Disclaimer: I don't own YGO…duh!

This chapter is a bit long…but now, I can make the story really pick up. All the plot devices are in place, so it will get more interesting soon. Promise! I can't wait to write more Malik/Kazejin scenes. The next chapter will feature them again. Get excited!!

Chapter 13: Protector

"We're back!" Shizuka called out cheerfully. "Lady Mai! Please come out here! Jou has something to ask you."

"I'll bet he does," Anzu snickered, her cerulean eyes full of mischief.

Jounochi glared at Anzu. "What is everyone's problem, huh? Why are you guys always on my case?!"

"You're the one with the problem, Jounochi," Anzu fired back. "You're the one who can't tell Lady Mai how you feel!"

"How he feels? And, how do you feel right now, Jounochi?"

Jounochi turned shyly. He would recognize Lady Mai's voice a mile away. He gazed at her, and his voice caught in his throat, blinded by her beauty. Lady Kazejin was pretty, but Lady Mai was on a whole another level. Her deep violet eyes were always full of mirth, and her long blond hair curled gracefully at the ends. Her skin, like Lady Kazejin's, was a milky white; after all, neither of them had been allowed outside very much as children, and, as a result, were not tainted tan by the Egyptian sun.

"I-I-I feel sad, because, um, because of what has happened to Kamen," Jounochi stuttered out lamely.

Mai's eyes flickered, and Jounochi could've sworn he saw disappointment. He shook his head, thinking, Of course she's disappointed. Her whole village was just annihilated! Why would she care how I feel? I am nothing in her eyes…

Mai nodded. "My sister and I thank you for your sympathies. I just wish she was here right now, instead of with that handsome young man." Mai's lip curled mischievously. "I bet he's showing her a good time," she commented wickedly. "I wonder if my pure sister gave it up yet."

"Lady Mai!" Shizuka yelled indignantly, her face a heated red. "That is…that is…so…um, well…she's injured too much, anyway."

"Oh, stop it, Shizuka! Lighten up! I'm trying to have some fun, instead of thinking about this dump we're trapped in!" Mai gestured to her surroundings, frustrated.

Jounochi looked around. It wasn't that bad, in his opinion. The room was a small stone chamber, with two large beds. The stone was sand colored, and the floor and walls were made up of the same 

material. One small window lit up the room, utilizing the light of the moon and stars. In fact, it looked very much like the quarters they had occupied at Kamen.

"I don't think it's that bad, Lady Mai," Jounochi started. "And, look! You got a great view!"

Mai glared at Jounochi. "It's crap! The chambers are so small and cramped, and the covers are made of burlap! Burlap! I always sleep in silk!" she sniffed, and wrinkled her dainty nose distastefully as she gave the room another cursory glance.

Anzu puffed up. "You know, Lady Mai, this is something like where we used to stay! We had covers made of burlap, and we all lived in one chamber! Don't you realize what you're saying?! It's insulting!" She tossed her brown cropped hair behind her indignantly.

"Boo hoo!" Mai snapped. "I've never known any different! It's hard for me to get used to a peasant's life!"

Mai had hit a nerve. The room went deadly quiet. Anzu opened her mouth to reply, but Jounochi beat her to the punch.

"Peasant!?" Jounochi cut in, stopping Anzu in her tracks. "Is that what you think of us?!"

Mai turned, and looked at Jounochi. "Yeah, peasants. You heard me."

"Yeah? Well, us peasants bust our asses to make your homes run."

"Tough luck, hun," Mai laughed rudely. "It's your job, anyway. You were born that way. Don't go getting all mad at me for stating the obvious."

"The obvious?!" Jounochi's voice was rising in pitch. "And what is that supposed to mean?!"

Mai snickered cruelly. "Oh, yes, Jounochi, I forgot. Your peon brain has trouble comprehending things."

"Stop," Shizuka cut in. "Please. Just stop. We're supposed to be friends. Fighting will only make this worse."

"We are not friends, Shizuka!" Mai snarled. "The only reason I put up with all of you is because we just happened to grow up in the same household! That's it!"

Shizuka burst into tears. Anzu wrapped her arms around her, and shot Mai a dirty look. "Now look what you did. She's been through enough today! You're upsetting her!"

"Whatever," Mai shrugged.

"No," Jounochi stated quietly. "It's not whatever. That's my sister. Lady Mai, you owe her an apology. There was no reason for you to yell like that."

"I don't apologize to peasants," Mai replied smugly.



"Why are you such a bitch!" Jounochi burst out. "We all care about you, and you're always so rude to us! I don't know why I even…even…agh! I can't stand you sometimes! In fact, no one can stand you! Would you like me to tell you the rumors that reach all the way to the Pharaoh's court about you?! About how you're a slut, and the easiest screw in all of Egypt?! What do you think now, Lady Mai? As far as the court's concerned, you are no lady at all!"

"Well, I can't stand you, either!" Mai's voice was cracking, and Jounochi knew he had hurt her feelings. He felt guilty as he listened to her ramble on. "Do you know what its like for me? I've always been beautiful! I have grown up objectified all my life!"

"Doesn't mean you have to sleep around," Anzu stated coldly. "You and your beauty are the least of our problems right now."

"No, you mean the least of your problems!" Mai screeched. "I don't have these problems because I am not like you! I am going home! I am royalty, and I am going to find the masters of this home and demand to be released immediately! You can rot here for all I care!" Mai stormed past Jounochi, but he caught her wrist tightly.

"Lady Mai, please. Calm down. It's too dangerous for someone like you to be wondering around the palace. Some of the men that live here might harm you."

Mai turned an icy gaze to Jounochi. "What do you care?" she inquired frostily. "After all, I'm just a slut, right!? I obviously have no merit in your eyes, so why stay?" Mai jerked her hand away. "I'm out of here!"

She gathered her blue silk dress, identical to Kazejin's, and stormed out.

Jounochi reached for the spot where Mai had stood, only seconds ago. Anzu placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Don't," Anzu begged quietly. "Let her go. She will come around."

"Anzu, she said those mean things to you guys. To me. Did-did she really mean all that? I lost my temper." There was a tremor in Jounochi's voice as he continued to explain. "I didn't mean to call her a bitch, but, does she really see us, like that, Anzu? Does she think we're dirt? Can…can I be anything more to her than a peasant?"

It was Shizuka's turn to comfort. "Jou, she is just scared right now. You know Lady Mai. She is only being cruel to cover it up. I know she acts like we're beneath her, but she doesn't really believe it. She is our true friend. She has her good moments, too."

"Yeah," Anzu chimed in. "She just needs some time to get used to all this."

Jounochi smiled, reassured. "Gee, thanks guys. I don't know what I would do without…"

"I demand you put me down this instant!" a shrill voice echoed through the cavernous hallway.



"I am just taking you back to your quarters, my dear. No need to struggle so."

The second voice was chilling. Shizuka's hand became heavy on Jounochi's shoulders, and she began to tremble violently.

"It's…it's…that man," she managed to gasp out. "The one that…hurt…me and my Lady."

Anzu's eyes widened, and the trio looked toward the door nervously, as the evil man appeared.

His violet eyes, blank and cold, like usual, roamed around the room, taking stock of the people within. His eyes landed on Shizuka, and he grinned.

"Little girl," he chuckled, "do you remember me from before? I don't think we were properly introduced. My name is Master Marik. It is my pleasure to make your," he paused, "formal acquaintance." He smiled wickedly, his white teeth standing out against his tanned skin, make him look like some sort of vicious animal. Shizuka backed herself away from Jounochi and continued, until stopping against the wall. She pressed one hand to her mouth, terrified, and unable to stop her hands from shaking. She slid down the wall, her knees giving way, and just sat.

Marik turned his gaze from her and addressed the room as a whole. "Did you lose this?" he asked coolly, raising Mai up slightly in his arms. "She was wandering around, unescorted. I was going to be her escort, but then she mentioned her friends would no she was missing, so I decided to come see where exactly her friends lived." He looked at Shizuka again. "I am so pleased that I know. Now, I may fetch your companionship whenever I wish." Shizuka looked away, horrified.

Jounochi stood up to his full height, which was still a rough for inches shorter than Marik. "Well, sir, the slaves in this part of the home are under Master Malik's jurisdiction, and not yours. Lord Ishtar himself ordered it, so you will have to take that up with him."

"Indeed I shall. But, say I don't. You wouldn't defy this household's honor, and tell, would you?" Marik raised one of his pale eyebrows. "After all, you are under the family's command. I could throw you out on the streets, you know."

Jounochi's brown eyes burned with rage, losing warmth. "Put Lady Mai down, this instant. I, sir, answer to the Pharaoh, and the Pharaoh only. He personally asked me to come under Master Malik's service."

Marik looked amused for a second, and began to laugh. "And, if I don't put her down? What is a mere soldier going to do to me? Perhaps I will take this woman to bed with me, right now. How will you stop me?"

Jounochi lost it. "If you touch her, my sister, or any woman ever again, and I hear about it, it will be the last day you live!"

Marik dropped my roughly on the stone floor. She hit it with a loud thud, and crawled into the corner with Shizuka. Gently, her demeanor so different from before, Mai wrapped her arms around 

Shizuka protectively. She gave Marik a defiant toss of her head, and set her chin high, meeting his dark gaze fiercely.

Marik, instead of getting angry, looked amused. "How cute. You two think you can protect that little girl from me? Once I want something, there is no stopping me from getting it." He looked at Jounochi again. "And you, you're her brother, eh? You should be honored that such a great nobleman like me takes interest in an unconnected, peasant family like yourself."

"Yeah," Mai interrupted, "well, they're my peasants, so you stay away from them!"

Marik through his head back, and laughed loudly. "Maybe I'll take the queen peasant, then. Hm, but this is a matter for another night. It is far too late for me to bickering with a nobody guard over some foolish girls." Jounochi, pushed to the edge, lunged at Marik, but Anzu stopped him in time, pulling on his waist.

"Jou…" she warned. "Don't."

"Yes, Jou," Marik mocked, "you ought to be more careful. But, what can one expect from a country boy. How untrained you are."

"Yeah? If you come back here, I'll show you exactly how untrained I am, and I doubt the Pharaoh will mind! He doesn't like you anyway. He likes Malik. In fact, everyone likes Malik more than you, so there!"

"Not everyone," Marik murmured calmly, his eyes faraway for a split second. "Not anymore."

"Whatever!" Jouncohi exclaimed. "Just keep away from here, clear?! If you hurt them, Malik will know, and so will the Pharaoh. And, as for me? I will personally beat you to a pulp! So watch your step, freak."

Marik smirked at him, and turned to leave the room. "And, you watch yours," he whispered, leaving as quickly as he came.

Jounochi immediately ran to Mai and Shizuka after he had departed. "Mai, are you okay? Did he do anything to you?"

"No," Mai said angrily. "He just gave me and poor Shizuka a fright."

Anzu sighed. "It's been a long day, guys. We will worry about him in the morning. I doubt he will be back. Besides, Jouncohi is going to guard us outside the door instead of going to sleep, so we have nothing to worry about."

"WHAT!" Jounochi yelled. "But, I wanna grab some grub!"

Anzu glared at him, "Don't you want to protect us instead?! I mean, look at your sister!"



Jounochi turned. Shizuka was still afraid, and was still trembling, just as violently, if not more so, than before.

Jounochi nodded at Anzu. "You're right," he muttered reluctantly. "My sister will be in danger if I don't."

Anzu nodded. "Go keep watch, Jou. We have it from here."Jounochi, obedient, stepped outside.

"Um, Jounochi," Mai called, hesitantly. Jounochi poked his head back in the doorway. "I'm sorry. Earlier, I didn't mean to…"

"Neither did I," Jounochi said curtly. "Sorry."

" Me too." Mai smiled halfheartedly, and gestured to Anzu. "Sorry," Anzu whispered, approaching Mai.

"It's okay."

Anzu walked over to where Mai and Shizuka were huddled. She knelt down beside them, and put her arms around Shizuka, over Mai's own. Both of them comforted her, whispering soothing words in her ear, until she fell asleep, reassured. Eventually, the remaining two women drifted off, leaving Jounochi awake and watchful.

Jounochi realized he had never asked Lady Mai Lady Kazejin's question. Later he would ask. And so, he sat, one thought repeating over and over again in his brain, as he watched the night fade, and the sun rise, signaling the dawn of a new day. I must keep my friend safe. I must keep my love safe. I must keep my sister safe. I must…