*AN: Hey all! I'm bbaaaaaak! Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been really busy, not to mention sick (again -_-) so I haven't been able to update till now. First off, I'd like to thank all of you reviewers! You really keep me going!!! So...what happened to Mai? And what about Jonouchi? Did he drown...? Find out in Chapter 3!*

Chapter 3- Sickness and Deception

*Mai...where are you?* Jonouchi called out in the darkness. But his words were strangled by water pouring into his lungs. Opaque ebony water surrounded him, pressing in on his body and confusing his mind so that he didn't know which was up. But all he cared about was Mai. What had happened to her? Where was she? Was she ok? He kicked hi legs desperately but he was so tired and his lungs were threatening to burst. He felt himself sinking down into the black abyss. He fought frantically but his body refused to respond. His closing eyes briefly beheld a figure. Golden hair, a slender figure and.......a violet-what?- Unconsciousness took over and the blo9nd boy's chocolate eyes closed.

*Mai...!*

"Mai!" Jonouchi cried bolting upright and gasping for air. Pain and exhaustion shot through his entire body. He glanced wildly around. Where was he? Blushing sky blue walls surrounded him and a huge window to his left with a glass door that lead out to the balcony. Thin white curtains billowed around from the breeze and a squishy, comfortable-looking armchair with a tall lamp sat in the corner. Directly across from the bed, pushed up against the far wall, was a dresser with a television and VCR. He glanced down and found himself lying in a bed that matched the blue of the walls, the soft cotton sheets enveloped his body and fluffy pillows lay behind him. Golden beams of sunlight danced through the glass and played across the carpeted floor and the soft hued bed sheets. Where was he? He glanced down at himself and discovered he was bare-chested and adorned a pair of shorts.

There was the sound of running feet and all of a sudden the door flew open and Mai skidded into the room! She was dressed in indigo blue, silken pajama bottoms and tank top and her long golden hair was thrown sloppily up with chopsticks, a few stray wisps fell around her face and bare shoulders.

"Jonouchi!" she cried worry dripping from his name as she skidded to a stop. Jonouchi's chocolate eyes nearly popped out of his head. What was Mai doing here? Where was he? And what was she wearing? His throbbing head threatened to explode with questions. He seized his blond hair with vicious hands, his fingers digging into his scalp. His head screamed with pain and confusion. What was going on? Where was he? *Mai!*

"Mai." he irked out, his voice choked with pain. Then cook, soft hands gently touched his arm. It was cool and soothing against his fiery pain.

"Jonouchi?" Mai asked softly, concern thick in her tone. The blond boy didn't look up. Instead, he trembled and clenched his teeth to keep from crying out. What was going on? Mai! Mai? Was that her in front to of him? Or was he hallucinating? Mai! What happened to her? Why was this illusion before him taunting him so? Torturing him with her image.

"Jonouchi?!" Her gentle voice came again. Soft fingers gripped his forearms. Quivering uncontrollably, he forced himself to look up, his hands still gripping his blond locks. His pained eyes beheld Mai's worried face. Worry creased her brow and concern flecked her deep violet eyes. Blond locks of hair fell lightly about her pretty face. How he wished he could reach out and touch her, feel that she was real. Through his pain, and with a feeble hope, he stretched out a quivering hand and gently touched her cheek. She was real! He could feel her smooth cheek against his fingertips! She was really there with him!

"Mai!" he gasped reaching forward with the other hand to the other side of her face. A short burst of happiness ran through him. She really was there! She was alive and ok!

"Jonouchi!" she said again, concern dancing across her face.

"Mai! Where am I? What happened? Why did you-" he cut himself off, his stomach churning and his head throbbing.

"Jonouchi!" Mai said firmly attempting to calm the confused boy. "It's ok. You're in my apartment."

"Nani?"

"Hai." For a split second, reality hit him and he abruptly took his hands down from hr face. His stomach lurched and he doubled over, clenching his teeth to keep from retching all over the pale blue sheets of Mai's bed. He needed to get up, to move so that he wouldn't spill his insides all over everything. He pushed away the blankets and weakly swung his legs over the side of the bed. But when he attempted to stand, his legs buckled from underneath him and he collapsed to the floor, his head spinning.

"Jonouchi!" Mai cried dropping next to him. Although her voice was sweet, it rang in his ears like thunder increasing his pain. He felt her hands grasp his bare shoulders, her warm body pressed against his.

"Jonouchi, what's wrong?" Mai's voice came again. The boy's hands flew to his head again, snatching at his blond locks. His breathing was short and ragged, his muscular chest heaving, with each breath a stinging pain stabbing his chest. He desperately threw his head up, his distressed brown eyes locking on Mai's worried face.

"H-help!" he gasped. Then the girl's pretty face changed, set in determination. She put one slim arm around Jonouchi's trim waist, then took one of his arms and draped it around her shoulders. Then with much strength, she heaved him to his feet. He tried to help her but his legs felt like jell-o and he had not an ounce of strength. She held strong, gripping him tightly and moved towards the door. Jonouchi couldn't believe this! She was so close to him, practically carrying him.....Not a word of complaint or scorn escaped her lips and her only focus was on helping him. Her flawless body was pressed up against his, if he wasn't in so much pain he would be immensely enjoying himself. but at that moment he was desperately trying to keep himself from throwing up and his vision was becoming blurred. Mai half-carried him with incredible strength to a place he was unable to see. He heard a switch being flipped and a white light appeared before his blurred eyes and a sweet familiar smell filled his nostrils. Cook lie was now beneath his toes. *Must be in the bathroom.* he thought. Mai lowered him to his knees and he leaned over the toilet and retched.

"Now, try and get some sleep." Mai said dabbing Jonouchi forehead with a damp cloth. He was laying back in her bed again, his body damp with seat and breathing hard. His head still pounded and his stomach still churned, but he felt a bit more relaxed now. He was soothed by Mai's touch and voice and he now felt the fuzziness of unconsciousness wash over him.

* * * * * *

When Jonouchi awoke the pounding in his head had gone and the sickening lurching of his stomach had disappeared. he sat up and glanced around the unfamiliar room. Where was he? Then all at once the memories came back. This was Mai's apartment! He was sleeping in her room, in her bed. He remembered before how sick he had felt, but she had helped him. A smile spread across his handsome face at the memory of her skidding in dressed in her pajamas and the other where she had her arms around im, practically carrying him to her bathroom. He grinned at the memory. This was not bad, not bad at all. He felt better now, he must've swallowed too much sea water or something.....wait! What had happened last night? How did he end up here? He thought about getting up, but as he searched the room his clothes could not be found. Then he thought about calling for Mai, but something in the back of his mind prevented it. This was a very unusual situation he was in. He was in Mai's apartment and she was taking care of him! This was an opportunity that would probably never come again. Why in hell would he want to end it so soon. Just then, the door opened slowly and he threw himself back against the pillows.

"Jonouchi?" Mai called softly stepping into the room. The blond boy turned his head toward her and quickly kept himself from breaking his feigned sickly face. Mai was dressed in her normal outfit. She was adorned in he lace up, white tube top and her deep violet mini skirt hugged her like a second skin. She lacked her knee high boots and blue coat and her long golden hair cascaded around her bare shoulders and slim waist. His heat pounded in his ears. She wasn't dressed extra special, but every time he saw her he couldn't help but to get excited.

"How are you feeling?" she asked coming over to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Like shit." he lied giving her his most pathetic look. He was like a little kid trying to convince his mother he was sick so he could stay home from school. She seemed convinced for she gave him a sympathetic look and gently stroked his cheek with her finger. She gazed at him with her intense violet eyes. He couldn't comprehend the expression on her pretty face, but all he wanted to do was gaze at it, longing to caress her soft cheek burned like wild fire in his heart. Then she blinked and their brief connection was cut off. She abruptly realized that she was still stroking his face and took he hand away. Jonouchi wished she hadn't but he didn't say anything.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked. Jonouchi was momentarily frozen. Not knowing what to say, he remained silent, still gazing at her, the only thing he wanted was for her to stay there with him. Seeming to take his silence as either politeness or uncertainty she made her own suggestion.

"How about I make you some soup." she said giving him a small smile and then getting up and leaving. Jonouchi sighed torn between two emotions. He hadn't wanted her to go, but another part of him was relieved she hadn't seen through him. How long was he going to keep this up? *Who cares! This is great!* he thought smiling to himself. He could hear Mai moving around the kitchen. There was the banging of pots, cabinets opening and closing and drawers clattering.

:Mai." his feigned sickly voice called her. There was the sound of hurrying feet, the door flew open and she stepped quickly in. The blond boy plastered a sickly expression on his face.
"Hai?" she asked.

"Where's the bathroom?" Mai's violet eyes widened a bit and she practically pounced on him. she was at his side in an instant.

"Can you stand?" she asked as he pushed the covers off him.

"I dunno." he said standing feebly before conveniently falling her was and having her catch him. "Guess not." She slid one of her slender arms around his waist and took one of his muscular arms around her neck and quickly "helped" him out of the room. Enjoying himself immensely, Jonouchi got a brief glance at some of Mai's apartment. Across the narrow hallway outside her bedroom, a small kitchen was layed out and beyond that he thought he saw another room but he didn't get to see much. Mai half carried half dragged him into her bathroom and when she saw that he could barely support himself by leaning on the white counter she quickly left and closed the door. The tall tenth grader leaned against the porcelain counter top and looked into the large, elaborate, gold framed mirror. The engravings were beautiful, carved into waves of the ocean and...mermaids.. He gazed at his reflection noticing that his mess of blond hair was tangled and his eyes looked a bit tired but other than that he noticed that the rest of him seemed fine. He splashed some cold water over his face and glanced around the small bathroom. It was pretty clean and there were various products around the counter and cabinets from what he cold see. Despite Mai's toughness, her bathroom was very feminine. It was very clean and various scented oils shampoos and conditioners were placed on the counters and the shower rack and many candles and soaps lined the rim of the bathtub. Fluffy, blush blue towels hung from golden towel racks that clung to the matching walls. There was a soft knock on the door followed by Mai's voice.

"Jonouchi, are you ok?" she asked. The tall blond boy quickly plastered a pathetically sick look on his face and staggered towards the door and swung it open. Mai jumped a bit and took a step back at the sudden opening of the door.

"False alarm." he groaned leaning against the doorframe. She immediately jumped to his aid, once again sliding her arms around his trim waist. Jonouchi couldn't help but to shiver with pleasure at her touch.

"Simimusen, my hand must be cold." she apologized helping him back into her room and in bed. There was a tall glass of water on the nightstand next to the bed and a couple extra pillows had been added to the bed. When she had tucked him in she handed him the remote to her TV.

"Arigato, Mai." the boy choked out. The older woman sat on the edge of the bed and found herself reaching over and gently brushing a lock of wilder blond hair out of Jonouchi's chocolate eyes. Looking at him tenderly she continues to run the tips of her fingers lightly through some of his hair. Jonouchi's body relaxed and he felt as if he were melting. Suddenly, there was a large splash and a loud sizzling. Mai's eyes grew large and she jumped from the bed.

"Kyaaaaa!" she cried darting out of the room. There was more sizzling and some banging and cursing. And awful burnt smell filled the air making the teenager wrinkle his nose in disgust. He quickly stopped himself from jumping up and rushing to see if she was ok. *Stay down!* he ordered himself. *You're supposed to be sick remember?!* No sooner had he lay back down, the door opened a bit and Mai popped her head in. Smoke curled into the room overtop her head and she sweatdropped.

"Eh he, uhh....yeah your soup...it uh...not servable? So I'm gonna run out to the store and et some things, I'll be back ok?" He nodded and she quickly closed the door before any more of the soup or the dank smell of burned soup could filter into the room. He then heard the jangling of keys and the closing of the door and she was gone.

Jonouchi fidgeted around in bed as he half consciously flipped through the channels. He couldn't do this. It was driving him crazy. He had been laying around and sleeping all day and now he was stuck flipping channels. Jonouchi was one of those people who couldn't stand sitting still for extensive periods of time. *God, I can't take this!* he thought in frustration. *Wait, Mai's not here.....maybe I'll get up and explore the apartment before she gets back.* His stomach let out a loud growl and by reaction he covered it. *And maybe eat something too.* With that he switched off the TV, pushed the blankets off himself and got up.

He shivered slightly as he stepped out into the narrow hallway and a chill caught his bare chest and arms. He waked into the kitchen and found an extraordinary mess on the stove and in the sink. The foul smell burnt soup clung to the air making him loose his appetite. He spotted a large stereo on the kitchen counter. It was set to the radio so he pressed the power button. Heavy metal blared back at him causing his eyes to nearly popped out of his head and to jump back. After the abrupt surprise he left it on and began to dance around. *Sweet, I didn't know she listened to heavy metal!* he thought sending his blond hair flying as he excitedly head banged. As he danced wildly around he thought about how great this was. He had spent the night in Mai's apartment (even if he was unaware of it) and he wasn't back in his disgusting apartment with his drunk, abusive father. And the best part was he was alone with Mai and she was taking care of him. A sharp gasp came and the thud of a heavy paper bag hitting the floor. Jonouchi whipped around to see a shocked Mai standing in the doorway.