This is a new story I have been working on. It is post DSOD and highlights the problems with long distance relationships. People always say they will keep in touch when they move away, but in reality, rarely do. Can Yugi and Anzu make it? Let us find out.
This will be T rated. I do not plan to make any romance scenes explicit unless specifically requested. There will be a little swearing and innuendo though.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or any of the characters. I do own the characters I have made up myself.
Complicated.
Chapter one...
This was it! The final time they would set foot in this place as students!
Yugi glanced back as they left the building following graduation. The school held a lot of memories, some good and some not so good. Apart from the first couple of months and the last six months, his Other Self had been with him throughout. But now he was about to step out of high school and into a new chapter in his life.
There were plenty of options: He was still the reigning King of Games, and for the sake of Atem, he intended to keep the title they had fought so hard for. He did not know what he wanted to do with his life in the long term, but there were plenty of options. One of his ambitions was to design a really cool game that people could play together. For now though, he would just enjoy his freedom and probably help run the game store until he decided. There was no rush.
Ya.. ha! Whooo!" As they exited the gates, Jonouchi let out a shriek and fist pumped the air. He and Honda high-fived.
"Aren't you two forgetting something? Like having to work for a living!" Ryou reminded them.
They both sagged slightly.
"Hey! Bakura, don't spoil the moment. I want to enjoy my short lived freedom." Honda did not need to be reminded that he was starting work with his father next Monday, which meant only four days of freedom!
"I won't need to work when I'm a millionaire duelist!" Jonouchi boasted.
"And how are you going to achieve that when you still don't have a working duel disk?" Anzu reminded him.
"Hey! I'll think of something! Don't you worry."
"You could always take on more paper rounds Jonouchi," Ryou suggested.
"Yeah, or my good buddy Yugi might let me borrow his duel disk?!" He sidled up to Yugi and leant on his shoulder.
"Over my dead body..." Anzu gave him a death stare and postured with her hands on her hips. "Don't you dare steal Yugi's duel disk!"
Yugi grinned sheepishly. He probably would have given in if it were not for Anzu. "Sorry Jonouchi," he gulped. "I really do need my duel disk. But I'm sure you can save up for a new one in no time when you get full time work."
"Yeah..." Jonouchi conceded. "You're right Yugi... It's your duel disk. I shouldn't have asked."
"Anyway!" Ryuji saw it as an opportunity to change the subject. "Who is up for a graduation party? Dad said we can have a private party at the cafe!"
"Yeah! Count me in. I hope you've invited plenty of girls!" Jonouchi grinned salaciously.
"Don't worry, I have invited more girls than guys. Although, I doubt any of you will get a look in with me there," Ryuji boasted.
"I doubt any girls in their right mind would come near you Jonouchi!" Anzu grimaced. "You frightened most of them off with your crudeness and lewed behaviour over the last few years!" She still recalled him trying to peek under her skirt!
"Yeah! Remember that panty tank you made out of the Janitors old broom?" Honda smirked.
"That was your idea moron! Anyway, I'm no longer that man! Meet the new, mature, gentleman Jonouchi, who treats girls with respect," he postured, making his friends groan.
"Yeah, right! You have got a long way to go to reach my level of sophistication Jonouchi," Ryuji bragged.
"Well, Ryou here doesn't even need to try! The girls swarm round him like flies after a hot dog! What's ya secret man?!" Jonouchi gestured pleadingly.
"I don't really know," Ryou replied thoughtfully. "I try not to encourage them but they won't leave me alone."
"Are you saying you don't like girls?!" Honda teased.
"It's not that! I don't really know. I'm not really interested in getting romantically involved with anyone at the moment."
"Meh heh, you don't prefer guys do you?!" Jonouchi nudged him and Ryou went very red.
"N.. No! Of course not!" Ryou answered, unconvincingly.
Yugi and Anzu smiled at their friends teasing each other. Anzu rubbed shoulders with Yugi and laughed. "None of them really have a clue, do they Yugi?!" She teased, hoping he would at least take her hand and show her that he did have a clue.
"N.. no, I guess not!" He scratched his head and his cheeks flushed with pink. All he could think right now was that Anzu was rubbing her body against his!
"Hey! Look at you two love birds! You taking Anzu as your date tonight Yuge?!" Jonouchi blurted, prompting several of their class mates that were nearby to snigger and send knowing looks towards them. Everyone viewed them as a couple – everyone except the couple themselves!
It was Anzu's turn to flush pink "Erm... We are going together, but we are just friends."
"Yeah right!" Ryuji sniggered.
"Yeah, we're just friends," said Yugi, with a hint of disappointment. Deep down, he still felt that it was really the other Him she liked in that way, while he was seen as the good friend she could trust and rely on.
"Anyway! Smell ya later. I gotta get a bunch of leaflets delivered before the party starts." Jonouchi hopped on his bicycle and rode off.
"Yeah, I better go too." Honda put his crash helmet on and climbed onto his motorbike.
"May I trouble you for a lift home?" Ryou asked innocently, pulling on the spare helmet that Honda brought with him every day, knowing that Ryou would ask for a lift home.
"Yep! I gotta fly too. Gotta get the buffet sorted and put some decorations up!" Ryuji left, leaving Yugi and Anzu to walk home alone.
"We better get going." Yugi started walking.
They walked in silence for a while, both deep in thought...
Since Atem left, Yugi had become more and more like him. From Anzu's perspective, he was becoming the perfect balance between the two – her dream man!
In the past, she had found it difficult to define her feelings: There was the kind, sweet, caring Yugi, who was fun to be around and made her feel special. Then there was edgy, dangerous Yugi who's slightly aloof nature made her nervous but also caused her heart tingle with desire. She wanted them both! But that had never really been possible, so she had bottled up her feelings and tried to keep them to herself.
Deep down, Anzu felt guilty for how that had made Yugi feel. He had expressed as much at Duelist Kingdom when she had tried to tell him it did not matter which Yugi he was because she liked both Yugi's just as much. Sadly, she had not done a very good job of convincing him.
She now knew how that must have made him feel. He was not stupid and had noticed how she had only started to be interested in him romantically because of the other Yugi. So in his mind, he was second choice.
In the end, all three had kept their true feelings to themselves for fear of damaging their friendship.
But now Atem was gone, she realised that the very man she desired all along, was right there beside her, and she did not know what to say to him!
Unfortunately, they had become so accustomed to this 'avoidance of feelings' that it was now almost impossible to tell each other how they really felt.
While Anzu was still agonising over her guilt, Yugi was pondering his own failings. He had long since forgiven her for developing feelings for his Other Self. After all, he had been rather weak and timid, until he solved the Millennium Puzzle.
His Other Self had been heroic, strong and confident – all the things Yugi wished he could be. When he thought about it, it made sense that Anzu would prefer Atem! If he was in her shoes, he would prefer Atem too!
The thing bugging Yugi now, was whether he should tell Anzu how he felt about her. She would be leaving for New York in a couple of months and the last thing he wanted to do was spring a confession of love on her and make her feel guilty about going. She had dreamed of a career in dance for as long as he had known her and there was no way he wanted to be responsible for wrecking that dream. If he truly loved her it was better to let her fly free and pursue her dreams, rather than keep her close to him. If she changed her mind and stayed in Domino because of him, she might feel resentful in the future.
If they were truly destined to be together, then maybe in a few years, once her career was established, they could start a relationship.
In no time at all, they arrived at the junction where they would separate to go to their respective houses.
"You okay?" Yugi suddenly realised that neither of them had spoken for the last ten minutes.
"Yes! Of course," she blushed. "You?"
"Yeah," he said, blushing in return. "Whelp! See you later for our date!" he winked to hide his embarrassment at calling it a date. "I will be round at about seven."
"I'm looking forward to it," she beamed happily.
"Me too," he nodded. If only he could pluck up courage to kiss her – but not here, not in public. It would not be right.
"I am glad we are going together. We could almost be a proper couple!" She giggled and tried to make it sound like she was joking, although underneath she wished they were a proper couple.
She crossed the road and then turned back and watched him appreciatively as he sauntered towards his house. If only she could tell him how she felt about him!
But it would be unfair on Yugi to string him along. She was leaving in July. It was a two year course, and once she had gained her degree in dance, she hoped to secure an apprenticeship with one of the prestigious ballet companies around the world: America, London, Switzerland or Paris... She might even become famous and end up touring the world and may not return to Japan for several years!
To ask Yugi to wait for her would be selfish. He had his own dreams and she knew Yugi well enough to know that he would put his own dreams aside so that he could help her follow her own, and she could not make him do that! She needed to allow him the freedom to move on and live his own life and to grow into the fine man he was becoming. They would always be friends and in a few years time... if they still had feelings for each other... Who knows?!
::::::::::::
Yugi spent ages in the bathroom getting ready.
Apart from his school uniform, he had very little else to wear, and most of what he did have in his wardrobe was now too small. Luckily, his grandfather had given him some extra money to go and buy some clothes, which of course, Anzu had helped him choose.
He had decided to wear the shirt and jeans that Anzu said looked really nice on him.
They had already been washed and while he was in the shower, his mother ironed them, ready for him to wear.
Checking himself in the mirror, he decided that he looked pretty smart. Was it vain to think he looked good? He knew what Atem would say if he was here."Show her your true feelings Aibou." He blushed slightly at the thought.
"Yugi! Are you ready yet? Anzu will be wondering where you are!" Sugoroku shouted from the bottom of the stairs.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming" Yugi came running down the stairs with his new shoes in hand.
Sugoroko smirked and held up the car keys. "You don't want to keep your girlfriend waiting."
"She's not! We're not! It's not like that Grandpa!" Yugi groaned and snatched the car keys from his grandfather's hand. Sugoroku was sure he detected a little regret and frustration in Yugi's voice.
"Make sure you handle her gently," he winked.
"Grandpa!"
"I was talking about the car, not Anzu!" He chuckled.
Yugi rolled his eyes and groaned. "Thank you for letting me use the car Grandpa. I promise not to dent or scratch it." Yugi rushed to go. He was late!
"Have a lovely time this evening, Yugi." His mother came out of the kitchen, smiling proudly at her little boy, who was now so grown up!
"Thanks Mum! We will. " He picked up the neatly wrapped gift he had bought for Anzu as a going away present. He was going to wait until the day she left for New York, but tonight seemed like the perfect opportunity.
He proudly parked the car outside Anzu's house and strolled up to her front door.
Inside, Anzu was starting to panic. "Where is he?! He was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago!" It was now seven fifteen.
"I'm sure he will be here soon," her mother tried to soothe.
"But it's not like Yugi to be late!"
"Don't worry sweetheart. I can drive you there if he is late or doesn't turn up," her father promised.
"Dad! Of course he'll turn up!"
They heard the doorbell ring. Anzu rushed to answer. "Yugi! You're late!"
"Sorry!" He smiled sheepishly. "I er...m.. got you this. It's something for New York. I was gonna give it to you when you left but I couldn't wait."
"Ah... Yugi! Thank you." She took the gift from him and showed him in, all thoughts of being late to the party, forgotten.
As he followed her, he thought how beautiful she looked in her new dress.
He opened his mouth to try and tell her how lovely she looked but words refused to form. He inwardly cursed himself.
"Should I open it now?!"
"Huh!" Anzu was holding the gift out in front of her. "Oh! Yes. You look... great Anzu." His face turned pink. Why the hell did I say great?! I'm such a jerk!
"Thank you," she smiled kindly. "You look great as well Yugi. You're wearing the shirt I helped you choose."
"Yeah, and the jeans and shoes."
She smiled approvingly as she hastily unwrapped the gift to find a new pair of ballet slippers. "That's so thoughtful of you Yugi! How did you know I needed another pair?!"
"You were complaining that your old ones were getting dirty and faded. I thought you might like some new ones to take to New York."
"Thank you. Oh! What's this?" Tucked inside one of the slippers was a small blue box.
"Another gift... Open it," he said excitedly.
Without further hesitation, she removed the lid to find a pretty gold chain that had a dainty little pair of gold ballet slippers as a pendant. "This is so pretty. It must have cost you a fortune! You shouldn't have!"
"We wanted to. It's money I, the Other me won from duels. Before he left, we talked and decided to save some of the money to buy you a gift. We bought it months ago, just before we went to Egypt.." His voice suddenly became reflective. "We chose it then because he didn't know if he would still be here."
"Oh, Yugi, thank you, I will cherish it always. It is something to remember him by," she smiled sadly. "God! I think I'm going to cry. I don't want to cry! I will smudge my make up!" She leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek. "Oops! Sorry," she giggled. "Now I've put lipstick on your cheek."
He deftly touched his face where she had kissed him. Anzu kissed him! Wow!
"Let me help you!" He saw her struggling to fasten the necklace and reached up to gently fasten it for her. He deliberately let his fingers linger on her neck and slowly traced along her shoulder before pulling his hand away. He wasn't Atem! Her reaction to the pendant was an indication that she still felt something for his Other Self. He bit down his disappointment, just as he had always done. "Come on! We really should get going, everyone will be wondering where we are!"
Without her shoes on, Yugi was slightly taller than Anzu now, but even though she had tried not to pick shoes with very high heels, as soon as she put them on, the extra two inches gave her a very slight height advantage.
Yugi was used to it though and just winked at her and offered her his arm. "Come on, I have another surprise for you," he grinned, leading her out to the car.
"Your carriage awaits." He opened the passenger door for her to get in.
"Yugi! Who is driving us?" He climbed into the driver seat with a grin.
"Me!"
"What?! When did you pass your test? Why didn't you tell anyone?!"
"I passed about three weeks ago. I have been taking lessons in secret and wanted to surprise you. Plus I didn't want to say anything around Jonouchi because he would have asked me to give him a lift and I wanted this to be special – just you and me." His confidence was now building. "You look beautiful Anzu. I meant to say it earlier, but, you know me, it came out as great instead."
They both giggled.
"I knew what you really intended to say," she admitted.
When they got there, most people had already arrived at Otogi's bar and cafe. Otogi's father had prepared a really delicious looking buffet consisting of sushi, sashimi, yakitori, noodle salad, a rice bowl and various tempura. There were also some desert pastries for those with a sweet tooth.
Jonouch and Honda were already piling into the buffet.
"Hey!" Ryuji Otogi greeted them. "What would you like to drink. Since it's a private party, the punch is alcoholic," he winked.
"Well, I guess we will try the punch then, shall we Yugi?" Anzu beamed.
"Y.. yeah, okay. But I can't drink much. Grandpa's car, remember."
"You can always leave it here. We have some parking round the back. I suggest you park there Yugi," Otogi's father said, as he handed them their glasses of punch.
"Okay." Yugi handed Anzu his glass and ran outside to move the car. While he was gone, Anzu decided to talk to Tomoya Hanasaki who was sitting in the corner on his own. His face lit up as she walked over to him. He looked different wearing contact lenses instead of his glasses.
"I guess there won't be much buffet left after those two have eaten their way through it!" She joked.
"No," he laughed. "I don't know how they eat so much without putting on weight!"
"Come on, why don't we go and join them?" She invited. He nodded and followed her.
"Hey!" Jonouchi spluttered with his mouth full," where's Yugi?"
"Oh! He's just gone to move the car."
"Wha...!" Anzu and Hanasaki both grimaced and jumped back, as a mouth full of half chewed rice sprayed their way.
Yeah! When did Yugi learn to drive?" Honda gasped.
Yugi returned. "Hey guys!"
"Yugi! You kept that quiet! When did you learn to drive?" Jonouchi demanded to know.
"Well, I..." Yugi chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "I passed my test three weeks ago, but I wanted to keep it as a surprise."
"Man, you sneaky dog! C'mon! Why don't you take us all for a quick spin?!"
"Well, I would rather no..." He didn't finish his sentence. Jonouchi clamped him on the back.
"Aw.. c'mon man! Don't be scared! We ain't gonna take the piss out of your driving or nothing!"
Anzu stepped in angrily. "Jonouchi! That is precisely why Yugi didn't tell you! We're here for the party, not to take you for joy rides! And Yugi is a good driver!"
"Ermm.. Whoa Anzu! I didn't say he wasn't. We don't have to go right now...!" Jonouchi sheepishly backtracked. "Sorry if I offended you Yuge.."
"That's okay," Yugi smiled. "I'm not offended. But I didn't tell anyone because I wanted to surprise Anzu this evening. And it is Grandpa's car, so I'm afraid I can't take you for a ride. I promised him I would drive to the party and home again. I need to earn his trust before he will let me use the car whenever I want."
"I understand. Anyway, congratulations on passing your test Yugi."
"Yeah, well done Yugi." Honda raised his plate to Yugi, while continuing to chew on a piece of tempura chicken.
Yugi sipped at his glass of punch, before surreptitiously watering a nearby pot plant with it and then choosing a cola instead. He was very conscious about not consuming alcohol if he was going to be driving. Aside from it being Grandpa's precious car, Yugi had his own precious passenger to think about!
Everyone was enjoying the evening, the party was still in full swing and looked like going on for most of the night! Anzu had ballet practice the following day, so, at around midnight, Yugi and Anzu left to go home.
Yugi wanted to say goodbye to everyone before they left but Anzu stopped him.
"I think we should just sneak out Yugi. They will either persuade you to stay, or Jonouchi and Honda will ask you for a lift home!"
"I don't mind giving them a lift..." He changed his mind when Anzu slipped her arm through his and snuggled up to him.
"But I wouldn't have my favourite best friend all to myself now, would I!" She purred. The three glasses of punch she had consumed may not have tasted very alcoholic but had indeed packed a 'punch'. Yugi was a little shocked by her relaxed behaviour.
"Anzu!" He steered her outside.
As soon as the night air hit her, she felt a little light headed and started giggling.
"Are you sure you're okay?!" He laughed, holding her upright.
"Yes, never better! Dance with me?" She grabbed his hands and started to twirl around the paved area, where the tables and chairs were put out during the day for customers to sit.
"I don't think..." Yugi didn't get much chance to complain. He was pretty hopeless at dancing at the best of times, but with Anzu's erratic dancing he was lost and they kept stepping on each others toes. Yugi did his best to guide her towards the car.
"Twirl me around Yugi!" She jumped into his arms with complete abandon. Thank goodness he had been doing a bit of weight training and had grown stronger, otherwise he might have dropped her.
With difficulty, he managed to carry her the short distance to the car. She had her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck. He was well aware of her breasts being very close to his face and it took all his concentration not to melt into them!
He positioned her, with her bottom against the side of the car as he fumbled for his keys. Instinctively she uncoiled her legs from his waist and slid her feet to the ground. Her body felt relaxed and Yugi found himself pressed against her with his left arm around her waist and the keys in his right hand, while she kept tickling his neck. He managed to press the button to unlock the door.
Just as he was about to reach for the handle so that he could open the door and guide her in, she kissed him.
The kiss was just a quick one, but was a real smacker, right on the lips. It took him completely by surprise.
Anzu looped her hands over his shoulders and pulled herself in closer, causing him to tremble slightly. "Relax Yugi. You're all tensed up. You can't dance properly if you are tense."
"Sorry." He slid his arm further round her waist and rested his hand in the small of her back.
"I will teach you to Waltz," she giggled, tripping over his feet. "Oops! Look who's forgotten how to dance!"
"I think we've had enough dancing for one night." He helped her to her feet and steered her into the passenger seat. He went round to the drivers side and got in.
Anzu fumbled hopelessly with the seat belt and Yugi had to help her by leaning across her to fasten the buckle. "Naughty Yugi!" Giggling, she ruffled his hair playfully causing his face to touch her chest.
He gulped as he tried to control himself – his face brushed her breasts and he was so tempted to kiss along the line of her cleavage where her dress dipped into a 'V'. But he was a gentleman and a gentleman did not take advantage of an inebriated woman.
"There! Lets get you home." He started driving. At this time of night it would only take ten to fifteen minutes to get her home.
"I don't want to go home yet!" She complained. "I want to party!"
"I think it is best Anzu."
"Spoilsport!"
By the time he pulled up outside Anzu's house, she had quietened down and was nodding off to sleep.
"Wake up sleepy head, we're home." He reached over and brushed the stray strands of hair from her face. Anzu gave a big yawn and struggled to open her eyes.
"I'm tired," she yawned again. "I don't feel like partying any more."
"I should have kept a closer eye on what you were drinking. Jonouchi sneaked a whole bottle of vodka into Otogi's fruit punch," he sighed. Anzu growled.
"I'm going to kill Jonouchi next time I see him," she slurred.
"Let's get you indoors." He helped her from the car. "Try not to wake your parents up," he whispered. "You don't want them to know you've had alcohol." He took her keys from her and opened the door.
"Sorry if I have been annoying." She wrapped her arms around him.
"You are never annoying." He kissed her gently on the cheek.
"You are the sweetest guy ever,"
As his lips left her cheek, he felt her mouth brush against his face. Before he knew what was happening, her mouth had clumsily found his.
He hesitated and tried to pull away from the kiss, prompting her to groan slightly in annoyance. "Yugi! I'm leaving in a couple of days, we might not get another chance.."
"But you're drunk. I don't want to take advantage."
Oh! Don't be silly, I'm not that drunk! We both want this and one of us had to find the courage!" She scolded.
"I guess.. but I'm taking the lead." He gave her a lopsided grin and started kissing her gently. The kiss was soft and innocent at first, but grew in intensity as their mouths moved lovingly and sensuously together. Anzu could feel him taking her breath away.
After a few minutes, they pulled apart for some air. "Wow! We finally kissed properly," he smiled, gazing at her admiringly.
"Yeah, we did." Anzu's face flushed as she looked into his darkened, love and lust filled eyes. "Goodnight Yugi." Slowly, reluctantly, she pulled away from him and stepped inside, just as the light went on upstairs.
"Anzu! Is that you?" Her mother called out.
"Yes Mum. Sorry if I woke you.." She cringed slightly and looked at Yugi, "I hope she doesn't get out of bed and see I've been drinking!" She mouthed.
Yugi watched as she tottered unsteadily up the stairs to her bedroom. Luckily, her parents did not get out of bed and she made it to her bedroom safely. He quietly closed the door and went home...
That was six months ago now, and as Yugi sat behind the counter of the game store, he found himself thinking about that kiss and what it had meant to him. He wondered if it had meant the same to Anzu...
Or was it a goodbye kiss?
He wished he had asked her, or talked to her about it before she left, but they had not really managed to get any time alone to talk about their relationship. And on the day she left, everyone was there to say goodbye so Yugi did not get an opportunity.
They just carried on as friends – just like they always did.
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Please review, and let me know your thoughts.