New chappie! I want to thank everyone for the nice reviews, and Sayuri-san I'd love to be in ur contest! :-D Anyway...this chapter didn't take me too long to write...but I'm sure the next one will...lots of angst. So enjoy, and please R&R!
***
Yugi slowly and tediously traced the outline of the Chaos Soldier on a peice of paper. The afternoon sun streamed in through the window. Sitting at his desk with his back to the room he was concentrating hard until a hand found it's way to his shoulder. Startled, he jumped and whirled around.
"Heh, sorry to scare you. I'm gonna get outta' here soon. Are you _sure_ you can stay?"
"Yes, I'm sure!"
"Alright." Yami started to turn around, when he stopped and sheepishly faced Yugi again.
"Um, do I look ok?" He had a slight blush and Yugi knew that he would never hear that question come out of his dark's mouth again. Yami was just leaving to meet Mai in a coffee shop downtown and "talk" about Duel Monsters. It was all the blonde's idea.
Yugi knew it had to happen sooner or later.
And just because he was little didn't mean that he had no clue as to what was going on. He had guessed to himself a long time ago that Mai liked Yami but he hadn't said it. But the question was, did Yami like Mai?
Yugi looked Yami up and down. What he was wearing was very different from the royal blue uniform in Yugi's school and it gave him a casual attitude which Yugi kinda liked. The ex-Pharaoh wore a plain white shirt under a collared, longsleeve, navy button-down with baggy khaki pants and brown boots. The golden Millenium Puzzle hanging around his neck made the outfit seem even better and classier. His hair was the same as always but Yugi could smell a faint hint of cologne.
To answer his question...
"Yeah, Mai will love ya. Where'd you get the money to buy all this?"
"Well I don't think you'd believe me If I told you..."
Yugi laughed. He'd seen so much already, soul stealing, kidnapping, fights, everything. "Trust me, Yami, nothing would surprise me."
"Well then, Kaiba gave me the money."
"WHAT?! But you guys hate eachother!"
"I thought you said it wouldn't surprise you?"
"I lied."
Now it was Yami's turn to laugh.
"Well, early this morning he called the gameshop about some new card sets that were coming in and yes, he wasn't happy to talk to me, but you were out of the room for a minute and Mai had just asked me an hour ago to go out...so...I mentioned the date to him and he asked if I needed help in the clothing department."
"Wow, I never knew Kaiba would do something like that for you."
"Yeah, neither did I. He even went to the mall and picked out everything! You weren't even awake when he dropped them off. When I asked him why he wanted to help me he just said that when it comes to women, all men are friends."
Yugi cracked a smile. Kaiba was full of surprises.
"Well, have fun. And behave."
"Very funny, aibou. I'll see you in a few hours."
With that, Yami left the room and started his journey to the coffee shop.
***
Mai sat uneasily in her chair, looking out the windows of the coffee shop and tapping her fingers on the tabletop. Unconsiously she pulled at the petal of a little crimson flower nestled in a thin vase in the middle of the table. Outside, the afternoon was getting warmer and the sun shone in nicely through the glass. Mai glanced at the door for the hundreth time and smoothed out her shirt.
[Why am I so nervous? Honestly, it's not like this is a blind date.]
The door opened to the shop and Mai held her breath expectantly, hoping to see the dark youth but instead, a frazzled looking lady walked in and pushed by a couple in the line.
Mai sighed and played with her hair. If he stood her up, he would never forget it. But she knew she couldn't be mad at him.
***
[Must get to shop on time, must get to shop on time, must get to shop on time, Mai, must get to shop on time, is Yugi ok? Must get to shop on time, Do I still look ok? Must get to shop on time]
Millions of thoughts ran through Yami's head at the speed of light as he walked quickly up the sidewalk to the little bistro. Everyone on the sides of him were just an obstacle he had to get by in order to get to Mai.
[Wait a second, why do I want to get to Mai this quickly anyway?]
Yami stopped and stared at the pavement.
[I can't like her.]
The Pharaoh's heart told him to like her but his mind warned him otherwise. He had duties to take care of Yugi and the Millenium Puzzle. To love, or like, was to be distracted. So he couldn't get into this. It wasn't meant to be.
In Egypt, long ago, marriage was required but he had never truly desired it. Luckily enough, he didn't have time to marry before he was sealed away forever in the Millenium Puzzle. The preists had chosen some princess Shalta from Gaul for him to marry. And he, obviously, didn't love her. He had never even met her. But somehow, Yami knew that even if he DID love someone enough to get married, it would never happen. Liking Mai was hopeless.
He turned on his heel. Away from the bistro.
Only to be face to face with a young woman, dressed in street clothes and holding out a bucket of roses.
"Hey, going somewhere?"
Yami looked at the girl inquistively.
"I didn't mean to bother you but you looked kinda...um...sad. But by the way you were walking, I'd say you were in a hurry to get somewhere."
"Yes, I was..."
"That's what I thought. You look nice. Is it a date?"
The dark knew where THIS was going. She was going to guilt him into buying a rose.
"It WAS a date."
"Ohh...I'm sorry. I wasn't going to bug you into buying a flower, if that's what you were thinking. You just seemed pretty sad about something so I had to stop and ask. I hate it when people are upset."
Yami shuffled uneasily. Why was he opening up to a stranger? If he just thanked her and moved on, he wouldn't think twice about Mai. The girl was trying to help but if he started to talk it out he might change his mind.
"Thanks."
Yami drew in his breath, but before he knew it the words had jumped from his mouth.
"I was just upset about the girl that I was going to see. I don't know if it'll work out."
His mind cursed him in Egyptian.
"You know, I had the same problem. But I winged it. Some things are and somethings just aren't meant to happen. You just have to try it out and see. So how bout it? I'll give you a free rose, on the house and you can go to wherever you were going and give it to that someone and remember what I said."
The Pharaoh smiled and took the rose that she held out in her hand. It glistened with drops of water from the bucket. For some crazy reason, she made sense.
"Thanks again. I guess you're right, I just gotta try."
The girl returned his smile and then went back to roaming the street and looking for potential buyers.
Yami twirled the stem of the rose in his fingers and watched her go. It was like a wrestling match had just gone on between his heart and his mind and his heart had just given his mind a smackdown. His mind was shouting things at him about how easily he gave in but his heart was singing. Give Mai a chance. Give it a chance.
****
Mai's eyes shot up quickly when she felt a breeze blow in from the open door of the coffee bistro. She was finally rewarded with the sight of Yami, standing in the doorway and gazing around. Smiling nervously, she straightened out the wrinkles in her shirt, breathed into her hand and then waved him over.
[Just be normal.]
That was the mantra which cruised quickly through both Yami and Mai's heads as they neared eachother.
Mai got out of her seat, and looked him up and down. Her mouth fell open a little. He looked so HOTT. Smiling she cleared her throat and sheepishly said "hi."
Yami stood staring at her as well. She was wearing a lowcut, frilly, baby blue top and a pair of blue jeans. Even though it wasn't overly fancy, Yami was temporarily paralyzed. Then, snapping out of it, he quickly made up for his lapse by giving her a warm hug, before they both sat down and ordered. Then, the silence was to come.
The blonde looked across the table, past the flowers, straight into his eyes. She couldn't help but notice that the flowers matched them.
Yami then remembered the rose and drew it out from under the table. She had missed seeing it, somehow.
"This is for you."
He smiled warmly and Mai nearly fainted. Handing the rose across the table she took it and laughed, that sarcastic, confident laugh.
"You shouldn't have."
Inside, she was all smiles. The duelist placed the rose in her purse and turned to face him.
"So Yami...about those duel monsters plays...you gotta teach me some stuff."
They had to start somewhere. Mai waited expectantly, slowly relaxing into the situation.
Yami, on the other hand, was on pins and needles. Taking three mental breaths, he
spoke.
"Like what?"
"I dunno. How do you always know what people will play?"
"I don't always know. But sometimes, you just have to think like them. Be them."
"Alright, pretend you're me. What am I thinking right now?"
The Pharaoh started to relax as well.
"I'm thinking that I look beautiful this afternoon, because I do."
Mai blushed, but quickly recovered.
"Let's forget duel monsters."
"All if forgotten."
The two smiled at eachother from across the table.
[This date won't turn out so bad afterall.]
***
It was 7 o'clock. Yugi flipped through the booster packs in his hand, drew out two and handed them across the counter to the customer waiting. The man smiled, handed over the money and walked out into the night, already beginning to open the packs.
Just behind him Yugi saw a familiar face. He was excited for a minute and then his stomach knotted horribly. He suddenly remembered where Yami was. With Mai.
"Crap, crap, crap..." Yugi looked down at the counter and became very interested in a scratch in the wood.
"Hey Yuge!"
Joey walked up and slapped his hands down on the counter.
"What's up?"
Yugi felt absolutely sick. He didn't know how he would tell Joey if he asked where Yami was. But then again, Joey didn't like Mai _that_ much, did he?
"Hey there, Joey!"
"I jest came by to duel. I figured Mai would come by later anyway."
Joey laughed lightly and scratched the back of his neck. Yugi swallowed hard.
"Oh! Well, um...she's not here yet but I'm sure she will be soon."
"How about Yami?"
That was the question that Yugi feared the most. He didn't wanna lie to Joey but he also didn't want to tell him straight out.
"Well actually...he's out-"
Yugi didn't have to finish his sentence. Outside the shop he heard talking, two familiar voices. His eyes grew wide. This wasn't good.
***
"I had a nice time tonight...well...afternoon and night."
Mai let go of Yami's hand and turned to face him. He looked at her and marveled at how lovely she looked, even in the dark, where the starlight reflected in her eyes like tiny fireflies. Above their heads, the moon was only a crescent and it shined dimly.
"So did I. You know, I was a little nervous. I'll admit it."
"So was I. Wait a second, the Game King? Nervous? I thought you were a pro at every game. Even the dating game," Mai teased.
Yami adjusted his buttondown and looked down at the ground sheepishly.
"I guess I just forgot the rules."
Mai laughed. Neither had even looked towards the gameshop yet. They were still completely oblivious to the world outside eachother.
"Well, are you gonna come in and duel for a little?" Yami asked warmly. He couldn't see either Joey or Yugi from where he was standing.
The blonde smiled.
"Of course. I can never pass up a good duel."
"Alright, let's go."
Yami started to walk away when Mai caught his hand. Turning slowly he was met by her lips, which she pressed lightly against his own. For a second he was stunned and then his eyes gradually fluttered closed as he kissed her back. Soon he was embracing her as they kissed and both were in heaven, Mai marvelling at what a good kisser he was and how good he tasted. Almost like spices which left her lips on fire. And to him, she tasted like sweet sugar. Soon, they broke the kiss and he met her eyes.
"I was hoping that would happen tonight."
"I was tired of waiting." Mai hugged him tighter and smiled. His strong arms were like a warm barrier around her. This was right where she wanted to be. Even if she was doing what she had warned herself about before, it felt good.
Yami nestled his face in her hair. Even if he was doing what he had warned himself about before, it felt good.
***
Yugi's heart was in his feet. He stared outside. Even though he couldn't see them, he knew they had kissed. He had heard every word they said. And so did Joey. The look on his face was one of pure devastation.
"Joey, I, I..."
"No, don't say it Yuge. Don't tell me you're sorry."
"But I am."
"You shouldn't be."
Just then Yami and Mai walked in, holding hands. When Yami saw Joey he immediately dropped her hand and his face took on a look of panic.
"Hi, Yami. Hey Mai."
"Hi Joey!" Mai, of course, was clueless. Clueless that Joey liked her and clueless as to why Yami had dropped her hand. Yami wasn't and immediately started to hyperventilate in his head. This was not good. He hadn't even thought about Joey when he accepted the date. How could he be so selfish? And by the look on Joey's face, he wasn't taking it well. Yami wished above all else that he could curl up and shrink until no one could see him anymore.
Joey just started walking and left the shop after saying his goodbye.
"I just remembered, my shows are on tonight. I'll see you all later."
Yugi and Yami watched him leave and it was their turn to be devastated. Mai just looked around, a pained expression on her face.
"What just happened?"
****
That's the end of chapter 2...Joey caught em red-handed! Next chapter we will see how things work out. R&R!
***
Yugi slowly and tediously traced the outline of the Chaos Soldier on a peice of paper. The afternoon sun streamed in through the window. Sitting at his desk with his back to the room he was concentrating hard until a hand found it's way to his shoulder. Startled, he jumped and whirled around.
"Heh, sorry to scare you. I'm gonna get outta' here soon. Are you _sure_ you can stay?"
"Yes, I'm sure!"
"Alright." Yami started to turn around, when he stopped and sheepishly faced Yugi again.
"Um, do I look ok?" He had a slight blush and Yugi knew that he would never hear that question come out of his dark's mouth again. Yami was just leaving to meet Mai in a coffee shop downtown and "talk" about Duel Monsters. It was all the blonde's idea.
Yugi knew it had to happen sooner or later.
And just because he was little didn't mean that he had no clue as to what was going on. He had guessed to himself a long time ago that Mai liked Yami but he hadn't said it. But the question was, did Yami like Mai?
Yugi looked Yami up and down. What he was wearing was very different from the royal blue uniform in Yugi's school and it gave him a casual attitude which Yugi kinda liked. The ex-Pharaoh wore a plain white shirt under a collared, longsleeve, navy button-down with baggy khaki pants and brown boots. The golden Millenium Puzzle hanging around his neck made the outfit seem even better and classier. His hair was the same as always but Yugi could smell a faint hint of cologne.
To answer his question...
"Yeah, Mai will love ya. Where'd you get the money to buy all this?"
"Well I don't think you'd believe me If I told you..."
Yugi laughed. He'd seen so much already, soul stealing, kidnapping, fights, everything. "Trust me, Yami, nothing would surprise me."
"Well then, Kaiba gave me the money."
"WHAT?! But you guys hate eachother!"
"I thought you said it wouldn't surprise you?"
"I lied."
Now it was Yami's turn to laugh.
"Well, early this morning he called the gameshop about some new card sets that were coming in and yes, he wasn't happy to talk to me, but you were out of the room for a minute and Mai had just asked me an hour ago to go out...so...I mentioned the date to him and he asked if I needed help in the clothing department."
"Wow, I never knew Kaiba would do something like that for you."
"Yeah, neither did I. He even went to the mall and picked out everything! You weren't even awake when he dropped them off. When I asked him why he wanted to help me he just said that when it comes to women, all men are friends."
Yugi cracked a smile. Kaiba was full of surprises.
"Well, have fun. And behave."
"Very funny, aibou. I'll see you in a few hours."
With that, Yami left the room and started his journey to the coffee shop.
***
Mai sat uneasily in her chair, looking out the windows of the coffee shop and tapping her fingers on the tabletop. Unconsiously she pulled at the petal of a little crimson flower nestled in a thin vase in the middle of the table. Outside, the afternoon was getting warmer and the sun shone in nicely through the glass. Mai glanced at the door for the hundreth time and smoothed out her shirt.
[Why am I so nervous? Honestly, it's not like this is a blind date.]
The door opened to the shop and Mai held her breath expectantly, hoping to see the dark youth but instead, a frazzled looking lady walked in and pushed by a couple in the line.
Mai sighed and played with her hair. If he stood her up, he would never forget it. But she knew she couldn't be mad at him.
***
[Must get to shop on time, must get to shop on time, must get to shop on time, Mai, must get to shop on time, is Yugi ok? Must get to shop on time, Do I still look ok? Must get to shop on time]
Millions of thoughts ran through Yami's head at the speed of light as he walked quickly up the sidewalk to the little bistro. Everyone on the sides of him were just an obstacle he had to get by in order to get to Mai.
[Wait a second, why do I want to get to Mai this quickly anyway?]
Yami stopped and stared at the pavement.
[I can't like her.]
The Pharaoh's heart told him to like her but his mind warned him otherwise. He had duties to take care of Yugi and the Millenium Puzzle. To love, or like, was to be distracted. So he couldn't get into this. It wasn't meant to be.
In Egypt, long ago, marriage was required but he had never truly desired it. Luckily enough, he didn't have time to marry before he was sealed away forever in the Millenium Puzzle. The preists had chosen some princess Shalta from Gaul for him to marry. And he, obviously, didn't love her. He had never even met her. But somehow, Yami knew that even if he DID love someone enough to get married, it would never happen. Liking Mai was hopeless.
He turned on his heel. Away from the bistro.
Only to be face to face with a young woman, dressed in street clothes and holding out a bucket of roses.
"Hey, going somewhere?"
Yami looked at the girl inquistively.
"I didn't mean to bother you but you looked kinda...um...sad. But by the way you were walking, I'd say you were in a hurry to get somewhere."
"Yes, I was..."
"That's what I thought. You look nice. Is it a date?"
The dark knew where THIS was going. She was going to guilt him into buying a rose.
"It WAS a date."
"Ohh...I'm sorry. I wasn't going to bug you into buying a flower, if that's what you were thinking. You just seemed pretty sad about something so I had to stop and ask. I hate it when people are upset."
Yami shuffled uneasily. Why was he opening up to a stranger? If he just thanked her and moved on, he wouldn't think twice about Mai. The girl was trying to help but if he started to talk it out he might change his mind.
"Thanks."
Yami drew in his breath, but before he knew it the words had jumped from his mouth.
"I was just upset about the girl that I was going to see. I don't know if it'll work out."
His mind cursed him in Egyptian.
"You know, I had the same problem. But I winged it. Some things are and somethings just aren't meant to happen. You just have to try it out and see. So how bout it? I'll give you a free rose, on the house and you can go to wherever you were going and give it to that someone and remember what I said."
The Pharaoh smiled and took the rose that she held out in her hand. It glistened with drops of water from the bucket. For some crazy reason, she made sense.
"Thanks again. I guess you're right, I just gotta try."
The girl returned his smile and then went back to roaming the street and looking for potential buyers.
Yami twirled the stem of the rose in his fingers and watched her go. It was like a wrestling match had just gone on between his heart and his mind and his heart had just given his mind a smackdown. His mind was shouting things at him about how easily he gave in but his heart was singing. Give Mai a chance. Give it a chance.
****
Mai's eyes shot up quickly when she felt a breeze blow in from the open door of the coffee bistro. She was finally rewarded with the sight of Yami, standing in the doorway and gazing around. Smiling nervously, she straightened out the wrinkles in her shirt, breathed into her hand and then waved him over.
[Just be normal.]
That was the mantra which cruised quickly through both Yami and Mai's heads as they neared eachother.
Mai got out of her seat, and looked him up and down. Her mouth fell open a little. He looked so HOTT. Smiling she cleared her throat and sheepishly said "hi."
Yami stood staring at her as well. She was wearing a lowcut, frilly, baby blue top and a pair of blue jeans. Even though it wasn't overly fancy, Yami was temporarily paralyzed. Then, snapping out of it, he quickly made up for his lapse by giving her a warm hug, before they both sat down and ordered. Then, the silence was to come.
The blonde looked across the table, past the flowers, straight into his eyes. She couldn't help but notice that the flowers matched them.
Yami then remembered the rose and drew it out from under the table. She had missed seeing it, somehow.
"This is for you."
He smiled warmly and Mai nearly fainted. Handing the rose across the table she took it and laughed, that sarcastic, confident laugh.
"You shouldn't have."
Inside, she was all smiles. The duelist placed the rose in her purse and turned to face him.
"So Yami...about those duel monsters plays...you gotta teach me some stuff."
They had to start somewhere. Mai waited expectantly, slowly relaxing into the situation.
Yami, on the other hand, was on pins and needles. Taking three mental breaths, he
spoke.
"Like what?"
"I dunno. How do you always know what people will play?"
"I don't always know. But sometimes, you just have to think like them. Be them."
"Alright, pretend you're me. What am I thinking right now?"
The Pharaoh started to relax as well.
"I'm thinking that I look beautiful this afternoon, because I do."
Mai blushed, but quickly recovered.
"Let's forget duel monsters."
"All if forgotten."
The two smiled at eachother from across the table.
[This date won't turn out so bad afterall.]
***
It was 7 o'clock. Yugi flipped through the booster packs in his hand, drew out two and handed them across the counter to the customer waiting. The man smiled, handed over the money and walked out into the night, already beginning to open the packs.
Just behind him Yugi saw a familiar face. He was excited for a minute and then his stomach knotted horribly. He suddenly remembered where Yami was. With Mai.
"Crap, crap, crap..." Yugi looked down at the counter and became very interested in a scratch in the wood.
"Hey Yuge!"
Joey walked up and slapped his hands down on the counter.
"What's up?"
Yugi felt absolutely sick. He didn't know how he would tell Joey if he asked where Yami was. But then again, Joey didn't like Mai _that_ much, did he?
"Hey there, Joey!"
"I jest came by to duel. I figured Mai would come by later anyway."
Joey laughed lightly and scratched the back of his neck. Yugi swallowed hard.
"Oh! Well, um...she's not here yet but I'm sure she will be soon."
"How about Yami?"
That was the question that Yugi feared the most. He didn't wanna lie to Joey but he also didn't want to tell him straight out.
"Well actually...he's out-"
Yugi didn't have to finish his sentence. Outside the shop he heard talking, two familiar voices. His eyes grew wide. This wasn't good.
***
"I had a nice time tonight...well...afternoon and night."
Mai let go of Yami's hand and turned to face him. He looked at her and marveled at how lovely she looked, even in the dark, where the starlight reflected in her eyes like tiny fireflies. Above their heads, the moon was only a crescent and it shined dimly.
"So did I. You know, I was a little nervous. I'll admit it."
"So was I. Wait a second, the Game King? Nervous? I thought you were a pro at every game. Even the dating game," Mai teased.
Yami adjusted his buttondown and looked down at the ground sheepishly.
"I guess I just forgot the rules."
Mai laughed. Neither had even looked towards the gameshop yet. They were still completely oblivious to the world outside eachother.
"Well, are you gonna come in and duel for a little?" Yami asked warmly. He couldn't see either Joey or Yugi from where he was standing.
The blonde smiled.
"Of course. I can never pass up a good duel."
"Alright, let's go."
Yami started to walk away when Mai caught his hand. Turning slowly he was met by her lips, which she pressed lightly against his own. For a second he was stunned and then his eyes gradually fluttered closed as he kissed her back. Soon he was embracing her as they kissed and both were in heaven, Mai marvelling at what a good kisser he was and how good he tasted. Almost like spices which left her lips on fire. And to him, she tasted like sweet sugar. Soon, they broke the kiss and he met her eyes.
"I was hoping that would happen tonight."
"I was tired of waiting." Mai hugged him tighter and smiled. His strong arms were like a warm barrier around her. This was right where she wanted to be. Even if she was doing what she had warned herself about before, it felt good.
Yami nestled his face in her hair. Even if he was doing what he had warned himself about before, it felt good.
***
Yugi's heart was in his feet. He stared outside. Even though he couldn't see them, he knew they had kissed. He had heard every word they said. And so did Joey. The look on his face was one of pure devastation.
"Joey, I, I..."
"No, don't say it Yuge. Don't tell me you're sorry."
"But I am."
"You shouldn't be."
Just then Yami and Mai walked in, holding hands. When Yami saw Joey he immediately dropped her hand and his face took on a look of panic.
"Hi, Yami. Hey Mai."
"Hi Joey!" Mai, of course, was clueless. Clueless that Joey liked her and clueless as to why Yami had dropped her hand. Yami wasn't and immediately started to hyperventilate in his head. This was not good. He hadn't even thought about Joey when he accepted the date. How could he be so selfish? And by the look on Joey's face, he wasn't taking it well. Yami wished above all else that he could curl up and shrink until no one could see him anymore.
Joey just started walking and left the shop after saying his goodbye.
"I just remembered, my shows are on tonight. I'll see you all later."
Yugi and Yami watched him leave and it was their turn to be devastated. Mai just looked around, a pained expression on her face.
"What just happened?"
****
That's the end of chapter 2...Joey caught em red-handed! Next chapter we will see how things work out. R&R!