Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Candy Man ❯ Candy Man ( Chapter 1 )

Candy Man

A fic by: Saiya-jin Spice - “Sugar, Nice, and Everything Spice! Spicing up your fanfiction, just the way you like it!”

Disclaimer: Yuugiou (Yu-gi-oh) (c) Kazuki Takahashi

Summary: [Halloween Special] Kujaku Mai detested Halloween for all its worth. Afterall, the night still haunted her from seven years ago. So when a handsome Trick-or-Treater shows up at her door with the goal of seduction, the past is sweetly reborn... [JxM]

Author Note: Hello, reader! Let me first plainly state that I have never done any type of seasonal/holiday fic, period. So I’m excited to see how this turns out! Secondly, I would like to dedicate this to Sakura Nightstar and Blue Diamond because I am WELL aware that this is both of your favorite heterosexual pairing. ::grins:: Please Note! This story takes place in the future, approximately ten years. To give you more of an idea, Yuugi would be twenty-six. Also, I use the Japanese names, but if you really have no clue to who’s who, I can assure you you’ll catch on quick. That also means that I place the last name before the first, if that clears up any confusion. So! Enough stalling ladies and gentlemen, Saiya-jin Spice presents to you Candy Man! (Gotta love that name::laughs::)

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Kujaku Mai disdainfully licked her full, cherry-crushed lips as she stared through narrowed amethyst orbs.

She leisurely grabbed the remote innocently resting beside her on her favorite leopard print chair and cranked up the volume in defiance. The television displaying an image from Mai’s current favorite show - Desperate Housewives - remained untouched, however the sound screeched to an almost unbearable level. But like that mattered to the blonde-haired beauty. As long as it blocked out those irritating trick-or-treaters roaming the hallways of her apartment. Why couldn’t those kids be normal and actually go outside, which was such concept, right? To get candy in which you were supposed to work for by roaming the cold at ungodly temperatures, and essentially exercising instead of picking up a ride from your parents?

Kids these days disgusted her.

A musical ding-donging flowed through her apartment, and even past the amplified volume from the television, as Mai gritted her teeth. Damn, now she was actually going to have to get up and deliver candy to some ungrateful brats. She grudgingly trudged across her white carpeting, practically ripped the glass candy bowl from the marble counter, and kicked the door open with her foot.

“Trick-or-Treat, Aunt Mai!” Two familiar big-eyed toddlers - one dressed as the Black Magician, the other Black Magician Girl - exclaimed.

“H-Hari and Yuri...What a pleasant surprise,” Mai spoke slowly as she tried to regain her composure. Her eyes casually wandered over to the two adult figures, without a doubt their parents, standing behind the children.

“Maaaaaiiiiii!” None other than Mutou Anzu sang gleefully in her usual cheerful manner.

Her husband Mutou Yuugi stood beside her with a pearly smile that almost matched his wife’s. For a reason that was unknown to Mai, both were dressed up in costumes as well, and she really had to question if it was in their best judgment. Afterall, Anzu was dressed in a sexed-up female cop costume with an impossibly short leather skirt, and in her hands she held a chain that connected to a collar around Yuugi’s neck. And fittingly enough, Yuugi was placed in bright neon orange jail gear, with handcuffs attached to only one of his hands.

Well, it’s no surprise what they’re going to be doing tonight...Although, for God’s sake, their kids are right there! Mai thought with arched eyebrows.

After high school, Yuugi had surprised everyone and gone through an unbelievable growth spurt, now standing about 5,10’’ feet tall. He still had that unique tri-colored crown of hair and violet eyes, although his skin was darker from being outside all the time due to his job. And Mai could fully admit that he looked hot. She was sure that some of the girls who passed him up in high school were regretting it now. It was interesting to see though how Yuugi now worked for Kaiba Seto, and not only that, but was Vice President of the Kaiba Corp. Construction Department. And to top the cake off, on his free time he would still teach children how to play Duel Monsters.

As for Anzu, she still looked as beautiful as ever, although she had more of an elegant grace about her, most likely from her dancing career. After graduation she had gone to New York and made it into Julliard, and with hard work, fulfilled her dream of dancing. Not only had she made it to Broadway, but she had appeared in movies with her dancing ability. Now she would frequently travel to the U.S.A. whenever they needed her for performances or in movies. The brunette, however, tried to stay in Japan as much as she possibly could, for her husband’s sake and children.

Speaking of which, the couple now had a little boy and girl who were twins of barely three years. When Anzu had returned from America, Yuugi hadn’t wasted any more time before she left again, and proposed to her. She immediately accepted, although everyone thought it a little suspicious that she was pregnant instantly after they returned from their Honeymoon. Needless to say, Hari was slightly older than Yuri, and had his mother’s sapphire eyes, while Yuri had her father’s amethyst orbs. Hari inherited Yuugi’s spiky head of hair with the exception of the brunette hues intertwined in it. But while Yuri had Anzu’s silky texture of hair, the color was blonde with crimson highlights. Despite these minor differences, both were as cute as could be, even if they were outspoken and talkative for their ages.

“Hey, hello, how have you been? Sorry we didn’t call, but we figured it would be all right, with it being Halloween and all. That, and we don’t plan to stay,” Yuugi explained apologetically.

“Hey, it’s fine. Here you guys go --” Mai allowed a soft smile to grace her lips as she kneeled down to pile the candy into Hari and Yuri’s sweet bags. Oh well, she could at least try to be pleasant. Maybe with luck, she could use up the rest of the candy, and then place a note on her door stating not to go there because there was no candy left.

Mai secretly smirked, satisfied with her devious plan, and poured the rest of her candy bowl into the tots’ bags. And, hey, she was doing a good thing because Hari and Yuri instantly let out shrieks of delight. See? She could make people happy much unlike what Jounouchi had told her!....She paled realizing what she had just done.

Jounouchi.

She was supposed to forget about him. She had promised herself that she would seven years ago. However, since then she could never seem to get him out of her thoughts. That energetic grin and that mess of blonde hair always somehow seeped into her mind like a thick poison come this time of year. And she hated it. It was enough that he had haunted her all those years ago because she had swore to herself she would never love again, but now that he was actually gone, it was like his ghost still lurked about.

And it was still out to get her already bruised and shattered heart to prove her wrong, and go against all that she stood for.

Jounouchi Katsuya. She silently cursed to herself with venom. He’s gone now and it’s for the best. I’d never even want to see him again, and if I could, I’d take everything back! Take it all back...

::Don’t walk away, Jounouchi...I need you... Don’t walk away! DON’T WALK AWAY!!!!:: The sickening memories suffocated her like she was drowning in a black, boundless pool of ice. She could almost feel the frozen blanket of ice wrap around her, and the sound of ominous bubbles bursting around her eardrums.

Through her unyielding and displeased surface cover she slowly found herself drifting back in time, against her will, back to that night full of sardonic meaning. Back to that night she still had nightmares about...

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[Halloween Night; Seven Years Ago]

It was raining.

But despite this, a younger Kujaku Mai and Jounouchi Katsuya lay entangled in one another’s arms, curled up on the leopard-print chair in her apartment. The fire was crackling and blazing, casting a warm and cinnamon glow on the two, making both of their skin flush with a pious complexion. Spicy and welcoming hues of crimson, gold, and orange cast upon their arms, and rays of light had reflected off of the crystalline chandeliers, making the luminosity dance in waves of radiance around the room.

Her eyes were partially shut, with her long and thick eyelashes delicately brushing against his bare chest, as she let out a soft sigh of contentment.

“Mai...” He softly murmured, his voice husky, as he raked his fingers through her silky, golden-haired head.

“Yes, Jounouchi?” she whispered, her voice laced with sleep.

“I need to ask you something.”

“Hnm...Why so formal, baby? You never normally ask to do anything because you’re obnoxious,” she yawned teasingly, the popping of the fire and burning logs soothing her.

He didn’t say anything in reply, which finally made Mai glance up when she didn't hear some kind of retort along the lines that she was boisterous and slutty. His chocolate colored eyes were still and staring down at her silently, while his lips were pursed together thoughtfully.

“Jounouchi?” she questioned.

“M-Mai,” he began, as his voice slightly wavered. He took her delicate hand and placed it into his, then gave it a squeeze. “Look...I’m not good at this kinda thing, so I’m gonna give it my best shot. I know I may not have money, a house, or a good job. Hell, I couldn’t even afford college and I still live in my Dad’s old apartment. But...I’m still gonna try anyway because I figure I have nothing to lose. So, Kujaku Mai, will you be my wife?”

If she had been holding the wineglass that she had been eyeing on the table she would have dropped it.

“What?” she choked out in a rasping tone.

“I know, Mai, I know. I really shouldn’t have asked because it’s a dumb idea and, well, it’s me. I know that I’m no prize, but...you see, I really love you, Mai. And...that’s gotta count for something, right?” His eyes were downcast with strands of blonde hair messily falling over them, while a dark red color tinged his cheeks.

However, she didn’t hear the last part, as she just stared ahead blankly. Jounouchi was asking to marry her. Jounouchi. Since when did they become so close? It seemed like only yesterday when they had first met in Duelist Kingdom and she had mocked him saying he was weak. Since when did Jounouchi grow up from the egotistical and loud-mouthed teenager to a mature and knowledgeable adult? Since when did she love him, and he, her?

This wasn’t possible, this wasn’t happening. Never in her life had she felt so unsure, and she didn’t like it. She was Kujaku Mai, the number one female duelist who didn’t let any man get in her way. She had sworn an oath to herself a long time ago, back when she was pathetic and weak, that she would never allow a man to cloud her judgment ever again. She had told herself that she would never let herself fall in love again. Because if you opened up and allowed yourself to love a man, he would only play with your emotions until he got what he wanted and would leave. Or he would take the most precious thing from you and then walk away when he was either satisfied or bored.

Mai knew. She knew because her first love, her first infatuation, had done the exact thing to her. He told her he loved her, promised her sweet nothings, and said he would take care of her. He said that he would always love her. He said she would always be his. She had trusted him. And the only place her trust had gotten her was on her knees in tears begging him not to leave. Pleading through her excruciating sobs for him not to go...not to disappear from her life. Because she loved him more than anything and she would change if she had to...but he still left. He walked away from her, and stole more than one thing that day.

Not only her hurting and ripped-out heart, but her virginity as well.

No. Not again. She would never allow that to happen ever again, and marrying Jounouchi would only make that happen.

It was obvious what she needed to do.

She could scarcely hear her own soprano voice, but when it came out it was barely audible, “N-no. No, Jounouchi. I won’t marry you.”

She’d never forget the absolutely crestfallen and hurt expression that crossed his face.

“B-but, Mai, why? Is it because I’m poor? Because...I’m working. I’m working really hard and soon I’ll be able to get a good job to support the both of us! Please, I promise I’ll do anything!” he pleaded through tear encrusted eyes.

Mai felt her heart break and scream at her that she was being stupid. That what she was doing was wrong and she knew it. But her mind reassured her that she was doing the right thing and she would only get hurt if she stayed with Jounouchi. You’ll only get hurt...

“No, it’s not about the money. I could have supported us if I wanted to. But I don’t. Jounouchi to be blunt, I just don’t love you.”

There. She had said it. So... why did she feel like she was going to burst into tears herself? I don’t love him. I don’t need him. He’s only a boy. The only thing he was good for was temporary sex when I needed it. Nothing more. Nothing more...She resolutely told herself.

Suddenly, she felt Jounouchi’s muscular and warm arms disappear from around her waist, as the sensation of having cold water dumped over her clawed at her instead. All previous comfort left her as a shower of ice pierced her instead, chills tapping at her spine. He pushed away from her and stood up while mutely buttoning up his black shirt. A frozen and uncaring expression masked his previous hurt one as he raked his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame it as he snatched his car keys.

“Fine. I get it. But you could of had at least the damned decency to tell me that before I got serious about you. It would have saved me a lot of pain.” He roughly grabbed his jacket, fished through one of its pockets, and threw something down on the coffee table in front of Mai. “But take this anyway. I have no need for it. Now I’ll be leaving before I make even more of an idiot of myself, thanks.”

He sharply turned on his heel as Mai briefly eyed what Jounouchi had thrown down. A tiny black velvet box that had snapped open narrowly revealed a hint of a bright sparkle. A wedding ring. She thought numbly. He really wanted to marry me...

At that moment her emotions shattered and her heart got the best of her as she clumsily jumped to her feet as she held out a hand. “W-wait! Jounouchi, I-I changed my mind! I didn’t mean what I said before, and I wasn’t thinking! I do love you, but I...” She fell silent when he harshly turned to look at her.

“No, Mai. You don’t. I don’t want to hear it because it’s too late now. Whatever we had, it’s over. I don’t want to hear any more lies because apparently our whole relationship was one. Just face it Mai; you’re conceited and can’t make anyone but yourself happy.” He finalized what he said with one last glare as he turned away from her and began walking.

Walking away from her just like...

“No! No wait, Jounouchi, wait! I take everything back! I didn’t mean it!” Mai shouted desperately through the prickling that was beginning to irritate her eyes, “I take it all back, so don’t walk away, Jounouchi! I need you! Come back!”

However he didn’t even look back once as he turned the doorknob and wrenched the door open. He finished putting on his jacket and continued on like Mai wasn’t even there.

“NO! I take it all back!...Don’t go, Jounouchi...I need you... Please! Don’t walk away from me! DON’T WALK AWAY!!!!” She stifled a sob as she placed her hand to her mouth. “Katsuya...”

Outside the rain continued to fall, and through her tears, Mai vaguely made out the Jack-o-Lanterns grinning at her as her only love finally just walked away.

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“Mai! Mai! Mai!”

The female duelist blinked as if her reminiscent bubble suddenly touched a thorn and popped, as she was brought back to reality. Anzu and Yuugi were staring at her with worry clearly etched across their faces.

“Hey, are you okay?” Anzu gently inquired as she placed a hand on Mai’s shoulder.

“I’m...I’m fine. It’s just that this whole Halloween thing always brings me back to ---” Mai instantaneously cut herself off, mentally slapping herself. Shit!

As much as she cared for Anzu, the brunette had a tendency not to rest until she made sure everything was okay. Mai honestly didn’t feel like being questioned about what happened between her and Jounouchi. It brought back too many painful memories, ones in which she was trying her hardest to forget about. She knew that both Yuugi and Anzu were well aware of what had occurred due to the fact that Jounouchi was Yuugi’s best friend and one of Anzu’s closest. Of course he told them.

“Mai, you know, it’s never too late for love,” Anzu said soothingly. “Look at Yuugi and I. We’ve known one another since we were kids and we never did anything until we were out of college. We practically waited two decades to get our feelings settled out and if that’s not a long period, then I don’t know what is.”

Yuugi wordlessly nodded his head in agreement as Hari and Yuri began to complain in the background that they wanted to go get more candy.

The blonde-haired woman exhaled deeply with lowered eyes. “You don’t understand, Anzu. It’s not that simple. I haven’t talked to him for seven years. What am I supposed to do? March right up to him and pretend that everything’s perfectly okay? No, it doesn’t work like that. Besides I don’t even care for him anymore. We ended a long time ago.”

“Evidently not if you’re still thinking about Jounouchi,” Yuugi stated bluntly.

Mai contemptuously turned away as she folded her arms over her chest. “It’s not like I want to. He’s on TV all the time in those dueling tournaments he still enters, I can’t help but see his face.”

“That, and, you left out the fact that he is also now a male model,” Anzu innocently added.

“Oh, is he? Good for him,” Mai replied with little interest, although she’d be straightforwardly lying if she said she didn’t even know. Her torn out magazine pictures, if Yuugi and Anzu had seen them, would have given her away. She hated how sexy that idiot-who-would-currently-remain-nameless had become.

“Mommy! I wanna goooooo!” Yuri whined noisily as she wrapped her arms around Anzu’s bare leg.

Anzu frowned slightly as she placed a hand over the little girl’s forehead. “As you can see, we have to get going, Mai. But...I want you to take care of yourself and remember this; a ghost of the past will only haunt you until it completes its unfinished business. If that doesn’t happen, then you will never truly forget.”

“Anzu, I think this whole Halloween thing is getting to you,” Mai scoffed.

“It probably is. She was sneaking candy and stuffing her face with it all day,” Yuugi grinned wryly as his wife shot him a nasty look.

“Stuffing my face? Look who’s talking Mr. Pumpkin Pie! Don’t think that I didn’t notice how that one pumpkin pie innocently disappeared for no reason! Funny, I saw its container poorly hide in the garbage can, but for some unexplained explanation there was no pie in it. Hmm, and on another note, I wonder why you weren’t hungry for lunch?” Anzu retorted accusatively.

Yuugi sweatdropped as he countered, “For the last time! It was Atemu who took the pie, not me! I... I don’t like pumpkin pie.”

“Oh? So are you telling me a spirit did it? An incredibly skinny one at that, at least skinnier than you?”

“Are you saying I’m overweight?” Yuugi tetchily demanded, poking at a further meaning.

“My, you’re observant, dear!”

“If I’m obese then it’s probably because your cooking is full of grease, Anzu.”

“What? I dare you to say that again, Yuugi!”

They both eyed one another, glaring daggers, before loosing their irate composure and broke out laughing. Mai had been watching them the whole time and couldn’t help but feel slightly envious. What would it be like? To have someone you could love and joke around like that? She wouldn’t know. Maybe at a time she did, but now...

::“Why do you wear so much makeup?” Jounouchi had irritably demanded. “What are you hiding? That you actually really are ugly, or something?”

She spun around with violet flames in her eyes as she slammed the mascara down on her vanity dresser with vehemence. “You want me to look good, don’t you? What would you say if I just decided to go to the restaurant dressed in sweats and a tee shirt? And with my hair sloppily bunched together with no makeup on or jewelry? What would you say then?”

“That --” He surprised her because he was already in front of her and gingerly cupping her face in his hands, “--You are the most beautiful woman alive, Kujaku Mai.”

Although she wanted to deny it, she knew the blazing flush had already kissed her cheeks as she glanced away, not knowing what to say. “Katsuya...”

“Don’t say anything, Mai. I love you just the way you are.”

It was no surprise that they had skipped their reservations to Domino’s finest restaurant, and ended up spending the night at the local video arcade and hamburger place. But, in a way, she couldn’t have been any happier. ::

Mai blinked when she felt soft hands grab her by her shoulders and shake her. “A-Anzu...?”she stammered as if coming out of a trance.

“Mai, are you sure you’re all right? You just seem to...drift away,” The brunette chose her words carefully.

“I can assure you, I couldn’t be any better. Now you two better get going for Yuri and Hari’s sakes; I’m sure they want to load up on the candy tonight. I’ll talk to you later,” the violet-eyed woman waved with a cinnamon smile.

“...Very well then. But, you’ll be receiving a call from me later tonight,” Anzu resolutely warned her friend. With her female cop attire on, the statement actually seemed like a threat.

“Okay then,” Mai sweatdropped at the discovery of her revelation.

“If that’s the case, we’ll be heading off now. It was nice seeing you again, Mai!” Yuugi called over his shoulder as he grabbed Yuri and Hari’s hands. “Oh, and Mai?”

“Yes...?” The female duelist dragged out the word in question.

“Whenever the past is reborn to find a new route to travel, it’s over. It’ll be final this time.”

Mai had been slightly daydreaming off in her own evocative world once again, until that last comment Yuugi had made hit her like a freight train. “Wait, what do you mean?” she demanded.

“I could be referring to quite a lot of things. It’s up to you to decide what I meant before the night ends, huh? With that said, sayonara,” Yuugi winked as the twins eagerly waved from in front of him, nosily shouting their goodbyes.

Anzu smiled as well as she took hold of her husband’s arm, as Mai was forced to watch the Mutous walk away together in a blend of laughter and cheer. Yuugi and Anzu were both beautiful people on the inside and outside, while their children had inherited those good looks and social personality. There were no serious problems with them; they were always together and always happy. They were the stereotypical image of what Mai had wanted all her life but could never have; a perfect family.

She felt the familiar enclosing of darkness and sadness strangle her as frosty, lifeless tears burned her eyes. She had always been alone. It was the life she was born into, and the life she accepted. She had known since she was a little girl and when her parents had passed away that this was supposed to be her destiny. She had known this when her first love had betrayed her and left her in the cold. She had known this when Yami no Malik had trapped her in the Shadow Realm and she had been alone and empty once again.

It was her destiny and she needed to learn how to accept it.

No one would be there to help you; there was only yourself. It was only natural that one should learn how to take care of themselves. You should never rely on another. And yet...part of Mai knew this wasn’t true. But she still refused to believe so otherwise because the story of loneliness was her life. She had always been Kujaku Mai; the loner. And nothing could change that whether she wanted it to or not.

So entangled in her thoughts she barely remembered closing her apartment door as she slowly slipped back into her own surroundings of seclusion. It happened again. Every single year on Halloween this would happen to her. She would always take a bittersweet trip down memory lane and pathetically end up feeling sorry for herself. And it would always start with that dog Jounouchi Katsuya and the concept of how another man had hurt her.

“I’m so tired of it!” she screamed, slamming the crystal bowl she still had been holding down, watching with satisfaction as it shattered into millions of sparkling pieces.

She struggled to hold back her tears with realization as she dodged the shards of broken glass and collapsed down upon her beloved leopard-print chair.

“Why can’t I just forget about it? It happened seven years ago, seven years. I hate myself for it, for being so weak, for not being able to forget. I can’t go on like this, I just can’t...” She clung onto the soft fabric of the chair, not even noticing as her nails dung into the material. She tightly squeezed her eyes shut, willing all the thoughts to go away. Trying to forget as....

Ding-Dong.

....The doorbell rang. She glared, deciding to ignore it, not in the mood or condition to deal with anyone. Besides, she had given all the candy away to Hari and Yuri. The Trick-or-Treater would probably leave with the understanding no one was there, chaotic to get candy, and would move on. Which is why when the doorbell chimed for the second time, and then the third, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. Can’t people take a hint? She silently fumed. She once again stuck to her plan of ignoring it until she heard the all-too famous sound of the doorbell chiming yet another time, and wrathfully ripped the door open. Whoever was there had all of hell to pay.

“What the hell do you -- ! ...Want...” Mai started heatedly but finished in a hushed, startled tone.

No, it couldn’t be. It just couldn’t. But there was no mistaking those rich brown eyes and highlighted mass of blonde hair...No...There’s just no way!

“Kujaku Mai.” He whispered her name as if it were the most bittersweet and delicious sin.

She swallowed hard and knew the sound of her voice didn’t match the beating of her heart. “Jounouchi Katsuya.” She responded coolly with the tilt of her head. “So what is a top model like you doing here? Come to finally pick up those Red Eyes Black Dragon boxers you left here?” she snobbishly jeered.

“Ah, yes...I forgot about those.” He gave her his adorable crooked smile as he placed his hand behind his head. “But that’s not my intentions of being here, Kujaku Mai.”

“Don’t address me by my full name, it makes me sound like some sort of criminal,” she hissed, not allowing any possible weakness to show through.

He smirked and no less than a second had passed before he whipped out a .44 magnum and pointed it at her head. Mai’s radiant amethyst eyes widened in horror as a gasp escaped her lips.

“Well, baby, by my standards you are,” he grinned as flipped the gun around and slipped it back into his pocket. “May I come in?”

Mai practically placed a hand to her throbbing heart. She had actually thought he was going to shoot her! Bastard...

“What’s your purpose, Jounouchi? I don’t tend to allow filthy dogs into my clean apartment. Especially ones that are not housebroken yet,” she retorted indignantly, still fuming at the fact she missed he was dressed up as a bodyguard.

“I won’t make a mess,” he indifferently replied.

She observed him for a moment through narrowed, critical eyes. This whole predicament just didn’t make any sense. What in the world was that idiot Jounouchi doing back at her apartment after seven, long years? And for no reason? Why would he just return like everything was okay, unless...Ah, of course. She understood now. She had thought that Yuugi was acting a bit strange, especially what he had said to her.

“Whenever the past is reborn to find a new route to travel, it’s over. It’ll be final this time.”

He had to know about this, there was no question. In fact, he probably had set the whole damn thing up! And then she remembered what Anzu had said:

“As you can see, we have to get going, Mai. But...I want you to take care of yourself and remember this; a ghost of the past will only haunt you until it completes its unfinished business. If that doesn’t happen, then you will never truly forget.”

It was crystal clear to her now. Yuugi and Anzu had wanted to help her because they were worried she hadn’t been able to get past Jounouchi leaving her, and asked him to come tonight. And Jounouchi always having to play the sympathetic hero had come to her rescue, trying to straighten things out. Quite frankly, it pissed her off. How dare they plan all this behind her back and then expect her to be okay with it? No, it just didn’t work like that!

“You asshole,” she growled shooting him a poisonous glare. “How dare you show your face here. Yuugi told you to come here, didn’t he? Poor, stupid, pathetic Mai. She’s really a mess, you know? You should finish it once and for all,” The blonde-haired woman mimicked what Yuugi had most likely said to his best friend.

Jounouchi, however, just gave her an unmoved look. “The one thing,” he began, “that always took off points from you being perfect, was the compulsive craving of drama you always wanted to get.”

“Excuse me?” Mai curtly said, incredulous to what she was hearing.

“That’s right. Whether you realized it or not, you always had to create some kind of turmoil, some kind of scene, that would draw attention towards you. I know you had a hard life, I’m not doubting that. But Mai, I did too. My parents are divorced and my Father’s an alcoholic that I had to support most of my life! Everything I owned, as poor as it was, I worked hard for and was proud of. Not once did I complain to my friends, my best friends, about how horrible my life was. I just tried to look on the bright side of things and move on because I knew things would get better.

‘But, you...you always felt the need to keep bringing things up. You always seemed to enjoy any attention you could get no matter how bad. Don’t you get it? People like Yuugi and Anzu, who are your friends care about you! They don’t do the things they do to piss you off! They do it because they want to see you happy! And tell me Mai, how is that a bad thing? That people actually care about you? That someone loves you? You know, some people don’t even have that. And, yeah, they did ask me to come here tonight. But because they were concerned about you and they love you. And...because they knew I was suffering and I wanted to anyway,” he momentarily glanced away, “I really wanted to talk to you. I missed you.”

At first she had been angry, ready to snap at him, and tell him what he was saying wasn’t true. That he was the biggest asshole she had ever met. But she had never expected to hear him say that last part. Not knowing what else to do, she swallowed and opened the door more. “Come on in.”

Jounouchi nodded his eyes downcast as he wordlessly stepped into the apartment he knew all too well as Mai shut the door behind him. Nearly everything looked the same expect for minor decoration and trinket changes...and all the glass shattered on the floor. He deemed it best to just ignore it, knowing Mai.

“Okay, so tell me something,” Mai started suddenly as she rested her back against the refrigerator. “Do you honestly expect me to forgive you when you just walked out on me like that all those years ago? It’s been a really long time, Jounouchi. I had been trying to move on.”
“And evidently doing a bad job of it,” he countered with a humorless expression. “Yuugi and Anzu tell me what you’ve been like this whole while, and I wouldn’t have expected anything else from you, Mai. You’ve always been like that; always keeping your feelings to yourself.”

Mai felt a rush of a mixture between anger and betrayal at Yuugi and Anzu’s actions. What exactly had they been telling him, and how much did they know? And for that matter, did she really even know herself? This whole time she had been playing with the idea of whether she truly loved him or not. Most of the time she had convinced herself that she didn’t, but now when she was actually face-to-face with him, she wasn’t so sure. She never wanted to be weak again. And falling in love definitely made you weak, as she told herself redundantly. But before Jounouchi had left on Halloween night, she had changed her mind and told him she had wanted him back.

But it had been too late. Since then she convinced herself that he was just like all the others, and she hated him. But now confronted with reality, was it really his fault? No. A part of her told her firmly. He never wanted to hurt you. You’re the one who refused him, and all he could do to fix his pride was to just walk away when he had the chance. But now he’s back and the pieces are slowly coming together... Mai bit her full lips, her thoughts completely muddled.

“I know, Mai, I know. I really shouldn’t have asked because it’s a dumb idea and, well, it’s me. I know that I’m no prize, but...you see, I really love you, Mai. And...that’s gotta count for something, right?”

When he had told her that, he had seemed so innocent, so trusting. He had been blushing furiously, and for once in his outspoken life, embarrassed. Now, when she put it so bluntly to herself, she thought that it was more her fault than anything. She had been frightened to what might have happened if she fully allowed herself to let go and allow Jounouchi to take care of her. She had been afraid of love, still scarred from her first experience that it might happen again.

It was her own childishness and reminiscent fear that held her back and made her feeble. Not Jounouchi. She didn’t see it before, but now, as she realized with dismay, it was her fault. Jounouchi had only been trying to open up to her and she had been so blind as to not see it. I’m such an idiot... And now it was like fate actually took pity on her and was giving her an undeserved second chance.

She idly fiddled with a strand of hair as she took her time before responding.

“Jounouchi,” she swallowed, harshly ignoring her screaming pride, and willed herself to go on, “you’re right. I can’t stand being put into a situation where I can’t defend myself and I run away from my problems, acting like they’re everyone else's, as a cover up. But in truth, somewhere deep inside of me, I know I’m running. I have to deny them because I never want to look wrong or at fault.

‘And seven years ago when you asked me to marry you, I was scared, and did all that I could do. I told myself that you would only end up hurting me in the end so I ran away. I said no. And since then I’ve been telling myself that it was for the best but how can that be when every day I wake up and wonder what it could have been like to wake up next to you...? Secretly, all along I knew I made the biggest mistake of my life, but my pride wouldn’t allow me to admit it. But now, I wanted to at least tell you before I ‘ran away’ again.

‘I still am in love with you, Jounouchi. I know it’s true now and whether you only came here to tell me that it has been over since seven years ago or not, I just wanted you to know,” Mai finished as she wrapped her arms around her waist as if trying to protect herself.

When Jounouchi’s large, warm hand brushed the hair out of her eyes, she had to look up in question. He gave her a sweet, reassuring smile although his eyes were sad. “I’ve loved you all this time too, Mai. I tried, but I just couldn’t forget either.”

Hope filled her like a warm liquid until he continued. “However, it’s just not that easy to forgive you. You know that I was poor, and reluctant to fall in love. Not only that, but with an older woman. It was a big step for me, especially when my first crush was Anzu. So when I finally got the determination to ask you to marry me, you have no clue how callously you ripped my heart out and just left me there to bleed. I was hit real hard, and for awhile I had to get away from everything and just be...angry, y’know? It took a lot of time and healing for me to even think about you again. But I recovered and moved on.

‘Though as the years slowly rolled by and I dated other girls, even other models, I knew the feeling just wasn’t there. Their kisses weren’t the same taste as yours. And I knew, as much as I tried to deny it, that I missed you. Yuugi only casually tipped me off that you still thought about me, and insisted that I come here tonight to straighten things out. Now that I’m here, the question I propose to you is, so what now? What am I supposed to do?” He sighed, when Mai didn’t say anything, so he placed her head against his chest and allowed her to wrap herself against him.

He knew she was crying. So, of course he wouldn’t comment on it and further bash her confidence. He had only seen Mai cry once and that was when Yami no Malik and locked her away in a glass pyramid and tortured her. But even then, when she would cry, she would do so quietly. As if she thought she would only burden the world with her pain. And now he knew she was hurting and frightened of what may happen. She didn’t want to lose him for a second time; her actions visibly told him so.

And as for him...what did he really want? Yeah, he had been hurt badly too. But he still found the courage to come here, and fight the ghost of the past. Mai would have never have come to him; it had always been him to come to her. So, now what? Part of him wanted to forgive her while the other part just wanted to finalize their breakup. But as he held her shaking figure within his grasp...

“I’ll tell you what. We can...start over again. Things like this take time, and I’m not sure that I’m completely ready to forgive you. But I will once I get to know you again. Seven years ago on Halloween we made the fatal decision of breaking up and leaving it like that in the black night of deception. Now, seven years later once again on Halloween, we can allow our relationship to come out from where it was thrown away in the night, and renew our passion. It’s the best I can do for now, and once again, it’s your decision on whether you want to take it or leave it.”

Mai had never seen Jounouchi look so grave and serious. She had submissively given herself permission to look up from where she had buried herself within his rock hard chest, and stare into his eyes. His eyes had lit up without a smile, although she knew that had been his intentions, but not even he could manage it. The whole weight of the situation crashed into her like she was running into a brick wall, that he was allowing her to make the decision. Just like Yuugi had said; “Whenever the past is reborn to find a new route to travel, it’s over. It’ll be final this time.”

Only she could decide the outcome of what would happen between her and Jounouchi. Either she could run away scared like she had done when he had asked to marry her, or she could confront her past, and finally permit herself to let go and fall in love. This was her last chance. The world around her gave the impression of whirling together as she grew faint and weak in the knees. She swallowed and found that she was barely nodding her head.

“Yes. I want to start over again.” Mai could narrowly even hear her voice let alone recognize it.

Jounouchi stared down at her, his expression telling her that he was mildly surprised, although she knew he was really gaping in shock. “Are you sure? Remember, you can’t take it back once you already agreed to it, Mai.”

She briefly considered this, and all of her piled up feelings, before she inhaled deeply and nodded. “Yes,” she endured a small smile, “I’m positive.”

He gave her one of his bright smiles, one that lit up his creamy complexion, that just made her want to melt as he embraced her tighter. “I’m glad.” He sighed so softly that if anyone were else in the room, they wouldn’t have been able to hear.

“Me too, Jounouchi. You really have no idea,” Mai murmured, clinging onto his unbuttoned collar, an intense wave of joy rushing over her.

“But,” he began his expression falling stern again, “there’s also one more condition for us being together.”

“What’s that?” Mai asked, wondering if she was going to regret inquiring.

“I want you to call me by my first name again,” he whispered seductively as he ran his tongue along her ear, “Call me Katsuya.”

Satisfying, tingling chills ran down her spine at the sensation and the huskiness of his tone. She hadn’t felt his delicious touch in so long, and it burned like silky fire. She had ached and longed for his touch for so long that now she had it, a pleasurable moan escaped her lips. She ran her slender fingers down the sides of his face as she pulled him closer.

“Very well, but before I do that, I have a condition as well,” she trailed ginger, sweet, little kisses down the side of his face, “you have to kiss me first, Katsuya.”

She felt his breath quicken with lust as she found herself hoisted up into his muscular arms and closer up against his chest. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she bounced on top of him, her arms snaking around his neck, as their lips lingered close. Then he delicately brushed his soft lips against her, making her body scream, demanding more, before he stopped teasing and leaned in for the real thing. It couldn’t have been any more anticipated as the tantalizing press and the taste of his lips against hers filled her mouth. No one could kiss like Jounouchi, and Mai missed exactly how he would kiss her. Softly, gently, at first. Then he would gradually get more and more passionate until she felt as if she would ooze with desire, and then he would slip his tongue into her mouth and play some more.

“Katsuya,” she whined when he finally pulled away as the taste of spice left her.

He smiled placing a finger to her lips. “Hush,” he murmured. “This is not the right place.”

Mai didn’t understand at first until she allowed her eyes to linger a bit before noticing they were right by a window and across, kids decked out in costumes, stared wide-eyed.

“Ah...” she trailed off in recognition as Jounouchi simply drew the blinds and carried her off to her room.

She eagerly waited as he laid her down upon her blue silken sheets and climbed atop of her. Strands of blonde hair came falling forward as he pressed his hand to the side of her face, which she readily took. “And Mai?”

“Hmm?”

“I never got to say this when you opened the door, but Trick-or-Treat!”
Mai rolled her pretty eyes muttering something about, “typical, stupid Katsuya...”. But she eyed him with an idea flashing through her thoughts, and then smiled, “Well then, tell me something, Katsuya. Was it a trick or a treat?”
He grinned as he planted a passionate kiss down upon her lips yet another time. “I’ll leave that one up for you to answer.”

“Well then...” She arched her back ever-so-slightly, embracing him, “...I’d say it’s definitely a treat.”

His grin broadened as caressed her face. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Outside Mai could make out the shapes of the laughing Jack-o-Lanterns, but only this time, they were grinning not because her true love had left, but had come back to her. And she hoped it would stay that way for every single Halloween to come.

The End

A/N: Yay! I’m so happy it’s done! This was my first Jounouchi and Mai, and I had such a fun time writing it! I wrote this in two days which is actually pretty good for me because I tend to stall these things. I would love some feedback and what you thought about it, or if it could use some improvement. Thanks for reading!

Love,

Saiya-jin Spice [11/01/04]