Melting the Ice

Chapter 4: Part Favors

"You miss your brother?" Anzu repeated, stunned and confused with young boy's revelation.

Mokuba looked down at his sneakers, becoming suddenly interested in them. His eyes brimmed with tears. All emotions he had bottled up were boiling over. The boy had first been angry for Anzu for prying. Yet, realization hit him. He needed to confide into someone. Finally, he tore his eyes from his sneakers. His head tilted up at the sky. Then after finally finding his voice again, he spoke to her. Telling his painful feelings to his new nanny perhaps would make him feel better.

"I miss Seto a lot." The young boy spoke truthfully. "Lately he has been working on new deals for Kaiba Corps. He has been buying out competition, bringing out new gaming equipment, and so much more. It has been like this for a few months now. Sometimes Seto would be at his office until past midnight working. I barely get to see him."

The pieces were falling into place. Anzu could see the hurt and pain in his eyes. It made her heart ache just to see someone like him be sad. It reminded her of the mansion. There was no warmth within the walls of the Kaiba mansion. Fill to capacity with luxurious items, things she could only dream of seeing, yet it felt empty. It came down to that old saying, Money can't buy happiness. Right now, Anzu could see it fit well with the situation.

"Why not tell your brother how you feel?" Anzu asked, her orbs focusing on him.

Mokuba let out a bitter laugh, surprising Anzu. She had known Mokuba for a long time and yet she never heard him sound so angry. She believed he praised his brother no matter how wrong he was at times, or stubborn, or arrogant.

"You think I haven't tried?" His voice was sour. "You think I'm stupid?"

The older girl's hand flew up in defense. She had not meant for her words to come out like that. Nervously, she gently rubbed the back of her neck. Seeing how uncomfortable she looked, Mokuba apologized. It must have been the months of loneliness that made the boy become bitter. Perhaps the same reason he was skipping school and not getting top grades like he use too.

"Mokuba, you can't get mad your brother is trying to help you." Anzu tried to help. "It must be hectic but believe me your brother still cares for you and wants a good life for you."

The younger Kaiba did not seem moved by her words. Of all the times, she saw Seto Kaiba begin cold and cruel to others, she knew Mokuba could warm his icy heart. Seto had a soft spot for his little brother. Of course, blood was thicker then water. Yet the frown on his little face made Anzu want to hug the boy. She felt the need to help him. She is his nanny after all! Gently placing a hand on his shoulder, she gave a warm smile. The young boy's eyes found her gentle face. Her warm smile dissolved the bitter tears in his eyes.

"How about I talk to your brother?" Anzu asked. "Perhaps I can get him to take a day off and spend some time with you?"

Instantly the young boys face beamed. He stared at the cerulean-eyed girl in a mixture of happiness, disbelief, and warmth. Then without warning, he flung his arms around her. The sudden contact surprised Anzu, but the second after she hugged him back. Gently, her hand found his back and began to rub it. Parting, Anzu looked at her watch and gaped. She jumped up from her spot in shock. It was getting late and the last thing she needed was Kaiba chewing her out for not being at the mansion with Mokuba. That was the last thing she needed on her first day.

"Come on we have to get back!" Anzu said.

Jumping off the bench the nanny and the boy hurried from the park back to the giant mansion. Upon returning to the front door of the mansion, both Mokuba and Anzu were breathless and sweaty from the mad dash they made. Although exhausted it was rather fun. The doors to the mansion opened and once again, Anzu was relieved of her coat. She took off her shoes and watched Mokuba throw his stuff to the other butler. As Mokuba was trying to pull off his right sneaker, Anzu noticed the room to the right doors closed. Pondering what that room was she decided why not ask the person who lived their. Turning to the young boy, she asked.

"Mokuba what's in that room?"

Mokuba noticed her thumb pointing to the closed doors. Finally pulling off his sneaker, he dropped it carelessly to the floor. It landed with a thump and a second later, the butler picked it up.

"A dining hall, it's where we have parties. Big brother uses it for these formal get-togethers. He does not have them often but it works. We usually eat in there."

Anzu nodded. She wondered how fancy that room must look. Mokuba tugged on her sleeve and motioned for her to follow him. Mokuba bounded up the right staircase. Half way up he looked at Anzu to see if she was following. When she was at his heels, he ran up the rest of them. At the balcony, Mokuba headed through the hallway and turned left. He ran down the plush dark blue carpet with Anzu at his heels. It was funny how the young boy could switch gears so fast. One moment he was mad, then upset, and now he seemed like the same old Mokuba.

"Mokuba, where are we going?" Anzu asked, tired. She was use to running but Kaiba's steps and hallways were not small. They were long and walking down one seemed like a mile long. Mokuba suddenly stopped and then looked over at Anzu. Upon realizing that he stopped, Anzu halted, nearly crashing into him. The boy turned his innocent eyes up as Anzu caught her breath.

"My room, I have to still do homework, maybe we should use the elevator?" He suggested. The girl nodded furiously, not wishing to climb a hundred more steps or run down any more mile long hallways. Mokuba then turned right into a small space with a door. Pressing a button the door opened and he stepped in the elevator with Anzu. He pressed the number four and waited. The elevator rose and with a soft ding, then opened. The two stepped out into another long corridor. On one side, there were windows, long, white frame, French style windows. Long, dark blue drapes hung on the side of each of them. Under, the dark blue carpet was white marble floors. Between several of the windows were tables with different décor tees. Some had paintings, or a wall decoration. On the other side were three, large white doors, each closed. Anzu could only wonder what was in each.

Passing by the three doors, the two turned to the left and came to another hallway with only one large door. Mokuba grabbed the handle and turned it open. Anzu obviously assumed this was Mokuba's room. She found the room pleasant. Surprisingly, the room was well kept. She figured a house cleaner probably cleaned it. Set on the bed was Mokuba's backpack. He began pulling out his books and set it down on the floor. Anzu joined him and together the two went to work.

The time flew by that when they were finished it was already dark. Anzu got up and stretched her arms. "Do understand how to do fractions now?" she asked with a smile. Mokuba nodded furiously and thanked her with a big hug. He could not wait until Monday and show his teacher up. Anzu walked over to his window and could see a limousine pulling up in the distance.

"I guess your brother is home now." She pointed out the window. Mokuba jumped up from his spot and opened the door. A cool breeze hit them both, sending the girl shivering. Mokuba peered over the balcony banister.

"Yep, that's him!" the boy agreed. "Come on!" Mokuba dashed out of the room. Sighing Anzu followed him back to the elevator to take them downstairs. When the door opened, they walked out and went down a hallway and through another pairs of doors. This led to the living like room Anzu had been sitting in earlier. They crossed the room, went through the doors on the other side, and then walked back into the main hall. A second later Seto walked in, blue trench coat swishing behind him and briefcase in hand. The moment he stepped inside, he looked over at Mokuba and Anzu. His eyes went cold like ice as he stared at the cerulean-eyed girl. Then he turned to Mokuba with a lighter but still stern look in his eyes.

"Hello Mokuba," he greeted, ignoring Anzu. The young boy smiled and greeted his big brother with a cheerful smile. Seto looked around to see if anything was out of place. Once satisfied he turned to Mokuba and said, "Go up to your room, I shall be there shortly." Nodding curtly the boy ran off without questioning. He then turned to Anzu and said, "Come with me."

His voice sounded tough and no nonsense. She began to think the worse. Would he fire her? What could she possibly do to provoke him into firing her? She followed him up the stairs and down in the long hallway.

After a moment, they came to two large white doors. The knobs were gold color, the design on the door had what seemed to be blue eyes white dragons with the initials S.K. Seto opened the door, and the two came to an office. Under plush light blue carpeting were hard wood floors. The walls to the left and the right had cherry wood bookshelves pressed up against them, completely filled with books. However, Anzu could see that the walls were white and the room was now lit from a large ceiling fan above them. Across from her was a desk, with several papers, neatly organized, a desk lamp, and a closed laptop. A black leather chair sat behind the desk. Behind the chair, were two large French doors that led to the balcony.

Anzu held her breath as Seto placed his briefcase down. He sat in his chair and before speaking to her jotted something in a planner. Then he looked up at her. His eyes showed no expression.

"First day on the job and I'm mildly impress that this house isn't burnt to the ground." He said coldly.

Anzu would have retorted but she thought better of it. She wanted to keep this job. Brushing it off, she gave Seto a small smile. He continued.

"Anyway I will be requiring your assistance tomorrow night. I am having an important dinner party with several important people. Mokuba will be attending and I will not be able to keep an eye on him so I require you to come. This is an important so I expect you to wear clothing suitable for the occasion. The limo will be at your house at seven-thirty"

He looked at her in disgust. She was in her school clothes. From all the running and fun she had with Mokuba, she looked quite unkempt. None the less she still looked better then some people. Once again, she kept her comments to herself. She knew Seto Kaiba would not treat her any different. Yet she had to tolerate it.

"You are dismissed," he said waving her off, "The limo is waiting."

Nodding, Anzu left without another word. She made her way down the hall and back to the main entrance hall. Her shoes, coat, and bag were there waiting for her. As she began to put on her shoes, she remembered the promise she made to Mokuba. However, she did not want to annoy Kaiba so she decided to ask tomorrow. Overall, it was not a bad first day.

Wonder what I should wear.

Mokuba sat in his room playing video games when Seto walked in, softly knocking as he went. Mokuba paused his game and hopped off his bed. Seto looked at his schoolbooks still on the ground in a mess.

"Have you done you homework? Did you eat anything?" The interrogation began. He wanted to see what kind of a job Anzu did. Mokuba showed him the work and to Seto's surprise, the problems were properly done. Seto placed the papers down and looked at Mokuba who was grinning sheepishly. Seto explained about the dinner party and then said goodnight to his little brother. Mokuba frowned as his brother left and went back to his game.

The next day, after telling Yugi she was too busy to go out and get ice cream, Anzu rummaged through her closet for something to wear. She threw out item after item, desperately looking for something to measure up to Seto's standards. The last thing she need was Seto making fun out of her, again. Finally fishing out two dresses, she laid them out on the bed. The first one was a cerulean blue that matched her eyes. It was an off the shoulder, long sleeved dress. On her, it would hug her curvy body while it came down to just above her knees in the front, while the side and back swooped down lower. The second dress however was black with long sleeves and turtleneck. It would come down to her thighs but hugging her body like the other one.

For a moment, she pondered on which dress to wear. She began to pick the black one thinking about being conservative when there was a knock on the door. Wondering whom it could be she opened it and saw no one.

"Hey, Anzu,"

Anzu looked down and saw Mokuba. At first, she was surprised to see him but realized her mother must have let him in. She allowed him inside her room.

"Am I late?" Anzu asked.

"No, I decided to come early so we can talk." The boy said glancing around her room. His eyes fell on the dresses. "Are you going to wear this one?" He held up the blue one. "I think it's beautiful." He held it up to her and then tried to imagine her in it. Then he placed it down. Anzu took the dress and decided to wear it. It seemed like a better idea.

"What did you want to talk about?" she asked sensing his uneasiness.

"How come you didn't talk to Seto?" he asked cutting it short.

Anzu sighed. She sat down on the bed, holding the dress. Looking at the boy, she told him the truth.

"Tonight after the party I promise to talk to him." Mokuba looked suspiciously at her. Anzu held out her pinky finger, "Pinky swear." Mokuba hooked his small finger to hers and they agreed on it. The older girl gave him a gentle, warm, smile. She then took the dress that Mokuba picked out and held it up against her. Glancing at herself in the full-length mirror, she admired the dress. It was beautiful. Her mother had picked it out for her for fancy dinners or such.

"I guess I'll go change." She headed out the room leaving Mokuba to himself. Once alone, Mokuba looked around the cozy room. It had posters of singers and dancers on the wall. She had a desk for doing homework near the window, a bed for sleeping against the wall. The floor was hardwood and had a white rug on it. Stuffed animals decorated the area around Anzu's pillow. Minutes later the girl returned. The young boy stared. Anzu did not look beautiful at all. She looked gorgeous! The dress fit her perfectly.

She did a quick twirl in front of the mirror and asked Mokuba how she looked. Honestly, he told her what he thought. Smiling, she took the brush from her desk and began to undo the tangles in her hair. Finishing that she placed a silver barrette in her hair, pinning back some of her hair. Next, she placed a touch of make up on her face, accenting her beautiful features. Done with her make up, she walked around the room. Mokuba watching her lazily. Anzu fished out a pair of black high-heeled shoes and placed them on. The way the shoes looked on her made her slender legs look much longer.

"I better take a jacket." Anzu said taking one from her closet. It was a warm and it was a dark blue color and came down to her waist. She looked over at Mokuba and smiled. "I'm ready to go." Mokuba hopped off the bed and together the two left the room.

"I guess you're my date for the night." Anzu joked.

"Well I get the coolest person at the party, next to my brother but he's not a girl so that don't count, as my date." The boy grinned sheepishly. Anzu ruffled his hair and then the two headed out to the waiting limousine.

At the Kaiba mansion, Seto was dressed in suit, looking quite professional. His hair was kept the same way, as usual, and his eyes were the same cold stare. Nearly all the guests arrived already but Seto did not care for them right now. Looking at his watch, he began to pace wanting to know where his little brother and his nanny were. It was irritating waiting for them, knowing business deals were still floating in the air. Just then, the front door opened. Mokuba appeared.

"Where have you been?" Kaiba demanded. "I was with Anzu. She'll be here in a minute," Came the younger brother's reply. Seto however could care less. Now that Mokuba was back, he proceeded into the dining hall where the guests were. Once inside he began to mingle, not something he liked to do. Yet it had to be done. The guests seemed pleasant, enjoying themselves, and eating the appetizers and drinking the expensive champagne. Music was playing and some people liked the soft soothing sound. As Seto was observing the area, someone tapped his shoulder. Looking behind him, he saw an older looking man.

"Kaido," Kaiba said addressing him. Yet it was not a friendly greeting.

"Ah, Seto Kaiba a nice party you have here, fine furnishings indeed. I must say this party is wonderful." Kei Kaido was an older man, in his late thirties. He was taller then Seto but not at all as intimidating as Kaiba looked. His hair was jet black and eyes were brown. He wore a dark black suit and had his emblem pinned to his jacket. Seto hated small talk. He also did not like Kaido. Seto had been competing with that company for months and has been trying to force them into bankruptcy or what not. Yet, it seemed that Kaido knew how to play chess too but Seto would see to it that he would get the checkmate. Inviting him to the mansion was not something he really wanted but then again people did many things they did not like to get what they wanted. Seto was no different.

"Now who is that lovely young lady," Kaido said astonished. Seto snapped from his thoughts and noticed several of his guests were looking over at someone. Curious, Seto moved through the crowed to see whom they were staring at. Shockingly, Kaiba opened his mouth in a gasp. Standing with Mokuba near a food table, Anzu was talking to the younger Kaiba. The looks people gave her went unnoticed to her as she spoke solely to Mokuba.

The lighting from the chandelier above them seemed to make Anzu's creamy skin glow angelically. The dress hugged her curves nicely while showing off her legs. Seto was rather shocked to see her dressed like this. Normally he would see her in her school uniform. Unlike everyone else, who was who were wearing black, grey, or white Anzu was the only one wearing blue.

"Who is she Kaiba?" Kaido pried.

Ignoring him, Seto marched forward, pushing pass people and headed toward her. Once at her side, Anzu's attention fell on the older Kaiba brother.

"Yes, is there anything you need, Mr. Kaiba?" Anzu said courtly. Mokuba snorted out a laugh. Kaiba stared at her, unsure what to say to her. He had been worried she would embarrass him by looking poor. He never expected her to look like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. Just then, someone else entered the circle. It was Kaido again. He held out his hand to Anzu.

"You my dear are a treasure among woman, your name?" he asked, making both Kaiba brothers gag. Anzu placed her hand into his and he gently brushed his lips across her knuckles.

"My name is..." However, Kaiba cut her off, pushing between them. Seto stared at Kaido, warning him to back off. Then turning to Anzu, he grabbed her by the elbow and Mokuba as well. He dragged them through a door, leaving the Kaiba security to watch the party guests. Kaiba dragged both brother and nanny into an empty hallway. Before Anzu could get a word, Kaiba snapped at her.

"Do not talk to that man under ANY circumstances, Masaki. I told you to come here to watch Mokuba in something suitable."

"This dress is suitable and why did you invite that man then?" The girl asked for her and Mokuba.

"This party is by no means a friendly get together. It is a way for me to outdo my competition. Find their weakness. In a company, there is always a weak link. Once it is found the whole company will go to its knees. It just takes time to find it. You, even though have no access to any thing in Kaiba corp. are still very much a threat."

Kaiba then eyed Mokuba. He gestured him to leave. Sighing, Mokuba headed to his room, leaving his nanny. However, before he left he held up his pinky to Anzu. She got the message and gave him a slight nod. The boy disappeared behind a corner.

"How am I a threat?" Anzu asked crossing her arms.

Kaiba snorted. "You are thick Masaki. You are very well a weak link in my company. Not you personally and the reason why no one must know about your employment is that you are watching MY brother. Many have tried to use my brother against me. I will not allow you bring harm to my brother!"

Anzu swallowed hard feeling a lump growing in the back of her throat. That made sense. Kaiba was protective of his younger brother. Mokuba also owned part of Kaiba Corp. If anything were to happen to Seto, then Mokuba who would own it. After a long silence, Kaiba broke it.

"You can leave now." He said shortly. He then went to go back to the party. Anzu however knew of the promise she made and this time she would keep it. Finding the courage and the right words Anzu spoke out to him.

"Kaiba," she said. "I need to talk to you about something important."

"Whatever it is can wait." He shrugged her off.

Angered she fired back, "No! It cannot wait at all. I want to speak to you about Mokuba."

This got his attention even though it annoyed him.

"Tomorrow, you will not be busy correct? I wanted to let you know Mokuba has been feeling lonely lately and would like to spend some time with you."

"What is this some joke?" Kaiba growled. "If Mokuba needed me he would have told me. Not someone else let alone his nanny."

Ignoring his comment Anzu continued. Her eyes full of determination. "You may not believe me, but Mokuba misses YOU! You are so busy that you hardly ever get a chance to be with him. Please for his sake, talk to him."

Kaiba stared at her for a moment. The hallway was silent. The two stared at one another then finally Kaiba turned and walked away, going back to his party.

X, X, X,

Author note- This is the end of chapter four. Will Seto listen to Anzu or will his arrogant nature turn him from the truth? Find out in the next chapter. I wrote this chapter, however, with only two and a half hours of sleep. So if its not up to par, sorry.

Thanks to…

Amazoness Archer- Do not worry, the Seto Anzu moments will be coming. I promise. Thanks for the review.

Nightfall2525- I was not exactly sure what you said, but Anzu did talk to Kaiba but if he listens… that has yet to be determined. Thanks for the review.

Stephanie- Thanks, I have to form a way to get Seto and Anzu together without just making it sudden, little snippets h. Thanks for the review.

Guari- Glad you like it. Thanks for the review.

Drkmagiciangrl25- I hope this update is soon enough. Thanks for the review.

John Cena's Basketball Star- No problem with the spelling errors, I make them all the time. Thanks for the compliments. Thanks for the review.

Mandybelle- Glad you liked the house. I based it on colors that Kaiba wears and stuff that would look like he designed it.

Starian Princess- Seto will be Seto. It is like in all the stories (or most) with Seto/Anzu relationship. Seto is a jerk but I am going to try to tweak mine in a different way. Thanks for the review.

LuvinAniManga- I hope this is a quick update. Thanks for the review.

Living Arrow- There is going to be more too it. I want to get more in depth with the Kaiba brothers while developing a relationship between them and Anzu. Thanks for the review.