I know it's been a long time, but things have really been off-hand lately. For one, my best friend's mom was sent to the hospital for an Aneurysm in her brain, and she almost died. I would have had this posted probably on Monday if that hadn't have happened. Anyway, thanks so much for waiting—if any of you did :)—and I hope you enjoy this chapter! It's my longest so far, and so far it is also my favorite. Thanks so much to Daniel for his help, I was almost losing hope for any more ideas! This chapter definitely has to be dedicated to him! I'll shut up now and let you read the chapter…

Mai and Yugi walked down the street, hand in hand, while the early summer breeze blew by them. With a shy grin Yugi lead her to the left, the City Park, and walked a little slower. Mai delighted in everything Yugi did. His curious looks at every day things like a bird or a butterfly, his smile, his hand holding hers, his slow gait.

But the wonderful afternoon was coming to an end. Her apartment came into view, and she wished she could claim another one—quite conveniently an hour's walk away. She had to go home though; so reluctantly she led him to her door.

"Hey, Yugi," She started, opening the door and turning to face him, leaning on the frame. "I had a great time today." She smiled sweetly. "Thank you." Yugi flashed his innocent, childlike smile back and put his hands in his pockets.

"Hey, I had a blast too." He admitted. "Mai?" He said quickly, and she raised an eyebrow. "I'm…I'm glad you told me how you felt, you know, about me." She smiled—more to herself than anyone, but it reassured him.

"This whole time, I've been feeling the same way for you, but I just couldn't get the words out…not like I had too many chances to anyway." He continued, gaining confidence.

"We never did have too many chances, did we?" She asked, a hint of the Mai tone returning. She grinned, and he returned it, then, taking his hands out of his pocket, leaned into her, his lips touching hers.

The early summer flowers seemed to throw their petals around them, and the breeze caught her hair and swept it across his cheek—

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Mai cursed, slinging a hand out of the down comforter and slapping the button on top of the alarm clock. She rolled over on her back with a moan. Wavy strands of blonde hair escaped from under the covers and finally her other hand emerged, joining with the other above her head in a stretch.

Why did she have to wake up at that very same moment every time? She gave a quick whimper of frustrated disappointment before throwing the covers off her. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she groped the wall with her eyes in search of her calendar.

May 29th, Game Trading Fair with Yugi

Yes! That was just what she needed to put her in a good mood. After digging in her closet for something to wear, she grabbed her towel on the back of her door and dashed in to the bathroom for a shower.

Mai stared into the mirror, straightening her shirt and doing finishing touches to her hair. She had on a jean mini-skirt with clear belt, a pink t-shirt with glittery blue cat eyes on the front, and white platform flip flops. A kitty cat necklace adorned her neck, and she had a silver anklet with dangling hearts on.

Stealing a glance at the mirror—10:37—she grasped her perfume and sprayed a couple times before grabbing her hemp purse and jean jacket and running out the door.

She dashed up to the park bench in front of the archeological museum—the assigned place to meet—and looked around. She had gotten there at 10:57—just three minutes early—but she had paid the price for it. Her feet ached from the run. She inwardly cursed the bus system for not having a bus anywhere near here at the time she needed as she sat down and leant forward, massaging her feet gingerly.

"Mai!" She jerked her head up to see Yugi running up to her, panting slightly. She made an attempt at composure and sat back up, crossing her legs and folding her arms.

"If it isn't the King of Games." She said with her sauntering tone, like a jungle cat at play. He smiled bashfully, and with a jolt to her stomach, she remembered the expression on his face in her dream while they walked in the park.

"Ready for the trade fair?" He asked and she stood. She nodded, then looked around for a second.

"Where's Joseph?" She asked, still scanning the crowd. Yugi smiled and pointed to a nearby hot dog stand where Joey was arguing with a kid over which of them was before the other in line. She smiled to herself. You just had to love Joey.

They started walking towards him.

"Have anything you're looking for especially today, Mai?" Yugi asked, hands in his pockets. She shrugged. "I never usually do, but today is different. There's a card I want for my grandpa. He couldn't find it at the fair up north he was at last month." He explained. "So I decided to be on the lookout." He declared with conviction. She smiled.

"Hi there, Joseph." She said, her words slinking through the crowd. Joey, hot dog almost touching his mouth, darted his eyes to her.

"Yo', Mai." He said, then bit into his dog. She picked an invisible thread off her shirt and folded her arms, crossing one ankle over the other.

"You ready, Joey?" Yugi's innocent voice broke out to her left. He nodded, throwing the last bite in his mouth and tossing the wrapper in the trash.

"Let's get 'dis day started."

"No." Mai said firmly, keeping her gaze on the card. The trader raised his brows, and she looked at him with a pleasant yet firm smile. "I suppose I'll look down the row a bit—" She started to leave but the trader stopped her. She smirked to herself before turning around to face him.

"Perhaps you'd care for me to lessen it a bit?" She raised a brow thoughtfully, grasping her elbows in a fold. "Perhaps—"

"Perhaps my first offer?" She prodded with a tone only Mai could do. He looked at the card, back at her, and at the card again.

"It is a bit unfair—" He began, but she interrupted him.

"I assure you it is very fair. I doubt anyone would intend to pay more for it." Gaining a business-like tone, she adjusted her purse more securely on her shoulder. "But if you don't wish to sell—"

"I go for nothing less." He stated and she grinned, pulling her purse off her shoulder and digging for her wallet.

A few minutes later, the deal done, she snapped her wallet shut and began putting it into her purse as the man waited to hand her her purchase.

"Mai?" She turned to see Yugi walking towards her, several cards in his hand. "Get anything interesting?" He asked, peering at the card the man handed her.

"Nothing too special, but it's a nice addition." She said vaguely, turning the card out of his view before he could see it out of habit.

"Do you want to see mine?" He asked innocently, spreading them out in his head. With a wave of nausea she realized how rude she was to hide her card, when he so freely showed her his.

"That's ok." She said quietly, the opposite of the usual Mai, and pushed his hand lightly away. He looked a little hurt and stopped walking for a moment, then gave a quick sprint and caught up, the cards spread again.

"Really, I don't mind." He said with a smile, and she stopped and turned to him, a genuine smile returning as she took them from his hand. After giving her approval she pulled her card up and let him take a look.

"That's a good card, Mai." He said, handing it back. She rolled her eyes and smiled.

"You can tell me the truth, Yugi." He shrugged and shook his head with a smile. "I just kind of liked it." She explained.

"Well, those are usually the best additions to your deck." He said in a matter-of-fact tone. "There's a good trade down this way." He said, ducking into an alley. "It's strictly trade. No buying or selling. It's just one big tent." They came out of the alley into a wide, blocked-off street. A red and white striped canopy hovered over a bunch of tables where people bartered over cards.

"Pretty cool, eh?" He asked and she mumbled a 'yeah' and nodded. "Joey's over there." He said, pointing to Joey as he argued over the value of a card. Turning, he saw them and waved them over.

"Yug!" He said as Yugi came closer. "What abou' it?" He asked, showing him two cards. "Wouldn't you say they're da' same as far as value goes?" He questioned, and Yugi smiled, placing his hand casually behind his neck.

"What makes you think I'm qualified?" Yugi asked modestly and Joey rolled his eyes. Yugi looked to Mai for support.

"You are the King of Games." Mai prompted, and the dealer looked at Yugi with added respect. When Yugi looked at him he grinned as if awaiting his sacred opinion.

"I would say they're about the same." Yugi said, and the dealer and Joey swapped cards. The trader wrote it down in his book as the threesome walked to a nearby table.

"Pick up anything for yourself, Mai?" Joey asked with his usual accent. Mai smiled to herself as she examined a rare card in a display.

"Nothing too interesting, Joseph." She said, motioning for the dealer to let her take a look. "At least yet." With a thank you she picked up the card and looked it over. She bit her lip thoughtfully and Yugi examined it with raised eyebrows.

"Think it's worth it?" She asked playfully and he shook his head. She slapped it down on the table, nodded to the dealer, and walked to the next table. Yugi and Joey followed, either content with their trades and purchases, or curious as to what she'd look at.

"So this is the best card fair there is?" She asked, looking at them over her shoulder. Yugi shook his head and she turned around to face him. "Where are the better ones?" She questioned.

"Well, there are good ones in the city yet to come, but you'll have to wait several weeks. There's a real good down south soon though."

"Oh?"

"Our city does have the best, but not at this time during the summer. They're usually in July or so." She nodded.

"Yo', Yugi!" Joey, who had fallen behind, his eyes roaming a table specializing in rare and ultra rare cards called, waving Yugi over. "You should see dis'." Yugi smiled at Mai before walking over to his friend, looking at a card Joey held up.

Mai sighed and looked at her watch.

12:45

This would be a long, tedious afternoon. She was bored already.

"Dude, I'm banked out." Joey said, flopping down on the bench. They were walking by the ocean, and the sun was about to set. It was 6:53 Mai noticed with disappointment. Joey was meeting Tristan at seven about two blocks away, and no doubt their outing would end there.

"Just one more block, Joey." Yugi said supportively as he plopped down too, panting.

"We've been walkin' all day." Joey said, massaging a sore shoulder. Yugi took in a breath and released it with a little boyish flair. Mai almost chuckled to herself; it was kind of cute.

"Joey, we've got to go." He said finally, getting up and grabbing hold of one of Joey's arms. "You'll be late if we don't." He sounded a bit like a kid with a "know-it-all-and-use-it-all-in-a-good-way" attitude, and she smiled at his persistence.

"Hey, Yug," Joey said, pulling his arm away easily, getting up. "you guys don't have'ta meet Tristan like me." He looked at Mai and then Yugi. "Why don't ya'll go do somethin'? I mean, the night's wrecked if you two both jus'go home and watch the tube. Might as well hang out. It wouldn't kill neither of ya'." Mai tried not to beam. Yugi looked at Mai, then back at Joey.

"Hey, sure. That sounds good to me. How about you, Mai?" She put both hands up in a slight shrug.

"Whatever. Doesn't sound too bad now that you mention it." For Mai, that was a yes. Joey nodded at them both and dashed off with a wave behind his back.

"Smell ya' later!" He called behind his back. Yugi laughed, then remembered he wasn't alone.

"Joey can be funny sometimes." Yugi commented with a smile. She smiled back and they both sat down.

"So what would you like to do, Mai?"

Half an hour later Yugi and Mai strolled down the blocked-off street with ice creams in hand. The carnival loomed around them, and tents of games and entertainment's enveloped their sights.

They passed clowns juggling, children getting their faces painted, and groups of teens standing around, guys arms over their respective girls' shoulders.

Mai dug her spoon into her ice cream and the blue and pink swirl of the cotton candy ice cream contorted. Mai had a purple and silver butterfly painted on her left cheek, and it shimmered as the neon lights flashed across it.

Yugi took the last bite of his and tossed it in the trash, then put his hands on his pockets and looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

"What next?" He asked, and she looked around, taking a bite of ice-cream absentmindedly. "How about the haunted house?" He suggested, pointing to a house two blocks down, done over-the-top in scary décor.

"Sure." In fact, it did sound like fun. "Let me toss this." She threw it in the bin and straightened her coat before taking off with Yugi down the street. The carnival had been Yugi's idea, when she hadn't wanted to suggest something, and at first she was wary, but she felt like a little kid again here, and it had made her more at ease with him anyway.

They paused at the door and paid a man dressed as the grim reaper, and he pushed a button. The doors opened with a hiss, and the sounds they had already heard intensified.

Mai took a step back, and Yugi put a reassuring hand on her back. The touch made her feel lightheaded—it wasn't something she expected—but she didn't let her hopes heighten; it was probably just a caring gesture.

Swirls of fog greeted them as they entered, and assortments of screeches and yells took over hearing anything else. Leaning towards Yugi, she tried to speak but he began walking forward and down an L-shaped hall. Turning left, a corridor of cobwebs and eerie paintings awaited them.

I hate, hate, hate haunted houses. She recalled. Why did I think this was such a good idea? She picked her way through the fake webs and jumped when a picture shot sparks at her through and old woman's eyes.

Another picture portrayed a murder that was happening over and over again, and she shuddered. It was positively creepy. Finally, with a sigh, she reached the end of the corridor. She looked to her right to see a smirking Yugi.

"What?" She insisted, and he shook his head. "I just realized how much I despise haunted houses." She explained and he nodded, trying to hide a smirk. "Do you think that was fun?" She snapped, pointing behind her.

"It is if I can see you doing it." He chuckled. "Seeing Mai Valentine jump at sparks is pretty funny you know." She wanted to shoot him a remark, but the endearing way he was smiling prevented her from doing so. Besides, he wasn't making fun of her in a bad way, more like playfully teasing her.

With a forced sigh she started through the house again, ready to be rid of the screeching, sparking, cobwebby mess. She came to a door, Yugi padding after her, and she pushed it open.

It pushed back.

She pushed it again, harder.

It pushed back.

"Listen here!" She started, frustrated, heaving at the door with a shoulder, gasping for breath through gritted teeth. "This is Mai Valentine, the best woman duelist the game Duel Monsters has ever seen! The best duelist period! Let me through this—" It swung open and she crashed through, falling to the floor with a thud.

"Ugh!" She screeched through clenched teeth, standing up. "Where…" She looked around. "Where did the person go?" She questioned, turning to Yugi. "Where—"

"It's not really haunted, Mai." He said caringly, as if talking to a child, walking through the small damp, dark room to the next door.

"I know, I just…" Nevermind. She decided. It wasn't important. The only window in the room, to their right, burst open with a gust of wind and Mai jumped, practically into Yugi's arms.

"You ok?" He asked, looking at her with concern. Then she realized in the scuffle he had taken her hand in his. She dared not speak or move, or even take a breath for fear he would release it. His hand felt so warm and reassuring, and she wanted to squeeze it to test if it was real. She turned to him without a word, and he raised a brow. "Mai? Are you ok?"

"Yes." She blinked a couple times, shaking her head. The shimmering butterfly on her cheek glistened in the pale lighting coming from a fake—glow-in-the-dark—moon out the window. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just got a little startled." He gave her hand a squeeze and took a step closer, looking deep in her eyes, searching her soul.

"You sure?" He asked with concern and she nodded, a small smile escaping. He made a move to start walking and she wanted to shout out and have him stop, for she feared he would release her hand.

He didn't.

Maybe Yugi wasn't the wide-eyed innocent boy everyone thought he was. Perhaps there was a more adult side of him that actually liked girls. Or—she thought with a sinking heart—he had forgotten he was still holding her hand. Or maybe she was clinging! She concentrated on her hand. No, she wasn't grabbing his too tightly. She gave a sigh that she herself didn't even hear. But the heart-sinking thought that he may have forgotten altogether that her hand was in his was still present, pulsing at her mind like a blinking neon light.

They came to the door—the few steps had seemed an eternity—and he twisted the knob. In the eerie silence the door gave a creak as it opened, but nothing jumped out at them when they walked in. Instead they came to a blinding room of fire and ash.

The devil room that is ever present in mad houses.

Flashing red lights wavered like a club, and she had to squint. They turned to their left where smoke-reminiscent billows erupted from a fog machine, swirling around with the flashing strobe lights. Mai, her eyes squinted to slits, grabbed Yugi's arm—either for protection or guidance she knew not.

Several other haunted house attendee's were moving around, lost in the fiery brilliance that left your head throbbing and your eyes aching. With a flash of light people in red spandex, pokers in hand, scuffled into the room, annoying everyone and acting as devil-like as they could.

Not amused, Mai leaned in and was about to tell Yugi to find the exit when he headed towards it himself. They had just about reached the door when someone grabbed Mai and began to pull her into the crazy, tribal-like dance in the center of the room.

Like a flash Yugi changed and snatched Mai from the guy's hand and jerked her towards him. With an angry voice he told the man to 'get lost', and pulled her into the next room.

Cackles died out as the door shut, and Mai turned to Yugi. If she didn't know any better she would have thought it an entirely different person. His stance, his aura, his expression—his eyes…were different.

"Yugi?" Then he softened. With a blink looked at her as if with new eyes, and then his brows rose. "Yugi, are you ok?" She asked.

"Me? Yeah, I'm fine!" He sounded to certain, as if hiding something. She looked at him with a brow raised, unconvinced.

"Are you sure?" She prodded.

"Yeah, Mai, I'm fine." With that he started towards the door, but she wasn't convinced. There was something there that he wasn't telling her. Something strange had happened.

Perhaps jealousy? She wondered with a smug smile. Perhaps Yugi is jealous! Yes, that must be it. With that same smug smile she walked to the door with him.

The next room held vampires, and the next witches. Both were too caught up in their own thoughts to remember much of it, and no conversation of importance was present.

Soon the sky spread out above them as they walked towards Mai's apartment. Mai hugged herself against the breeze and Yugi walked quietly beside her, hands in his pockets.

"Did you have an ok time?" He asked, and she nodded.

"Yeah, I did. That was a good idea of yours, the carnival." He shrugged. "And thanks for the ice-cream, and the haunted house—"

"Even though you didn't like the haunted house." He cut in with a sly smile. She shook her head.

"No, it just…creeped me out a bit at first. Don't tell Wheeler though, Joey will run with that info." Yugi nodded.

They rounded the block and came to her apartment complex. They trotted up the steps to her door and she slid the key in the lock.

"Thanks Yugi." She said, opening the door and turning to face him, leaning on the frame. "I had a good time…even with the haunted house." She grinned. "And that was an awesome Duel Monsters fair today. You'll let me know when the next one is?"

"Of course." He said. "We always go to them, it was good having you along. Well, I guess I better go, Grandpa is probably wondering where I am by now." He smiled, a little embarrassed.

Mai didn't see anything wrong with that. She wished she had someone to worry about her. It got so lonely to come home to a dark, empty place every night. Even though Yugi was about to graduate from Domino, he still lived with his Grandpa.

"I'll see you around then, Mai." She smiled and gave a nod. He dashed down the steps and turned around at the bottom to give a little wave. She waved back and watched him turn the corner onto the next block, then practically floated into her apartment—recalling the way her hand had felt in his at the haunted house.