G: *laughs nervously* Hello darkness my old friend...

K: *rolls eyes* what she means is she sorry this took so long, lifes hard and depressing, blah blah blah, enjoy!

B: She hopes she can get back into frequent updates, but no promises! Thanks to all the people who have followed, faved and reviewed this storie, for sticking with it!

g: Ichi! Ni! San!


Chapter 7

They made their way to Kaiba's, Mokuba calling ahead to tell him that they were coming, and that it was important. Naturally, Kaiba didn't sound the least bit tired over the phone, as he is used to being woken up at unnamable hours, or not even going to bed, thanks to his job. It's a wonder how he can even go to school, and Noa expects him to start bleeding coffee at any moment, as it was his life blood.

Ryou led the group, as he just wanted this to be /over/ with. Before soon they were buzzed through the Kaiba's magnificent silver dragon gate, and were sitting down on couches, and carpeting so comfortable and plush, Yuugi- the shortest of the group- almost got sucked into the couch. He then decided to sit on the carpeting with Ryou and Mokuba. Seto came down into the lounge, and looked at all of the Hikari's outfits, and Noa and Mokuba's proximity, sighed, and sat down.

"Anyone what to tell me what the fuck is going on before I kick you all out of my house- my brothers excluded." Seto said while rubbing his forehead.

The Hikari's, small Kaiba's, and Mai looked between each other, silently debated on who would go first, before Mai rolled her eyes, and sat up as much as the couch would allow her to.

"I'll go first, since this has the least to do with me. Hola, I'm Mai Valentine- yes, the last name is fake, don't worry, no parent would be that cruel to give their child a pun name. I am afraid to say I do not recall my real last name though- as I haven't had need for it in the longest time, though I do remember I never used to always work in the black district- I used to have state of the art technology, and go to all these fancy private dance, business, and singing classes, and got... Homeschooled, by private tutors I believe. It seems far-fetched of course, but I assure you it's the truth. It all changed when my father made one bad business deal after another, and got into gambling, and in the end, took away my inheritance by kicking me into the streets- I don't know whether or not the idiot even actually disinherited me, though I expect not as that would cause a scandal he couldn't handle, probably convinced people I went to boarding school and/or died, or something, he wasn't very creative, as I remember. Using my superior knowledge, I quickly went from homeless, to employed with a living space, to owner of my very own, slightly illegal club- only slightly illegal though, I swear to Dios. One day those three," she pointed at the Hikari's, "walked in looking for jobs, which I easily gave them. They were polite- a thing rarely seen in those parts- but could fend for themselves, and had sweet, angelic faces. They were perfect! I didn't ask questions, as everyone knows if you have to get a job down there, you can't get a job anywhere else, and it's best to keep out of others business. They happily returned the favour. Over sometime though, I quickly came to notice the had talent- raw, untouched talent, so I did what I did. I befriended and helped them, helped pick out their name, helped them when they got musicians block, became their choreographer, and knew that at least when they get famous, I would of had a hand in it, in case I ever needed a favour. Surprisingly enough, we got along muy well, and now they are close amigos, I wouldn't change for the world."

The Hikari's all smiled at Mai when she said that.

"As for the little ones, they came in proclaiming themselves the managers, and as I could easily see from the Hikari's attitudes it was probably blackmail, I didn't make a fuss, and welcomed them with open arms, as I didn't want those little diablos to turn on me."

At this, Noa and Mokuba smiled angelically, and Mai shivered and crossed herself.

The Yami's nodded to themselves, at this new bit of information, while Seto placed his fingers under his chin in thought. After sending a quick, but no less freezing, glare at his younger brothers, he turned to Mai and send,

"Your story intrigues me, especially at the part of you being rich. You say you have no clue what your real last name is anymore, but I could easily find that for you, if you so desire."

Mai looked up at Seto with a smirk, "From any other person, that would be a gesture of good-will. But, judging by your hermanos menor, and what stories I've heard of you, that can not be it. What'd 'ya want for me niño?"

Seto didn't even bother to sweeten it up, and said, "If what you said is true, and the idiot didn't disinherit you, then you could be successor of a huge fortune and company- one that I may not have merged with my own, as preposterous as that sounds. I am simply trying to gain myself a debt that will be beneficial to me."

Jou gave a snort from the carpet, and mumbled, "I knew tha' bastard couldn't a done nothing out a his heart- he don' have one!"

Catching Ryou's look, he concluded, "But I woulda been freaked da fuck out if he tried doing anyt'ing from his heart."

Ignoring Jou, Mai questioned, "But if I'm lying-"

Seto cut her off, "Cut the crap, we both know your not lying, so don't even try that."

Mai grinned and said, "Si si, muy siento for taking you as the usual brand of idiot that walks into my club, won't do it again. What if the bastard did disinherit me though? Or- if I get a company- it's already merged with your own? Then how could I pay off the debt?"

"I thought you said you were going to stop playing me for a fool. Even if those things happen, we both know that all manner of people would step in to your establishment. Some you've may have kept your eyes on, or maybe even have incriminating material on-"

"You mean blackmail." Mai said with a wolfish grin.

"...Yes. Anyways, working in a place like yours, you probably have friends almost everywhere- I say friends, I mean spies. While I do too, you have more trustworthy people, in the... lower classes, something that I cannot afford to try to get. You can easily help me collect any incriminating data on enemies, competitors, and business who I may have to be... persuasive...to merge with KaibaCorp. That would be more than enough to pay off the debt."

Mai whistled lowly, "Remind me to never get on any Kaiba's bad side. You got yourself a deal." Mai stuck out her hand, "And don't worry, if I do inherit a business, you have a guaranteed merge- I ain't loco enough to go against you."

Seto shook her hand, and informed her that he'll get the offical contract to her in 2 to 7 business days.

"Okay, now that we got that out of the way, any preguntas? Any questions?" Mai asked.

Bakura raised his hand lazily and said, "Explain the Spanish accent."

Mai blinked,"When I was kicked out, I lived with, and were practically raised by an assortment of drag queens, strippers, and prositutes who lived together- we all came together to pay rent- it was like one big, fucked up family. They were all Spanish or could speak it, I simply picked it up."

Bakura raised his eyebrows, and nodded.

"I have one, hold old were you when you got kicked out?" Yami asked, raising his hand slightly.

"We are not doing the raising hand thing!" Ryou quickly said.

"Hmmm, I was about catorce, maybe quince anos when I got booted out. Fourteen, maybe fifteen. Before you ask, I'm somewhere between eighteen and thirty now, so I survived pretty well."

Malik snorted and said, "She's twenty one."

Mai took off her neck belt with practiced precision, and threw it at Malik, hitting him dead on his forehead.

Malik rubbed his head and held it up, "Ten points to the person who guesses who started the neck belt fetish, starting at Yuugi, then Ryou and finally me on occasion."

"Idiota." Mai muttered taking back her neck belt.

"Ding ding ding! We have a winner! Though I would of also taken bondage-like accessories queen, Mai Valentine!"

Jou had to physical hold Mai back from strangling both of the laughing Egyptians.

When she calmed down, Mai sat down with a sigh.

"Alright, whose next?"


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