Disclaimer: All Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and references belong to their respective owners. The song Invisible belongs to Clay Aiken and the company that recorded it and was used in this story with the best of intentions. Story elements © Hideki LaShae. No money was gained in the writing of this story.

WARNING: This story contains sensitive cultural practices and references that might offend some readers. The views and opinions of the cultures which condone these practices are not shared by this author, but they are included in this story for awareness purposes only.

Time to Duel, Mariko!

By

Hideki LaShae

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kiss the Girl

Marie slowly opens her eyes. She looks into Seto's stunning blue eyes and smiles.

"Good afternoon, Marie," says Seto smiling, "How do you feel?"

"Much better," says Marie sitting up and moving Seto's arms from around her. She looks around to see everyone else sitting on the floor eating fruit that was brought in.

"Hey, Marie! Have an apple!" exclaims Téa tossing a piece of fruit towards Marie.

Marie catches the apple with a nod of thanks and quickly takes a bite of it.

Seto slowly gets up, stretching as he does so, and he walks over to the basket of fruit to select a piece for himself.

Marie quickly finishes her apple and hurries over to Seto to take half of his orange with a smile and a kiss. "Thank you, Seto!"

Seto chuckles as he begins to peel a second orange.

Marie finishes her orange and wipes the juice on the underside of her skirt. Then she walks over to Mai with a sigh.

Joey looks at Marie. "What are you thinking, Marie?"

"Well… we can't awaken her the way we did the others," says Marie, "We tried that and it failed. So… I'm trying to think of an alternative."

Joey stands up and moves over to Marie. He sets his hand on her shoulder.

Marie turns to look into Joey's tear-filled brown eyes. She smiles confidently and leans into him. "Do you have a suggestion, Joey?"

"No. I wish I knew how we could wake up Sleeping Beauty," says Joey.

Marie blinks. She steps away from Joey and hurries over to Marik and Malik. She falls to her knees in front of them and looks between the two of them. "Marik… what did you do to her? You are the witch in the story, and she is the princess… so how does the prince awaken her?"

"Have you tried kissing her?" asks Malik giggling.

"That worked in the story," says Marik with a sneer, "From what I've gathered while you were napping, you are the reincarnation of the healer, Princess Nefertiri. Well, a healer has a natural ability, and people of all ranks had it. Some had a stronger ability than others. Princess Nefertiri had a strong ability, but that slave there always had a greater power. He was just never trained."

"Slave?" asks Joey, "Why do you bastards keep calling me a slave?"

"Because you are one, you filthy mutt!" exclaims Bakura.

Marie spins towards Joey with a shocked expression.

I saw your face in the crowd…

"What is it, Marie?" asks Mokuba, "Did you get an idea?"

Marie stands up and stares at Joey. "I… yes, Mokie… yes, I did…"

Joey walks up to Marie and holds out his hand towards her.

Marie takes Joey's hand and lets him lead her out of the room.

"What do I need to do?" asks Joey.

"You care for her, don't you?" asks Marie leaning against the wall.

"How do you feel about Kaiba?" replies Joey, "Describe your feelings for me!"

"I don't know what to say," says Marie as Joey leans against the wall to her right, "When I think of him, my heart pounds. I feel like crying whenever I'm not at his side. I dream of his touch, and not just the sexual ones either, just any touch. I get this warm feeling. It usually starts in my stomach and makes its way up."

"That is how I feel about Mai," says Joey blushing.

"You do like her."

If I was invisible
I'd make you mine tonight…

"I love her, Marie," says Joey.

"Okay… here's what we do, Joey," says Marie taking a deep breath and plunging into her explanation.

Joey listens intently and nods. "Okay… let's do this, Marie!"

Marie leads Joey back into the room and towards Mai's bed. "Are you sure you're ready, Joey?"

"I have to be. Without Sa-Ra here, you can't do this on your own," says Joey.

"What are you planning on doing?" asks Duke.

"Big brother?" asks Serenity.

"We're going to revive Mai now," says Joey, "So… we'll talk to you later."

Marie stands at the foot of the bed.

Joey sits down on the edge of Mai's bed so that he's facing her. "Lead off, Marie."

"Do you need my assistance again, Marie?" asks Mariko.

"No, but I could use yours, Seto," says Marie looking at her lover.

Seto nods and walks over to Marie. "What do you need?"

"Just hold me… hold me close to you and don't let me go," says Marie.

Seto wraps his arms around Marie and holds her tightly.

What would it take to make you see that I'm alive…

Joey looks at Mai, and he sighs.

"Ahm kum Ra," says Marie.

Everyone stands up and moves to watch.

"Ahm kum Dei," says Marie.

Joey reaches out his hand and rests it on Mai's. He begins to whisper, nearly inaudible words.

"Ahm kum Osiris," says Marie cuddling into Seto's arms.

Seto starts to rub Marie's arm with one hand as his other arm pulls her closer to him.

"Ahm kum… Isis," says Marie.

"I keep tracing your steps… each move that you make. I wish I could be what goes through your mind," whispers Joey so very quietly so that only Seto, Marie, and the sleeping Mai can hear him, "I wish you could touch me with the colors of your life."

"Ahm kum… Marie…"

"Ahm kum… Mai," says Joey loudly.

"Efday… Ahm… Shokrun," says Marie.

"You're my friend, Mai," whispers Joey, "and so much more than that to me."

"Ahm kum… Ra," says Marie.

Joey closes his eyes as he whispers, "Please come back to me…"

"Ahm kum… Anubis," says Marie.

"I love you, Mai," whispers Joey. He leans closer to Mai.

I reach out
But you don't even see me
Even when I'm screaming
Baby, you don't hear me…

"Mai… Mai… Mai…" chants Marie.

Joey reaches out his hand and caresses Mai's cheek as Marie continues to chant. "Mai?"

Mai doesn't make a single movement.

Joey closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He starts to glow, a soft golden light much like his eyes.

Serenity gasps.

"Joey?" asks Yugi in shock.

"Mai, Mai, Mai," chants Marie quickening her chant as Joey's light brightens.

"Mai, Mai, Mai," chants Téa, and soon everyone, except Joey and Marik, joins in the chant.

I am nothing without you
Just a shadow passing through…

"Mai," whispers Joey, "I need you…"

"Mai, Mai, Mai, Mai," chant the people behind Joey.

Joey opens his eyes. He sets his hands on Mai's shoulders and takes another deep breath. He glances back over his shoulder. He watches Marie nod her head. Then he turns his eyes to Serenity.

Serenity smiles at Joey.

Joey leans down and kisses Mai's forehead.

"Come back, Mai Valentine," says Marie as everyone else chants.

Joey kisses Mai's left cheek.

"Return to us, Mai. Come back," says Marie as Seto holds her even closer, obviously thankful that she isn't the one lying unconscious in the bed.

Joey kisses Mai's right cheek.

"Mai, Mai, Mai, Mai," continues the chanters.

Mai's eyelids flutter for a second.

Joey licks his lips nervously, and he slowly brings them down to Mai's for the briefest of moments. He pulls away after the second is over and looks down into Mai's stunned, violet eyes.

"Joey?" whispers Mai quietly.

Joey smiles. "Hi, Mai…"

If hearts were unbreakable
Then I can just tell you where I stand
I would be the smartest man
If I was invisible
Wait… I already am…

"Just so you know, Mai… you are my friend," whispers Joey quietly so that even Mai has to strain to hear him, "In fact, I'm very much in love with you."

Mai's eyes widen in shock. "Joey?"

Joey pushes himself away from Mai and blushes a deep burgundy as he runs out of the room.

Mai bolts upright. "Joey!"

"Mai!" exclaims Yugi running forwards and throwing his arms around her neck to hug her.

Mai blushes and smiles at the tri-colored hair of the teen latched onto her. She wraps her arms around Yugi and hugs him in return. "Nice to see you too, kiddo."

"We were so worried about you, Mai!" exclaims Tristan with a smile.

Mai looks around and sees quite a few more people than were present last time she was awake. "What did I miss?"

"A lot," says Seto with a small smile, "We'll explain it later. Are you hungry?"

"No… Not really," says Mai running her thumb over her lips where she remembers feeling Joey touch her. She thinks about the blond haired boy for a moment. "How did you bring me back? All I remember was sitting in my glass prison watching everyone having fun at the beach."

"Well, Joey brought you back," says Ishizu, "You can ask him how."

"I think I'll do that," says Mai climbing out of bed after Yugi detaches himself from her, "Does anyone have any idea where he might have run off to?"

Everyone shrugs.

Mai smiles. "Thank you all for not giving up on me. I'm going to go look for Joey. I need to talk to him about something he said to me before I… well, yes… I need to talk to him."

"We'll be heading back to Domino now," says Seto, "Come along, Mokuba. We need to go tell the crew." He pulls Marie out with him as Mokuba follows.

Mai heads out and hurries to search for Joey in the large blimp.

I keep tracing your steps
Each move that you make
Wish I could be what goes through your mind…

Mai knocks gently on the door to Joey's room.

"Go away!" cries Joey.

Mai opens the door and steps inside. "I can't do that, Joey."

Joey gasps and tries desperately to hide the tears that he's been shedding.

"We need to talk, Joey," says Mai calmly.

Joey takes a deep breath and nods.

Mai sits down on the edge of the bed beside Joey. "Did you mean what you said?"

"Yes, Mai… I love you," says Joey wiping his eyes again.

"I like you, Joey, a lot," says Mai.

Joey accepts those words as a sign, and he quickly leans over to capture Mai's lips into an impassioned kiss.

What are you doing tonight?

Mai's eyes widen in shock, and she pushes Joey away. "What was that for?"

"I'm sorry," says Joey hanging his head, "It was just a promise that I made to you when you were unconscious… I'm sorry."

"How dare you try to kiss me like that!" exclaims Mai standing up and walking away from Joey. She spins abruptly to face him.

Joey notices the pink tinge to Mai's cheeks.

"No one kisses me without my permission first!" exclaims Mai.

Joey smiles. "Mai… may I have your permission to kiss you?"

Mai blinks at Joey repeatedly. Her blush darkens.

"Please?" adds Joey giving her the puppy dog eyes.

"Well… since you asked so nicely… yes," says Mai smiling.

Joey stands up and walks to Mai. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her close to him as he stares into her eyes.

Mai licks her lips and leaves them slightly parted.

Joey presses his lips to Mai's and kisses her tenderly as he closes his eyes.

Mai allows her eyes to slide closed as she kisses Joey in return. When she feels Joey's tongue slip in between her lips, she opens her mouth wider to accommodate it.

Joey moans into Mai's mouth as his hands try to pull her even closer.

Why can't I bring you into my life?

Mai wraps her arms tightly around Joey.

Joey pulls out of the kiss hungry for more. He takes in a deep breath. "I love you, Mai. You don't need to feel the same way, just please let me have this moment with you! I couldn't bear to lose…"

Mai places her hand over Joey's mouth. "Joey… you talk too much!"

Joey smiles and blushes as Mai pulls him into another long, passionate kiss that leaves them both gasping for air.

"I love you, Joey!" exclaims Mai pressing her cheek against his so that she can speak directly into his ear, "I love you too! That's one of the reasons I didn't want to marry that movie star. He's nothing compared to you! You are twice the man he is!"

"Really, Mai?" asks Joey pushing her away just enough so he can look into her violet orbs for the truth of her words.

"Of course, really!" exclaims Mai smiling, "You were the one who saved me, remember? I never did thank you for that, so thank you."

"Well, I was a little bit unconscious afterwards," says Joey blushing, "I didn't expect catching you to knock me off balance like that. I don't even think I was thinking at the time. I just couldn't let you be hurt."

"You see? That's one reason why I love you!" exclaims Mai. She kisses Joey again, a soft gentle kiss that leaves him wondering how he ever lived without those kisses.

"Oh, yeah, and thanks for giving me your card at Duelist Kingdom. It meant a lot to me and Serenity," says Joey.

"She's very sweet. I'm glad I could help," says Mai.

Joey holds Mai close to him and smiles. "I should have mentioned loving you earlier! It feels so nice just to hold you like this!"

Mai smiles back at Joey. "I agree!"