//Notes from the Authoress//: Now the grand entrance of Laoa. He's my creation, so no copying, 'kay?

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If I did, I sure wouldn't be typing this story! I'd be making up new and better plots and raking in bundles of cash! Then I'd be rich and buy the world! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! :ahem: Sorry, caught up in the power trip…But I will be making a reference to an episode, so this isn't plagiarism. NO SUING!

Oh yeah. For the next couple of chapters, Yugi will become Yami Yugi, but the gang will just call him Yugi, cuz they don't know what a yami is yet. Sorry if that's confusing. You also get a bit of Joey's past... why DOES he get so pissed when he's called a puppy? Sorry if my plot interferes with the original episode plots, but this is MY story.

To NUNYA-BIZ: Thanks! K-U-R-I-B-O-H…got it!

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Flashbacks

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Italics = Thoughts

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Dueling Hearts

Chapter Three: Experience

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The breeze swept over the clearing where the group of friends awaited their answer from the unseen presence. The silence was thick, almost tangible, and Mai took an instinctive step towards Joey. He glanced over his shoulder at her, silently telling her not to worry. She swallowed hard and nodded slightly. A few moments passed before Yugi finally relaxed.

"It's all right. He's gone," he said and heaved a huge sigh of relief.

"Are you sure?" Mai asked, unable to keep a quaver out of her voice.

"Yeah, I'm sure. My puzzle doesn't sense anything," he assured.

"It's okay now Mai. That coward's gone," Tea said, coming over to lay a hand on her shoulder.

"I…thanks," Mai said, looking at the ground.

"Hey! I'm back!" Tristan called, appearing with an armful of wood. "What'd I miss?"

"Not much," said Bakura, "Yugi's puzzle sensed something, but who…or whatever it was is gone now."

Tristan stared at him for a moment. "Okay. Well, I found some wood. Let's get this fire started."

A few minutes later, a spit of fish roasted over a crackling fire. Mai's mouth was almost watering as she watched the fish brown and sizzle. It had been a while since she'd eaten an actual lunch on this island. Yugi tested the meat on one and smiled.

"Lunchtime!" he said, beaming. Everyone pulled their respective fish from the spit and devoured them. Tea sliced up the fresh fruit and Yugi passed out the canteens. After everyone finished eating, Joey left the circle and took out his deck. Mai perched on a rock and stared at him. She hoped he was so engrossed with his deck that he wouldn't notice her watching him. She glanced at the bandage covering her arm and thought of the gentleness he'd shown her. So unlikely from her first impression of him; cocky, loud, a joke. But now, everything was steadily changing. About her, about him, about everything.

You coward, her mind scolded. If you had any backbone whatever, you'd go over there! Talk to him! It's not gonna kill you!

She sighed and got up, straightening her skirt. Taking a deep breath, she went to him. He was sifting through his cards, muttering to himself about kicking some creep's butt. An evil grin spread over her lips and she crept up behind him. She popped her head over his shoulder.

"Whatcha doin'!?"

"ACK!!" he screamed, scattering his cards. He glared at her. "You LIKE doin' that! WHY?" She grinned and shrugged innocently.

"The devil made me do it," she said, setting her lips in a pout. Joey blushed hotly and turned his attention to his cards. Seeing her pretty mouth like that was almost too much for him.

Mai chuckled and bent down. "I'm sorry, Joey. Lemme help you," she offered, picking up a few cards out of his reach.

"Thanks," he said, unwittingly reaching for the same card she was. Their fingers rested on one another's for a moment and they stared at each other. Mai blushed like a peach and dropped her eyes. Joey turned away and went back to his cards.

There's another thing to add to your list, she thought, half-smiling. What gorgeous eyes he's got…

You do that again and she'll find out for sure you idiot! Joey screamed inwardly.

"Thanks again," Mai said, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, your arm. You're welcome." He answered, finally looking at her. "How is it?"

"Fine. It doesn't hurt anymore at least." She brushed a finger over the white cloth. "You're pretty good, Doctor Wheeler," she grinned, earning a half-grin from him.

"Well, I've had to patch up myself from time to time," he said quietly.

Mai nodded, "Fighting."

Joey shook his head, "Beatings…"

"Oh," Mai whispered, taken aback. "I'm sorry… I didn't…"

"Don't apologize. It's just where the conversation went. You couldn't know, and it was a long time ago." Not long enough, he said to himself, remembering…

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"NO! DAD, NO!"

"Come back 'ere ya li'l good-fer-nuthin'!"

 The frightened ten year-old tore into his room and dove under the bed, breathing in gasps. His left eye throbbed hard. He'd have a shiner in the morning. But that was the least of his worries. The pounding downstairs grew closer, accentuated by random crashes of china. The bedroom door slammed into the wall as his father threw it open. Joey watched his big black boots stomp around the room, kicking things aside, stopping in front of his desk, his closet and finally his bed.

Please God! Don't let him find me! Please don't…

A large hand shot under the bed and grabbed his shirtfront, yanking him out from beneath his hiding place. His back scraped against the framework and he screamed. Something crashed into his face, rocking head to the side. At this distance, he could smell the venomous odor of cheap whiskey, overpowering and stifling. He tried to kick his feet against the wall of his father's chest, but only succeeded in getting cast to the floor.

"Don' you DARE fight back ya disrespectin' li'l DOG!" the big man slurred. One of the big boots shot out, connecting with Joey's ribcage. Something popped and the boy shrieked loudly.

"SHUT UP!" his father bellowed, seizing him by the shirtfront again. Holding him at arms-length, he punched him in the face, shattering his smooth lips. Blood stained the meaty fist as he drew back again. "Now look! Ya got yer filthy blood on me! I'll teach ya a lesson!" he screamed, punching his son in the gut. His breath left his lungs in a great whoosh. Joey doubled over to the floor, gulping for air. His father's lips twisted into an ugly sneer, "Now whattya got ta say?"

"I-I-I'm s-suh-suh-"

"STOP STUTTERIN'!" he bellowed, kicking him in the shoulder. Joey cried out and fell back on his rear and stared up at him with terror in his bloodshot eyes, whimpering bitterly.

"I'm-sorry!" he shouted through a hiccuping sob. One final slap cracked into his head and he fell against the bedpost, weeping.

"Yer sorry WHAT?"

"I'M SORRY SIR!!" he screamed through the tight pain in his throat.

"Yeah, ya'd better be sorry! It's yer fault she left me, ya know! Yers and that sister of yers! And don't you ever fugget it! You hear me you little dog!" his father growled, finally exiting the room to sleep off the night's debauch. The door slammed shut, resounding through the otherwise silent house. From the hall, Joey heard his the insult that would leave a scar deeper than any on his body. "Lousy whimperin' DOG PUP!"

 Joey hiccuped another sob, shivering from cold and fright. The shaking made his wounds hurt even more and he reached under the bed for the first aid kit. He muttered something under his breath and spit a cracked tooth into his hand. Deftly, blindly, he began to patch up the new injuries. This wasn't the first time his father had come home drunk. But it wouldn't be the last, he knew. It was becoming a bit of a routine, and Joey couldn't see it stopping any time soon. As he dabbed the stinging disinfectant onto his split lip, he wondered just how much longer he could actually stand this.

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Tears stung Joey's brown eyes and he ran his hand over them, in case any tears fell. He didn't want to cry in front of her. Unexpectedly, Mai's hand fell on his shoulder. He whipped his head around and stared at her.

"Joey…don't talk about it if you don't want to," she said softly. Joey continued to stare at her. He had a very odd look on his face. He raised his hand to her cheek. Mai's heart throbbed hard in her chest. Oh God, what's he doing? Her eyes began to close as his thumb brushed the corner of her lips, which were already pressing forward in anticipation to meet his.

"Some strawberry seeds," he explained, drawing his hand away. "They were drivin' me nuts," he said as he flicked the little red specks from his fingers.

"Erg," Mai groaned, nearly falling over. They were so CLOSE! She felt like pounding him then and there. It wasn't fair to get her hopes up like that! Of course, he probably had no clue of what her hopes were.

"Hey! You two over there!" Tristan called, catching their attention. "If you don't hurry up, we're gonna leave without you!"

"Yeah, yeah keep your shirt on!" Joey called back, gathering up his stuff. Mai got up and went to join the group. When she'd gone, Joey let free a huge sigh. "Smooth move genius," he muttered, shoving his cards into his pocket. He flushed to think how close he'd been to kissing her. He wanted to so badly, but he wondered how she would have reacted if he had. He had a pretty good idea, and he found he liked not having the imprint of her hand on his face.

Soon the group was walking on the weathered path on their way to their next duel. Yugi and Joey led the way, chatting about their decks. Tristan and Tea walked together as usual, occasionally calling to the others to continue conversation. Bakura trailed slightly behind Yugi, lost in thought. Mai sighed, holding her arms, feeling left out of everything. Guess they still resent me a bit. Figures after the "first impression" I gave them on the boat. God, I was cold…

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"Well, what do we have here?"

"Huh?" Joey and Yugi turned their heads at the sound of her voice. There stood the prettiest girl either of them had ever seen. Joey gaped, certain that his eyes would fall out of his head.

"Wow," he breathed and felt his face blaze. She took no notice of him and smiled at Yugi.

"So you're the Yugi kid everyone's been talking about, huh?" She asked, sounding intrigued. Joey nudged his friend, his eyes fastened on the goddess in front of him.

"Whoa, check it out!" he spurted. She walked past him to Yugi and bent down to make eye contact with the shorter boy.

"But I'm amazed that a squirt like you could beat Kaiba! You're famous, you know." From where he stood, Yugi could see down her blouse. He flushed.

"Uh, thanks very much, I think," he stammered not quite sure where to put his eyes. At this moment, Joey piped up.

"Hey miss, I'm actually a very good friend of the famous Yugi, the master duelist! In fact, I…"

"Look!" she snapped, cutting him off. "You're either a champ or a chump!" She said to Yugi. "Cut this guy loose. He's fashion-challenged and deserves to be crushed in the games." She turned to leave, casting a melting glance at Joey over her shoulder. He felt his knees waver and his face grow beet red.

"Please crush me!" he called. She looked back at him and his grin grew even wider.

"I'll crush you all eventually. The name's Mai," she said and walked away.

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"Crush you"? That's a laugh. Never thought I'd ever crush on you. Hope there's still time to redeem myself… Wait! What do I have to redeem? I am who I am, and I never needed friends before! Why should I change for them?

Her gaze trailed forward to rest on the back of a blond head. She half-smiled, remembering how soft his hair was in her fingers. HE'S why you want to change. Admit it. You're crazy about him.

She shook her head violently, willing herself not to think of him. If they both made it to Pegasus's castle, she might not have the heart to duel him again if she admitted falling for him. Even if it was true.

"'Ey Mai! You okay back there?"

Her head snapped up when he called out to her. Why was he so concerned about her? "Yeah, I'm fine!" she called back, but wondered if she really was.

"Well, don't be a stranger Mai!" Yugi said. "Come walk with us!"

Mai's brain reeled. Should she? What would that do anyway? Surely she wouldn't spill her guts by just walking with them. She took a deep breath and quickened her pace to match theirs. She saw Joey smile, very slightly, and then turn his attention back to Yugi. Along the way, Bakura hurried up to Yugi.

"Yugi, I've been getting very strange feelings from my Millennium Ring."

Yugi frowned. "What's going on?"

"Sometimes the sensory cones will lift to point, but then lay still. They never point in a definite direction, just…"

He trailed off as the Ring began to pulsate atop his chest. The golden cones lifted and glowed dully, then fell back and the unearthly glow disappeared. Yugi's eyes widened.

"You see?" said Bakura, picking up the Ring.

"Yeah… weird, hey!"

As he was speaking, the Millennium Puzzle began to glow. At the same time, the Ring's pointers all lifted at once. Bakura and Yugi grew serious at once. They braced themselves. Joey caught on to their attitude.

"What's up? Do ya sense 'im?" he asked, lifting his fists in readiness.

"Yeah," Yugi growled, his eyes narrowing. Behind a bush of flowers, something moved and everyone turned to face whatever it was. Mai's arm throbbed and she made a small, fearful sound, fueling Joey's anger towards the guy who'd hurt her.

"Well! C'mon out and show y'self, ya COWARD!" He shouted, his voice steel.

"Joey don't!" Mai cried, afraid that someone else might be attacked.

"As you wish!" said the same icy sweet voice they'd heard before. There was a flurry among the blossoms of the bush and a shadow shot out. It landed on the ground for a moment then leapt for Joey.

"Joey, look out!" Yugi cried and the pair fell, struggling, to the ground. They rolled and writhed around until Joey gained the upper hand. He planted his feet on his antagonist's stomach and launched him across the path. Unscathed, the attacker jumped up and readied himself.

He looked to be about twenty, tall and imposing. His face was strongly marked and serious, and his figure was commanding. His eyes were a hard fiery blue-silver, blazing with unearthly intensity from his tanned face. There was a belt about his waist sustaining a sword or dagger of gold. He reached and drew it, bringing it forth with a singing sound. Mai gasped and shrank back, shivering.

"Who are you?" Yugi asked, on his defense.

"I am Laoa, Pegasus's finest eliminator, not that it's any of your concern runt!" he answered, coldly conversational.

"I knew it! I knew you were one of those eliminators! Who do ya think you are, pullin' that hit an' run stunt on her?" Joey yelled, his brow reddening.

"Joey, this guy isn't the one to pick a fight with!" Tea hissed. "He's an eliminator!"

"Yeah, so? If he's too chicken to fight his battles fair…"

A cold laugh from Laoa silenced him. "And who would I battle with? You? That's a laugh!" His smile grew vicious as he looked past Joey to Mai. "Forgive me, but I was never one to let easy prey get away." His eyes wandered down her inviting figure. Joey followed them and felt the blood pulse in his forehead. "And I rather enjoyed our…closeness," he hissed.

"That's it! C'mon!" Joey growled and ran at him. Laoa smirked and delivered his defense. He crouched beneath Joey's assault and sank his fist into his stomach. Joey's breath left him in a cough. The taller man grabbed him and threw him aside into a tree. He slumped to the ground, moaning.

"Joey!" Mai and Tea cried, running to him.

"Are you okay buddy?" Tristan asked, stooping next to him to check his pulse.

"That was unfair!" Bakura protested.

Yugi's puzzle glowed brightly, coming to life with ancient energies. Yugi cried to his inner spirit and under went an astounding change. When the intense blue light disappeared, Yugi, now infused with dangerous power, opened his eyes, revealing a more deadly crimson gaze; Yami Yugi. Laoa flinched slightly, but regained himself at once. Yami glanced at Joey when he heard him groan. "Joey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." He muttered, pulling himself to his feet. He glared at Laoa. "You dirty fighter! You stole Mai's star chips, and you're gonna give them back!" Laoa began to laugh and Joey snarled at him, pulling against Tristan's restraining arm. "You SHUT UP! Lemme go Tristan!"

"Whoa there buddy!" Tristan said, barely holding him back.

"Lemme go!" Joey shouted, shrugging free.

"Take it easy Joey," Yami said gently.

"Don't worry about me Yug'," Joey assured, stepping forward steadily. "An' don't waste yer breath on this trash, 'cause you ain't gonna fight him. I AM!"

"What?!" Tea cried, disbelieving what she'd just heard. "Joey, you can't…"

"Oh yes I can! An' I will! And unless you're too gutless Laoa, I challenge you to a duel! All of Mai's star chips against all of mine!"

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// Ohh, bold Joey! Like it? Not like it? PLEASE TELL ME YOU LIKE IT! Wanna see the battle? Please review! If you don't, you know what will happen…:Evil Grin: