Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.
The Lie That I Lived
Mai Valentine- 26
Seto Kaiba- 25
Joey Wheeler- 24
Yami Motou- 24
Tea Motou- 24
Serenity Wheeler- 22
Mokuba Kaiba- 20
Thanks to everyone who reviewed it means a lot, hopefully everyone will like this chapter; don't get to used to Kaiba/Mai I have some twists in store.
Chapter 3-II-
"Ones who have found friendship have found the most precious treasure in all the world."
Mai sullenly snorted at the book in front of her; her anger rose as she flung it across the room. Why did everything refuse to go away? Why did her past remain lingering in her thoughts?
'Friends…who needs more people to cause you more pain? Backstabbing beasts that are just out to destroy you. Why did I ever trust people? After everything with my 'mother' I should've given up but no, my stubbornness pushed me deeper into the pool of defeat.'
She buried her head in her hands unknowing of why she let these memories get the best of her, butwith what happenedlast night…too many things had reoccurred- on her mother's or what you could call a mother's death day she had been raped just like the night where her father took everything she had left.
Mai's hand reluctantly clasped her silver cross, she had been told that her actual mother had given her necklace and passed it down to Mai. It was a small cross pendant with a petite amethyst stone in the middle; it was one of her most treasured items, the only memorabilia she had of her true mother.
A sudden lurching motion began in her stomach, pain grasped her insides, wrenching them; Mai grabbed the sides of her stomach and raced to the bathroom although it hurt her greatly even to take in a small amount of air in, she heaved out everything that must've been in her stomach from the previous day.
Her hand clasped the cool material of the sink, she grasped it tightly, turning her knuckles white. Pain shot through her- her stomach twisted, she felt as if her entire body was being enticed into a hollow cavity; Mai collapsed on thecold marble floor. Even with every degree of strength she couldn't draw herself up, but then again the coolness of the floor was relaxing. Mai looked around the luxuriously made bathroom.
'Some people just have all the luck…this thing is as big as my entire apartment.'
"There are things called cold packs," Kaiba said rudely, walking into her room and gazed at the lady on the floor. Mai stared at him angrily. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"If that were true I wouldn't be here," she brusquely retorted. Kaiba smirked at her comment. "Some men would actually think of helping a lady up, but etiquette must be out of your league," Mai insulted.
Kaiba stared daggers with his polar-ice, blue eyes before loathingly bending down and picking her up.
An electric shock ran throughout Mai's body as soon as Kaiba's touch was upon her skin, she felt her face become hot and turn bright red.
'Why am I acting like a giddy school with a crush? It's just Seto Kaiba…the biggest, pompous, jerk in the whole world.'
Mai suddenly felt indented when his caress had vanished, she looked up at him, towering over her making her feel yet again tiny.
"Why were you in there, on the floor?" Kaiba asked, taking a seat next to the bed.
Mai sent a piercing glare at him, which was later replaced with a coy smile. It appeared as if he had just awakened with his russet brown hair in a disarray, black pyjama bottoms covered by a navy blue silk robe with his initials embroidered on. Crimson blush marks upon Mai's cheeks began to become noticeable to the CEO, she was staring at his exposed torso.
'Mai! Stop looking, he sees you!'
Mai snuggled deeper into the covers, she tried to turn away but winced in pain. Kaiba swiftly bounded out of his chair, knocking it down in the process. "Should I call Maria?"
"No, I'm fine," she replied, attempting to draw back her tears.
"Do you have anyone here?" Kaiba asked.
"No."
"What about the little squad?"
"Just get out, and leave me alone!" Mai threw a pillow at the CEO and rolled over so her back was now facing him. Water droplets streamed down the sides of her face just thinking about the people she left in Domino, but not everyone had stayed behind, people had found her.
Kaiba frowned at Mai's childish behaviour. "Women," he muttered under his breath, throwing the cushion back at her and walking out of her room.
-II-
"And Seto, where do you think you're going?" Mokuba asked, watching his brother sprint in his business suit.
"Work Mokuba, the place where I go everyday," Kaiba snapped.
"What about Mai?"
"That woman has proved she doesn't need my assistance," Kaiba angrily stated.
"Well someone has to stay behind with her," Mokuba said.
"That's why we have Maria," Kaiba sensibly thought.
"Someone she can connect with…" Mokuba hinted.
"Mokuba, for the last and final time, I don't need your dating services," Kaiba assured.
"That's why you haven't been out with anyone for about a year," Mokuba murmured.
Kaiba glowered at his little brother. "I choose not to, women are a waste of my time. Waiting on them, devoting yourself to them- all bullshit."
"Well too bad, you're staying with her whether you like it or not," Mokuba replied, grabbing his briefcase and walking out the door.
Kaiba hit his forehead and irritably went upstairs to change.
Mai stared up into the white ceiling; Maria had come in a few minutes ago and massaged her body, she suddenly felt so much better and any shooting soreness had disappeared. She felt so relaxed and content, until…
"Hurry up, we're going out," Kaiba ordered, barging into her room once more.
"Why?"
"Maria said it would be beneficial if you walked around outside to regain some energy," Kaiba replied.
"I have no suitable clothes," she remarked, nestling into the layers.
"Maria brought you some, they're in there," Kaiba pointed to a wardrobe halfway across the room. "Be done in 5 minutes."
"You expect an injured woman to be ready in 5 minutes?" Mai asked in disbelief.
"Normally men wait for a female to be ready in 30 minutes, but my patience is thin with you," Kaiba sneered while strolling out of the room.
"Basterd," Mai muttered as she stumbled to the dresser.
Kaiba intolerantly waited downstairs in the foyer; he flicked off a portion of dust off his white, blue-stripped shirt and smoothed out the creases in his faded cobalt jeans.
'Women and their qualms on how they look can drive a man insane.'
Abruptly, Mai walked down the main staircase wearing a violet, chandelier top with black dress pants that flared out. There was much more variety in that bureau, but nothing that could conceal all her incisions, they were fading faster then any other inflictions she'd gotten but she couldn't take a chance with people staring at her.
"Aren't you going to ask if you lookgood enough to go out?" Kaiba smirked.
"Does your opinion matter to me?" Mai retorted, sauntering out of the estate.
Kaiba cursed under his breath while following her from behind. 'This woman is toying with my last nerve; she's lucky I was feeling generous enough to take her in, instead of leaving her with those…'
Mai unexpectedly stopped and turned to Kaiba, as if reading his thoughts she said, "Um Kaiba…?"
He gruffly stared at her.
"Thank you," she sweetly replied, twisting around swiftly and moving away.
Kaiba halted and stared at the hastily progressing woman in front of him- at first a stubborn and short-tempered person, now a pleasant and gentle human being trying to hide herself beneath a hard, stiff exterior.
'Sounds like someone we all know.' An annoying little voice echoed.
Kaiba shook away his thoughts and dashed to catch up to his female companion. His hand extended outwards and grabbed her arm; Mai glanced at him strangely, she was about to cross the street.
"Central Park is right there," Kaiba answered her confused expression by pointing the opposite direction.
The pair quickly crossed the busy streets of the awaking New York; many golden taxis zoomed through the active streets, sky-scrapers loomed above them as many voices could be heard talking about countless subjects.
Mai and Kaiba silently walked down the stone path of the picturesque Central Park- acres upon acres of flourishing fields and aging trees. Several teenagers bathed in the bright sunlight while lying light-heartedly upon the lush, green grass.
"Kaiba, do you every wish to be young again?" Mai suddenly asked.
He looked at her, taken aback by her abrupt question. He hadn't had a childhood, so what would be the point on wasting away precious time to go back to those years of harsh beatings and heartless words.
"No."
Such a simple answer with so much behind it. Mai knew so little on his childhood with his father but it seemed though she had found a person who had roots such as herself.
'No. No more friends for me, I can't have my past become my future. Like everyone else they'll leave me again, broken and shattered, thrown away out of there lives.'
Mai resentfully watched the frivolous adolescences fool around and enjoy their youth. 'Have they given thought to the evil and harsh reality of life? But what young innocence thinks of these things? I didn't, till I was introduced to what would be the rest of my life…'
"Do they know of reality?" Mai mistily asked. Her violet eyes appeared to be looking beyond, so far away and out of contact.
"So thoughtless, who cares to think of these things?" Kaiba replied abrasively.
"It's all that wanders in my mind…" As fate would have it they had both uttered these words at the same time. They remitted quizzical stares and promptly turned away for an awkward stillness.
'The solitude of life is fun; I don't need to have friends, all I need is Mokuba. Why love anyone? Why end up with a broken heart? It's meaningless, no matter which path you take someone will be there to deceive and betray you, so why do anything at all?'
Kaiba thought logically, he had been without anyone so far, then he could continue on alone. He enquiringly gazed at Mai, he recalled her as a part of that annoyingly friendly group, how did she go from that to this so suddenly?
"So bitter," Kaiba began. "After all the speeches from those bumbling wretches, still so bitter," he smirked at her with asperity.
"Time can change people Seto," she replied secretively, stressing his first name. "Whether it be days, months or even years, sins can alter anyone's prospect on life."
-II-
Pain.
Unbearable. Coursing, trailing…seething through her body. The feeling of a hundred blades ripping, scorning…killing her corpse; she was dead, but still breathing, inside she would benothing if it not had been for her deceased mother's voice impelling her forward she would be with her right now.
Mai's hand, swaying, reached over to the side table and grasped the bottle of Tylenol and took two pills, then clasped a bottle of Aspirin and consumed another two. She knew from experience it was risky to take different types of medical drugs together, but she needed some way to subdue the anguish.
Lying tranquilly, treasuring the first few moments of the day where the preceding day was nothing but haze. Mai removed the blanket off her nude, sprained, and aching carcass; she tiredly walked unsteadily towards the bathroom, seizing anything that could secure her balance.
Anything apart of her usual morning routine seemed especially challenging, her wounds had sunk in making her exceptionally weary and hurting. She pulled on her white pants and lilac turtleneck, it was the most concealing piece of clothing in her closet, but she required something tocover her latest injuries.
Mai tottered into the diminutive Living room and found her father- collapsed on the floor, hung over from yesterday's intoxication. She cynically looked over at him wishing she could just grab a knife and kill, relieving her pain and his.
Her hand clutched the bronzed doorknob, turned it and pushed it open. Hopefully she could enjoy herself with her friends without them noticing her constant wincing and staggering…
-II-
Kaiba and Mai, in uncomfortable silence, aimlessly strolled throughout the entire city. They would glance at each other, intending to say something, but all was lost when the person noticed. Hours had gone by before either said something.
"It's nine," Kaiba said, particularly to no one.
"Nine! We've been walking for 7 hours?"
"It seemed so much longer in my head," Kaiba stated.
"We should go home now-"
"Tired after walking through virtually all of New York City?" Kaiba taunted.
Mai glared at him, and she disciplined herself for ever thinking Seto Kaiba could be someone for her to talk to.
"I've sensed way too much tension from you all day," he grabbed her wrist and pulled through the darkening streets.
"Where are we going?" Mai asked, struggling not to appear nervous by his unexpected grip.
"You need to unwind, Mokuba shammed me into doing this so I could help, so I will h-help," Kaiba choked out the last word despicably.
'Seto Kaiba was going to help someone? Someone alert the press!'
Kaiba abruptly stopped, pulling Mai into him; his scent of fresh cologne embraced her, while she tried not to redden. She looked up and became confused and astonished simultaneously. They were in front of what to Mai's knowledge was a local bar and club. Verlaine was the name, a romantic yet placid club named after a well-known poet.
"Come on," Kaiba pulled her inside.
"I don't drink…"
"I wouldn't think so," he replied.
"Then—"
Kaiba gestured to a nearby employee; he sprinted to Kaiba leaving all the other costumers quite peeved.
"The usual booth Mr. Kaiba?" He asked knowingly, taking to them to a secluded area.
DJ-quality music created a peaceful and ambient vibe; golden-washed walls, minimalist space with black banquettes gave the feeling of serenity while the furry pillows upon the soft seats provided a warm and mellow refuge.
"Rum on the rocks."
"Yes…" he said jotting it down. "And the lady?"
Kaiba looked down at Mai, he smirked knowing fully well that she wasn't capable of drinking in her state. She frowned at him before giving her order.
"A Long Island iced tea."
"Excellent choice madam," he said, running off to get their orders.
"I thought youdon't drink?" Kaiba ridiculed
"I do what I please."
'And that's what I like best.' Kaiba thought taking a seat opposite to her.
Mai couldn't believe herself. After all the incidents that had happened she was still stubborn enough to come back to another bar. She fidgeted around in her seat, watching Kaiba coolly drink is cocktail as hers remained as the waiter had left it. Kaiba stared at her, she seemed apprehensive, but why?
"Mai…?"
She nearly jumped out of her seat before looking at him as a response.
"Scared to drink?" Kaiba mocked deliberately, since she could never turn away from ridiculing actions.
She just looked at him, a twinkle of mischievousness glinted, she grasped her glass and gulped down the entire drink. Mai smirked triumphantly and the arrogant CEO.
"That, answer your question?" Mai asked, clearly drunk. "Oh jeez, this is what I needed. I want another one of these long thingies," she ordered.
And she received what she wanted, all seven Long Island iced teas.
Kaiba was astounded, she just swallowed each drink like water, while his first glass still remained half-full. Just as Mai put the 8th glass to her full lips, Kaiba stopped her.
"Drinking doesn't cause problems to vanish," he said sensibly.
"Oh r-really? You drag m-me b-back here, into my p-problems and t-tell me they won't g-go away?" Mai hiccupped.
Kaiba without a doubt was perplexed.
"L-let me tell you s-something about l-life, it ain't good," Mai said.
"Why is that?" Kaiba asked leaning in.
"Because this is where I lost everything I had left," Mai whispered, tears flowed down her pale face. She put her hand over Kaiba's. "F-friends were important, b-but I learned t-that they really w-weren't…"
---
"Something's wrong with Mai," Amaya stated.
"Then this is a perfect time to bring her down," Mina evilly replied, pouring a white power into Mai's drink.
"What is that?" Amaya sacredly asked.
"Cocaine mixed with glass powder, sure to bring anyone down," she responded.
"What do you have against her, she's a nice person," Amaya defended, grabbing their drinks.
"I love Satoshi and she stole him away from me," Mina said, clutching the glasses roughly, her knuckles altering to white.
"What do you plan on doing?" Maya whispered, lowering her voice as they approached their table.
"What everyone fears."
"Hey guys," Rei cheerfully greeted. "Took you long enough."
"At least we were nice enough to volunteer," Mina jokingly retorted.
"What's up Mai? You seem in the dumps," Selina observed.
Mai shook out of her thoughts and smiled. "I'm fine," she unconvincingly said.
She had wonderful friends, but then why the hesitation to confide in them? They had been there for her since her mother's death and they could help her through this. But something about Mina still made Mai uncomfortable. She knew that Mina had a little 'something' for Satoshi- currently her fantastic boyfriend, but had hastily turned over a new card.
"C'mon on girls, after a hard week of classes, we need this," Mina commented.
Each girl took their individual drinks and took in a refreshing mouthful. Mai gleefully drank, wishing to cause her problems to flow away.
-II-
"I sh-should've known to tr-trust those bitches," Mai ruefully said.
Kaiba was so caught up in the story he sat beside her, Mai clutched his hand tightly. Although the only thing that was making her confide was the alcohol, this new source of information somehow changed Kaiba's outlook of Mai.
"Then you won't b-believe what h-happened…"
-II-
"Oh Satoshi!" Mai called out pleasurably.
She squirmed in his tight embrace, his touch set fire upon her cold skin. Her problems were finally leaving her, she could lead a normal life, she could really move on…
"I can't believe she still thinks its you," Mina replied, her head against the doorway to the bedroom where Mai and her lover slept.
"You must've drugged her up good," Satoshi replied, pulling Mina closer to him.
"That and the fact that there are plenty of desperate geezers in Domino…" she added trailing off as Satoshi's lips covered hers.
-II-
"Did you hear about Mai?"
"Duh, it's all over school."
"I can't believe she'd go so low."
"That disgusting."
"People are desperate for money, but come on!"
Mai walked down the middle of the hallway; everyone had taken a side so they could get a close view of her. Whispers and gossip was exchanged about the utterly confused Mai.
"Hey Rei!" Mai merrily greeted.
Rei looked up with her hazel eyes and despicably turned away.
"Selina?"
She looked away as well.
"Amaya? What's with everyone?" Mai ran away from her silent friends. "Satoshi! What's wrong with everyone?" She hysterically asked, grabbing his sleeve.
"First you get the old guy, now my boyfriend? He won't pay you for your filthy services, whore!" Mina yelled so anyone close by could hear.
"What are you talking about?" Mai confusedly asked.
"Yesterday you got drunk and slept with a complete stranger for money!" Mina accused.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Mai shrieked, terrified. "I'd never!"
"Then why all the money bulging out of your pockets!" Mina pointed.
"What mon—" Mai out her hands into her pockets and pulled out the lining, rolls of fifties and hundreds dollar bills poured out of her pockets and on to the floor. A loud gasp went out among the forming crowd. "What the—"
"Whore! Whore! Whore!" The chant rang throughout the swarm of people.
Mai dropped to the ground, her hands over her ears.
"Stay on the dirty ground, where you belong!" Mina yelled, pointing and laughing.
She collapsed unconscious, but still alert of their harsh words.
-II-
Pure White.
This is the colour that philosophers say you see when you are no longer apart of this world.
But where had Mai seen this colour?
The Hospital.
She struggled to move, different tubes were leading unusual substances into her body. She looked down at her body, through a tiny hole she saw newer scars- scars from the people she considered her friends.
"What the hell is this?" Mai's father's voice boomed in her hospital room. "Wasting my money on this crap?" He pulled out the tubes that were needled into her body, pain shot through her body.
"Already drunk?" Mai asked spitefully.
"I don't care how much crap comes on your body, I ain't payin' anything for you with my money!" He yelled, walking out of her room.
Tears poured out of Mai's eyes, now she was alone. Now everything was a lie.
"Knock, knock, anyone there?" Mrs. Kazuki's sweet voice called out to her- the dean of her college.
"Hello," Mai answered in a strange, rough voice.
"Mai…" her hand brushed away strands of hair. "I found you a few feet away from the campus; talk has gone up about you Mai."
"It's not true! Not any of it!" Mai hysterically yelled.
"Hush Mai," she soothed, putting her index finger over her lips. "I'm sorry Mai but I can't let talk spread of students like this at our college. I'm afraid I'll have to expel you…"
-II-
"That's how my life ended. Sure, I'm still walking and breathing, but inside there's nothing except stone," she finished the rest of her drink. "I remind myself of you."
Kaiba raised a brow.
"We both don't like people," she laughed, her eyes weary and tiresome.
"Let's go now," he replied, noticing how late it was and the bad crowd that began to swarm into the place. Mai nodded, she grabbed the table and pulled herself up but just ended up back down again; her eyes closed and her head lay touching the wall- out like a light.
'God, why me?'
Kaiba asked himself; his hand slid underneath her knees and the other around her neck, hoisting her up and carrying her out.
A few close by men whistled and hollered. "Some guys don't take no for answer!" He joked.
"Give her some sugar from me!"
Kaiba's icy blue eyes seemed to illuminate through the dark night sky and sent chills to the boys. They looked at him angrily before turning away.
'Everything she confided into me was the alcohol talking. But could it have been she thought I could be trusted. Still, so much pain in one person.'
Kaiba looked down at the woman in his arms. The lights were off at the Kaiba mansion; Mokuba hadn't bothered to stay up for his elder brother, which suited Kaiba just fine. He crept up the main staircase, and walked into Mai's lavender guest bedroom. She nuzzled closer to Kaiba's shirt and smiled, the first genuine smile he had seen since she'd been there.
Gently, he lay her upon her bed, slight disappointment bathed her face from the separation of the warm body beside her. Kaiba debated with himself whether or not to remove her clothing, she appeared uncomfortable.
'She won't know.'
'Why would I want to even look at her nude?'
'Help her.'
'She'll kill you.'
'Give her some comfort Seto Kaiba, after hearing everything about her, at least do this.'
His consciousnesses were silence; Kaiba lingered towards her sleeping body, slowly removing her shirt and pants. He drew a sudden intake of breath, Kaiba stepped back and out his hand over his forehead.
So many memories; so many painful thoughts all-flowing together.
Scars, over gashes, over bruises- crimson, violet and jade. Reminding him of his life, his agonizing whippings from Gozaburu still engraved in his mind.
Kaiba hypnotically bent over Mai, his hands, tracing each of her scars upon her frail, ashen back. Such a woman, such agony…
He clothed her; for once in his life, empathy filled his now soft blue eyes. His tender hand caressed her sound asleep visage, magnetically his face was drawn to hers, his lips soothingly, delicately wisped her cheek. A smile appeared upon her pleasant face.
"Seto…" Mokuba whispered. He awoke to find his elder brother carrying an asleep Mai up the stairs, he watched as his brother unclothed her and assisted her. And kiss her. His brother, after all these years had finally cooled over, maybe this would blossom into something more than what it already was…
God knew they both needed someone…