Hi, I know, its been a while. My notes are coming back slowly. I know I've left many of my stories and haven't updated in so long, I truly am sorry and I'm working my butt off to get them up. Life is doing some stuff that's being time consuming and such.

So, I present, the next chapter of Anzu's Avenging Angel.

Disclaimer! I own NOTHING!

Anzu's Avenging Angel

Chapter 2

Striding through the maze of intricate passageways, Atem wrestled to get his temper under control. He was the of the leader of Powers, an elite group of warriors originally formed to police their own kind but whose sole purpose was now hunting down and terminating those who joined Lucifer's ranks. He should have been immune to the trappings of humans, like his Master. Or so he would have liked to believe. It was a valuable lesson born home by a tiny brunette he could have crushed with his pinky if he'd been inclined. But he hadn't and it just pissed him off.

Instead, the need to draw her into his arms had slammed him in the chest the moment he saw her. For the briefest moment, he'd actually felt his soul reach for hers. Atem had stopped that shit almost immediately. He'd seen what mating with a human had done to Seto, apprentice to Gabriel. The death of Kisara Moon had damn near destroyed him. In the four hundred years since she'd be slain, he and Seto had spoken maybe a couple dozen words and those had all been hostile. At least from Seto's end of the conversation. He blamed Atem for her death. It was why Atem had agreed to help the human. He wanted to make amends. Not because she made him hard and his soul cry with need.

"Big of you to grace of with your presence."

Atem folded his arms across his chest and arched a brow at his second in command, hardly amused by Joey's sardonic drawl. Never mind Joey had been the one Anzu had been trying to summon. Anzu . . . Best to forget about her with all that luscious chocolate brown hair smelling like lilacs.

Shit! If he got a hard-on, Joey would never let him live it down.

"Maybe if you'd had something interesting to impart, I'd have stuck around."

"How's this, lord asshole? A report has come in from Skath. A witch managed to scry upon one of Lucifer's high-ranking lieutenants."

"Who?" Atem demanded, letting the asshole comment slide because when Lucifer's name was uttered in his presence, the rage flooding his system usually prevented him from concentrating on anything else. That day when he had to defend his Master from the backstabber, barely a day old as an angel newly apprenticed. The day Lucifer had almost killed Michael, as well as himself when he had literally stuck a knife in his back. Whenever he was reminded of that, rage that he almost had no control over, took over him. But not this time. Today the all-encompassing fury was replaced with something feeling suspiciously of fear.

Joey cocked his head to the side, studying Atem for a moment. Holding his breath, Atem waited for the smart-ass comment that never came.

"Bakura. He's somewhere in the Houston area."

As the air rushed from his lungs, Atem nodded, glancing away. If Bakura was in Houston he was far from Boston and Anzu. "Gather a team and keep me informed. I want to know every move he makes before the bastard makes it."

"Atem, what's going on?"

Atem had turned to leave, wanting to gather a few things from his room before he returned to Anzu, but Joey's quiet question stopped him in his tracks. He sighed. It wasn't like he was particularly surprised. He didn't usually get involved in the hunt unless it was for one of the top-ten ruling archdemons. He commanded and his lieutenants followed. It was how things had worked before Kisara had pulled him into this mess. Before Anzu.

"I have the chance to fix things with Seto. It's a long shot, but a shot nonetheless, and one I can't pass up."

"What? How?"

Atem smiled at Joey's surprised excitement. He'd have shared Joey's joy if only he didn't fear there was much more at risk then Seto's friendship. Atem suspected his entire way of life was in peril, his very soul in jeopardy.

"I believe I know what Bakura is after, but I do not understand why. There is a human he hunts, one I have vowed to protect." At Joey's cocked eyebrow, Atem sighed. "It's a long story, but Kisara has latched onto the human and it was to her I have given my vow. I can only hope once Bakura has been destroyed and the human's safety is ensured, my debt to Seto will have been repaid."

"Just like that?" Joey said, crossing him arms over his chest.

Glancing over his shoulder, Atem just shrugged. Truly, he doubted it, but it was the first chance he'd ever gotten to repair the mess with Seto. He suspected the only way he'd ever receive Seto's forgiveness was by experiencing the soul-crushing death of a mate. His mate. And Atem swore there wasn't a chance in hell of that ever occurring. His job did not include a mate, no matter what Anzu Mazaki made him feel.

"Let me deal with this human, Atem. If you vowed to protect her, wouldn't it make more sense for you to lead the hunt? There is no one more capable."

Atem turned back to Joey. Here was his chance. Though he had given his vow to Kisara, technically since she was not the one who called him into the circle, he was not required to uphold his end and he could send Joey in his place. And his lieutenant was correct. Relations with humans were not exactly his forte. Hell, he'd probably end up doing more harm than good. So why did the thought of Joey anywhere near Anzu make him want to hit something?

The answer was something Atem would rather not consider, though he knew. Deep in his heart, he knew.

"While nothing would give me greater pleasure, the vow I gave was very explicit. I must ensure Anzu's protection."

"Anzu?" Joey repeated quietly and hearing her name on his lieutenant's lips reinforced Atem's belief. He was screwed with a capital 'S'. He tightened his fists to keep from popping his SIC* in the mouth.

"Care to elaborate?" Joey glanced down at Atem's clenched hands.

"No." he snarled and stormed out of the room, taking the flight of stairs two steps at a time. Before he could open the door to his room, a soft, commanding voice stopped him.

"Atem."

He turned to see his Master, Michael. "Master?" He looked the same as always. Blond hair, blue eyes and a body the spoke years of training. His white wings looked like diamond, like always.

"You know why I'm here."

He raised a brow. "Do I?"

He smiled. "You cannot fool me, Atem. Anzu Mazaki is a very charming woman."

"Master . . ."

Michael chuckled. "Yes, yes, keep it a secret from Seto, I know." He paused for a second. "Does this Anzu have anything to do with-"

"Yes, Kisara has watched over the girl since she was a child and has made me vow to protect her. I'll try anyway to rebuild my friendship with Seto." He whispered.

Michael patted him on the shoulder. "Then do what you must, I didn't teach a fool, Atem."

"Yes, Master." He said and went into his bedroom and closed the door. He was glad that his Master would hide his secret from everyone. Of course, Michael wouldn't tell a soul, but for some, like Duke, a new apprentice angel of Raphael. He loved tweaking Atem's temper for his own amusement. He should probably keep Duke busy for a while, which led his thoughts back to Anzu. He definitely didn't need Duke showing up in the middle of this assignment.

Damn it. He didn't need this mess right now.

But there was no avoiding it. Few angels suspected the truth about mating, and the small minority who had found theirs believed themselves to be the exception. It was a lie, or course. Across time, across space, across dimensions, there was a soul mate out there for each one of them.

Angels had been created with the capacity for great love, and what grander love existed than the unselfish bonding of two individuals?

Stuffing articles of clothing into a duffel, Atem tried to ignore the dismay that always overcame him when he considered those early days, when Earth had been discovered and some angels had set off to occupy the planet. It was then the first changes had begun, when Lucifer had met Lilith, when the first visions of hell had been conceived. He had been a mere child then . . .

Sighing, Atem zipped the bag closed. His Master had fought it, strived to keep Lucifer and Lilith apart, just as he had attempted to dissuade Seto away from Kisara. But Lucifer did not listen to his Master and Seto did not listen to Atem, he and his Master had been right about both of them.

Now it was his turn, so it seemed. Would history repeat itself once again? Or would the Fates look more kindly upon him?

Doubtful. Those bitches hated him.

Duke had suggested bribing the trio. With chocolate. Shaking his head, Atem's lips formed a small smile. Duke always unintentionally pissing them off and getting his ass burned in the process. Atem, on the other hand, had never cared one or the other. Guess it helped the Fates were terrified of him.

Throwing the duffel over his shoulder, Atem left his room his room, wondering if this would be the last time he would be gracing these four walls. Or was he destined to return a haunted shell like Seto?

Maybe he should pay the Fates a visit, see if Anzu had crossed their notice. But then he decided not to. That would be attracting unwanted attention.

Exiting the Hall of Powers, Atem surveyed the landscaping making up Heaven. It was one of the many different dimensions. There were others, like Hell, Fairie, Merwood, and Earth, where humans and those with human origins could travel between, but it was believed the only entrance into Heaven for those earthbound was through death. Atem was one of the few who knew differently. It was another lie, propagated to prevent the fallen from attempting to surge the Pearly Gates, If they could only find them. Finding the entrance to Heaven was the trick.

Atem and the rest of the angels were not tied to the Earth like their human counterparts, but aside from that fact, they had far more in common with the species then most would be willing to admit. Hell, humans were the children of angels, after all.

Damn Kronos and Rhea for starting this mess. If they'd kept their hands off each other he wouldn't be in his current position.

Shaking his head, Atem concentrated on his intended target, visualizing Anzu before teleporting back to her. A moment passed as he tried to get his bearings. The small enclosure was hot and filled with a fine mist that obscured his vision. It took Atem those few seconds to determine where he was, and when he finally did, the duffel slid from his fingers.

Anzu was before him, naked as the day she'd been born, standing under the spray of water, a clear glass door the only thing separating them.

For one split second, Atem wondered how long it would take him to strip off his clothes and join her.

Drown hair now darkened by the running water, looking black, the ends coming to end slightly past her shoulders. His body tightened and he felt himself hardening and lengthening against the zipper of his jeans. Then Anzu turned and Atem almost swallowed his tongue.

Dipping her head under the shower head, she arched her back, thrusting nicely rounded breasts into the air. He clamped one hand over his mouth and another in his pocket.

He mentally groaned and clenched his fist at his side, forcing his hand to stay down while his other hand made sure he didn't groan out loud. What he wouldn't give to sink into her. Harder then steel and pulsing with need, his manhood more then agreed. But his brain, the sliver not blood deprived, recognized that something was wrong with the scene before him, and he desperately clung to that thought.

Then it hit him.

"Why the hell aren't you in the same place where I left you, safe within the circle of protection?" he yelled, causing Anzu to turn towards him.

Finally, she let out a shriek.

Oh lord, what have I done? (Laughs evily!)

Ah yes!

*-SIC is just a shortened version of Second in Command.

So? Did I do good? I hope so!

See ya!