Normal 3rd person POV
After they left Tea with Serenity, Mai and Joey set off to the outdoor restaurant where Kaiba was supposed to meet Serenity. Since it was a clear night with a large, full moon, they walked along a long strip of beach. Before, Mai had changed her clothes into dark leather pants, a white corset with ruffles and a tight fitting suede jacket with a sash. She piled her long waist length hair in a knot on her head, so tendrils fell around her face. A touch of shimmer violet eye shadow emphasized the color of her eyes. The outfit hugged her incredible figure in all the right places, and she could tell by the way Joey looked at her, she looked great. Mai had planned to use a technique her therapist had taught her so they wouldn't argue again: Count slowly to ten and walk away.
But he was strangely silent as they strolled slowly down the soft sand. She stole a glance at him as they walked, studying his downcast profile. What a weird guy. And so stubborn! I know he likes me. But he refuses to admit it! I don't know if it's cowardice or . . . .what! Maybe for once, I can make an exception, and tell him my true feelings . . .. nah! I mean, I got my pride too. . . .!
Certainly he's different from any other guy I've ever known. Most guys are so eager with their flowery words and promises they always break. But . . . I STILL don't know why am I so attracted. I mean, am I that lonely? The answer was a resounding Yes! That's gotta be it. But her heart still wasn't so sure. Plus, we always argue SO much . . . .. .
Look at him . . . .nothing seems to match, she thought, openly staring and not caring if he noticed. A big head. Long, pointy nose. Longish hair that covered half his face. I'm not sure if it's blond or light brown . .. .. In sharp contrast, his eyes and eyebrows were dark, nearly black. Still, at least it wasn't uninteresting to look at. I'll give him that!
I really must be nuts to even think about him like this. I'm mean, that's it. I'm going CRAZY!
Smiling cynically, she looked away and saw the restaurant's patio. It was pretty small, and not very crowded. "Looks like he's not there yet," she said, turning to him. He just nodded. "Now remember," she said, almost motherly brushing lint off his jacket, " you'll have to keep out of sight, understand? If Kaiba even suspects that you're here, our cover's blown and the plan's ruined."
" I dunno. . .. " he said slowly. "I'm having second thoughts about dis whole thing. Mebbe it wasn't such a good idea . . . ."
"You can go back, if you want. I can handle him myself." In fact, that would make it better .. . .. "I'll tell you everything later, trust me."
"It not dat. I mean dis is my beef wit the guy, y'know? Sorry I made ya get involved."
"It's really okay, really. Serenity's my good friend."
"Plus . . . you're still lookin' kinda pale . .. after you almost fainted dis afternoon . . . . "
"I'm always pale," she returned amiably. "I planned to get a tan on the beach, but. . . ." she sighed and looked away toward the glittering sea, then back. She lifted his wrist to her own so they could compare skins. "You're a lot tanner than me. What kind of tanning lotion do you use? It's way too orange."
"Um . .. .don't use any. . . ."
"I know. It was a joke. Not a very good one, I guess . . . . tell me something .. . ." Mai said, looking him in the eye. "How come you and your sister don't really look that much alike?"
She thought he might take offense, but he sighed heavily so that his blond bangs flew right out of his face, and just flopped right down again. Shaking his head to shake it out of his eyes, a/n: I just luv it when boys do that! he looked up like he'd been asked this question million times before. "I look like my ma, but Serenity . . . .takes after Pop."
The last part was mumbled so it sounded like "Serenity t'aft' ter' mop." But surprisingly, she understood it. Oh great, she thought with a mental sigh. I know when we've been spending WAY too much time together if even I can understand what he's saying! Even more surprisingly, that thought gave her a warm feeling inside. Like she had a connection with another.
"You and your mother . . .don't get along?" When he didn't answer, she went on carefully, "I mean, Serenity told me her parents were divorced .. . " Another mistake; he turned so his back faced her. There was a short silence, then she apologized, without knowing really why. "Sorry .. . .I didn't mean to pry . . .. .it's none of my business."
Wait, why am I apologizing? I didn't do anything! Still, she was glad when he faced her again. " 's okay. I just don' like ta talk about it," he said with a forced smile, staring at the restaurant. Why not? Mai wondered. It seemed to her that he liked to talk about anything. But now he was so strangely silent, like a whole different person. Even now looking up at his averted face, she saw angles and planes she hadn't seen before cast off in the moonlight. A silence fell as she looked down for something to distract herself. The chain with his sister's picture still hung around his neck, glinting. The picture with her when she was five years old. He probably still sees her as a five year old, she mused.
Still, she was glad when he faced her again. " 's okay. I just don' like ta talk about it," he said with a forced smile, staring at the restaurant. Why not? Mai wondered. It seemed to her that he liked to talk about anything. But now he was so strangely silent, like a whole different person. Even now looking up at his averted face, she saw angles and planes she hadn't seen before cast off in the moonlight. A silence fell as she looked down for something to distract herself. The chain with his sister's picture still hung around his neck, glinting. The picture with her when she was five years old. she mused.Something else caught her eye just then.
"I wish he'd hurry up so we can get dis thing over wit," he was mumbling, half to himself, when he felt her touch him on the neck. He almost jumped out of his skin, heart beating. "Jeez, would you stop dat . . . !"
"What was that . .. . that scar?" she asked distantly, as if half to herself, unaffected by his outburst. It'd been long and jagged looking, silvery white. It was too thick to be from a tonsillectomy, unless the surgeons were really messed up. It gave her a sad feeling when she'd touched it.
"From a fight," he answered shortly, ducking his head so she wouldn't see how embarrassed he was to have jumped like an idiot. He was glad when she changed the subject then.
"Well, if you're going to stay and shall we say . . . observe?" He nodded. She continued, "O.K., I'll go and hit on him and if Kaiba does turn out to be a cheater, then you have to stay put. Trust me, I will personally help you lock Serenity up, if it turns out he is."
He paused, then asked, "Can I just hit him just once?"
"No. Trust me, it's better to resist the temptation, okay? Sheesh, you and your love of violence . .. . . . .oh, there he is." Mai stepped away and call over her shoulder, "Stay there!" and left.
Then she came back and gave him a quick tight hug. "Stay."
Joey's POV
I watched as she made her way down to the restaurant, still feeling her effect. All the way down, I'd been trying to convince myself to deny my feelings. And then she does something like this . . . .
I ducked down behind a sand bank, reminding myself I had to be undercover and not be standing there like a lovestruck sap. This is for Serenity's protection, I reminded myself. If the guy does turn out to be true blue, then I won't bother them again. I will step away.
Yeah, right, said a little voice. You'll never trust the guy . . . . .You know it and I know it!
I watched Mai as she greeted Kaiba and my mood grew darker and darker. I can't believe I'm missing Yuge's duel tongiht for this. . .. ! But he understood, like he always did. He had made it to the semi finals, no surprise, to me, or Tea, at least. I'll make it up to him later. But this time my sister's welfare comes first. .. .
My stomach growled. FEED ME, it said. F-E-E-D M-E-.
Later, I promised it. It just growled in response. "Quiet, you!"I'm in the middle of something! I tried to reason with it, make a compromise. In response it gave a roar so loud, it almost knocked me back into the sand. Jeez, it'd sounded like it was digesting itself. Or threatening to!
, I promised it. It just growled in response. "Quiet, you!"I tried to reason with it, make a compromise. In response it gave a roar so loud, it almost knocked me back into the sand. Jeez, it'd sounded like it was digesting itself. Or threatening to!Muttering obsecentites under my breath, I looked around for a vendor. "Stupid stomach . .. didn't I just feed you two hours ago?" Yeah, but that was too long ago, It said."Yeah, yeah . . . " I muttered, trying to recall of how to order food in Spanish."Por favor?" I said to a guy selling turkey legs. "Cuanto cuesta . . . .?" Luckily, I had just enough money. Good. Or else it would complain so loud that oaf would hear.
While my stomach made happy gurgling sounds in contentment, I ate and continued to watch.
3rd person POV
"Hey Yugi, that was really great duel!" Serenity complimented him as all three: Tea, Serenity, Yugi went to the room she and Tea shared. "The way you use and play . . . . .sure wish that one day I could do that. Right now I can't even beat Mokuba!"
"Well, Serenity, he is using Kaiba's deck," Tea reasoned as the two girls sat down on the double beds. She looked at Yugi concernedly. "You want to stay here and hang out with us, tonight, Yugi?"
"Um, no thanks. I'm really tired. Good night, girls." He turned with a little wave as they echoed good night back. Tea sighed, with a scowl.
"He seemed pretty quiet . . . ." Serenity said carefully.
"I know. He won't admit, but he was really hoping Joey to be there to watch him tonight." Tea sighed again. She knew Yugi too well to know when the boy was upset. "I'll see how he's doing later."
"Where is my brother, anyway?" Serenity asked, looking about. "Is he sleeping?"
"Sleeping. . . .er, yes." Tea nodded, avoiding her eyes. I am SUCH a bad liar! Serenity got up.
"Well. . . .uh, I hate to run, but I sort of got plans," she began, and suddenly Tea jumped up too.
"No! Er, I mean . . . .you said we'd talk later," she pleaded almost into a whine. Well, I couldn't think of anything else to keep her here!
Sereinty figured that Tea was lonely and wanted to talk. "Well, uh, I guess I have a few minutes," she said, casting a sidelong look at the clock. I hope Seto won't leave yet . . . . "Soooo. . . .. what do you want to talk about . . . . ?"
They sat down. "Well," Tea hedged, "earlier you said that I wouldn't understand what you meant when you said that S-I mean Kaiba was really shy."
"I-I did?" Serenity's brown doe eyes widened as she remembered. "Oh yeah.. . . .right. Well," she said, studying her folded hands on her lap, "What I meant was that he isn't . . . .always what he appears . . .. you know?"
"No . . . .explain it to me," Tea urged, leaning forward with interest.
"It's like . . . . ." Serenity shifted her gaze to study to floral pattern on the wall, ". . . .when we're . . . .together. . .he's really quiet and . . .distracted . . . .sometimes. I mean, I don't know how to really explain, I guess."
"Why don't you give me an example of what he's like when, you know, we're," Tea gestured, refering to Yugi and herself, as well as the others, "not around?"
"Well . . . ." Serenity said thoughtfully, " last weekend or so was Mokuba's, you know, his birthday?" Tea nodded. "Well, we've gotten along really close, and me and him planned this party thing." She smiled in memory of the younger Kaiba's high pitched voice, An' there'll be games, an' some animals, an' a trip around the whole world!
Tea prompted, "Well? And what happened?" when the younger girl was silent.
"And . . . . I fell in love," she said quietly.
flashback
"Big brother! Play some ddr with us!"
Serenity bent and picked up some discarded paper cups from the thick carpet, trying not to seem too obvious watching the little scene. She had been in charge for the party, while Kaiba had gone and locked himself upstairs in work. He must've gone downstairs. She reached up, and realized in dismay that there was a blue paper streamer in her hair. Oh, man . . .. .I must look like a mess!
"No, I'm busy," she heard the elder Kaiba say shortly, as all the other kids booed and hung their heads. But boy, was Mokuba smart. Even before his brother had finished his rejection, he had cast off full power puppy eyes. "Pleaaaaase?"
As Serenity watched, all the other kids quickly did the same. She quickly turned away, lifting the ladle to pretend to be refilling the punch bowl she made herself. I mustn't laugh. . .. but the way he was scowling was so funny!
So, finally they coerced him into a single round. She didn't want to hurt his pride by watching, so she made sure her back was turned.
end flashback
"And . . . did he?" Tea was at the edge of her seat, gripping the bed covers with her fists.
"Yes," Serenity smiled, her eyes warm in the memory of it. He certainly was good at it, even though Mokuba told her later that he hadn't played in 5 years. As if reading her mind, Tea questioned if he had been any good at the game. Since she herself was a dancer; Tea had beaten a numurous amount of other DDR players, like the infamous Johnny Steps last year.
"Well, he hit all the you know, buttons on that pad thing," Sereinty replied to her question. "Won all the levels."
"All the levels?" Tea couldn't believe it. "Even the Oni, and Challenge Modes? Even--"
Serenity nodded, while Tea was speechless, staring into space. Even I can't do that in one day! Then again, Kaiba probably owns the game! Suddenly, Tea laughed out loud.
"What's so funny?" Serenity inquired, not offended by her laughter. She checked the clock again. Oh no, he'll be furious that I'm late!
"I was just thinking that he probably knocked off the other kid with his trenchcoat while swinging side to side," Tea said as Serenity got up. "Hey, wait, where're you going?"
"I'm really sorry, but I have to go." Serenity said apologetically, swinging her purse over her shoulder. Spotting a brush on the vanity mirror, she took it and quickly ran it through her hair. Setting it back, she said, "We'll talk some more later, okay?"
"Uh--" Tea racked her brains, trying to think of a good excuse for her to stay. Just until Joey and Mai finish their little 'test'! But the girl was nearly out the door and she couldn't think of anything. Just then Yugi, thankfully, came to the rescue.
"Uh, I was wondering," he said, poking his spiky head through the doorway, "if you girls ate yet or not . . . ."
"No! We didn't!" Tea said a little too loudly, startling everybody slightly.
"I thought you were tired . . . .?" Serenity said cautiously, so not to seem rude.
"I am but I can't sleep." Yugi cast a worried look over in Tea direction. "Are you okay, Tea? You seem a little . . . .stressed out."
Serenity was looking at her worriedly too. Something hasn't felt right all evening, she thought. "Tea? Is there something you're hiding from me?"
"No!" Tea said with a false laugh. "W-why would I hide anything? Heh-heh-heh," she giggled nervously like a nut and stopped herself abruptly.
Yugi and Serenity exchanged looks. "Is it . . . .about my brother, maybe?" Serenity questioned, raising an auburn eyebrow. "Where is he, anyway?" she said, looking about as if she expected him to pop out of nowhere like he usually did. "Do you know, Yugi?" she asked the boy.
"Um . . . ." He knew all about Joey's little test he planned tonight. Even though I told him I thought it was a really bad idea, he thought. Still, he didn't feel he could lie to Joey's sister. He cast a look at Tea for help, who was shaking her brunette head side to side. "He's, um, away . . .. with Mai, I think .. . . "
"Really? What are they doing?" Serenity looked interested.
Now I'm really in a mess! I wish I would've just put my foot in my mouth instead! I can't tell her they went to trap her boyfriend! Still, looking at her trusting, friendly eyes, he couldn't bring himself to lie. "They . . . .went to a restaurant . . . ." he mumbled, staring at the floor.
"Which one?" Serenity asked, suddenly feeling a sense of dread.
"Ummm . . . . 'Posteria.' "
"But that's the one where--" Serenity turned to look at Tea, whose downcast gaze confirmed it. "Oh no," she gasped, covering her mouth with one hand and running out.
"Sorry," Yugi mumbled, when she was gone. He hung his head in shame, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
"That's okay. You never could tell a lie," Tea smiled, forgiving him as usual. Then she looked worriedly where Serenity was standing. "Everything'll turn out okay . . . .I hope!"
Mai's POV
I really did think everything was going well. The main thing was, to not let Kaiba know what we - me and Joey -were up to. I wasn't really afraid of what he would do if he found out, but you never know with men. Especially powerful ones.
I was just talking and talking away, while he was silent. At one point I said something I don't even remember, and he said, real casual,
"So . . . .what has the mutt made you do this time?"
I nearly fell off my chair. Keeping my face like a mask, I asked him what was he talking about. Kaiba gave me a how stupid do you think I am? glower, like I just insulted his intelligence. But I wasn't about to admit to anything. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the waiter and waiteresses staring and whispering at us. They think we're some sort of couple, I thought. Distracted, I nearly didn't hear him add,
"So you're telling me that spy skulking over there eating just looks like the mutt."
"What," I said, keeping my voice perfectly steady, "you've never had a stalker? It could be, you know." Inside, though, I was slapping my forehead. Joey, Joey . . .! You and your appetite. . . .
He gave me look as if to say what an inept liar I was, and started getting up to leave. "Wait," I said hurriedly, knowing it was useless to deny it anyway. "Okay, okay, I confess," I admitted. "We--"
"Wait. Let me guess." he said sarcastically with his usual scowl. "You and that NitWit planned to set me up to see if I would cheat on Serenity. Admit it."
I was impressed. Boy, he is perceptive . . . . I guess my expression must've confirmed it because he snorted impatiently and said,
"That imbecile . . . . .he'll never leave Serenity alone. Who does he think he is, her guard-dog or something?"
I was soured. "He's her brother," I defended him, narrowing my eyes. "Sure he might be a little . . . .overprotective . . . ."
"Are you joking? You'd call that overprotective?" He sneered. "You must be hanging much too much time with him then!"
I was mad. I was about to say, He's better company than the ones I've had in a LONG time! but I caught myself, just in time. Instead, I reminded him, "One thing's for sure: Serenity's sure torn up about this."
His cold cobalt eyes narrowed as he shifted his gaze to a spot over my right shoulder, folding his long fingers in front of his face. Almost as if he were in another world, he said distantly, "I know. I told her to . . . .tell you to distract him and to keep it a secret. I told her it would be worse if everyone knew about us . . ."
I was shocked. "Y-you told her to tell me to . . . .?"
He scowled. And then he said something else, but I was too bewildered to pay attention. Then I gathered my wits and said,
"Well. Then the solution's easy. All you have to do is just sit here with me during the rest of the evening and not do anything." I tossed my head to one side and looked at him sidelong, batting my lashes. "Joey has promised to leave the two of you alone if you can keep your hands off me for one night," I said squarely. "If you get up, and leave right now, he'll never leave his sister's side." Or even though, I thought.
"Yeah, riiight." He leaned back with a frown. "You're just as empty headed as he is if you'd believe that. No matter what I do, the result will be the same." Kaiba said , practically spitting out the word "same" viciously. He'll leave leave us be, was written all over his face.
In spite of all this, I couldn't help noticing that he had a different air than before. Before, there was sort of tension around him, an aggressiveness. Now he seemed more calmer and stable. Then again, what do I know? I'm no psychologist. "Unless . . . ." he said, suddenly sitting straight. I could see an idea forming, and I knew I wasn't going to like it. Kaiba didn't seem like he was planning a revenge at first. But now with him twisting his mouth into an evil leer as an idea struck him, I wasn't sure of anything anymore.
"Hey, wait. . ." I said firmly, suddenly feeling afraid, for the first time in months. I thought he was going to grab me by hair, maybe, and drag me out by one of his goons. Then stuff me in his cars and dump my body out later. After all, I didn't really know the man that well. There were rumors, of course . . . .
But he kept his hands right on the table, as he leaned in . . . .
Joey's POV
I was chewing away at my turkey leg, the spices of pepper and salt mixing together. It was barbeque roasted, the best I've ever tasted. Wiping the juice off my mouth with the edge of my sleeve, I turned the leg around in search of the juicy meat to sink my teeth into. Mmm . . .. crispy on the outside, tender and tart on the inside. Tum-tum was happy. . . . .I sighed and slurped the dripping juice up.
I glanced up at the so called happy couple to see if Scrooge McKaiba had proven to cheat on my little sister. So far he'd kept his slimy hands to himself. Man, except for the turkey leg, what I wouldn't do to be somewhere else, though! . . . . . . .cause this was a test for Mai, too. After all this was over and done with, I was going to tell her . . . . . what I felt for her truly. Really!
So . . . . . . let's see just how far she'd go with him. Why? Dunno. . .it was just a--
I stopped in mid chew. I froze.
My turkey leg hit the sand with a plop! and lay there.
I don't know how long I was frozen there. I do remember standing up slowly, wobbling a bit and feeling something snap with a click! in my head. I felt red. Many times before I've seen red, sure, but I never felt it. It was totally, completely new and unexpected feeling...
WHAT!
I couldn't believe it. I couldn't be sure, but it didn't matter. It was enough. More than enough. Just the thought of it made my gut turn over and boil with rage, like I've never felt. One minute I was standing there, dumbstruck, shoulders sagging, and then the next I was running so fast towards them, it seemed my feet barely touched the ground. Then I was right next to the two of them. She screamed for me to stop as I lifted my fist, in, it what seemed like slow motion, but I couldn't hear her, as there was a strange buzzing noise in my ears that always happened when I got into a fight.
Drawing my right fist back, I jerked him up and swung with all my might, right to his face. Cheater! Cheat. . .on my sister, will ya? I should've done this a long time ago . . .