Chapter 5

After an unsettling dream, Mai woke up with a start on her queen sized bed. For a moment she thought she was in the hospital. Bright sunlight gleamed off of white lace curtains and polished marble floors. It hurt her eyes as she got up.

Let's see what should I wear today . . .hmm. . . . She pulled on a black cool sleeveless blouse and designer jeans. On impulse a silver ring belt and earrings.

Eh, what the hell. I haven't made a guy crashed into a wall in a while, she thought, admiring herself in the 3 way mirror. For a while she contemplated some more, then headed off to the bathroom to wash. I wonder if Tea's still mad about pie in her face. Maybe she can join in my little shopping spree today to make up. I can take her to get a makeover; she could really use one! In the kindest way possible of course. . . ..

Finishing up, Mai grabbed her purse and short beige jacket. It looked like rain today. The rain in Spain, she thought, heading out the door briskly.

In the dim hallway, she nearly bumped into Yugi who was walking down. "Oh there it is. I'd forgotten the room number," he said with an embarrassed laugh. "Would you like to eat breakfast with the others down stairs?"

"Well, I was going to just order room service, but . . . . I suppose so." They got in the elevator an some younger kids who were already in there, chatting. They recognized Yugi and, even though he didn't speak a word of Spanish, they seemed to understand. Well, it's true that DM has a language all it's own, she thought with a small smile, watching. This proves it to a T.

The hotel cafeteria was overcrowded with other duelists, since breakfast was free for them and their friends. The other two were with a bunch of different age kids, teenagers and adults. Tea was helping translate at the long tableclothed table on one end. As Mai sat down next to her, she could see the anger still in her eyes. Haughtily, she helped herself to strawberries and yogurt, and freshly sliced melon and cantaloupe.

" . . . .magic and trap only, for one monster," a teenage boy with a blue cap was saying. "or, else you have very high monster."

"They said that since 250000 people participated, this quick death mode was the only way, to you know, get through. That why it's called eliminations."

"Looks like they don't need us to translate," Tea remarked, biting in a bagel as the boys gawked with the rest of them. They were talking, but it was impossible to hear because of the noise. "Are you going to watch the eliminations?"

"Mm . . .nah. I thought I'd go . .. "

"Shop?" Tea slurped her orange juice.

"Yeah. Want to join me?" it was a peace offering at best. "There are official translators so they don't need you."

Tea face darkened at that. "Do so. For moral support." She said self righteously.

Mai couldn't help laughing. Tea's face darkened to scowl. "Besides, I'm still mad at you."

"Moi? Why? I offered to dry clean any clothes to got ruined. Besides I need some female companionship, you know to give opinion."

"I don't think so." Tea lifted her chin high.

"Well, whatever." Mai got up, leaving her unfinished breakfast behind. She didn't appreciate being nice and rejected. Gathering up her stuff, she smoothed her outfit and turned away. "See you later." She checked her watch: 12:14. Geez, did I sleep that long?

"Oh, hey didn't see ya, Mai. Wait, aren't ya gonna see the eliminatons? Me an' Yuge aren't up yet but . . ."

She turned back slowly, taking a breath to say no tactfully, when at the corner of her eye she saw a flash of navy blue...

"Whatcha starin at at?"

"Noting," she said, feeling a sharp dread like something bad was going to happen. "I just thought I saw---"

And there he was. Or rather they were. Through crowds of passerbys, Mai saw, surrounded by men in suits, Serenity and . . . . .Kaiba. He was off to one side, talking with someone, while she was looking around a little warily.

Oh my. God. Why didn't I assume that Kaiba'd enter? Mai was too stunned to think, so she basically just stood there gaping.

"Yo. 'Earth to Mai.' What are you starin' at?"

"Nothing!" she exclaimed suddenly and he jumped back. Taking control of the situation she steered him over to the buffet table. "You look hungry. Eat some more!" said in a voice that sounded wild and crazy even to her own ears.

Joey gave her a REALLY strange look, but you didn't have to tell him twice. Once he was busy snarfing, Mai grabbed Tea aside, who was busy talking some man's ear off.

"Ow! Stop it! What's the big deal!" Tea yelped angrily when she saw who it was.

"You have to help me get Joey out of here. His sister and her boyfriend are here!" Mai whispered.

"Where?" Tea looked about with a puzzled frown.

"There! Over there!"

"?. . . .Oh. So?"

"So!"

"He has to find out sometime. . . . ." Tea shrugged slightly, pushing back her dark brown hair over her ear. "Or . . .maybe I'll tell him right now so he won't be as shocked."

"As shocked! One look over there, and he'll cause the biggest scene EVER!"

"How do you know? I've known Joey longer than you. And why do care?"

"I-" Why do I care? Mai paused and smoothed her front. "Because I helped that couple together, and nothing's going to break them apart!"

"Tea, can you-" Yugi came from the left. "Oh sorry, were you two talking about something important .. . .?"

"Yugi, hon, you have to help us. " Quickly Mai explained the situation. "Get Joey to stay out on the patio as long as you can, okay?"

"Sure, I guess."

Once that was done, Mai snuck up behind Serenity, and grabbed her arm. In surprise, Serenity gasped when she saw who it was. Putting a finger to her lips, Mai ushered her back to her suite and closed the door behind them.

"Mai? What are you doing here?" Serenity's amber eyes were wide with wonder and shock.

"The question is: what are you doing here! With Kaiba! Your brother was about to see you two together!"

"Oh no!" Serenity gasped. "Did he-"

"No, he didn't, thanks to me. But he's suspicious. And hyper. And you know what a bad combination that is." Mai placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head. Serenity turned away slowly, chewing a thumbnail nervously. She looked very pretty in a capri light blue pants and a pink and white blouse. She looked like out of the cover of some fashion magazine, even with her plain clothes. Despite her worried expression she looked very happy.

"Well . . ." Serenity murmured softly, almost to herself. "I guess . . . I have no choice but to tell him about Seto and me . . .now."

"Right. Wait-now?"

"Yes. Before he learns it . . .from someone else." Serenity opened the door and left, deep in thought, dragging her feet slightly.

"Wait!" Mai hurried after her.

"What is it?"

"Let me go . . .with you for moral support."

Serenity smiled slowly. "Thank you, Mai."

Still, out on the patio, Mai was expecting the worst. Yugi was talking to Joey who was gesturing wildly and Yugi stopped and looked at them. Joey turned around too.

"Serenity?"

Serenity smiled. "Hi, guys." Mai could see how painful it was though.

"Sis!" he exclaimed, hugging her. "You came to see me! Dat's so great!" He let go, beaming. "Isn't she the nicest, nicest, nicest sister anyone could ask fer?"

"Definitely." Yugi agreed with a cheerful smile, nodding while Mai winced. Serenity's face grew sad and she cleared her throat.

Ifshe wasn't looking uneasy back then, Serenity was definitely looking uneasy now. "Um . . .Joey, I . . ." she faltered, wringing her hands nervously.

"What is it, sis? What? Somethin' wrong?"

"Uh. . .no. . . " But it was obviously untrue. "I-"

"Is it back home? Is it Mom?" Joey spun her around to look at her distressed face.

"No, nothing like that. Will you guys excuse us?" They left the patio and went inside.

Mai checked her watch: 2:30. "Come on, Yugi, I have time to eavesdrop!"

"Thanks, but I'd-I don't think we should."

"Suit yourself." Casually, she opened the glass doors a crack and stepped in slowly. The cafeteria was empty with a few people here and there, the staff cleaning up.

"Um . . .Joey, I don't know how to say this . . . ."

"Sis you're really worrying me. Jest spit it out!"

"Okay. Um-"

"You kids have to get out of here," a nasty looking staffperson interrupted. "Cafeteria's closed."

Mai watched they got up and left, care fully following. "Psst! What are you doing, Mai?" Tea whispered loudly.

"Ssh! Serenity's about to tell him about you know who." Tea started preaching about the hazards of eavesdropping. "Oh, stuff it! I can't hear--!" They were out in the lobby as Mai clamped a hand over her mouth.

"WHAT DO YA MEAN, YOU AND--!" It sounded like Joey. The girls hurried over. His exclamation made other people stop and stare. He looked as if he'd been slapped. In the distance, Mai saw a group of men in suits sauntering towards them casually.

"Come on, Tea! We have to stop him from killing him!"

"Oh, he wouldn't kill him--!" But Tea's eyes were worried just the same as they went over. Joey barely noticed.

"YOU CAME . . .WITH WHO?" He was livid. People were gaping and pointing.

"Please . . .Joey . . calm down . . ." Serenity pleaded, her brown eyes tearing up.

"How could you lie!" Joey hissed in an angry whisper. "didn't I tell you to stay away from him! Dat's it! We're going home, right NOW!" he grabbed his sister's arm an attempt to drag her off.

"W-why?" Serenity sobbed, trying to pull away. Her brother was so angry he scared her. "Let go!"

"So I can lock ya up for a hundred years!" Luckily, all the staring crowd were Spanish and didn't understand his outrageous threat.

"Let. Her. Go, m-" The simple sentence teemed with power. He'd promised Serenity not to insult him but it was tough not to.

"Should I help the young miss out, Mr. Kaiba?" One of the henchmen asked.

"…No. He'll calm down."

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO KAIBA!" Joey yelled lunging. A/n: ah fighting bishies! drool It took both girls (Tea and Mai) plus all four henchmen to hold him back; he was so furious. One of the men drew up his arm nearly to breaking, but still he struggled. "YOU .. . stay away from Serenity, ya yellow jerk!"

"Stop it, Joey! You'll hurt yourself!" Mai exclaimed. One of his knees bounced off her cheekbone, making her see stars. "Would you calm down!"

He stopped struggling suddenly and one by one everybody got off. As if something pointless had just happened, Kaiba smirked and walked away, Serenity following slowly, as if her heart were broken.

"Serenity! You get back here, do you hear me!" But she looked at him as if he were a stranger and didn't listen. Her shoulders were slumped forward and she was softly crying, but she didn't turn around.

Mai's heart went out to him; he looked so devastated. "How could she . .. go away with him?" he whispered in shock and anger. His shoulder hurt, but he barely felt it. "Can't she see what kinda guy he is?"

"Well, you sort of acted like a jerk," Tea murmured. Mai shot her a look.

"Come on, you poor guy," she said, leading him through the crowd of still staring people, who had begun to dissipate since there wasn't going to be a fight. "Shows over!" she snapped at them.

He followed without question; he seemed to be numb with shock. They passed kids going the other direction, to watch elimination rounds. When he finally came to, he blinked as if he didn't remember how he'd gotten there. "I-I can't stay, I have to go save my sister . . .!" he mumbled crazily, as if Serenity were in dire danger. Stumbling, he grabbed a broom handle and reached for the door.

"No! You're not going anywhere." She snatched the broom away. "What do you plan to do with that! Smash him over the head?" He nodded vigorously, gripping it like he meant it. She sighed. "Look. . .. Serenity doesn't want to see you right now."

Suddenly he grabbed for the door. "I'm going . . .to put her back home. God! I can't believe it." he said, sitting down suddenly.

"What . .. that she's with someone .. . . or who that someone is?"

"Both!" he spat angrily, pacing. "I don't mind she goes out with someone . . .but he's total jerk! I just can't believe it!" he sat down again holding his head in his hands as if it hurt.

"So you hate him." Mai sat down by him.

"I don't hate him. I just really really really really really really really, really, REALLY really don't like him. Not only dat, he's completely wrong for her. Hell, I'd rather even Duke'd date her than K-" he couldn't even say it. " -him!"

"Oh, please. Duke has girls hanging around him all the time!" Mai scoffed.

"Still, it'd be better. Anybody else. Out of all the guys to pick!" he scowled sulkily.

"Oh, poor baby." She didn't really agree with him, but he looked so sad, so desperate need of comfort, she put her arm around him. "Serenity didn't want Duke. Or anyone else. Don't you think her opinion matters on who she goes out with?"

"No." he muttered, his voice muffled in her shoulder. "He already broke her heart once . .. . and he'll do it again!" In the past Kaiba had already broke up with her and he was bound to do it again.

"There, there."

" . .. and then he'll ruin her . . .after he forces her to do . . .. "

"Do what?"

" .. . . .his evil bidding. . . ." he said, while grimacing.

She laughed. "You make me him sound like he's plotting to take over the world or something!" She giggled at the thought of a zombie like Serenity with Kaiba in the distance, laughing evilly with flames behind him. "You know what I think? I think you're really scared that she'll chose her boyfriend over you someday. That's what you're really scared of."

"Yeah, well, dat someday was today," he muttered. "After which he forced her to lie to me, made her go behind my back to meet . . . ." he trailed off, thinking. "Hey, waita minute. Were all those times she said she's was going to a friend's house she's was really off to see him? Then that means . . ." he looked at her carefully. "dat night, you were coverin' up fer her! You knew!"

"Well .. . ."

"Who else knew!"

"Um . . . ." There was silence.

"I can't believe dis! Did everyone know but me!"

"Serenity wanted to tell you and she made us promise not to tell." His face contorted in anger.

"Not only did he make my little sister lie, he made all my friends lie to me!"

"Hel-lo. Were you not listening? It was Serenity's idea."

"Yeah, right." He tried to shrug her off, but she put her hands to his shoulders and forced him to look at her.

"She does have a mind of her own, you know."

"I know!"

"Do you?" she said softly. "Or. . .do you have to control everything in her life all of the time?"

"I don't control her! She can do things! Like betray me, it seems." He said cynically looking away. Mai sighed, thinking of something to say. Finally he said, "I guess . . .I shouldn't of acted like dat. . . ." He studied his hands. "She must hate me, now. I must've hurt her . . . "

"Oh, she doesn't. She loves you, like you love her. I can tell."

"Guess I'd better apologize. . . " he got up.

"And then?" she got up too.

Kick his ass, he thought. He would've loved to take a shovel to him and possibly bash him over the head a couple times. It's a good thing Serenity doesn't share my violent streak. But as much as it hurt, he knew he couldn't do that. At least without her watching, said a little voice. "I feel so helpless," he mumbled, staring down, clenching his fists. "I . . .dunno what to do!" he said, punching the door in frustration, wishing it was Kaiba's face. Ow. Mental note: don't punch the concrete wall. . . .

"Did you hurt yourself?" she said sympathetically, trying not to laugh at the way he was pouting. It was so adorable. "Let me see . .. " As they got closer, she saw his woebegone, miserable expression that charmed her. "Things'll turn out all right, you'll see."

His face changed as he saw how close they were. "And . . ." she said softly, lowering her eyelashes; making crescent shadows fall on her porcelain, pale skin, "I bet one of the reasons you're so mad is because you're jealous that your little sister found love before you did, huh?"

"W-w-what?" he protested. "Is not!"

"Or reeaally? That's so cute!" she crooned, coming closer, smiling slightly. "Heh heh heh . .. so're you . . . ."

"N-no . . .maybe . . . .wha-?" They kissed just as a knock pounded on the door.

"Joey! Are you in there! There calling for you at the elimination rounds! It's your turn to duel against . . Kaiba!"