a/n: …..ok, now, enjoy!

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%Chapter Five: It's Not What You Think! %

After class, Mai was unusually quiet as Serenity waved goodbye to go to her other class, and Rebecca, a little chatterbox, kept both sides of a conversation going by herself. Mostly she chats about Yugi, Mai thought, half listening to her drivel. Though it does seems weird that a brainy nerd like her could be interested in too-sad-for-words Yugi……

She sighed loudly, knowing her rather catty thoughts were because of what Serenity had told her earlier when they were registering for classes. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad living with him……Yugi and Duke share a dorm room with him, and they're still alive…..! Still, she knew from past experience that that was the number one killer of a relationship…..you get to know each other's worst habits, and it gets on your nerves….

And so…….Apparently, Rebecca stopped all her chatter and notice that she was feeling blue. "Something on your mind, Mai?" She looked at her with adoring eyes…..she really respected the taller blond's past two years' extraordinary achievements…..

"Eh, it's nothing," came the lie. "Nothing you would understand!" she added airly, but Rebecca took no offense. "But let's talk about you. Instead. You and Yugi, that is," Mai's large, cat like eyes narrowed speculatively. She had been rooting for Tea and Yugi since she'd met them, but…. "You seem pretty determined to make him yours…." She gave the girl a smile, so she would confide in her 'dear' friend. Know the enemy......that what I always say!

"You are pretty direct.....Well it's true." Rebecca looked away. "Except that stupid ol' Tea, suddenly comes back, all the sudden, after she left him and nearly broke his heart!"

"Really? Did he say that?" Mai was surprised. In the past, Yugi had been pretty open and honest, but now he was so closed down…but I still think he and Tea are a definite thing!

"No, but I could tell. I'm pretty sensitive to his needs, you know," Rebecca said self-righteously, while Mai hid an amused grin at the girl's certainity. "Hey, can you help me? Maybe you could tell Tea to...go back to where ever she came from!"

"Whoa, girl…..First off, she's from here….." Mai stopped a bit, waving her hands so that her expensive gold bracelets clicked. "Wait, where are we going?"

"To the boys' room…." She answered, referring to their dorm. "I want to see if Yugi's there…"

"Oh….. that's all right." Mai said offhandedly, as though she didn't care, but secretly she needed to speak with a certain someone as well….a certain blond someone.....

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By the time the girls got to the student apartments, they were laughing and talking about something funny that had happened. "Hey, honey I'm home," Mai said, entering the apartment.

"You watch too much 'I Love Lucy,' "Rebecca looked anxiously around, checking and patting her hair. Hmmm, he's not here…. darn.

"Hold it. Listen," Mai said, lifting a finger. The two girls stilled, and a sound of a video game was clearly audible. Both wearing identical, mischievous grins, they peeked around the corner. Joey and Yugi were both playing a video game on the PS3 [a/n: hey this is the future]. Wow, Yugi actually looks…….alive, Mai thought, and Rebecca noticed it too. His large violet eyes were watching the screen, more attentive more alert. Even more, it had nearly lost all trace of sadness….nearly….

They made a quick plan, and Rebecca called out brightly, while Mai kept hidden out of sight, "Hey, Yugi! Ooh, lemme play! Can I play!" She grabbed the controller with a smile sitting on the old sofa. "Ooh, what does this do? Ooh, why is your character getting all bloody?" She stared at the screen, while Yugi sweatdropped, still.

"Er, hi, Rebecca," he muttered.

" 'Cause in MK10, it's guts galore!" Joey said, laughing at his friend trying to get the controller back. Yes! "Oh my god, I'm actually going to beat you at SOMETHING!!" he yelled at his friend, eagerly; meanwhile Mai snuck up behind him.

"Guess again," she purred, covering his eyes from behind. "This should make things even!" Now it was Yugi's turn to laugh, a strange sort, rusty sounding, but it was a laugh, nonetheless, at the sight of his friend saying "Nooooo!" and not being able to pull her off, because being brainy as she was, Rebecca had gotten the nuances of the game, and was beating him into a bloody pulp, and he couldn't let go of the controller to pry her hands off......"Argh!"

"Finish him!" said the haunting voice from the game.

"Ooh," Rebecca squealed, giving Yugi a glomp, "I made his head EXPLODE! Mwa hahaha!" she said, as body parts went all over the place and "You Lose" went on the screen. "Well that was fun….." Whatever he likes! Sorta gross, though…..but whatever he likes! She smiled to herself, still hugging.

"M-my….." Joey whispered at his headless player. "MAI!" as she pulled his head back for an upside down kiss. "….hello…."

"You called?" she said innocently, coming around the sofa with a teasing smile, as Yugi got up and wandered to the kitchen to fix himself something to drink, Rebecca at his heels, talking nonstop as usual. Hmm, for once, I'm at a loss! Mai thought, unsure of how to begin. Maybe I should wait for him to say something first.

"How was your class?" He began to pack up the game.

"Oh, it was fine," she said lazily, with a yawn, like she'd run a mile. "Sort of tiring, though. Too early in the morning; I'm on vacation."

He returned her smile. "Sure doesn't seem like it…..you'd been running around with your errands for your new business…..what's it called again?"

"I haven't decided it yet," she said offhandedly, like it didn't really matter. Even though it did. But her mind was still on what Serenity had told her…..

"Hmmm……maybe you could name it afta yourself," he suggested, sitting up. " ' Mai Valentine'…..my valentine….heeeey..... I just got that!"

"Funny, I haven't heard THAT one before," she smirked at his amazement. "Anyway……how can I put this?" She muttered under her breath, weighing her words carefully.

"What kinda class do you have…..?" he said changed the subject. Earlier, he had gone to class for the first time in a long time, and it had really taken a toll. It seemed to be harder than ever.

"Art class……" she said absently, still thinking.

He had just taken a sip of his soda that was beside his seat and nearly choked. " ' Art class…..?' Ya mean…..with….." He looked around the empty room, as though he expected someone to be eavesdropping. "….nude models?"

"Mmm hmmm….." She watched his reaction. "This is a college, after all…..what, jealous are we?"

"Of course not," he said grumpily, and she laughed, a sound like a chime. "But dontcha think you should…..ya know……take somethin' ELSE?"

"Why should I?" Her earlier thought forgotten, Mai went on, "What, you think I'm going to take one look and fall helplessly in love?" I bet that IS what he thinks! So insecure....!

"No, I'm not jealous! It's just that….." He tried to explain, defensive. "I doan want you to……be ogling…..some naked guy's body….." She nodded, but it was clear she was amused. "You know…..?" He looked at her hopefully, wanting her to understand. Especially sine I plan to propose to 'er!

"Yeah, okay. But it's not like I'm going to be like, 'oh, Mr. Nude Model, I'm SO overpowered by your manliness….." Mai said in a dramatic voice, draping herself across his lap. " 'Take me!' " she continued as he continued to look grumpy, face twitching, and Yugi came back, just in time to hear her last statement. Hearing him, they both looked over at him.

"Er….oh kaaaay, I'll just leave you two alone…." He crept away on tiptoe, while Rebecca tut-tutted at them, shaking her head, before they could explain. The front door slammed and they looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"Well, I'll haveta explain it all to 'im later, I guess….." Joey helped her up.

Mai stayed where she was, looking up at him with big innocent eyes. "Uh, that reminds me….."

"Uh oh……" She only used those eyes on him when it was something bad….

"Well…….my parents have been asking about who I'm seeing," she went on, playing with the zipper of his jacket as he groaned in disbelief. "And….they've arranged a little lunch over at their house----Joey---" she began when he started to complain.

He grabbed his head. "No! we're not going!" he said stubbornly. He'd only met her parents once, at it had been a disaster. "They still think I'm your janitor! Buncha snobs....."

"Well, they didn't know who you were then!" she protested, still eyeing at him with hopeful-ness. "And, since Serenity told me what you're planning to ask, I thought you'd at least consider it and all!"

He froze solid. "Wha-what do you mean….?" She blanched at her blunder.Oops.... "What did sis tell you I'm going to---"

"Nothing….forget it." Mai said quickly, looking away and pretending to fix her cashmere jacket, avoiding his eyes. "Anyway," she continued to his stunned face, taking his hand and sitting up seriously, " We're going!"

Joey was barely paying attention. How could Sis tell?! I told her it was a secret! Great, what am I going to do now? He hadn't a clue while she continued to chatter away.

"And you'll have to dress up, probably in something from MY store---and get a hair cut, you really need one---and oh! They'll just love you!" she gushed, hugging him with enthusiasm. Actually, Mai was plenty nervous about the whole thing, but she knew it had to be done and over with. Even though it's really none of their business, I really do want my parents to meet him! for real this time! "Okay! Let's go!"

"Wha-where?" he was still in shock as she dragged him to the door with a smile. Please don't say we're going RIGHT Now ova dere?

"To go shopping, of course!"

"Hey..wait a minute I haven't agreed to dis thing yet!" he squirmed out of her grip.

"Why not? Give me one good reason why not." She crossed her arms expectantly.

" 'Cause….I'm too tired!" Well, it is a reason……Even though he felt anything but, with the panic still coursing through his veins like adrenaline. "Maybe later....." Yeah, in a million years!

"Oh, you poor baby," she cooed in sympathy, since he really did look tired. Strained lines had appeared on his face and around his mouth, and his usually bright amber eyes had dulled a bit. Of course, she didn't know it was because he'd been stressing about how to propose to her…… "And you know what gets my energy? Shopping!" she said with a bright smile, taking his hand again and pulling him to the door in a second attempt to make him go, which opened just then.

"Oh! Hey guys," a very harried looking Serenity stopped short, with an armful of packages. "What with the welcoming committee?"

Glad for an excuse, even though he was still mad at her for blabbing, Joey quickly took the groceries. "Here...... lemme help you with that sis!" Even though you and me are going to have a TALK later......Serenity smiled in relief, as Mai tapped her boot on the floor, impatient to get going before he changed his mind. Not that he's already made up his mind, but oh well! He's going wherever I tell him to! And that's final!

Just then, Serenity bent down and put the packages down with a sigh. Some groceries spilled out and Mai bent to help her. "Thanks, Mai….I'm just so tired! I just got back from shopping, and classes….." She swayed, leaning against the doorway heavily, something falling out of her coat pocket. "Plus, it was raining, and really cold outside…." She sniffed. "Hope I'm not getting a cold....." she murmured, shivering.

"See?" Joey called from the kitchen, putting away the stuff. "Too cold outside! Guess we can't go!"

"Hm? What's this….?" Mai murmured, seeing a tiny blue velvet box on the carpeted floor, recognizing the name on the cover. Hmm, that's a jewelry store...!. Serenity saw her contemplating it and her blood turned cold….

"Sis, I don't want anybody to find out….so here, keep this fer me. I know it'll be safe with you….." Joey handed Serenity the ring.....

"M-mai!" she said in a desperate voice, turning towards her as Joey entered in the foyer. "Wait! That's, uh..... mine!" she blurted, grabbing for it, but Mai easily held it out of her reach, interested and eager to see what was inside.

"Let me See! Looks like a ring box…..ooh!" she opened it and gasped loudly at the beautiful amber and diamond engagement ring twinkling up at her. "Oh my god……that is so beautiful…..! It's the most---" Beautiful ring I'd ever seen! She was speechless for a second, dazzled.

Serenity was thinking Oh my god, also, but in a Oh my god, Joey is so going to kill me! She had forgotten to switch her coats that morning, she had been such in a hurry. So she'd been wearing the small coat since yesterday......Say something! Do something! Save---get it--EXPLAIN! "M-mai….." she began, standing up timidly as Mai continued to revere about the ring. "U-um....." But there she stopped, while Joey looked horrified.

"This looks like an engagement ring," Mai murmured, not noticing the siblings' deep silence, noting the carat, weight and size of the diamond. Then it hit her……like a ton of bricks. "Oh--." she gasped, mouth dropping open.

"Um-m-m….it's not what you think……" Joey began to say, taking a step forward as Serenity shrank back to hide. She'd better!

"My." Mai said slowly, her eyes huge and her face pale. "God." There was a long silence, as the three of them stood stock still, like a duel in old western movies. "No, you can't do it!" she suddenly blurted out….eyes fixed on him with panic……voice desperate......

TBC

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A'n: tee hee I just love playing with them! & she's got his silliness XD Lol…..ok, R&R