Zelda-Jewel: Sorry that it took forever to update, I had the story completed, it's just that I have to write it out on computer that kills me.
Last Time:
She hadn't seen her friends since she started dating, in a way Kaiba denied her that privilege, and she longed to see them, and for some reason she wanted to see Joey the most, something about him always made her feel better.
She found a comfortable spot to sit on the green grass behind some bushes so she would be recognized. The image of Kaiba's harsh words to her and his abusive ways flashed in her mind as tears came forth once again.
Soon her silent sobs turned into wails of help, she just sat there and cried, in the background she heard a faint yell of...
"I'll get it"
Before a mop of blonde fell from behind the bushes right in front of her, he clung to the football tightly as he got to his feet by flipped around on his knees. That's when Brown eyes meet Purple.
Mai stared at Joey for a long time, tears still fell from her eyes as she tried to whip them away before Joey saw but it was too late.
"Mai?"
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I'll Be There
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"Mai are you alright?" Joey asked concerned, he quickly through the football back to Yugi then informed him that he needed to take a small time out. Mai's gasps of tears made Joey's attention turn back to her.
"Mai what happened?" Joey sat down next to her, he looked at her with pity and because of the flood of tears.
"I-It's nothing" Mai stuttered out
"Don't tell me that, you wouldn't be crying if it was nothing, please tell me what's wrong, did that Kaiba do anything to ya?" he growled through his teeth, if Kaiba did Joey was going to make him pay.
"N-No" Mai lied but her tears came back faster and made streams of babbling brooks form down her rosy cheeks. Joey wasn't the least bit convinced, he slid closer to Mai as he put two strong arms around her.
"Tell me what he had done?" Joey's soothing voice calmed Mai down a little but she wasn't going to tell about Kaiba, not just yet.
"I told you Joey he did nothing, I-I'm just stressed about this wedding, it's so hard to plan for this" Joey instantly removed his hands, his face turn to one of hurt again as he looked to the ground.
" Is that all?" he said hardly above a whisper, he never looked up to meet her gaze but he was sure that she wasn't telling the whole truth, that there was something else.
"Well, I wish I could invite you guys to the wedding, but I'm under 'certain rules', I'm afraid all these preparations won't get done on there dead lines" Mai continued
"Isn't Kaiba suppose to help?" Joey asked darkly, there was no reply just silence between them, so quiet you could hear the intakes of breath and the release,
Many thoughts were running through Mai's head, should I tell him? Would he believe me? Would he keep my secret? Mai wished she could confide in someone and maybe Joey was the one for that job.
Joey had also been deep in thought,
'I know she's hiding something, but what is it? Something is wrong with her and I'm going to find out.
"Joey I'm so scared" Mai's cry interrupted his train of thoughts as he looked over at her. Her tears made his heart break longing to help her, but he would never get that close, if there was only a chance to show her his way. with his eyes he encouraged her to go on.
"I'm scared that we weren't meant to be, Seto and me, but I want to make it work I really do" Mai went quiet looking away for fear she would only get laughed at.
"But?" Joey asked as he placed a hand on her back
"But something's telling me not to, but I'm sure I love him" Joey let out a breath that he just realized he was holding, he knew he didn't have a chance now.
Mai shook from what she just revealed, was love really like this, with all this pain? she was so alone and so afraid.
"Here" Mai looked at Joey then glanced to what he had in his hands, there was one of Joey's strongest duel monster cards, the one he won from Rex, she remembered that day, she remembered always trying to get back at Joey for beating her in their duel, but why was he giving this to her?
"Joey, this is your Red Eyes, you love this card" Mai pushed the card back towards him
"No Mai you keep it, when you feel afraid or if you feel alone just look at this card, it will show you that I'll always be with you and as long as you hold this card near to your heart then it will protect you because I'll near you to see that no harm comes to you."
Mai looked shocked at Joey's speech, when did he start talking like that? Her eyes softened she never knew Joey cared so much.
"Thank you" Mai softly reach for the card, gently brushing her fingers against his, he made her feel safe and his words were true because as soon as she took the card she instantly felt better,
"I better go" Mai informed him as she stood up
"Wait, I will walk with you" Joey jumped to his feet
"NO, Joey you better not" Mai snapped, stopping Joey in his tracks
"Why?
"I don't know, Kaiba really doesn't like you" Mai didn't want Joey to get involved with this.
"It's dangerous for a woman like you to walk alone, please let me walk with you" Joey pleaded, Mai couldn't stand his puppy eyes therefore giving in, she shook her head and Joey again started to follow her.
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"Guy's has anyone seen Joey?" Tea called out as the gang took a break
"He said he needed a time out for a while" Yugi replied
"Knowing Joey he probably went home, he hasn't been himself lately, I'm worried for him" Serenity explained
"Yeah I notice Joey hasn't been himself, what's wrong?" Tristan asked
"Love sickness" Yugi, Tea, Tristan, Duke and Serenity all looked over at the source of the voice, only to find Ryou still reading his book.
"What?' Duke asked
"Haven't you guys noticed that he only started acting like this since he knew Mai was with Kaiba?" Ryou asked looking up from his book.
"Now that you mentioned it, Yeah" Tristan replied, knowing Tristan he's always the last one to know.
"Joey told me not to say anything to you guys about that, so don't mention it around him or I'll be on the receiving end of his fist" Yugi said
Serenity giggled innocently knowing that's what Joey would really do.
"I'm sure Joey will get over it, he needs sometime to clear his head" Serenity insured them
"That shouldn't take long" Tea mused, receiving a glare from Serenity
"He's just upset that Mai had ended up with someone like Seto Kaiba, I wonder what it must be like with someone as cold as him?" Serenity asked more to herself
"Let's not even go there for all we know he's not human just a robot who does nothing but make peoples lives a living hell" Duke interrupted
"Yeah, anyways Mai a strong woman she can handle him" Tea laughed it off as the rest nodded their heads in agreement.
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The two walked side by side in silence just the sound of passing cars, they didn't speak since they left the park both confused at what was happening.
"Sooo...how's life been living with Kaiba?" Joey tried to make conversation
Mai just continued in silence, she didn't know how to respond to that, was it 'ok' when it's just a big cage.
"Fine" Mai bluntly said, she quickly came up with something so Joey wouldn't be so suspicious with her answer.
"Thank you for that card again" she smiled up at Joey, then there was that goofy grin that he always got.
"That's ok it's a copy, after I lost it once I wasn't going to give the original away"
"Joey Wheeler are you some big cheep friend or what?" Mai laughed and hit him playfully on the arm.
"Ha I'm just kidding Mai it the real thing" Joey laughed now this seemed right, both of them laughing and having fun.
"There's Kaiba mansion" Joey pointed to the big building, Mai's eyes followed his direction instantly her face melted back into depression.
The two came to a stop right outside the gate, they looked at each other for a while not knowing someone was watching them.
"Thanks for cheering me up" Mai smiled
"No problem, anytime" Joey grinned, Mai let go of his hand to enter the gates but a sudden urge came to her as she ran back to him and gently kissed him on his cheek instantly making Joey's face go red.
"Thanks you" Mai whispered before turning and leaving before another word was spoken
As soon as Mai shut the entrance door, Joey literally jumped in the air, gaining a huge smile on his face, he was definitely falling in love.
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Mai let out a heavy sigh, leaning her head against the front door she thought of what just happened.
She kissed Joey Wheeler and what she felt was a spark of excitement, joy and trust, something she never felt with Kaiba.
Mai decided to go back up to her room wanting to write a journal entry on this wonderful day, when she went to turn around she was suddenly confronted with icy blue eyes.
"Why were you with that Mutt?"
'Oh No'
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Zelda-Jewel: There you have, it's short but hey it gets better, should I tell you a little more of the summary, anyways this story is just not on romance, it's about jealousy and want, hate and lust, What will Kaiba do? What will Joey say? What will Mai find out?