Chapter Twelve

Mind Games Part One

((A/N: Hey guys. So yeah, remember how I said Finals were going to slow me down at school and prevent some of my posting? Well, I got sick so I had to miss a day. I was finally able to get to one of my favorite episode streams. Hope you all enjoy!))

"Kayla? Kayla, wake up!"

Kayla awoke suddenly, sitting up in her bed. Yugi was the one who had called out her name. "Hey, sorry for waking you, but they're about to draw another duel."

"Seriously?" Kayla groaned. "Kaiba doesn't know when to quit does he?"

Yugi shook his head. "Apparently no. But anyways, we should get going. I'll leave you to get ready."

Kayla smiled. "Thanks Yugi."

When he left, she slowly stood up. A sharp pain shot through her chest again, causing her to double over in pain. She looked over at her mirror, and realized she wasn't wearing her shirt. She was wearing Bakura's!

She slowly removed it, wincing in pain. The entire upper section of her body was bandaged up. "What the hell did he do to me?" she whispered.

She then began to unravel the bandages, curious to see what had happened.

The moment she didn't she bit down on her bottom lip to keep herself from screaming in horror.

Five circular wounds lined just a few inches below her collar bone. She couldn't tell how deep they were, but she could tell they were going to scar.

The only thing she could think of that would leave a wound like that were the needles of the Millennium Ring. She then realized that was probably what it was.

She clenched a fist and threw Bakura's shirt on the floor. She then shoved through the clothes in her closet to find a new one. All she found was her white button up blouse. That would have to do for now.

She put on her jacket and slipped her duel disk onto her arm. She then walked into the hall to see Tea and Joey.

Tea grabbed onto Joey's ear as they walked by. "Why are you so damn mean to her!" Tea demanded.

Joey pushed her hand away. "You're the one grabbin' ears!"

Tea crossed her arms. "Mai wanted to feel like your friend, but you were too immature to let her!" She then grabbed his ear again. "Next time grow up!"

Kayla cleared her throat. "Um, guys?"

Tea and Joey both spun around. "Oh, Kayla, we didn't see you there." Tea said.

"I gathered that. What was that all about?" Kayla asked.

Tea was about to answer, but Joey cut her off. "Oh no big deal. Just Tea makin' a big deal over nothin'."

"I can hardly consider what you told Mai nothing." Tea countered. "Selfish jerk." She walked away from him, still steamed.

Joey walked after her towards the elevator. Kayla looked in their direction still confused. She turned her head and saw Mai walking down the hall. "Hey, Mai." She said with a smile.

Mai was looking down at the floor in deep thought. But the moment Kayla said her name, her head immediately shot up. "Oh, hi Kayla. Are you going to the drawing?"

"Of course." Kayla said. "Wouldn't miss it. Want to walk with me?"

Mai shrugged. "Sure, why not."

With that said, both girls began walking towards the elevator. "So, not that it's any of my business," Mai said. "But I happened to see Ryo come out of your room last night without a shirt on." She gave a mischievous smile. "What was that all about?"

Kayla blushed. "Oh, nothing… I honestly don't even know what he was doing in my room last night…" She stammered.

Mai's smile grew. "Don't worry Hun; your secret is safe with me. Just try to be a little more discreet about it. Ok? Yugi doesn't trust Ryo anymore after what happened, and I'm not sure how he would react to seeing you with him."

"But I'm… Why would he even care?"

"Yugi sees you as one of his friend Kayla. And he's very protective of his friends. Just take my advice alright? We don't need any more drama on this blimp."

Kayla nodded. "Right. No drama. Got it."

The girls then stepped out of the elevator and onto the main floor. Everyone except for Marik was waiting for them. Odion was under medical care in his room, still unconscious from his duel with Joey.

"Hey Kaiba, since Marik entered under a fake name, shouldn't he be disqualified?" Joey asked.

Kaiba smirked. It was that constant smirk that made Kayla want to smack the living crap out of him. "Wishful thinking Wheeler. But in this tournament, names don't matter. He has the card I want, and nothing, not even something as simple as a fake name, will stop me from getting it."

"He's gone nuts over this." Kayla mumbled. Yugi nodded at that, and Joey smiled.

"Attention Duelists." Kaiba's suit, Roland said. "The drawing for the next duel will now begin. Everyone remember your numbers."

There were six finalists left now, Kayla, Joey, Yugi, Kaiba, Mai, and Marik. Kayla knew she would eventually have to face one of them. Would that day be today?

A number was spat out, and Roland grabbed it. "Our first duelist is number four, Mai Valentine!"

"Let see who Mai is dueling." Mokuba said. "Then its show time!"

The selector started up again, and Mai began to walk away. "Later guys."

Everyone turned. "But Mai, don't you wanna see who you're duelin'?" Joey asked.

Mai crossed her arms. "Like it really matters." She snapped. "I'll win no matter who it is. As for you guys, I'll see you at the arena."

"We'll be rooting for you." Joey said.

"Don't bother."

"What?" Kayla asked. "Why not?"

Mai turned. "Look, don't take this personal Kayla. I made this decision before you came in. The truth is I don't need you guys to win. I was a good duelist before I met you guys. Also, a certain blonde knuckle head in your little group is beginning to piss me off."

Joey looked hurt. "You mean me?"

"That's right Joey." Mai said coldly. "It's perfectly clear you don't consider me a friend, and I don't consider you one. So let's just leave it at that!"

Her words were like a slap in the face to Joey. "Who knew she could be so cold?" Kayla thought.

She started walking away again. "Later. I'm out of here."

When she left, Kayla turned to Joey. "What did you do to piss her off?"

"It's a long story." Joey said. "I'll explain later alright?"

Another number came out, and Roland picked it up. "Our next duelist is duelist number five! Marik Ishtar!"

Kayla gasped at that, thinking about what Mai just said. "Mai's going to need all the hope she can get in this duel!"

Everyone nodded in agreement to that.