. So I hope you like it. Forgive me, if Mai is out of character, I haven't worked with her personality much. This story will be in Joey's POV
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!.
Moving Forward
It had been one heck of a time to watch Yugi defeat Diva. I nearly thought we would all be wiped out if the Pharaoh hadn't stepped in to save us but then Yugi could have figured out a way save us too.
Which ever way it could have happened we would have ended up okay. All was well now. Everything was back to normal it seemed but we had to go our separate ways. A few days after our graduation Tea had left the country to start out her dancing career, Tristan had begun working with his father at his factory and Yugi had continued helping his grandfather at the game shop but also started creating a game all on his own. I could not wait to see how that turned out.
Yep, everyone had their careers set but as for myself, I was on my way to becoming a pro duelist. I had a good start getting invitations from tournaments all over the world including America. I met friends near and far but it never crossed my mind that I would run into her again.
We were at at Europe's duelist cup and Mai was as beautiful as she was three years ago with her long blond hair and dark violet eyes. She wore a purple strapless dress since it was part of a tournament rules to look nice for whatever reason. It was sad that I had to use all the money I won for the past couple of tournaments to buy this snazzy, black tuxedo but money wasn't everything, right?
I had wanted to go say something to her but if my memory was correct the last time we saw each other it had not been on the best of terms. She had been under the orichalcos' spell. She had been alone and who knows what other feelings she had. In a way, I blamed myself for what had happened to her but I couldn't let that stop me! I had to see what she was like now.
After taking a deep, steady breath, I calmly walked up beside her and pretended to be interested in the duel that was playing on the big screen. "Didn't think I run into you here." I said to try to strike up a conversation from her.
Mai turned her attetion towards me and became shocked at the realization of who she was standing next to. "I had thought so too,"
All was silent except for the noise of other duelist behind us. As for Mai she seemed sad, looking down towards the ground. "I-I would had hoped I wouldn't see you again until I owed up to what I did but now-"
"You don't have to owe me anything, Mai."
Hearing this made the woman look away. "How can you say that after...after I tried to get rid of you. I-I was consumed by the orichalcos' power and I let it brain-wash me into making me believe I didn't need anybody and I had to take you down to get power. So it-it's probably best that you never see me again."
She was about to turn away and run but I gently caught her by the wrist which made her to look at me. " We need to talk about this."
"You let me go, Joey Wheeler!" Mai sad as she tried to free herself from my tight grip but I wasn't giving up. We needed to get this conversation about the orichalcos incident over with. I then lead her outside into the warm night air and locked the double door behind us.
"Just listen to me for a minute. Both of our duels won't be a while so you don't have worry about getting disqualified. I just need to tell you how I feel."
I watched her cross her arms and become angry but after a sigh escaped her lips she looked back up and answered "Okay, I'll listen."
"When we first ran into each other again after the Battle City tournament you had told us that you were being plagued by nightmares of Marik and felt all alone right? Well, after hearing how you felt I sort felt guilty. I should have called you and check-in on you but I didn't. I would have comforted you and told you that you were not alone. If I had done these things Dartz wouldn't have brain-washed you into making you believe you needed power. I wasn't being a really good friend back then but...I want to make it up to you."
"You do?"
I nodded. "Remember when we met during the Duelist Kingdom tournament. Yugi and the rest of us showed you what friendship was about and I asked if you would take your shield down...well I am asking you to take your shield down once again. Let me be there for you starting right now and pick-up where we left off but this time I am not letting you go, confide in me about your hurts. Let me heal your broken heart."
"Joey...I can't." Mai answered and began to tremble with fright. "I don't want to be hurt again. I tried out this friendship stuff before...and look where it got me!"
I grabbed her arm before she could storm off again. "You may have gotten hurt but there are such things as second chances, Mai. Some friendships will hurt you but if people are true to that friendship then they will try to fix it. Everyone has been through troubles like these, Mai and you only need to try again."
She looked away but I could tell that she was thinking this over hard."When I was about to finish you I...you could say that I was stating to see things in the right way again but I was to late due to exhaustion you lost your lost. You probably don't deserve a friend who would betray you."
I shook my head and looked her in the eyes. "I was like you once. I thought I didn't need any friends but Yugi showed me what true friendship was about. If one person was best friends with another person but something bad happened to that person they would try to to get that person back. Remember when I was brain-washed by Marik and was forced to duel Yugi?"
She nodded.
"He fought really hard to get me back and I am going to d the same with you. So what do you say? Will you trust in me again to let me show you true friendshi?"
"I will." She said "Thanks for opening my eyes all those years ago and coming back for me."
"That's what friends are for. If you want we can start traveling to the same places together for old times sake and start patching things up that way.
"I'd like that."
All of sudden I realized how close we were standing and my mouth was just inches from hers. Hoping I wasn't moving things fast for her I leaned down and gently kissed her, wrapping my arms around her waist, pulling her close to me and to my surprise she kissed me back, feeling her arms wrapped her around my neck and dug her hands into my blonde hair.
When we parted the man on the intercom announced that Mai's duel was next. "We better get inside so you can make it for next match but remember I am rooting for you."
"Thanks Joey."
Once we walked inside. I watched her leave for the stage. I hoped that I could open Mai's heart again. Before she met Yugi and the rest of us she had no friends and family to rely on but now I hoped we could fix what was broken and maybe someday in the near future she could rely on me as friend forever.
A/N: How was this. I Mai wasn't out of character but if she was please forgive me. This has to be the first time I written a Polarshipping story. Please review!
