(I like the way this chapter came out. I was watching my favorite JRock star, Camui Gackt playing billiards on the show Heyx3 and took the idea to put the game into this since it could work so well with everything. Now go see how it turns out, dears)
Chapter Three: Mistletoe
A millisecond more and they would have kissed...
Then Mokuba woke up.
Instantly Seto was ten feet away and Anzu left disappointed. The time Seto spent talking quietly with his little brother she used to gather her thoughts together. Had she been about to kiss him? Yes. Worse, she had wanted to. What was she getting herself into? She couldn't fall for Kaiba. He was far from the kind of man she was interested in.
The fire that was burning was slowly diminishing, the wood that fed it reduced to black and white ciders, glowing a hot red. The ash at the bottom made little piles like miniature mountains. What had driven her into trying to kiss him? It was not logical for her to make such rash decisions. She was never one to go for physical attractions alone. She would be lying if she said she only cared about a good personality. It was always nice to have someone good-looking to be with. But the most gorgeous man alive could want her and she would refuse flat out if his character was one of Kaiba's.
Maybe she really was just tired. That was all. She needed rest and it caused her not to think straight. It had nothing to do with the fact that the entire afternoon Kaiba had been behaving very gentleman-like and she had found herself very much liking this new side of him. Nor was it because he had been so close to her after he caught her when she fell. His firm, lean body pressing into her delicate one had not made any difference. The strong, muscled arms wound around her waist were simply a pass-by item. His beautiful azure optics staring down into hers had gone completely un-noticed. The scent of an intoxicating cologne she had smelled had not registered. She had not truly wanted to feel those full, luscious-looking, oh-so kissable lips over her own. Not a single straying thought had gone by through her mind at what he might have tasted like. Oh God, screw it, she wasn't going to fool anyone. Was she really letting herself have appeal toward him? Impossible... Anyone but him! But yes, she certainly was.
When the two brothers began to address her she quickly cut in. "I have to go. It's really late. I didn't mean to stay so long. My family will be missing me."
Seto was ready to speak up but Mokuba piped in first. "Can you come for Christmas? Please! It's always just me and Seto and he is never any fun. Last Christmas he worked!"
Anzu laughed but shook her head. "As much as I would love that, I have my own family that I have to celebrate with. I am sure your brother and you can enjoy yourselves." She smiled up at the older and it faded rapidly. He had returned to looking the part of an impassive block of ice, all emotion apart from annoyance devoid.
Anzu bit her lip. The way he was looking at her it was a good guess that her job working here with Mokuba was over. Good bye to those nice paychecks that had been quickly transforming her bank account into a miniature gold mine. She had been giving half the money to her parents to make tax payments, for bills, and to pay off a few minor debts. Matters had been a great deal easier for all of them.
"But Anzu!" The ten-year old protested, making his best pair of puppy eyes and his irresistible pout. "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?"
"Mokuba, no. You cannot force her to stay when she wants to be somewhere else." Anzu knew he was only trying to make it sound regretful. He probably wanted nothing more than to have her out of there. "She can join us for New Year's if she desires. It would make everyone happy. You and Anzu can have your fun and I will not have to listen to endless complaints."
Eyes widening, she must have been mistaken in what she heard. He was inviting her? And sounding sincere about it? That confirmed her suspicions. Either this was a dream or Seto Kaiba was overdosing on drugs. She wasn't leaning in any direction at this point. She could never know what went on in the head of the teen CEO. "Umm..." She did not know what to say. Half of her wanted to accept and the other half really did not want to be around Seto. "Yeah, that sounds good. My parents always have a big party with their friends. It is never any enjoyment there for me.
"Now I really must be going..." she said, picking her purse up from the floor next to the tree where she had set it earlier. "But I'll see you soon." She hugged Mokuba, ruffling his long messy black hair then cast a quick smile at Seto. Standing up straight she readjusted the strap of her bag and left.
Her Christmas was not very exciting. Her two brothers had spent the entire time tormenting her, her father had got drunk and the rest of that night she would rather not go over. She wished she had gone to Kaiba's after all. The week following had not been much better and she longed for the New Year's Eve. Anything just to get out of there. Her parents had been arguing nonstop since Christmas night. Everything was completely the opposite of what she planned her holidays. She had called Yugi and tried to make plans to spend some time with him but he had been to busy helping his grandfather with the game shop.
Finally the night before the New Year she told her parents she was going out with a few... friends, not wanting to give any more explanation than that. Pulling on a light emerald green sweater over her red halter top, she rushed downstairs, slipping her dainty feet into her sneakers. She had no transportation but she did not mind walking. The sun was starting to set, casting lovely shades across the sky. It was beautiful and it felt good just to relax after being upset nearly all week long.
A light cool breeze was blowing; small piles of snow were everywhere; and the brilliant pink, lavender, orange, and crimson colors in the horizon.
Mokuba greeted her at the doors like he usually did; bouncing happily as he saw she had come after all. She had to pry him off before he would let go of her. Dragging her inside into what looked like might have originally been a ballroom; it now was made into a giant game room. Against the walls were large, wooden bookshelves, crammed full with every kind of literature imaginable. She even saw a romance novel that she herself kept in a collection and wondered if it was merely there to make everything look impressive or if maybe Kaiba had more to his sensitive side then he showed. It was not one she could picture little Mokuba reading.
There was large flat screen tv hung on the opposite wall, on and playing a program amongst the many that would be counting down to midnight. There was a pinball machine in a corner and a professional billiard table and with a few others things her family would never be able to afford. She could believe that Mokuba complained of being bored. She could see herself and her little brothers spending hours after hours in here enjoying everything.
Anzu had not spent three minutes in Mokuba's company when his brother arrived. She had been busy examining the pool table in interest. The game had always intrigued her but she had never had the chance to play. Seeing his gaze on her she straightened up immediately, blushing slightly as she said a quiet hello. Mokuba had plotted down on the floor in front of the television set, not paying attention to anything else around him. Seto approached her and gave her a small smile which, strangely, did not look forced. "Did you want to play?" he asked, nodding at the game.
"Umm…" she hesitated, and then nodded. "Yes, please. I never played before."
"It's okay, I'll show you," he said as he picked out a cue stick from a rack then handed it to her. Taking out the arrangement triangle he placed the fifteen balls inside and set it up correctly then put the white cue ball in front. "Come here," he beckoned and mentioned for her to join him on the far end. "All right, now put your feet about a foot ways apart." She listened and did as he instructed. "A little more now, just like that, good." She felt his hands gentle on her hips as he helped her move in the right way. "Bend over a bit and place your left hand on the surface. Further up, yes."
She flinched when he took her hand at first, recoiling from his touch but he gripped it tightly so she would not pull away. "Take the stick, down lower." She curled her fingers around the pole like he said. "Pull back and then drive it forward. Always do it hard the first shot. You want to scatter them all."
Covering her hand with his, he drew back her arm slightly and aided her in colliding the tip of the cue stick with the white ball, pushing it sharply forward so that it knocked straight into the tip of the arranged triangle. The multi color striped and solid balls broke apart from each other, rolling off in separate directions. His hands slipped from hers, fingers delicately brushing over her side. "Good job and look," he whispered into her ear, breath warm against her skin and motioned toward a solid yellow ball that was slowly rolling towards one of the pockets then fell in. "That is very good to get one in on the break. That is your goal. To shoot in all the solids. Avoid the black eight ball until you have all your others pocketed. That is the final shot. Get it in before you finish with the rest and the game is over. Understand?"
She nodded. She already knew the basic rules. No objections to his explanations. It was sweet and the way he kept staying so close was also pleasant. Unwillingly, she moved away, finding a position where she could get in a good shot, looking around the table. "Four, blue, left corner," she said, casting a quick glance up to see a look of surprise on his face. He had not thought she would know how to call. Stroking through, the two ball hit and the blue rolled exactly where she had predicted. Following, she made another perfect shot, a grin wide on her face.
"It thought you said you never played," Seto said to her while she was aiming again and she smiled further. "This is the first time in my entire life." She was not lying, merely determined to beat him. She wanted to prove that he was not the best at everything. Then she missed. And it was his turn. And her determination sank as he went through it like a professional, making in six of his seven before failing.
She got back at him, enjoying the little competition as it arose. One, two, three went in. Her fourth and final was the miss, bouncing off the border just right of the pocket. Sighing softly she turned her gaze to her partner and watched curiously as he walked over to where she had tapped her ball and saw him reach out, lightly pushing the ball into the designated pocket. She laughed and shook a finger at him. "You're a cheater."
He shrugged his shoulders then shook his head. "No I am not. If you are going to make such accusations, try to do it when I am not helping you. Now go, it's still your turn and you have one more to hit." Her smile faded as she looked to the black eight-ball. Where it rested now the angle would be extremely difficult for her to make, not at all in line with the white cue ball. She examined it for a few minutes, changing her spot and stance at least ten times before Seto came over. "Let me show you," he murmured to her. He stood close to her, their bodies were touching, and guided her hands with his again. "You want to hit the ball on its right side. That way it will go where you need it to, and straight into the middle pocket." His fingers were joined with hers and his face a little too near to hers. "Strike it lightly, too hard and you will miss, too light and it won't make it." Once more he helped guide her stroke, the tip of the cue touching the center of the ball to rotate it forward. Heeding his words it hit the black one on the side, making it go off on an angle directly into the pocket. "Ah, you win. Just don't tell anyone," he whispered to her. She smirked with malice then looked at him.
"Oh I will. I'll tell everyone. How you were so nice to assist me. And how you let me win."
"No you won't," he countered with confidence. "They will all just call you crazy. Since when am I nice?"
"A lot, really. You've been very kind to me. Mokuba thinks you are the best big brother in the world so I doubt that you are a horrible thing to him or around him." She smirked, having a little bit more evidence she could offer.
"He's the only family I have left!" She had to hold back a laugh as he became so defensive.
She touched his arm lightly and smiled sadly. "I know, I'm sorry. My friends already think I'm crazy working for you. Jonouchi suggested I knock you out, steal all your money then run away to live a life of eternal luxury."
"The mutt? What does he know? You would not do that to me, would you?"
Any other time she would have snapped at him and ordered to take back his rude comments. But he was close again; close enough that she could smell an intoxicating cologne on him. It smelled of vanilla... Why had she not noticed it earlier when he was helping her with the game? And why did he make her feel so helpless whenever he was near. He lifted a hand and ran his fingers across her cheek, so lightly that she was not sure that he even touched her. And it was far to gentle for his nature, too affectionate. "Yeah, the mutt." She still wanted the kiss Mokuba had interrupted the week prior and she was about to receive it.
"Hey! They're starting the Countdown!" Mokuba yelled, breaking apart another would-be kiss.
"We're coming," Seto sighed and she could hear the disappointment in his voice. So she was not the only one frustrated by the interlude. It was very nice to know. In sure comparison to the previous time he moved away from her to the soft and comfortable futon and mentioned for her to come join him. Mokuba was sprawled on the floor over a bunch of mixed cushions.
Anzu seated herself beside Seto, not too close, but she casually let the side of her lower leg rest against his. Her attention was not on the television screen but on her own thoughts. Twice now, they had come so dangerously close to kissing. There was no denying that she had wanted to and the same, she would guess, went for him. Why couldn't the little one leave them along for a few minutes?
She heard cheers and recognized them as the sound from the television. Midnight had arrived and so had the New Year. There was a dazzling show of fireworks in celebration and Mokuba clapped his hands in delight at the end. Then Seto spoke up, "Moki, fetch Anzu's present."
The boy leapt up and nodded, hurrying to a drawer to take out a small, blue wrapped box with sparkly ribbons on top. She opened her mouth to protest but was cut off. "It's a late Christmas present. We forgot to give it to you. Thank Mokuba, it was his idea. You've been a good help."
Knowing any objections would come to deaf ears she took and opened it. Inside was a bracelet, made of the most gorgeous and perfect pearls she had ever seen, their shade a pale pink. "Oh wow," she breathed, picking it up delicately as if afraid it would break. "It's beautiful." There was no way of earth these were imitations. And she knew Seto better than to think he would b caught buying anything but the genuine item. She clipped it onto her left wrist, admiring the jewelry. "Thank you so much." She hugged Mokuba and kissed his cheek, laughing as he blushed scarlet. "You too Seto." At him she just smiled. Yet, when she returned her focus to the younger he bore a look of pure mischief and evil-like plotting.
"I have another present! For you and Seto! Give me your hands." Anzu could see the boy was hiding something in his own. Obediently she reached out, his brother reluctantly doing the same and Mokuba quickly joined their hands. "Close your eyes!" His voice was singsong. Both complied and Anzu felt him slip something into their hands and close their fingers around it. It was odd: prickly and flat, and round and smooth. More of her was concentrating on Seto's hands with hers against hers rather than whatever Mokuba decided to give to them. "Open!"
Looking down and uncurling her fingers, her surprise mirrored Seto's. Mokuba had fled the room, laughing like a maniac. They were holding mistletoe.
(And here we stop. I wish that you enjoyed, as always. Please review. I am currently busy so it might take a while to get the next chapter posted but do not give up hope.)