Warnings for this chapter: Some references to adult relationships and a bit of crudeness. Nothing major.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.
Complicated
Chapter two.
For as long as Anzu could remember, it had always been her dream to study dance in New York and now here she was, living her dream. She was grateful to her parents for supporting her. The fees were expensive but they had put money by over the years to cover the cost. All Anzu had needed to do was meet the high standards required to gain a place at the world renowned school – which of course, she had done.
To begin with, Anzu was a little overawed by the hustle and bustle of New York, but Juilliard was everything she had hoped it would be and she soon settled in and made new friends.
She did her best to stay in regular contact with her old friends in Japan, but as is so often the case when someone moves away, they all gradually stopped making the effort. It was no ones fault in particular, just the natural drifting away from your old life and getting more involved with your new one.
Apart from her parents, the only two people who still bothered to keep in touch regularly, were Yugi - who skyped her once a week - and Shizuka - who kept in touch via social media.
Anzu always looked forward to Yugi's weekly call. They would discuss everything from Jonouchi's numerous attempts to make money, to the weather and dueling tournaments. Anzu also told him about the friends she had made at Juilliard.
But not once did either of them dare confess their feelings for one another.
Anzu was starting to wonder if she and Yugi were doomed to never become a couple. In the past, there had always been reasons why they had been careful not to show their true feelings for each other. But those reasons no longer existed, yet they still avoided it!
Anzu wondered what would happen if one of them did express their feelings: What would they do about it? Realistically, she might not return to Japan for at least a year! Could she really expect him to sit at home and wait? Only for her to then move to Europe, to dance with one of the famous dance companies!
It did not help that her fellow students at Juilliard were all dating different guys and having fun flirting. They were always talking about their sexual conquests and laughing about who was gay and who was straight, or what the guys at the school might be like in the sack. Sexuality was far more openly discussed here than it was in Japan and it took a bit of getting used to.
A couple of the guys had shown an interest in her but she always turned them down because of her unrequited love for Yugi.
One young man, Peter, was more persistent and would not give up. Anzu had been paired with him for an audition for the annual school show, and they had immediately hit it off. When they danced together, they just seemed to flow as one. And even though Anzu tried not to be, she found herself attracted to him.
He was around five eleven, lean and muscular, with tousled brown hair, soft brown eyes and creamy complexion. He had a cheeky smile and all the girls liked him, yet he only had eyes for Anzu.
"I can't believe you turned Peter down again!" Her friend Sally scolded. "He won't keep asking forever you know."
"I know.. that's what I'm hoping," Anzu replied brusquely.
"Anzu! He's as hot as hell! I know you don't mean that!"
"No, of course I don't," Anzu sighed. "I do like him, okay, but it's complicated. I still have feelings for Yugi."
"Yeah, but you told me that you and Yugi hadn't even, you know... sealed the deal, done the deed.. What sort of guy is dumb enough to let a hot chick like you get away?!"
Anzu shot her an incredulous glare. "You wouldn't understand. We're more reserved about showing affection in Japan. We were not allowed to have relationships while in high school. When we went out on a date, we had to be more like friends hanging out, so we were careful to avoid any romantic feelings."
"And what are you and Yugi doing about it now? You're not in high school anymore. Jeez Anzu! He's thousands of miles away, he won't even know if you're dating another guy."
"But I couldn't do that to Yugi!"
"Yeah! I bet he's not exactly behaving like a monk! You told me about the fan girls. How long do you expect a man to go without? Think about it Anzu? He's nineteen and full of testosterone, he's not going to hold out forever. And what about you?! Don't you have urges?"
Anzu's face went red. "Of course I do. Yugi and I could have... we kissed once."
"Just once!" Sally rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just go out for one date with Peter? You don't have to have sex with him! Right now, all I can see is a girl who refuses to go out with anyone because she can't stop thinking about a boy she knew at school who she is not even officially going out with!"
"Okay, okay, I get your point," Anzu groaned. "I have asked Yugi to come for Christmas, if nothing happens between us then, I will go on one date with Peter... as friends."
"Deal." The two girls shook hands. Anzu was beginning to regret their deal already.
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A dull, grey, Tuesday morning in late November, found Yugi sitting behind the counter of the game shop, bored out of his mind. He never thought he would miss going to school, but he did. He sort of missed all the scrapes and daft situations they used to get into. Life was all serious and work, work, work, these days!
It was drizzling and cold outside. The shop was boringly quiet and Grandpa was at the hospital for a scan on his back, which had become quite debilitating recently.
His mother was also out, so he was all on his own.
He could sweep the soggy leaves from the porch, dust shelves or clean the shop windows but he could not be bothered, instead he was scrolling through photographs on his I-pad. A rye smile crossed his features as he recalled the adventures they all went on while he had the Millennium Puzzle. Oh, how he missed his Other Self – no! He really should get out of the habit of still thinking of him as that, his name was... is... Atem.
Some of the photos were taken while Atem was in control of their body. No one, apart from those close to him knew that he had shared his body, mind and soul with an ancient Pharaoh. They had worked so well together to achieve their goals and Yugi would always keep a part of the Pharaoh in his heart - it had helped him grow into the man he was now.
Would he have been able to grow as he had without Atem? Or would he still be that lonely boy, struggling to assert himself and getting picked on as a result? He did not really wish to answer that question.
The shop door chimed Jonouchi barrelled in through the door. "Hey Yuge!"
"Oh! Hey, Jou. I thought you were working today?"
"Nah... Finished early. The fire sprinklers went off unexpectedly, so the boss gave us all the afternoon off."
Yugi laughed. "You didn't have anything to do with that I hope?!"
"ME?!" He pointed to himself in mock innocence. "No! Of course not," he chuckled. "Two guys were smoking out back and set off the sprinklers. Wrecked most of the stuff in the warehouse. They've both been sacked."
He leaned over to see what Yugi was doing. "Missing the Pharaoh eh?"
"A little, but mostly Anzu," Yugi sighed. "I have been feeling a bit nostalgic today."
"Yeah, they was fun times. Even if we did almost get killed dozens of times," he grinned and then sagged. "Do you ever wish Atem could have stayed?"
"Oddly enough, no! Sure, I miss him, but he was never meant to stay. I don't think anyone really understands what he went through while he was trapped in the Puzzle for all that time. If I had not solved it, he would still be there, a lost and lonely, frightened spirit," he said sadly.
"Yeah, I guess you're the only one who knows what he really went through. It must have been awful for him," Jonouchi added sympathetically.
"He never really talked about it. I think it was too painful for him. But every now and again, he would let his guard slip and I would feel his pain and anguish." Yugi said reflectively.
"Yeah, he was brave... You was brave too, it must have been tough on both of you." The conversation was getting too dark so Jonouchi changed the subject."Anyway! What's Anzu up to? Have you spoken to her lately?"
"I spoke to her two days ago. She has been rehearsing for a show the school are putting on over Christmas."
"Wow! She must be real good. You gonna get over there to see her? You must be missing each other, it's a long time to go without," he leered.
"Without what?" Yugi said innocently, not catching on.
"You know.. girl action!" He made a crude gesture. "You two are an item right?! You seemed to be getting on great before she left." The look on Yugi's face told him otherwise. "You mean you two still haven't?!"
"No!" Yugi snapped abruptly. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair and scratched his scalp. "We're just friends. We kissed but that's as far as it went. How could we start a serious relationship when she was leaving? She might not even return for years!"
"Aww man, that sucks as bad as me and Mai!"
"Have you heard from Mai?"
"Nope! My little sis keeps in touch though. All I know is she is in Italy having fun with some rich bastard with a big bank balance!" He snorted derisively.
"Oh! I'm sorry Jonouchi."
"Nah... don't worry about it Yuge. I'm not too bothered. Plenty more chicks queuing up for me!" He laughed. "Anyway, what are you gonna do about Anzu? You can't go on like this. You gonna go to New York and spend Christmas with her? Shizuka said she was hoping you would."
Yugi frowned and looked worried. "I told her I would, but I don't think I can."
"Why not?!" Jonouchi looked a bit shocked.
"Because December and New Year are really busy with people buying gifts. Grandpa is also talking about retirement. His back is pretty bad, it looks like he will have to have an operation, which means he will have to rest, and that leaves me in charge of the business. My dad is also coming home from his job in England for the holiday and he will expect me to be here. How can I go to New York?!" He said animatedly.
"Yeah, I can see your point. I'm sure Anzu will understand. But you gotta to tell her how you feel about her Yugi. You can't just leave things as they are or you will end up like Mai and me, and it ain't fair on either of you to be in limbo like this either. I can see why you're frustrated."
"You're right." Yugi took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "I have been giving it quite a bit of thought and I know we can make a long distance relationship work, so I was going ask her if we could be a proper couple when I visited her. But that's looking unlikely now that Grandpa has to to into hospital."
"Can't they delay Gramp's op until after the New Year?"
"I don't think they can. He can hardly walk because the disc he damaged years ago is crumbling and pressing on nerves. It's inconvenient, but Grandpa's health must come first."
::::::::::::
The last person Anzu expected to let her down was Yugi. She excitedly rang him to tell him that she would be dancing in one of the lead roles in the school show.
"That's awesome! I always knew you would be one of their best dancers," he replied happily.
"I can't wait for you to come and see me dance! Have you bought your tickets yet?" Yugi went quiet for a moment. "Are you still there? Yugi?!
"Not yet... I.. I don't think..." he cleared his throat. "Grandpa is going into hospital on the fifteenth of December, for an operation on his back, which means I will have to run the shop on my own. We get busy in the run up to Christmas."
"Oh..." Anzu felt utterly deflated but tried not to sound disappointed. "How long will your grandpa be in hospital for?"
"About a week to ten days. Then he has to be careful and not do silly things like climbing ladders to clean windows and gutters while it heals. My dad is coming home from England too and he will expect me to me to be there. I'm sorry Anzu, I really am." Would it make things better if he told her he loved her? He would probably sound like a hypocritical jerk! I love you and I want us to be together, but my family comes first so I can't come and be with you. No! Grimacing, he could not bring himself to say it.
Anzu heard him mumble something to himself. "Are you okay Yugi?"
"Not really," he huffed. "Why does everything always have to happen at the wrong time?"
"It's not your fault Yugi," Anzu did her best to not sound upset. "Maybe you can come over in the New Year sometime? I would love you to meet my friends and see New York."
"Yeah, I will try and fix a date," he smiled. "Speak to you soon."
"Bye Yugi."
"Bye." There was an awkward pause as one waited for the other to disconnect the call, neither of them wanted to be the first one to hit 'end call'..
"Bye Yugi." At last Anzu ended the call and let out a frustrated groan. She had lost her bet and now had to go on that stupid date with Peter.
Groaning, Yugi put his head in his hands and slumped forward onto the cusions. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
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Anzu and Peter had to spend a lot of time together rehearsing for the show.
They had been paired to dance together because their teacher had seen the potential in their dance partnership. For some reason they just seemed to click.
After they had finished the first rehearsal, he asked her out yet again.
"I'm not sure if I should." She was still hesitating.
"Well, that's an improvement on a straight NO! Please tell me what I'm doing wrong? Don't you like me? Do I smell?" He pretended to sniff his armpit and pulled a face, making Anzu laugh.
"I do like you, it's just... Me! I haven't quite got over a guy I went out with back home."
"Oh..." he quietly responded. "I didn't know you had someone else. If you want me to back off, I will."
"No! To heck with it. I can't keep moping after Yugi forever. Yes, I will go out with you Peter." There, she had said it! Anzu felt a huge lump forming in her gut and a tightness crept up through her chest. What on earth was she doing?
"Yugi, huh! That's your ex?"
"Y.. yes," Anzu nodded slowly. She and Yugi were not really a couple, they were not even officially dating, and he had let her down. So why did she feel like she was double timing him?
She was nervous but there was no backing down now. She had never been out with anyone other than Yugi and she had no experience with dating. The new friends she had made in New York, had all lost their virginity already and one or two were in serious relationships. Anzu had only ever snogged (as Sally so eloquently put it) Yugi – once! Sally thought Anzu's innocence cute.
She had the worrying feeling that she might be about to lose that cute innocence.
Thank you for reading.
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