Is Sorry Even Enough?
By DNL
Chapter 1: Is Sorry Even Enough?
His surroundings zoomed past him as he drove down the freeway. Everything was a blur at his current speed but he wasn't particularly paying attention to anything. His only focus was on his speed, other drivers around him, where he was headed but mainly on what he was going to do. He had planned this for a long while. It needed to be done. He had to go to her and say what he needed to say, even if she didn't want to hear it.
Malik Ishtar had played the scene over and over in his mind to the point he had probably come up with every possible outcome. Although his mind had focused on all the Bad outcomes and not so much of the good ones, then again his self-esteem had pretty much taken a nose dive after the event of battle city. He used to be confident and independent when he was the leader of the Rare Hunters. He led the biggest crime syndicate and was feared by nearly every duelist, save for Kaiba along with Yugi and his friends.
Now he could hardly decide anything without doubting himself. Half of the time he was a mental wreck, his thoughts dogging him about what a monster he had been and how could he even think the Pharaoh's spirit had killed his father? How his dark emotions had spawn such a demonic alter-ego that was known as Yami Marik. He shuddered remembering that THING controlling his body.
His sister and brother didn't' know it but sometimes, at night, when all this guilt piled on him he ended up crying under all the emotional stress. The fact he was afraid of the dark didn't help that fact. Malik would just sit there on the edge of his bed and cry. These occurrences and become less but the guilt still plagued his mind like swarm of angry fire ants.
Yes, the Pharaoh had accepted his apology and offer to be friends the next time they meet, and they had met again before he passed on to the afterlife, but…there were still strong lingering feelings. He was sure Jonouchi still hated him but kept his feelings to himself to avoid making a scene at best he didn't trust him. The duelist liked Rishid he knew that much, and he was glad about that. Yugi, he felt, was wary to completely trust him but put up a good friendly front to mask the feeling. With Malik, however, it was hide things from him when he was very good at reading people. Ryo Bakura, he knew little of he only knew Yami Bakura but he had been defeated for good. His host was a quiet guy kind but quiet, the two, both who had been tormented by evil spirits had common ground and Malik was sure they could be friends given the chance. Shizuka, Jonouchi's younger sister, Malik made sure to stay away from or he was sure Jonouchi would demand he stay away from her. The two that were clearly fighting over her Malik knew at best the two men were suspicious and cautious around him.
Then there was Anzu Mazaki the kind, supportive and ever loyal to her friends never wavering to help them out in any way she could. Malik knew more about her than she was aware. He had hidden a fragment of his mind inside hers after brainwashing her. Luckily he had or Rishid wouldn't be alive right now. He still felt bad about brainwashing her in the first place in order to get his misguided revenge though. What he did know about Anzu was that one she wanted to be a dancer on Broadway, two her parents were hardly ever around, and three she used to have romantic feelings for the Pharaoh's spirit. He also knew she had accidently got into real danger when she had tried to make him emerge.
Malik had tried to avoid peeking into her mind after Yami Marik had taken over but it was very hard to avoid things she was currently thinking about. Most of the time he felt real very awkward when her romantic feeling for the Pharaoh were the focus of her mind, this was pretty often. Malik did feel sorry for her though falling for a spirit. It must have been rough on her when she knew he was not meant to stay in this world. When the Pharaoh was going through the gate to the afterlife he swore he felt her heartbreaking emotions flicker through his mind when she chose to keep it to herself so the Pharaoh could pass on without feeling he was hurting her by doing so. Malik had wanted to go and reassure her but his guilt about using her, and threatening to kill her, in his revenge scheme held him back.
Where he was currently heading made him gulp nervously. Malik was heading over to Anzu's home. His family, consisting of Ishizu and Rishid, had moved over to Domino city. After sorting things out with the other tomb keepers, which had been easier said than done since Malik had abandoned them for so long; Ishizu knew he could not go back to living underground. So she decided to move to Domino since she had managed to get a job at the museum and better yet that's where Yugi and his friends live. Malik had protested the idea stating his relationship with them was not a good as his sister believed. Unfortunately, his older sister had already made up her mind making him submit to it.
They had only moved recently and planned to surprise Yugi and his friends when he arrived at their school, another of his sister's 'bright' ideas. Malik rolled his eyes dully at the thought of how 'wonderful' that'd go over. He sighed they'd all be seventeen and he'd still be sixteen, sometimes he hated being born in winter.
Currently Yugi and his friends didn't know about him moving there. Kaiba knew but Malik doubted the business man would have told them since he was likely busy and didn't consider them friends. Malik was going to use the chance to go and talk to Anzu to apologize to her personally. He knew where she lived from being inside her mind. This was one of the few details he had purposely dug through her memories for in case he needed to use her again before the finals and she was at home. Though he hated himself for doing that now, he even lectured himself briefly for now using the information.
Malik hoped she wouldn't think he was some sort of creepy stalker for showing up to her home. He told himself time and again as he drove to her home if she wasn't home that he'd leave. If she found him waiting for her there it'd most likely make things worse. Then when school started Jonouchi and Honda would likely beat him to a pulp for that. He doubted they cared if they got detention if they thought they were protecting a friend. Scratch that, he KNEW Jonouchi wouldn't care Malik had also been in his mind.
Malik pulled his motorcycle up to Anzu's home and put the kickstand down then turned off the engine. As he took off his helmet he looked up warily at her home. Even though it was modest and welcoming it looked like an imposing obstacle to him.
His sharp lavender eyes snapped to a movement in the curtains of one of the upper windows. He was sure he'd spotted bit of brown hair. He sighed, 'She's home…' he thought grimly shaking his head. Malik figured the sound his motorcycle must have made her look outside. Obviously she had noticed it stopped right in front of her house.
"Here goes nothing…" Malik said listlessly, as he pulled himself off his motorcycle and forced himself to head up to her front door. He prayed to the Egyptian gods that her parents weren't home and that she didn't call her friends.
As he went up to the front door his stomach decided to knot itself up by doing backflips inside him. Malik had never felt this nervous and hesitant before, oh wait yes he had. He had felt like this when he first decided to do this! It felt like it had taken forever just to get himself out the door! When had he gotten so afraid to do anything? If he could he'd go back in time and force himself to stay in the tombs!
Now standing at her doorstep he stared at the ordinary wooden door. All his emotions were screaming at him now. Most telling him to just wait until school started up again then deal with them all at once. A few others were telling him that he was being ridiculous for acting like a scare child over saying sorry to a person!
Swallowing what felt like a stone Malik finally managed to lift his arm up and ring her doorbell. There he waited hoping she would answer. It seemed to take forever for the door to open and the longer he waited the heavier the feeling in his gut got. It took all of his self-control to keep himself standing there and not turn tail and run. He had just lost himself in the thought she was calling her friends when the door swung open. Jumping slightly he looked up at her a wary hesitant and forced a smile onto his face.
Anzu was wearing the same outfit she had been wearing before when she and the others had arrived in Egypt. He had to admit to himself that she looked good in it. It was very flattering and complimented her legs.
"Malik…what are you doing here?" Anzu said jerking him out of his thoughts.
Malik snapped back to what he was doing there. Though paused noticing her tone. She was trying to sound firm but he could detect a hint of worry underneath her tone along with a hint of fear.
'Great she's scared…' He thought more scolding himself than anything. Straightening himself and letting out a brief calming breath Malik explained his presence, "My family, we…moved here," He started getting Anzu to look his expression over for any hint of lying, "As for what I'm doing here…" Malik stalled suddenly earning a confused look from the brunet.
Anzu looked him over again trying to figure out why he stopped mid-sentence. When she first saw him ride up to her home on his motorcycle her heart had nearly stopped. What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be in Egypt? Anzu had thought. Yeah he had helped them help the Pharaoh pass on but that was AFTER he had tried to kill him! In a way she had forgiven him after she had heard his no less than tragic haunted past but lingering fear remained. Yes he no longer had the Millennium Scepter but she couldn't help but worry about being left all alone with the guy. He was taller than her and despite his frame she got the feeling he was stronger than he looked. Yeah, if it came down to it she wasn't afraid to bite or kick below the belt but still she didn't like the thought one bit.
Now that she could see him it was like he was scared to speak to her. It was the exact opposite of the way he had been in the beginning of Battle City. He had been willing to go to any means necessary to get his revenge to the point he had been downright evil. Malik had been an evil puppet master that had used her to force the Pharaoh to duel a brainwashed Jonouchi who he had forced his hate onto. Now, as he stood before her, he seemed like a scared child even his arrogance appeared to be gone.
Her fear was replaced by worry as she looked at him. He seemed so small even though he was nearly a head taller than her. While he was still unable to finish his sentence she spoke instead, "Malik are you okay?"
Shocked Malik was jolted out of his swarming emotions that threatened to drag him down. It had only been a few moments but it seemed like forever to him. He stared at her his lavender eyes wide as saucers. She was worried about him? Why? Why should she be worried about him?
He tried to speak but his words still refused to come forth and his mouth was left hanging partly open. Malik flinched when Anzu tentatively touched his tanned shoulder. She felt him flinch though it was clearly visible when it happened, "Maybe you should come in and sit down…" She said her words drifting off as he mind said that might not be a good idea.
Even though her words were a suggestion Malik found him gently escorted into the hallway with the door gently clicking closed behind them. He stood there dumbfounded as he listened to Anzu lock the door closed behind him. She had locked herself inside with him. Wasn't she scared of him? Why would she do that? Why would she be concerned for him? As each second dragged by the Egyptian found himself more and more confused.
Anzu never in her life thought she would ever let Malik Ishtar into her home especially when not being under mind control, much less lock the doors. Yet when she looked at him she could help it. He was so…broken. So unlike his former self that she felt like helping this version of him. This regret stricken scared child. She felt if she left him out there by himself he would break down and cry. Anzu couldn't let that happen not even to him.
"Come on," She said softly to him as she guided him to the living room. Anzu held his shoulder gently fearing he'd break from her touch. So ever so carefully helped him to the couch and sat down. He merely sat there staring at her, disbelief plastered all over his face. Feeling awkward she tries to put on a smile and says, "Do you want something to drink?"
Malik shook his head, "I stopped to eat on the way here." He said in a monotone voice. Malik had tried to stall himself in hope if he took long enough that when he arrived she'd be out with her friends. Friends…what was it like to have friends? Malik had family yes but never friends he'd had servants growing up but that wasn't even close.
"Oh," Anzu said carefully, she wasn't sure what to do now. She hadn't even expected to let him in but she couldn't just 'shoo' him out now. Not knowing what to do she sat on the coffee table and looked at him trying to search her mind for what to do. She ended up looking out a window at the neighbor's house.
"I'm sorry."
She snapped her attention back to him, Anzu hadn't expected that at first but now she understood why he was here. The brunet looked at him; Malik was hunched over his forehead resting on his hands that were clasped together. Anzu bite her lip tentatively, "You already apologized you don't need-"
"Yes I do," Malik cut in this time with more force that it made Anzu jumped a little. Spotting it Malik smacked himself inside, "S-sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I…I just had to force myself here I don't…I don't want an easy way out." He said this time more softly while still staring down at his dark grey jeans. Not hearing an answer Malik peeked over his knuckles to check her expression. It wasn't insulted or sternly waiting for him to spill his guts so he went on, "I'm sorry for…everything I've done since I met you. For everything I've ever done to you and you friends and for everything I wanted to do to you all! None of you deserved it…" He gritted his teeth together and pressed his eyes closed trying to keep himself from sobbing. He didn't want to break down in front of her. He didn't want her sympathy, he didn't deserve it Malik thought.
Anzu said his name softly but he went on, "I'm sorry for threatening your life, I'm sorry for controlling you and pretending to be your friend. I'm sorry my dark half threatened you all." After running out of things to be sorry for Malik came to a regret filled realization and laughed weakly sounding choked, "What am I saying…I don't deserve forgiveness…," He stood to leave, "I'm sorry for bothering you…"
Before he could leave Anzu suddenly grabbed his shoulders and gently had him sit back down. She sat in front of him looking straight into his lavender eyes, "Don't say that Malik. Everyone deserves a second chance and so do you." Malik opened his mouth to protest but Anzu didn't let him, "First you have to let yourself have a second chance."
Malik couldn't believe the words were coming out of her mouth. He tried to make himself think that they weren't and his mind was just tricking him but, he knew it was true. Anzu, someone he had wronged, was trying to make him feel better! Still he just looked at her too stunned to speak yet again.
Before he knew it he found himself being held by her in an unmistakably comforting manner. He could feel her hand gently stroking his back in a manner similar to what his sister had done with him many times before when he was upset like this. Feeling the familiar sensation he gave in and rested his head against her collar bone. His aching heart began to feel a sensation of warmth soothing its pain.
"You shouldn't try and hurt yourself like that, you'll make things worse for yourself and you'll hurt Ishizu and Rishid, Malik. I know you don't want to do that." Anzu felt Malik shake his head as she held him. His thick platinum blond hair brushed against her skin. It was softer than she had thought it'd be. For a while there was a silence and Anzu sat there on the living room table holding the distraught Egyptian teenager. It didn't get odd or anything they both needed it really.
Seeing Malik made her think of…him. Atem, the former spirit of the Millennium Puzzle she used to call 'Other Yugi'. Maybe it was the fact he was Egyptian as well, or the gold he wore or the fact he was so heavily connected to him she didn't know. Then again she usually thought about him. She hadn't quite let go yet. Her heart wouldn't let her really. She'd never truly let go of him like that and it caused her to hurt herself, not only herself but Yugi and the others.
She wasn't completely ignoring them or anything it just got…awkward sometimes. It had been awhile since Anzu realized how Yugi felt towards her but when she looked at him it wasn't hard for her to think of Atem. She had always thought of Yugi as a little brother and close friend and she felt bad she couldn't return his feelings. So Anzu ended up spending a little less time with them or seeming distant and she wanted to stop all that…but it was hard. Her words hadn't been just for him but herself too…
"Why are you doing this?" Anzu blinked surprised when she heared him speak again. His voice was barely above a murmur if she hadn't been waiting for him say something she might have missed it. Malik gripped his sides trying to help gather his composure, "After all I've done to you…why are you, comforting me?"
Not matter how many times he thought about it none of his answers could quite fit. Maybe because Malik had never done anything like this. Something completely selfless, maybe he had and didn't remember but he doubted it. Especially after leading a crime syndicate where he had been treated like royalty, more or less because that's how he had them treat him.
"You were in pain," Anzu answered in a similar tone to his, just barely above a whisper she stroked his head carefully feeling him shrink at the contact, "I couldn't, I can't leave you like that. What you did is in the past and he forgave you…so, so will I." She felt herself flinch this time as she thought about him, and how he was gone never to return. Memories meant a lot but weren't the same as him being there with them.
Another pause settled itself between them before for Malik spoke again, "You miss him don't you? The Pharaoh I mean."
The question caught Anzu off guard it wasn't what he asked as much how he said it. Like there was a deeper meaning to it. Not focusing on the underlying meaning Anzu answered him, "Of course I do. We all do, Yugi and the others we all miss him. We miss him every day since he left…" She said wistfully, Anzu always wondered what would have happened had she told him how she had felt, how she felt even now. She tried to deny herself those fantasies since when she stopped day dreaming reality would turn cruel.
Malik shifted and sat straight no longer in her hold he looked at her straight in the eye, his gaze being more cryptic and serious than pained now, "That's not what I meant." He said again with the same undertone leaving Anzu confused, "I know how you felt towards him." There was no malic in his tone, Malik had long gotten over his hatred for Atem. It had been replaced by regret and respect for the Pharaoh.
"How…" Anzu stared at the bronze skinned teenager that sat in front of her.
Malik pointed at her forehead, "I was in there, remember?" Before she could even consider accusing him of peeking into her mind he explained himself, "The only thing I purposely found out was where you lived and I'm sorry for doing that. Other than that it was pretty hard to ignore things you thought about while I was in there…" Malik rubbed the back of his neck embarrassedly remembering some of the things she had thought of while he was hiding in her mind and soul room.
A deep blush flashed across Anzu's face, immediately she thought about what exactly he had heard. She never meant to tell anyone those things. None of it was perverted or anything no it was simply romantic thoughts. Still those were supposed to be private, then again she hadn't expected a blond haired Egyptian teenager with mind control powers to come along and put a bit of his mind in hers. Feeling self-conscious at the moment she looked down at her legs gripping the folds of her red skirt tightly.
"Don't worry I don't plan on exposing that information," Malik said getting her to look back to him, "I'm trying to fix things not black mail anyone. I'll keep it secret, don't worry." He said trying to reassure her. A small sincere smile came onto his face. Malik wasn't sure if his words would help but it didn't hurt to try at least.
"I miss him every day…" Anzu said her voice pained and hushed, her crystal blue eyes looking down at her feet. She smiled sadly, "Sometimes I hope that one day he'd just come back…but that won't happen. I know it won't. Its…it's such a selfish thought isn't it?" Anzu whipped her hand against her eye to keep the tears from come coming out.
Malik looked at her with nothing but sympathy for Anzu. He had never felt love for another person outside of his family. He knew her pain though. He had felt when he was hidden in her soul room while his yami ran rampant in his own body. Malik was sure she was feeling worse, even more now that he was gone. He slowly reached on and held her hand with his stroking the back with his thumb, "No it isn't, your heartbroken Anzu. It's natural to feel that way. Like you said to me don't hurt yourself. I'm sure your friends don't like seeing you like this. There will be others." Malik said sincerely the small smile still on his face gave off gentle warmth.
Anzu look at him, she could believe what he was doing. Since she knew him she hadn't thought he could be capable for caring about anyone but himself or those in his family. Yet here he was kindly returning the comfort she had given him moments ago. His warm smile reached his lavender eyes telling her that Malik had meant what he had said. She blushed briefly when he took her hand with his, he was rather attractive and looked a little young for his age. Anzu was glad he wasn't wearing that lavender hoodie of his it made him look more feminine than his hair already made him. He looked better in the blue grey sleeveless shirt and black leather biker vest he was wearing at the moment. She paused, why did she care what he was wearing?
Confused by her own thoughts she wasn't able to answer and merely looked away unsure of herself. Recollecting herself she found her voice again, "I don't think I could ever feel the same way about someone or find someone who felt that way about me. Atem didn't even notice or he hid it really well…"
Malik considered this thought for a moment. He'd never been in the pharaoh's mind so he couldn't verify that for her. He wanted to he really did want to say that he felt the same and just didn't want to hurt her but there was nothing he could say like that without feeling like he was lying. He sighed, "I can't say anything to that, but," She looked at him, "I'm sure you'll find someone, you're kind, caring and beautiful anyone would be lucky to have you."
She blushed more visibly and this time her cheeks stayed red long enough for him to notice. Realizing the words that had come out of his mouth Malik looked away feeling shy all of a sudden. He himself blushed in response this time. The Egyptian figured that sounded pretty weird coming from him and maybe a little bit like he had feelings for her. He did mean it though, she was beautiful. The thought made butterflies flutter in his stomach a sensation that heightened when he noticed she still hadn't pulled her hand from his.
"Thank you Malik," His eyes widened in surprise when he heard those words come from Anzu, "it means a lot for me to hear that from someone." She smiled at him her blue eyes shining with gratitude and the usual caring nature she had. Anzu now held his hand back looking at him from underneath her chocolate brown bangs making her look a little shy maybe.
Malik brightened, this was going much better than he had expected. He had half expected himself to have a breakdown of some sort but even then that had turned out better. Anzu hadn't turned down his apology or said he deserved to feel that way and now here she was thanking him for something! Things were starting to look up a little! His smile widened happily, "No, you don't need to thank me! I'm just trying to repay you after what I did." He clasped his other tanned hand around her cream colored one this surprised her, a little, "I don't think sorry is enough though."
His voice wasn't stricken with regret this time. This time it was calm. Noticing this Anzu waited patiently for him to explain his reasoning. She felt after all the apologizing he'd said he was good for now, with her at least.
"I'm going to be attending your high school next year; it was my sister's idea really." He stated normally adding the last part a little dully. He seemed to be slowly shifting to himself, minus the evil mastermind part, now that his spirits were lifted. Malik tilted his head warily and looked off to the side, "So, we'll be meeting again soon…what I'm getting at though is this," He looked back to her his expression brighter and more confident. Malik's voice still carried a soft carefulness as he spoke however, "if you ever need anything just tell me okay?"
Anzu felt her blush return for a moment as he held her hand more firmly but not roughly. She saw his lavender eyes darken with some reminiscent grief, "I know that what I did will never be forgotten and I understand that but," His voice grew more even the sadness dying out again, "I promise that you can trust me. I'll help you whenever I can…if you let me."
His lavender eyes silently pleaded for Anzu to accept his offer. Her eyes stared back into his searching for any sign of it being a trick. She found none she could see. Anzu knew he could be an excellent actor if he wanted to she had personally witnessed that but like when she had let him into her home she couldn't bring herself to abandon him.
She nodded, "Alright Malik, I'll give you a chance." She had said that even he deserved a second chance. No reason to become a hypocrite especially just after she had given him a sense of hope that he could redeem himself.
Malik's heart soared she was giving him a chance! Yes she could just be saying that to make him feel better but it was something! The rest of his painful worry was whipped away by her approval and was replaced by a sense of hope. His heart pounded rapidly and gave off a warm feeling in his chest. Every bit of him was ecstatic with joy that he couldn't contain himself and he wrapped his arms around Anzu pulling her forward in a tight hug.
Anzu let out a surprised squeak when he suddenly pulled her close. Even though she was ashamed of it Anzu had thought the worst for a split second. When she realized it was just a hug she calmed immediately and allowed it. She was surprised how strong his arms felt against her and how warm he was. She blushed a light pink realizing her face was gently pressed against his chest. Anzu also noticed how she actually felt safe and secure in his arms, this surprised her.
"I promise I won't make you regret it Anzu, thank you for giving me a chance." He pulled back so he could see her. Malik gave her a warm smile, she really was beautiful. The way her chocolate brown hair framed her face and the way her eyes stood out made his heart skip a beat.
A lighthearted laugh escaped from Anzu's mouth and she smiled, "I did say you deserve a second chance didn't I?"
Malik returned the laugh with a chuckle from himself, "You did." Breaking the embrace he stood up offering his hand to help her up. She took it and he pulled her to her feet while she dusted off her skirt straightening it a bit he adjusted his vest.
"I still, I tend to keep my promise." He said with a confident look on his face feeling more like himself than when he had arrived. With what he had come to do accomplished Malik stepped to the exit, "I guess I'll see you when school starts? That's not too long from now I believe."
"It's just a few weeks, here I'll let you out." Anzu wasn't in a rush to have him go she was just being courteous. She walked past him and went to her front door. Undoing the locks she heard Malik catch up with her in the hall. Suddenly she wondered if a few weeks was really not short as she had thought them to be. Putting the thought aside she opened the door for him wearing a friendly smile again.
"Thanks," Malik said simply as he walked out the door, Anzu followed him to the edge of her home's entrance watching him casually. Strapping his helmet on Malik spotted Anzu watching him he could spot some curiosity glimmer in her eyes. He shot her an amused smirk and waited for her to say what was on her mind.
"Is it fun as people as make it out to be?" She asked sounding as curious as she looked.
Seeing her eye his motorcycle Malik grinned mischievously, "Well, I can't do all the stunts they do in the action movies, but I have to say it feels great to have the wind whip past you. The added danger gives it a certain thrill too." He said as he mounted the motorbike, helmet strapped securely to his head. As much as he loved driving around at high speeds on his motorcycle the thought of his head being cracked open was not.
Seeing she still looked curious Malik come up with an idea of how he could start to repay her, "Hey, it's a long walk to the high school right?"
Anzu perked at his question. She thought he was asking whether he should drive there or not. Thinking about it she placed a finger on her lip in thought, "That depends where exactly do you live?"
Malik let out an amused snicker, "I'll be driving there. I was wondering if you'd like me to drive you to the high school on the first day. I have a spare helmet lying around if you don't mind silver."
Anzu eyes widened in surprise and she felt her face grow warm. Even though she stayed silent for a moment Malik waited calmly as he sat on his motorcycle. Anzu felt a mixture of excitement and hesitation that lead to worry. She wasn't sure how good of a driver Malik was on that thing. She had only seen him park from her window upstairs. On the other hand he was wearing a helmet at the moment and he was offering her one so that was a good sign.
"Will it fit me?" Anzu asked tentatively as she knitted her finger together. She bit her lower lip unsure if she should even be considering this.
After thinking for a moment Malik answered her, "I think it would but if it doesn't I won't put you at risk and make you get on."
His answer reassuring her Anzu nodded, "Alright then, if it fits I wouldn't mind getting a free ride." She said with a slightly playful tone and smirked. There was no harm in it Malik seemed to be responsible enough when it came to safety.
Nodding Malik smiled back at her happy she had accepted, "I'll see you the day before then. What time do you want me to come and get you? Oh, and please don't tell your friends my sister wants it to be a 'surprise'." He half grumbled the last part so Anzu had to pause a moment to figure out what he said.
Anzu giggled a bit, "Oh okay then, I won't tell them. I'm sure they'll be surprised though I know I was!" She gave the Egyptian a friendly smile, "Don't worry I'm sure they won't take it too bad. Jonouchi will probably keep an eye on you at most but I don't think he'll attack you." Anzu had to force the last part to come out of her mouth because in truth she half doubted the former delinquent would calmly welcome Malik into their high school.
"Heh, I guess I'll just have to wait and see how it goes." He knew there was no way of avoiding it. Even though Malik hadn't attended school most of his life but Kaiba had made up that he'd been home schooled by his sister. Since Malik had educated himself he was good at math and the language arts. He was in fact able to speak a few languages from Arabic, Ancient Egyptian, English and Japanese. He of course was more fluent in the first two. English was a business language so Malik had to learn it while running the Rare Hunters. The other areas of education he'd would just catch up on and since he had no qualms about learning or studying it wouldn't be a problem. Still he hoped to avoid any fights with Jonouchi, he could defend himself just fine but still a fight wouldn't look good in front of the others.
Anzu smiled reassuringly before speaking again, she could tell he was nervous about encountering the others but it was something that had to be done in order to patch things up, "We'll see, as for the time come and get me at seven."
Malik nodded, "Sounds good," He turned on his bike's engine, the machine let out a rumbling roar as the motor started up before evening out to a rough purr, "I'll see you at seven before school then!" He said loudly over the engine's noise. He gave her a wave good-bye, which she returned, and drove off back towards his home.
For once in what seemed like forever Malik Ishtar genuinely felt like he had done something right! A confident smile made its home on his lips as he drove down the streets. Now he was glad he had forced himself to come, albeit he had stalled along the way but still. Yes Malik had a bit of a break down but at least he didn't cry like a baby. To be honest he was surprised he hadn't cried Malik had felt he was going to but at least he didn't.
Further Anzu had forgiven him and was willing to give him a chance to start redeeming himself! He couldn't believe she had accepted his offer without protest. Then again she was Anzu; the kind caring girl who he'd previously thought was just one of the Pharaoh's ever present cheerleaders. Malik supposed he should have expected this to some degree instead of fearing the worst. He could save that for Jonouchi. Regardless he was feeling better about himself with her acceptance not a hundred percent but he was getting there.
Maybe he did deserve a second chance, Anzu thought he did. Yeah, he'd never forget what he'd do so he could make sure he never did something like that ever again but maybe he did have a shot at redemption. He had changed, of course he had! No one could have gone through what he had unchanged. Malik had been tortured and threatened to be erased by his darker half that he himself had created! The blond had been sure to learn from that giant mistake he had made.
Malik didn't want to feel like this anymore. His tormenting guilt that plagued him day and night, it was beginning to keep him up sometimes. He wanted to fix things and enjoy his new freedom from his fate. Now that Atem had passed on he was truly free to be whom and what he wanted. He'd always be a tomb keeper, the cryptic scar on his back wasn't disappearing anytime soon, but now he could live out in the light not the dark.
His face blushed when he thought about how Anzu had held him in his time of need. Malik had never expected that to happen. She had been so gentle soothing his pain like he had been a scared child and he guessed that's how he had look. The feeling of her stroking him sent a warm pleasant feeling through him. Malik found himself blushing, a little more deeply, his heart beating a little faster.
Malik smiled to himself, maybe going to school with Yugi and his friends wouldn't be such a big disaster. He was sure Anzu wouldn't let Jonouchi beat him to a complete pulp. Still he expected a warning of some sort from the other blond but he had a right to do so. Malik was sure Anzu would help smoothen out his arrival to their high school when he showed up.
He blushed more at a more personal thought, maybe just maybe if he played his cards right he could possibly, there was a slight chance, get closer to Anzu. Malik Ishtar grinned, good thing he was good with cards.
Back at her home Anzu sat in her bedroom on her bed. Today had turned out to be rather eventful to say the least. Malik Ishtar of all people had showed up on her front doorstep and before she knew it she let him into her home, when she was by herself of all things. Then she somehow ended up holding him while reassuring him everything was going to be alright! Then she ended up being held by Malik and he was calming her down! What just happened! She asked herself that more than once after he left. Each time she couldn't come up with an answer that satisfied other.
She didn't regret what had happened, no she didn't nothing wrong had happened. It was just the fact it had all happened out of the blue is all! Wait…she didn't regret being held by Malik Ishtar!? Anzu froze stunned by this revelation. The more she thought about it the more she found herself blushing. That couldn't be right; he had tried to kill Atem and Jonouchi. He had even threatened to kill her!
No she didn't feel that way about that Malik, the Malik that had that evil parasite living inside him. The one that had been tormented and had his hate misguided. She, blushingly so, possibly had feeling towards the Malik that had showed up to her doorstep today. The one that was uncertain, showed vulnerability before her, the lost scared child that when cheered up was kind and gentle. Someone she wouldn't mind giving a second chance. Today, Anzu felt she had met the real Malik Ishtar and she didn't regret it at all.
'I'm sure you'll find someone, you're kind, caring and beautiful anyone would be lucky to have you.'
Anzu felt herself blush as she laid back into her fluffy pillows. She had to move on, Anzu knew he wasn't coming back he belonged in the afterlife were he could have the eternal peace he deserved. Atem had done enough for the living world. Closing her starry blue eyes she pictured herself being held by the blond Egyptian with deep lavender eyes.
'No, that doesn't seem wrong at all,' She thought to herself a smile coming across her pink lips. Maybe just maybe she could fall in love again after all. Anzu let out a pleasant sigh and sunk into her bed, 'Sorry isn't enough but it's a good start Malik.'