Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh! Or its characters--I just want to
borrow some of them for a while. I promise to take good care of them (I
even gave Joey a bath--hehehehe), so please don't sue me!
Chapter 4: WHAT VICKI SAID
Joey didn't have too much to say as they left the card shop. He pushed his hands into his pockets and walked with his head down. He was surprised that Vicki touched him like that in front of everyone. Sure, it boosted his ego, but at the same time, he felt guilty. A lot of things that Vicki did confused him. Joey was beginning to think that Vicki could be trouble-- with a capital "T."
"She cares for you. But she's afraid she'll lose respect if others see that." Joey listened to Vicki's words, but he remained silent. "And you care for her. So I decided to shake her up a little...after all, I AM a vixen."
Joey thought to himself, *Well, she's half right. I like Mai. But Mai doesn't like me.*
Joey still didn't have anything to say, so Vicki changed the subject. "I do not understand how you can enjoy battles between pictures on pieces of paper...that is no real contest!! When I used to fight in a duel, there were no limits to strength or defense. We battled with all our strength, speed, cunning, weapons and magic until there was a victor."
What Vicki said slowly soaked into Joey's brain, and left him chilled. Vicki, or "The Elegant Vixen," was a creature of great strength and cunning...one that didn't run from a fight to the death...one that would do anything to win. One that was very unpredictable, maybe even lethal. And she called him 'keeper.'
Joey thought to himself, *Great! I just found the perfect girl...can't wait for the folks t' meet her!*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Well, Joey is a keeper, is he not?"
Mai was also struggling with what Vicki said. She sat in front of the mirror on her vanity table, brushing her hair with quick strokes. With one action, Vicki had clearly shown everyone that she liked Joey. With one question, she underlined that Joey was...lovable.
"Well, Joey is a keeper, is he not?"
Mai stopped brushing her hair and looked at herself in the mirror. As she sat there staring into her own eyes, a lot of thoughts and images began crowding into her mind. For once, she did nothing to quell the emotions flaring in her heart.
She thought about how Joey had seemed taken with her the first time he saw her.
And how she promptly put him down.
How she challenged Joey to a duel, thinking he'd be an easy kill.
And how Joey figured out her psychic scam, then served her a bitter defeat.
How angry and embarrassed she felt for losing to such an amateur.
And how she still couldn't get Joey off her mind, even though she hated him.
How she sought revenge by getting Rex Raptor to duel Joey without Yugi's help.
And how Joey won again, but on his own this time, with only blind luck as his guide.
How very loyal Joey is to his friends.
And how Joey told her that even she needs friends.'cause no one can make it on their own.
How surprised she had been to learn that Joey had only entered the tournament to get money for his sister's eye operation.
And his tears of gratitude when she gave him her card so he could face Bandit Keith.
How Joey had risked his life in Kaiba's virtual game, sacrificing himself to save someone who wouldn't even show him respect or gratitude.
And how hott Joey had looked in his "bathroom rug." (Mai smiled at this.)
How very lovable Joey had become...to her.
And how Joey avoids her like the plague now.
How Vicki was with Joey tonight.
And how Vicki was staying with Joey tonight.
Especially how Vicki was staying with Joey tonight.
Mai let out a deep sigh. *Yes, Joey is a keeper. And if Joey's avoiding me now, it's my own fault.* She put down her brush and stood up. Mai headed towards her bed. She pulled back the covers and climbed in. Then she turned off the light and laid down. She turned her head to look out the window at the dark, starless sky.
*Will I ever learn? My defenses chase guys away before my brain ever gets time to think about it. I finally accept my feelings for Joey, but now Vicki's there.* Mai thought a long time about how easily Vicki had showed her attraction for Joey. *Why can't I be more like that? Instead, I run over guys like road kill.* Until she fell asleep, Mai thought of ways that she could be more like Vicki. *If she can do it, so can I! I just hope it's not too late.*
[End Chapter 4
Author's note: Thanks to Nighteyes and Angel-Belle for their input on switching to an 'R' rating...not just yet. ^_^ But who knows....I feel an urge to start throwing things in the fire coming on!!! [O_O] ]
Chapter 4: WHAT VICKI SAID
Joey didn't have too much to say as they left the card shop. He pushed his hands into his pockets and walked with his head down. He was surprised that Vicki touched him like that in front of everyone. Sure, it boosted his ego, but at the same time, he felt guilty. A lot of things that Vicki did confused him. Joey was beginning to think that Vicki could be trouble-- with a capital "T."
"She cares for you. But she's afraid she'll lose respect if others see that." Joey listened to Vicki's words, but he remained silent. "And you care for her. So I decided to shake her up a little...after all, I AM a vixen."
Joey thought to himself, *Well, she's half right. I like Mai. But Mai doesn't like me.*
Joey still didn't have anything to say, so Vicki changed the subject. "I do not understand how you can enjoy battles between pictures on pieces of paper...that is no real contest!! When I used to fight in a duel, there were no limits to strength or defense. We battled with all our strength, speed, cunning, weapons and magic until there was a victor."
What Vicki said slowly soaked into Joey's brain, and left him chilled. Vicki, or "The Elegant Vixen," was a creature of great strength and cunning...one that didn't run from a fight to the death...one that would do anything to win. One that was very unpredictable, maybe even lethal. And she called him 'keeper.'
Joey thought to himself, *Great! I just found the perfect girl...can't wait for the folks t' meet her!*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Well, Joey is a keeper, is he not?"
Mai was also struggling with what Vicki said. She sat in front of the mirror on her vanity table, brushing her hair with quick strokes. With one action, Vicki had clearly shown everyone that she liked Joey. With one question, she underlined that Joey was...lovable.
"Well, Joey is a keeper, is he not?"
Mai stopped brushing her hair and looked at herself in the mirror. As she sat there staring into her own eyes, a lot of thoughts and images began crowding into her mind. For once, she did nothing to quell the emotions flaring in her heart.
She thought about how Joey had seemed taken with her the first time he saw her.
And how she promptly put him down.
How she challenged Joey to a duel, thinking he'd be an easy kill.
And how Joey figured out her psychic scam, then served her a bitter defeat.
How angry and embarrassed she felt for losing to such an amateur.
And how she still couldn't get Joey off her mind, even though she hated him.
How she sought revenge by getting Rex Raptor to duel Joey without Yugi's help.
And how Joey won again, but on his own this time, with only blind luck as his guide.
How very loyal Joey is to his friends.
And how Joey told her that even she needs friends.'cause no one can make it on their own.
How surprised she had been to learn that Joey had only entered the tournament to get money for his sister's eye operation.
And his tears of gratitude when she gave him her card so he could face Bandit Keith.
How Joey had risked his life in Kaiba's virtual game, sacrificing himself to save someone who wouldn't even show him respect or gratitude.
And how hott Joey had looked in his "bathroom rug." (Mai smiled at this.)
How very lovable Joey had become...to her.
And how Joey avoids her like the plague now.
How Vicki was with Joey tonight.
And how Vicki was staying with Joey tonight.
Especially how Vicki was staying with Joey tonight.
Mai let out a deep sigh. *Yes, Joey is a keeper. And if Joey's avoiding me now, it's my own fault.* She put down her brush and stood up. Mai headed towards her bed. She pulled back the covers and climbed in. Then she turned off the light and laid down. She turned her head to look out the window at the dark, starless sky.
*Will I ever learn? My defenses chase guys away before my brain ever gets time to think about it. I finally accept my feelings for Joey, but now Vicki's there.* Mai thought a long time about how easily Vicki had showed her attraction for Joey. *Why can't I be more like that? Instead, I run over guys like road kill.* Until she fell asleep, Mai thought of ways that she could be more like Vicki. *If she can do it, so can I! I just hope it's not too late.*
[End Chapter 4
Author's note: Thanks to Nighteyes and Angel-Belle for their input on switching to an 'R' rating...not just yet. ^_^ But who knows....I feel an urge to start throwing things in the fire coming on!!! [O_O] ]