Regalshipping (Yami no Yugi x Mai)

"Why would you do that?" Mai Kujaku asked, somewhat heatedly. "I lost to that guy fair and square! I didn't need your pity, and I won't take those star chips back!"

Yugi Mutou simply raised his eyebrows, still holding out the star chips he had won back from the Player Killer. The night was deep all around them, and Mai's nails dug into her palms.

The world champion continued to just look at her, his hand with the star chips outstretched. Mai's anger flared again. Who did he think he was? She didn't need his help!

"'Fair and square' is not the label I would give to that sorry excuse for an opponent," Yugi said, finally breaking the silence of the night. "I don't appreciate people who sneak about in the dark."

"I am not a princess to be rescued," Mai said.

"Did I say you were?" he said.

"You're acting like it!"

"I think you're projecting that onto me."

"Then why the hell would you insist on facing that guy and giving me my star chips back? I don't need your pity!"

Yugi's eyes met hers, eerie red eyes level and glinting in the darkness.

"This had nothing to do with pity," he said, and there was a deep, rich edge to his voice that gave Mai pause.

She hesitated. Yugi remained still, watching her.

She didn't understand him. Who was he? This boy, over six years younger than her and five inches shorter, radiated with a feeling that she could not remember encountering before. What was it? Was it the way he held himself? The way those strange red eyes pierced through her, like they saw more than she could ever guess at? There was something about him...something...

Regal, she decided. Although shorter and younger, he felt older and taller, like he took up more space. The richness of his voice, hardened with authority, was like that of a government official, or...or a king. It made Mai's heart and breath catch. He was...unlike anyone she had ever met before.

"If not pity..." she asked slowly. "Then what?"

He blinked. He seemed to consider the question.

"You...have a strong will...a powerful soul..." he said slowly. "And I could not stand by while a fool like him took you down through trickery and deceit. Not when I still want to face you."

Mai's breath paused. As a rule, she hated men. They were all the same. Brash, obnoxious, never taking her seriously...

But he was different. He wasn't judging her on her appearance, her gender, anything. He saw her as an opponent. Someone he wanted to be able to face in an honorable battle...

And she realized...she liked that feeling. She wanted to face him, too. She wanted to fight against this regal spirit. The way he had not stood for her loss, she would not stand for his.

It was going to be...an amazing battle...

A/N: Yu-Gi-Oh needs more female duelists, I think. And I don't count because I suck. Next is Refineshipping (Pegasus x Mai).