Otogi is Duke Devlin, and Honda is Triston Taylor.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh! or the lyrics in this fic.
The Graduation Party
Jonouchi sat on the steps outside the gymnasium at Domino High; there was a huge party taking place inside for all the graduates, their friends, and their family. To most of his teacher's surprise, he had graduated, and with B's, but even so, he didn't feel like partying. Something was missing—no—someone was missing, and that someone was Mai Valentine.
She told him a month ago that she had to compete in a Duel Monsters Tournament in Tokyo, and she wasn't sure when she'd return. She did promise however, that she would make it to his graduation ceremony. Unfortunately, she didn't show up, and Jonouchi didn't have anyone waiting for him after he received his diploma, that is, until he saw his mother and sister.
His mother, not surprisingly took about a hundred pictures of him with his sister, and with his best friends: Yugi, Honda, Anzu, and Otogi. He snickered at the memory from a few hours ago. He knew he should go inside and join the rest of his friends, but he was still waiting for Mai. After the night they spent together on her birthday they became an item, a couple, boyfriend and girlfriend, more than just casual friends, and every other word that explained the love they had for each other.
After Jonouchi told his friends, he was shocked to find out they weren't surprised. "Well finally man." Was Honda's response. "Finally…" he whispered out loud. He leaned back and rested his elbows on the step behind him, and then stretched out his legs. As he gazed up at the moonless sky he thought back to the night he confessed his love to Mai. After being afraid of rejection for so long, he found out that she loved him back enough to let him… well it only happened that night. Mai told him she wanted to wait until marriage before she made love to him again.
Marriage. A few years ago, the last thing on Jonouchi's mind was marriage. He assumed because of his gang life he would either be in jail, or dead, but now the only thing that occupied his thoughts were marriage. Mai would be more than his girlfriend, she would be his wife; sure she was older than him, but he loved her enough to not let that become between them.
He lifted his arm to glance at his watch. The digital numbers read: 9:03pm. The graduation ceremony started at six and wasn't over until after eight because of the large class of graduating seniors. He wanted to go home, but his sister wanted to stay and talk to Yugi and the others; besides that, he was still waiting for Mai. She promised she would show up, and she was known to never break a promise. He could imagine her explanation in his mind: "You know I like showing up fashionably late Katsuya…" She had that wonderful habit of calling him by his first name, which only the important women in his life would do.
He sat up suddenly bringing his feet up a few steps. The dog tags around his neck pinged together; he had added one more to the chain, so Mai Valentine was etched in sterling silver. He stood up and adjusted his baggy jeans, and then unbuttoned his black collared shirt. Sure graduation was a time to dress-to-impress, but Jonouchi wasn't one to dress up, he didn't the point of dressing in his best clothes for graduation seeing how they would be covered by the magician robes—that is, graduation robes—they were forced to wear.
Jonouchi decided to join the rest of his friends and go back to the party. He knew Mai would eventually show up, and instead of waiting outside alone, he could be inside socializing with his friends. After all, this would be the last time he, and his friends would set foot in Domino High. He smirked at that thought, so many memories…
He walked into the gymnasium and immediately went to the refreshments table. The main gym was full of the senior's friends and family. The small gym, only big enough for one basketball court, was where the music and over half the senior class were. He assumed all his friends were in there, especially Anzu, because everyone knew she was going to Julliard in the fall. After he finished the cup of fruit punch in his hand, he headed for the small gym.
Jonouchi walked into the gym and let the door close behind him. The room was completely dark, except for the neon lights and lasers bouncing around the room with every pulse of the music. The crowd of young adults stood around in a circle cheering on whoever had the guts to be in the center. Jonouchi stepped through the crowd to see what the whole commotion was about. Not to his surprise Anzu was getting all the attention by showing everyone her best moves. She winked at him when she noticed his presents, and he replied with a friendly nod. At one point she pulled Kaiba into the circle with her; everyone knew they were a couple now, but he never understood what Anzu could possibly see in that rich snob.
The young adults dispersed back into the crowd dancers they once were. Jonouchi spotted a certain spiky-headed friend of his in the corner of gym and headed in his direction. As he stepped closer he noticed Yugi was sandwiched between two girls. He snickered; ever since Duelist Kingdom, Battle City, the Dartz saga, and the KC Grand Prix, Yugi had become a sort of celebrity, taking the girls that would usually follow Otogi around. "Lucky him…"
"Hey Jonouchi!" Yugi yelled over the music. He said something to the girls he was dancing with and then joined his friend. "So Mai's not here yet?"
He shook his head. "Not yet." He placed his arm around Yugi's shoulders. "I saw you dancing with those girls over there, aren't you afraid someone will get jealous?" he teased referring to Rebecca. Everyone knew she had the biggest crush on him.
"Haven't you heard? She's with Mokuba now." Yugi motioned his head in their direction.
Jonouchi glanced over at them, they were dancing all right, and awfully close for their age he thought. "What's with the Kaiba brothers having girlfriends now?"
Yugi laughed, "Anzu said Kaiba is nicer than he seems. And Rebecca said she prefers guys who are almost as smart as her."
"The fact that you know that Yug' surprises me." Jonouchi glanced around the room a bit, until someone caught his attention. Honda was dancing close to his sister, too close, and he had his hands on her waist.
"Something wrong Jonouchi?" Yugi inquired.
Jonouchi didn't answer him; instead he pushed through the crowd of dancers as if he were bent on murder. He pulled Honda away from his sister and gave them both evil glares. "What do you think you're doing?"
"We're dancing Katsuya," Shizuka said innocently. "What's wrong?"
"Yeah man calm down," Honda smirked. "I'm not going to let anything happen to her."
Jonouchi growled. Even if he didn't want to admit it, he rather see his sister with his best friend than any other guy. "I thought you were dating Otogi Shizuka."
"We are, but it doesn't mean I can't dance with someone else." She smiled happily, "You need to stop worrying about me big brother."
"Alright sis', have fun." He gave her a small hug. He turned his attention to Honda. "Keep your hands above her waist," he warned.
Jonouchi walked away and found a spot on the wall to lean on just like the other guys who didn't have a girl to dance with. He could've asked any of the girls standing around to dance, but he wanted to save his first dance for Mai. He folded his arms and smirked, "If I'm thinking about her this much, then I must really be in love."
"Hey Jonouchi," Anzu yelled over the music. "Why are you standing on the wall? I'll dance with you," she offered kindly taking his hand.
"Won't money bags get jealous?"
She frowned. "You guys have to start getting along, now that we are together." Jonouchi rolled his eyes. "Do you wanna dance or what?"
"I'm waiting for Mai."
"Oh, I didn't know she was coming. Well save me one dance ok?" she grinned then flaunted away back to the dance floor that she claimed was always 'calling' to her.
--:0:--
Jonouchi spent most of the night with his friends, his mother, and his sister. Mai hadn't showed up yet and it was almost eleven o'clock, by now most the party had broken up. The majority of the senior class had left this school oriented party and went crusin' for less restricting parties with free alcohol.
"Katsuya?" his mother asked. "Are you alright?"
She must have seen the sad look on his face. He sat down on the bleachers and kept his gaze away from her. He didn't like to make her worry about him; she had enough to worry about, so he lied. "I'm fine mother, just waiting on—"
"Mai?" she finished for him. She touched his shoulder. "I'm happy that you found someone Katsuya, I truly am. Your sister though, I'll keep an eye on her," she joked referring to her new boyfriend.
"Thank you mother." Jonouchi stared up at her. "Are you proud of me?" he asked carefully.
His mother sat down next to him. "Of course I'm proud of you Katsuya." She sighed, "Maybe it was a mistake splitting you and your sister up, but after the divorce the courts—"
"You don't have to get into that, I know it was hard for you. I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For making you worry about me. For being in a gang, and making you cry and worry that one night I wouldn't come home because of the life I was leading." Jonouchi shook his head. He wasn't sure why he suddenly started apologizing to his mother, maybe it was his conscience; whatever the reason, he was starting to lift a weight that he has been carrying on his shoulders for a long time, and that was making him feel better.
"Yes Katsuya I did worry about you, but I do know you have changed your life around. I don't have to worry about you anymore." She smiled a little, "Well… worry as much as a mother would, but not worry like I used to. I love you Katsuya and I want you to let you know that you will always have a place to live." She took his hand. "Now that you are out of high school, your father doesn't have custody of you anymore. I want you to come live with Shizuka and I."
"Mother…"
"And I want you to be in college in the fall."
"Mother…"
"And to have a part-time job during the summer. I have already talked to a friend of mine, and she said she would hire you at the bookstore she owns."
"Alright mother," Jonouchi smiled. "But I have to tell you something before you decide to move me in."
"Mom! I have to tell you something!" Shizuka screamed. She grabbed her mother and dragged her across the gym. "I'll bring her back big brother!" she called over her shoulder.
"Ok…" he said to himself surprised at his sister's sudden actions. Jonouchi shrugged and stood up. He knew he made his mother happy by promising her that he would move in with her. He, of course, wouldn't take advantage of her. Maybe with the job he would be getting during the summer, he could help his mother pay for college and the other household expenses.
Jonouchi stretched his arms above his head and yawned a little. Today was a long day, from the six thirty in the morning graduation practice, to staying at this party until after eleven. Someone suddenly covered his eyes from behind; he could tell that it was a female by how soft the hands were. "Anzu?" The person shook his head 'no'. "Um… Shizuka?"
"Shizuka? I thought by now you would be able to tell who I am by my touch."
His eyes widened. He knew that voice. Jonouchi turned around quickly to find none other than Mai Valentine standing before him dressed in a simple, strapless, violet colored dress with a matching shawl that hung around her shoulders. "Mai! You made it!" he grinned happily.
"Of course I made it. I would've been here sooner, but I didn't have a thing to wear," she winked.
He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Mai…"
She placed her arms up and around his neck. "How was the ceremony? I'm sorry I missed it."
"You didn't miss much, it was long and boring," he laughed.
Mai tilted her head and giggled a little. "Still, I wanted to be the first one to congratulate you." She leaned closer to him so her lips were inches from his. "Because I think you would've like how I congratulated you…" she whispered.
"I think I would've liked it." Jonouchi gave her a soft kiss on the lips. He gazed into her perfect violet colored eyes and returned her smile. Everything at this moment was perfect and nothing could possibly ruin it.
Mai glanced at the entrance to the small gym. "Isn't that our song Katsuya?"
His eyes glanced around the gym as he tried to figure out what the song was. He finally gave up and shrugged. "What song is it?"
"We Belong Together. Don't you remember? It was playing on the radio after our night together."
"Oh," he smirked. "I didn't know that was our song."
Jonouchi let a smile curve around his lips; this was the perfect time to ask her. He took her hands from around his neck and interlaced his fingers with hers. His heart beat rapidly in his chest and the feeling of butterflies in his stomach was starting to surface. He tried to contain himself, what he was planning to do was going to take all the courage a man had. "Mai… I love you so much… I don't think I will ever find a woman like you…"
Mai's eyes widened. "Katsuya? Wha…what…" she tried to ask as he got down on one knee and stared up at her.
"You are beautiful, witty, smart, and the most amazing woman I have ever met. We have shared so much Mai, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Jonouchi dug in his pocket and then slowly slipped a diamond engagement ring on her finger. "Will you marry me Mai?"
Mai gasped, "Omigod…" She covered her mouth with one of her hands. "Katsuya… I…" She stared at the ring and then down at him, her eyes filled with tears of joy as the words she was trying to say finally surfaced. "Yes Katsuya, I will marry you."
"Mai…" Jonouchi stood up and wrapped his arms around her. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and then embraced her, "I love you…" He ran his fingers through her long luscious, blond hair, lost in his own thoughts about their life together. The sound of clapping and cheering jolted him from the daydream he was having.
Mai slipped away from him and giggled. "Looks like we don't have to worry about telling your friends and family Katsuya."
"Jonouchi!" his friends screamed in unison running towards them.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Anzu demanded with a smile. "I can't believe it! Congratulations!"
"I can't believe that the mutt—"
"Seto!" Anzu cut him off. "You promised."
Kaiba glanced at her, and then back at Jonouchi. "Has finally become a man."
Everyone stared at him strangely. No one ever expected a kind word to come from Seto Kaiba and out of all the people he could have said the kind words to, it was Jonouchi.
"Thanks Kaiba…" he said slightly taken back by his words.
"Congratulations Jonouchi, you too Mai," Yugi smiled.
"Thanks Yug'."
"Yes, thank you Yugi."
"So…" Honda asked placing his arm on Jonouchi's shoulders. "Who is going to be the best man?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Otogi asked pointing at himself.
"What! You know he has to pick his best friend!" Honda countered.
"Maybe it should be Yugi?" Anzu suggested to stop their bickering.
"Come on man you know you should pick me as your best man," Honda said.
"I can throw a better bachelor party than him Jonouchi. We know I should be the best man," Otogi smirked.
"Well?" they asked together.
Jonouchi scratched his head. "Uhh…"
"Why do men always have to fight?" Anzu rolled her eyes.
"Not sure," Mai answered. "Do you want to be my maid of honor Anzu?"
"Really?" she smiled.
"Yeah," she winked. "I know you can handle it, you're very organized."
"Of course I'll be your maid of honor." Anzu hugged her. "Now if men could do things this simple…"
"Come on guys," Yugi said standing between Honda and Otogi. "There's plenty of time to decide who the best man will be. Right Jonouchi?"
"Yeah… of course…" he answered. He knew Otogi would throw one hell of a bachelor party, that was one of the things he was known for at Domino: his parties, but on the other hand, Honda was his best friend; he had known him the longest. Then there was Yugi, he was his best friend also, and they had been through a lot.
This was going to be a hard decision.
Mai took his hand, she knew the dilemma he was going through. "Don't worry guys, we'll figure out about something."
"Big brother!" Shizuka came running across the gym with her mother closely behind her. She flung her arms around her brother. "You're getting married! And to Mai! How exciting!"
"Yeah sis'," he smiled. "I wanted to surprise everyone."
"I think you accomplished that Katsuya." His mother took his hand. "I can't believe you are getting married."
"Oh that's right mother, you haven't met Mai." He snickered. "Mom, this is Mai. Mai this is my mother."
"Ms. Jonouchi?" Mai asked softly.
"Please, call me mom," she said with tears in her eyes.
"What's wrong mom?" Shizuka asked.
"I'm going to be planning a wedding…" She hugged the both of them. "For my one and only son, and his beautiful bride to be."
"Mother…"
"Omigoodness, I have so much to do. I get to buy invitations, find a church, and then there's the catering…"
"Mother…"
"Oh! And Shizuka can be the flower girl, and we have to pick flowers… Oh! and you and I have to go wedding dress shopping Mai. And we have to go out to lunch so we can talk and I can get to know you better, because Katsuya has told me so much about you, but not nearly enough." She sighed, "There's so much to do and so little time."
"Mother," Jonouchi repeated.
She smiled contentedly at her son. "Yes honey?"
"We aren't getting married tomorrow. There will be plenty of time for that later," he laughed. He was glad he put a smile on his mother's face; it's been a while since he had seen her this happy.
"Did you save that dance for me Katsuya?" Mai asked with a smile.
"Only for you…" he responded. "Excuse us everyone," he said leaving his group of friends behind. He led Mai by the hand into the small gym. For the most part the gym was empty, only a few couples were on the floor slow dancing to the soft music. Jonouchi guided her to the center of the gym, knowing it was her favorite place to dance. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she placed her arms around his neck.
Mai kissed his lips softly. "I've always wanted this…" she whispered in between kisses.
"So have I Mai…" he whispered back. They started to slowly dance across the floor as the lyrics to the song started.
When the visions around you,
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surround you,
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength,
I'll give you hope,
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call,
Was standing here all along..
And I will take
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you
I've loved you forever,
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never...
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart (give you my heart)
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow,
Forever has now begun...
Just close your eyes (close your eyes)
Each loving day (each loving day)
I know this feeling won't go away (no..)
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you..
This I promise you..
Over and over I fall (over and over I fall)
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all...
And I will take (I will take you in my arms)
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong (right where you belong)
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you baby
Just close your eyes
Each loving day (each loving day)
I know this feeling won't go away (no..)
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Ooh, I promise you...
Mai rested her head on Jonouchi's shoulder. "I love you Katsuya…"
"I love you too… Mai…"
So what did you think? I thought this was the sweetest thing ever, but that's because I'm a Mai x Jonouchi fan. I might—probably—thinking about it—still deciding—on having an epilogue to this story. Which would be the wedding, but I'm not sure. Well tell me what you think in a Review. Thanx for reading!