Dedicated to fire19 for sticking with my sorry self all this time. I probably lost most of my readers but the characters of this story refused to leave me and I realized that it had to be finished. Hopefully I can update several chapters during this summer and then finish it within a year or so. It's very ambitious because this story is actually planned to be pretty long, but let's always strive to do our best, right? J
All righty, the plot is finally taking form as one of our major characters is going to make her debut in this chapter. Let's get the film rolling! Enjoy, everybody!
"Planetarium"
By: UnfalteringDream
Chapter 7: Important Engagements
The scenery is really beautiful- the currents folding across the glassy waters and the winking sunlight riding upon them. I clutch a little hand in mine, afraid to let go lest he drowns in the sea of his misery. I was once in his situation, ready to abandon ship because I couldn't stop hope from leaking through the holes. If anything, I want to give him the happiness I had forgone and maybe he can find meaning in the silver lining of the clouds.
Kaiba is really stupid. One day he's going to wake up and find only the ashes of his own self-destruction. At the end of the day, he has nothing but his own cowardice. However, by then, it will be too late to regain lost fairytales.
000
"Oh Mai!" Anzu moaned, clutching her head. Her cup of coffee (extra skim milk, 4 teaspoons of sugar) was left unattended to, its single arm aching to be linked with her hand. Being late afternoon, Anzu thought it was the best time to sneak out of the mansion to meet Mai by the local Starbucks. Ever since the whole newspaper-article fiasco, Kaiba's been watching her like a hawk, taking note of everywhere she's been going and making sure that if she were to go outside, she would bring a change of clothes (to change her identity) and not lead any paparazzi back to the mansion.
Mai had driven over to Domino as soon as she had received Anzu's desperate phone call. Her cherry lips were pursed in disapproval. The poor dancer had sounded so lost. So, hopeless. Like a bird trapped in a cage, with no prospect of escape. Because of this, Mai had decided to forgive Anzu for not telling her about her engagement to the devil earlier.
"I have to lie to Jounouchi, Yuugi and Honda all the time! I can't go outside without Kaiba's approval, I can't hang out with the guys anymore, and my co-workers at the Bakery are even getting suspicious how I always leave a little earlier to walk down the block to the limo! Not to mention, he's not civil to me either. Whenever we're together now, I dare not say anything to him because I know he's just going to find some way to insult me. I'm so miserable, Mai! I mean, I know we don't want to get found out and we have a mutual hatred for each other, but this is way too extreme! I want my life back!"
Mai's eyes softened with sympathy as her younger friend scrunched up her eyes and released a feral growl. The robust blond took a sip of her coffee and said, "Hm, I always knew Kaiba was a jerk, but I never thought that he would treat his own fiancé this way!"
"Yeah, well. It wasn't exactly either of our choice…" Anzu said mockingly. "Fortunately, I barely see him, except for a few minutes at dinner and in the mornings, when we get driven to school. He's usually either at the company or locked up in his home office. But during the times I do see him, he either sneers or glares at me for no apparent reason! At least I'm trying to make this work in some form or another! He's just acting as if I'm something that the cat dragged in."
"Well, hun. Welcome to marriage," Mai's lips twitched to a smile. She uncrossed her legs under the table and drew her arms to her body, leaning over the table. "That's why I'm going to be free all my life. I'm never getting tied down. I've had enough of men, they're all idiots!"
Anzu's eyes flicked up, wide with shock. "Mai! What about Jounouchi?"
"What about him?" Mai asked nonchalantly, as if Anzu had mentioned something completely irrelevant.
Anzu smiled mischievously, an all knowing smirk gracing her face. "Come on Mai! You know he's crazy about you! It's so obvious to everyone and yet you two still deny having feelings for each other!"
"Please, I would rather die than kiss that thick-headed moron."
Anzu raised both her eyebrows in amused skepticism. "Who said anything about kissing?"
"You did!" Mai cried out; the only outward clue that she was panicking was a twitch of an eye.
"I did not! You're the one that mentioned kissing!"
"I- I…"
Anzu grinned, imagining the expression on Jou's face if he were to hear about this conversation. He would be so elated. Mai, on the other hand, looked like she was being interrogated for murder. Why was she so defensive about her feelings?
"Okay, okay. I'll let it go this time," Anzu waved her hand dismissingly, holding back a laugh. Mai blinked her eyes and then cleared her throat.
"Right, well. The real problem here is Kaiba, not Jounouchi." Suddenly, her eyes turned hostile at a sudden thought. "Well, we know that Kaiba can make someone want to dive off a cliff, but he doesn't physically mistreat you… right?"
A faint image of last night's fight crossed Anzu's mind, but she shooed it off.
"No, he's never physically hurt me."
Though yesterday, when he had drawn close to her, there was something in his stature that frightened her. Like he was holding back something untamed- would Kaiba really hurt her if he got mad enough? He was at least a head taller than her and a lot stronger… if he were to hurt her she would have no way of fending him off. That look in his eyes was so frightening… like a wild animal that never knew a harness. He looked as if he would devour her if he got the chance.
A spark of blue-fire eyes clouded with raw insanity caused a cold finger to trace the length of Anzu's spine.
"Hun? Anzu?" Mai was waving a hand in front of her. Anzu blinked out of her trance and focused on the hand inches from her face. "Oh! Sorry Mai. It's just that…"
Mai settled back in her seat, looking dubiously at Anzu's intent stare at a container of Splenda on the table. Her words trailed off like the thinning of a cloud as it sheds its wisps through the sky. Soon, it has no more to give.
People flickered by the window, waiters clattered past with plates oozing the sweet scent of freshly brewed coffee beans and baked goodness, businessmen and idle teenagers chattered in a cacophony of voices all around, local arcades and stores blasted out the latest hit from Utada Hikaru and the blue sky sighed ever so morosely- a prelude of tears to come.
A whisper struggled to swim to the surface of the sea of noise.
"I've always dreamed of marrying the man I love. You know, who can not only be my husband, but also my best friend."
The sky exhaled, and the graceful leaf-and-branch skirted ballerinas lining the sidewalk spun on their roots, their miniature cousins overshadowed with awe. Little doll-flowers wearing pink, blue and yellow bonnets nodded to passing humans, their stalk-bodies and leaf-hands swaying.
A pair of forlorn irises reflected a passing couple's clutched hands.
"But a person can only take so much pain and heartache. Now, there's no more hope left for me."
A delicate finger came up to flick away a runaway emotion from the window to a broken soul and then tucked itself back into stubborn arms. She refused to be weak- she refused to allow her tape-held spirit to crumble. She kept adding more and more layers, until her spirit was completely shielded- or stifled?
"There's no more hope for me," she smiled ironically, casting a searching gaze at the awestruck girl across from her. "You really want to end up like me, Anzu?"
Anzu was silent. Mai was the last person she thought would ever spill out her deepest thoughts to anyone. She was one of those thick-skinned girls that you thought nothing could ever pierce through. Now, watching Mai wiping away any stray tear that dared to escape her eyes and laughing at her sappy Achilles' heel, Anzu had nothing to say.
Looking about the Starbucks that day, at that time, a boyfriend and girlfriend had broken up amid a flood of tears and twin lukewarm coffees, a man who was supporting his wife and 6 kids had just lost his job, a waiter had just discovered that her boss was her long lost father who had physically abused her when she was a child and two young women cried their hearts out for love that never was.
"Alright! Enough of this sappy love talk! We're going shopping till we drop!"
Despite her tears, Anzu choked on her laugh. "But Mai, neither of us brought more than a couple of dollars!"
"Kaiba pays."
This time, Anzu really did laugh. An open, airy laugh that filled the room of despair.
"What? Don't tell me he didn't give you access to his load-o'-money! You're getting married, for Pete's sake!"
"I never said he didn't! But he said I could only use this credit ca-"
"Holy goddess of the mall- look what it says on this card! He has his own personal bank!" There were practically dollar signs popping out of Mai's eyes.
"Mai! Not so loud! Besides, he said I could only use this in case of emerg-"
"This is an emergency! My mascara's running from our crying-fest!"
Anzu rolled her eyes to the ceiling. There was no point in arguing with Mai about shopping.
"Oh, come on Anzu, the man poops trillions! He won't miss a couple thousand bucks!"
000
Anzu felt the constant nagging sensation of being watched like a slight finger ghosting the back of her neck. She should have been used to the feeling of the row of maids waiting against the dining room wall to serve her every whim, but she still felt like she was being interrogated. She tried to eat her fancy chicken-a-la-something (she never had any idea what she ate at the mansion. It always sounded very expensive and French) as neatly as possible, but the sauce was basically leaping off her plate and imprinting itself onto her white and very easily stainable blouse.
With a frustrated growl, she dabbed at it with her napkin.
"Onii-san hasn't been eating with us for a couple days now… do you think he's okay, Anzu-san?"
Anzu looked up and into a pair of melancholy dark-honey eyes. Had she ever seen Mokuba look so sad? Only a couple times- since she really hardly knew the younger Kaiba almost as well as she knew the older. One may think that it's strange that two people living in the same house can barely know each other, but if one would just take a peek at how large just the living room was, one would understand. Anzu could have been stuck in one side of the mansion and Mokuba on the other and one would not even know the other existed for years.
"Um, I'm sure he's fine, Mokuba. He usually comes to dinner a little late, anyway," Anzu offered halfheartedly. Honestly, she really didn't want to spend more time with the inflated head of Kaiba Corp. He can go prey on poor innocent bunnies, or whatever a monster does in his spare time.
Mokuba nodded but then didn't even touch the beautiful formation of chicken and savory tomato-soaked sauce on his plate. Anzu saw enough to know that the only time Kaiba spends with Mokuba is during dinner. And for Kaiba to skip out on it for almost a week now, Mokuba seemed more and more disillusioned each time the maids came forward to clear his plate and Kaiba's seat remained vacant. The lively sparkle that Anzu had gotten used to as channeled courage during Duelist Kingdom, upbeat energy and loyalty during Battle City, unwavering love during Noa's virtual world and an all around altruism during the entire time she's known him, had faded. Like ashes left after a fire flickers and lies down to die, so has Mokuba's eyes lost its shine and dulled to gray.
"I'm… sure he'll be here soon, Mokuba. Don't worry," Anzu said, dismayed to hear doubt leaking through her voice. Mokuba's unsteady stare told her that he had filtered her words through and found nothing left but uncertainty.
000
"Onii-san!"
Kaiba had made his appearance right when the maids had taken steps forward to clear the plates. Mokuba bounded up out of his seat and launched himself into the waiting arms of his elder brother. He could feel the cool leather coat beneath his cheek and the consuming scent of his cologne.
"I can't stay, Mokuba," Kaiba states, as coolly as he would speak to any of his employees. Anzu, who refused to even acknowledge his presence, had recognized the tone. A pang of pain jumped from her heart to Mokuba, who emerged from a fluff ball of black nestled in Kaiba's arms to a real, hurting human being with a gaze that displayed all the ache in the world.
"You're leaving again?" his pre-puberty voice was shattering like a fragile wineglass crashing down on unrelenting reality. The sound awakened the alcoholic, look around at his shattered life, his empty house and the possessions left behind by his absent family. But Kaiba was thicker than an elephant's hide.
"Yes, but I came to inform you and Mazaki of an event we all must attend."
It was the first time he had ever breathed out her name in something other then contempt and Anzu was startled into looking up at him. He kept his profile turned away from both her and Mokuba.
"We have received an invitation to a welcome home party next Wednesday. This will be an excellent business opportunity and all of us will go."
Mokuba stayed silent, and Anzu turned her head away. Neither wanted to hear him go on about forwarding his business.
"Who is the party for?" Anzu asked quietly.
A long pause when he finally said, "Miyu Izawa."
Mokuba flicked his chin up with wide eyes. Anzu was not oblivious to this and asked who she was.
Neither Kaiba brother answered her at first. But then, just when Mokuba was about to speak, Kaiba cut him off with a brusque, "That's enough, Mokuba."
Anzu's curiosity was peaking- from Mokuba's surprised look at the initial mention of her to Kaiba's haste in covering up any information on this mysterious 'Miyu.' Needless to say, the maids were certainly taking notes on this.
"I have to go," Kaiba muttered, his turn sending his coat whirling about his legs like a cape covering an act.
"Onii-san!" Mokuba called, with such desperation in his voice that Kaiba stopped short. "I- I wanted to tell you that I've been appointed 1st chair in orchestra! My next recital is next Tuesday, and I've been waiting for you to come to dinner for the past week to tell you, but you haven't been here."
"… I'm very busy, Mokuba." Was that a hint of guilt underlying his voice?
"I know, but you've never been to even one of my recitals and my teacher really wants you there!"
"I don't know, Mokuba. The office is calling me in every second because of silly blunders. If I'm not there, the whole company will fall at the hands of those worthless geeks," Kaiba said, his hand curling into a fist. "I can't make any promises now; I can only say I'll do my best, okay?"
You've said that for the last five years, onii-san. When have your promises ever amounted to anything?
000
The bedlam of flighty parents bragging about his or her child to anyone that would listen was getting to Anzu. She ran here right after school (knowing that Kaiba would have only waited for her for 10 seconds max before instructing the driver to leave) and started her homework in the hallway outside the auditorium until they finally let people in. Walking through the doors of Domino Middle School caused many memories to inundate her mind. Yuugi had been her best friend and they had spent most of their time together. That friendship lasted until high school, even when they became friends with Jounouchi, Honda and Miho. Though they also have Duke and Bakura now too, Anzu sometimes missed those bygone days when she was Yuugi's only confident and friend.
Sometimes she was jealous of how close Yuugi had gotten to Jounouchi because she had been his best friends first. But she knew it was silly to think so because Yuugi deserved all the friends in the world, and she would have to deal with it. Besides, now, things were different. Ever since her father blew back into her life heralding his proposal, she couldn't hang out with the guys as much anymore. It's strange how quickly everything can change.
Sitting in the front seat of the auditorium, Anzu crossed her arms and hoped the parents around her would shut up. Glancing at her glow-in-the-dark watch, she moaned when the numbers read 6:35 PM. Mokuba's concert started at 7:00 PM. She came to see Mokuba, and also to make sure Kaiba would be here. She had had enough of Kaiba's wishy-washiness when it came to making promises. In the end she decided to go with her motherly instinct and came to watch Mokuba perform.
Besides, I'm sure he'll want to see someone to come and support him.
000
Behind the red curtain, Mokuba was silently hoping that despite all the past times his onii-san had failed him before, this time would be different. Ever since Kaiba had tried to steal Yuugi's grandfather's Blue Eyes White Dragon, he had not been himself. Before, he would drop everything if Mokuba asked him to. Now, it was like trying to pry a leech away from its victim. Kaiba would never leave his work… not even for Mokuba.
No! Onii-san would never lose faith in me! I have to believe him!
A warm, supporting hand fell on his shoulder and for a second, Mokuba thought it was his older brother. But it was his teacher, asking if he was ready. Her beautiful face shadowed partly by the beaming stage lights above her- her lip gloss and blue mascara shimmering, made Mokuba want to cry. She cared for him almost like a mother, much more than Kaiba did now. She always asked where his brother was and why he would never come to hear his talented younger brother. She wanted Mokuba to be the happiest kid there is, not only because she was still unmarried and didn't have her own kids, but because she believed in him like Kaiba did.
Or used to.
The curtain began to part and a stream of light was pouring onto the stage. His eyes flooded with light, Mokuba squinted to spot the one person he wanted more than anything in the world to see.
000
Anzu's eyes were wide with panic when the claps started and the curtain began to peel apart.
Where in the world is Kaiba?
When she looked up on the stage, she saw Mokuba sitting in the very front, eyes darting all about the audience, filled with childlike hope. It was clear who he was looking for.
The young orchestra teacher in the middle of the stage bowed to the audience with a warm smile and then turned. With a swift flick of her baton, the orchestra of students released their souls through the sliding of their bows upon smooth string.
Anzu kept peeking around, twisting left and right, hoping against hope to see Kaiba. In her brimming despair, she didn't hear the lady beside her comment to her husband, her voice laced with a mother's concern.
"That boy in the front-the one with black hair- is he all right? He looks like he's crying."
000
The crowd stood like the rising of a mountain, claps bouncing off the walls, many parents whooping and whistling. But the shrill sounds fell on a pair of deaf ear. All Anzu could see was Mokuba- whose crestfallen and empty look seemed out of place amid the happiness beaming from the smiles of his classmates.
He stood suddenly, attracting the attention of many. His teacher looked over at him with a bewildered stare. Several people stopped clapping. Without a word, he sprinted off the stage, leaving his violin staring up at the ceiling from his chair, his bow dropping to the floor with a clank.
Anzu stood without pause, and dashed out of the auditorium to catch up with him.
000
He ran like the whisper of wind rushing past his shoulders.
He ran out of the school, the belt around his khaki pants straining against his waist. He ran through the parking lot and down the sidewalk. He ran down the deserted streets and through the Domino playground.
He ran so fast that his unruly hair was set free from the confines of his hair tie.
He ran fast so that his pain could not catch up. So that he won't feel the wetness of tears running placid down his cheeks. So he could leave his soul behind him. So that he wouldn't have to feel anymore.
Onii-san… how much longer can we go on like this?
"MOKUBA!"
Someone stopped him and held him tight, which only elicited more angry tears. He wanted to flood his body, to drown himself as quickly as possible. The pain had caught up with him. He cried out and struggled to break free of it.
"Mokuba! Stop! Calm down! It's me, Anzu!"
The whole time he had been running, he couldn't see anything through his tears. But now, he finally opened them and Anzu's worried face filled his vision. At first, his heart slowed its beating as he thought of her coming to the concert to see him and then chasing after him all this way. But then his chest tightened again as he realized that he didn't want her to do that- he wanted his older brother to.
"Where's onii-san?" he demanded with dark eyes. Anzu was taken aback. His voice had suddenly gotten very deep and aggressive. This wasn't the Mokuba she knew.
"Why are you here? Where's my brother?"
"He- he… didn't come, Mokuba."
His face scrunched up again as if he was going to yell at her, but then it crumpled. His face was wet once more as he looked up at her, his bottom lip trembling.
"He never shows up to any of my recitals! He always promises me that he'll come, but then there's always an emergency at the company or he has to work overtime! The only time I see him sometimes is during dinner and even then, he leaves after a couple minutes! All I want is for him to be proud of me, but I can never show him because he's never there!"
He screamed the last word at the top of his lungs and it banged against all the surrounding objects. They rang his despair several times, echoing his heart's pain. Anzu did her best not to flinch.
Several moments passed in this faint chorus of Mokuba's words, and his red face finally began to pale and his breathing slowed. Anzu never broke her gaze from his, for she seemed to communicate more effectively to him this way, rather than saying anything.
Finally, she pushed herself up on her knees and then feet, leaving a small gust of apricot-strawberry scented wind to blow to the stunned Mokuba. Somehow, that scent awakened a long lost yearning in his soul- a yearning that every little boy had, a yearning that died before he was even born, a yearning that his onii-san could never fulfill.
A yearning to be held by a mother.
When a smile lighted her face and her hand came out to reach for his, to Mokuba, Anzu seemed like a guardian angel waiting to fly him away from this wretched world.
"Come on. I want to take you somewhere special."
000
I've never had a mother. She died giving birth to me and a couple years later, dad left. Though onii-san took care of me, I always felt guilty for killing mom. I think that's why dad left too. If it wasn't for me, would big brother still be happy?
I… would like a mother. I always saw how the other kids at my school bragged about their mothers making them special bento boxes and little treats. I know it sounds childish, but I'm jealous of them. At the orphanage, all of us dreamed about having mothers. Onii-san said that he still remembered ours. He said that she loved us and never regretted dying for me. But how is that fair? I never got to meet her or even say goodbye…
I know he misses her. He probably thinks of her every day. And Miyu too. I wonder if he would be happier now if they had been allowed to be together then.
I wonder how he's going to react when he sees her again?
He used to call me Mokie, but now he barely says my name anymore. I never see him and he never comes home. I don't know who he is anymore.
I've never noticed how bright the Domino city lights are at night. They are so bright that it doesn't even seem like nighttime. There is so much noise in the streets and so many neon signs. Anzu-san first dragged us into the arcade, and challenged me to every single game! (She wouldn't tell me how much it was.) I won her at everything except DDR. But then she told me not to feel bad because she had practiced dancing so much that she was just as skilled in it as I was in strategic games.
She teased that I was finally smiling. Big brother never had any time to take me out. Sometimes he would just drop me off at the arcade with some money and then come back to pick me up, but he never played with me. To see Anzu-san trying to aim at the flat screen with her plastic gun, or holding my hand steady while I aimed for a basketball hoop (the biggest prize was a stuffed blue eyes white dragon), made me very happy. I was just as surprised as her when my tears disappeared and I was grinning from ear to ear.
I've never come to Domino beach before. Anzu and I are standing here in the quiet, ice cream cones melting slowly in our hands. Y heart is still beating fast from our crazy arcade competitions from before. I can't stop thinking of how nice Anzu is to me. Why did she put so much effort into making me happy? Why is she the only person in the entire world who has ever looked me in the eye and asked, "What do you want, Mokuba?"
I want…
I want okaa-san and obaa-san to still be alive. I want onii-san to become his old self again.
I want… "I want… I want Anzu-san to…"
I stop when I looked up to her face to see a tear on her right cheek. Suddenly, the sky opened up and rain began to fall.
"Sorry Mokie," she wipes the wetness off her face but then more gathered around her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. I couldn't tell if it was rain or tears. "I can't stop thinking about a good friend every time I come here." She gives me a watery smile.
"I guess I still miss him."
I miss my parents, too.
I take her hand and she seems surprised. The rain stayed light but there were dark clouds in the distance. I told her the only thing I knew.
"Don't cry, Anzu-san. He would want you to be happy."
000
Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Struhl. How are the children, Anna and… James?, Anzu mused as the limo seemed to glide through the darkened streets with only streetlamps to light their way.
Hands clenching and unclenching on her lap, she couldn't help but feel that even though she was dressed like nobility, they would still be able to smell the utter normalcy on her. After days and nights of anticipation, Wednesday had finally knocked and Anzu was hardly eager to open the door half-dressed.
Thus, Jimmy had quizzed her on countless names and corporations that were sure to be represented ("I suggest you group them alphabetically, or else you'll go raving mad."), Mokuba offered to write her a cheat sheet on dining decorum ("You know what? Just follow my lead at dinner.")—heck, even Kaiba tried to help ("Just shut up and let me do the talking. You're embarrassing enough as it is.") but her stomach still twisted in knots and she could feel the sweat materializing on her brow. Perhaps she was overreacting a bit, especially when she nearly punched Jounouchi's lights out when he thought it was funny to steal her precious pictures of attendees from her locker ("I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Geez, Anzu, you still have a mean right hook.") and when she found herself chanting Mokuba's acronyms for the different forks for different courses while drifting off to sleep.
A hand rested on hers and frenzied blue eyes found reassurance in warm brown. "Don't be nervous. I'll be here," said the little dashing fellow in a midnight suit. He matched her grateful smile with a grin and then turned his attention back to his PSP console. Anzu glanced at the window once more, her heart feeling lighter.
Ever since the night of the recital, she and Mokuba had developed a bond that was beginning to feel like family. More than anybody else, Mokuba knew how it felt to be ignored and neglected by somebody who was supposed to be family, and Anzu felt a surge of anger at the thought of a certain sorry excuse for a brother riding in his own private limo behind them.
A warm weight settled against her side and she felt Mokuba's hair tickle her arm through her thin shawl. Pulling his PSP away from his lax hand, she sat up straighter so that his head could be nestled more comfortably on her shoulder. His soft, calming breath soothed her anger away and she brushed his dark bangs away from his face.
She would never understand how Kaiba could be so cold towards such a sweet and caring baby brother. She hadn't expected Kaiba to change much since they last came into contact with each other (in Egypt where they didn't even exchange greetings) but she didn't expect him to get worse, either. Before, he would have fought through hell for his brother. Now, when no card-wielding psychos or ancient Egyptian spirits threatened Mokuba's life, why didn't Kaiba take every chance to spend time with him?
"Excuse me, Miss Kaiba, but we've arrived," the chauffer (Frank, was it?) apologetically disturbed the scene and Anzu gently roused Mokuba. When he didn't stir, she didn't have the heart to wake him because he looked so peaceful. Yesterday had taken a lot out of him both physically and emotionally—she had carried him to his room after he fell into a fitful sleep during the limo ride home. "Frank, please escort him inside when he wakes."
From the rear view mirror, Anzu could see Kaiba's limo pull up behind them. All tall, dark and devastatingly handsome in a Gucci suit and a white rose cradled in his breast pocket, Anzu almost forgot how angry she was at him. Almost.
Girl, get a grip. This is nasty, mean Kaiba who deserves a very thorough scolding by yours truly. Do it for Mokuba!
After making sure Mokuba was lying comfortably on the seat, she opened the door and pointed a snarl at the offensive man looking way to good to be thoroughly evil. "Kaiba, this time you've gone too…" Was he walking away from her? Oh no, he didn't!
She hiked up her dress and followed him briskly up the marble steps, shoes clicking as she went (never mind that the other couples arriving were casting curious glances their way), the magnificent scenery lost to her rage. "Kaiba!" she hollered at the top of her lungs when she finally reached the top, expecting him to ignore her but she stopped dead in her tracks when he swiveled back to face her with a cheesy smile.
"Darling," his voice was milk and honey and she blinked several times. He gestured with a hand for her to join him and well-dressed couple he was currently conversing with. "Come meet the honorable Mr. and Mrs. Venturi of Venturi Enterprises."
Oh. OHH. This was another of his business deals. And why should she cooperate with him? As if reading her thoughts, his smile dropped and he threw her his darkest glare, mouthing Get your puny ass over here.
Well, I guess the scolding can wait, she thought. After all, she didn't spend hours upon hours studying names and titles for nothing.
Kaiba barely batted an eye when Anzu slipped her slender arm around his but her touch burned him through his skin. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her as she smiled gaily and extended her greetings to the older couple. He would rather kill himself than admit it to her, but there was a natural glow about her that went beyond her physical beauty—she seemed to gain people's trust and acceptance much more easily than he did. Everybody that met her seemed to fall for her easy charm and grace, heck—even his entire staff at the mansion seemed taken with her. Perhaps if she could use it to forward his business, she wouldn't be so much of a burden to him after all. She might even be an asset.
"And this is my husband, Mr. Anthony Venturi, the CEO of the company," the plump Mrs. Venchuri offered to the younger woman, but not without giving her a once over with stern eyes. Anzu acknowledged the man with a nod and then her eyes went wide.
"I believe we've met before, my dear?" Soft twinkling brown eyes smiled at her. Completely forgetting her 'training' (Jimmy would be aghast), Anzu stepped forward to embrace the elderly gentleman. She hadn't forgotten his kindness to her during that fateful night when her life seemed to roll downhill. Amid the stress of her engagement to Kaiba and the adjustment of living at the mansion, it was so wonderful to see a friendly face in the sea of sharks.
When she pulled back, Mrs. Venchuri looked appalled and Kaiba looked like he had been struck by lightning by how still he was. Anzu wondered if she had done something wrong when Mr. Venchuri gave a hearty laugh. "Oh, Mr. Kaiba, how lucky you are to have this wonderful woman as your soon-to-be wife. With the Kaiba Corporation in such a pair of capable hands, I think I have no choice but to accept your offer. My secretary will be faxing over the proper paperwork for the merger."
Kaiba couldn't believe it. He had been negotiating this deal for months but Anzu had gotten Mr. Venchuri to agree to it by hardly lifting a finger. "Do you mind if I escort this lovely vision inside, darling?" The husband asked the livid wife, whose face was currently rivaling a tomato. Anzu cast Kaiba a furtive look as if to say, Stop standing there like an idiot and do your part.
Biting down his pride, Kaiba extended an arm to the fuming Mrs. Venchuri and her anger seemed to dissipate like ice cream under an August sun. Feeling his arm lose blood circulation from her death grip, Kaiba reminded himself that it was all for the good of the company.
As they entered, Anzu took in the sights of a large indoor fountain with dancing streams of trickling water, soft lights accompanying the glow of stars from the glass dome ceiling and the colorful array of expensive cocktail dresses gathered around in clumps. The soft murmur of strings flitted in and out of conversations and the occasional burst of chuckles. She still couldn't believe she was actually standing among such grandeur with her gold Sherry Hill dress, Gucci clutch purse and matching shoes. "You look like an angel, dear," Mr. Venchuri whispered next to her ear and Anzu felt her heart warm. A butler bowed to them.
"Venchuri and Kaiba, please."
"Party of four? Right this way."
Thanking Mr. Venchuri as he pulled her chair out for her, Anzu barely sat before Kaiba touched her arm. She looked at him questioningly. "Before dinner is the best time to network," he explained, holding out his arm for her to link. "I still have to scold you, you know. Why should I cooperate with you?" she stepped away from him purposefully.
He gave her a dry look and she stuck out a tongue at him. Mr. and Mrs. Venchuri watched them curiously. He noticed their gaze and settled his hand on her waist, drawing her closer. He leaned forward to kiss her cheek and she leaned away reflexively, eyes wide in horror. "Come on, dear," he gritted through a forced smile. "Why are you being so difficult today, darling?"
She raised an eyebrow. "You're really desperate, aren't you?"
He gave her a deadpanned look and she suppressed a giggle. She had to admit, it was refreshing to have a civil conversation with him for once, even if it was forced. And since he was practically begging for her help (in his own roundabout way), her darned nice self felt propelled to respond. Stupid conscience.
"Mr. and Mrs. Greenberg, how lovely to see you! How are the children?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Raja! Delightful indeed."
"How are James and Anna, Mrs. Struhl?"
"Ah, thank you Mr. Smith. And are you enjoying your stay in Japan? Where's Mrs. Smith?"
"Seto?"
A soft voice drew Anzu's attention away from the amiable Mr. Smith. A woman with long, loose ringlets framing a pretty face looked at Kaiba with great interest. As Anzu tried to connect her face with the many ones that Jimmy had quizzed her with, Kaiba barely spared her more than a nod in acknowledgement. To Anzu's surprise, rather than being insulted, the woman just laughed.
"You haven't changed a bit," she said fondly, a dimple appearing next to her smile. "It's all right. I'm just glad you came."
"Pleasure to be here," he muttered very uncharacteristically. Anzu knew better than to call him out on it.
"I'm glad," she placed a small hand on his arm. Anzu noticed that she wore the same diamond bracelet as she did but somehow, it looked even more beautiful on her tiny, smooth wrist. "How's Mokie? I'm sure he's grown so much. Did he come?"
"Mrs. Kaiba! How lovely to meet you!" Mrs. Smith had returned to her husband's side with a chipper greeting, drawing Kaiba and the mysterious woman's attention to Anzu awkwardly standing by their side.
"Um, yes. My pleasure, Mrs. Smith," Anzu responded quietly. When the couple walked away, she looked back at Kaiba to see the woman looking at her. She's absolutely stunning, Anzu thought. With large brown eyes and delicate features, she looked like a goddess in her shimmering silver dress complemented with her soft black curls.
"You must be the soon-to-be Mrs. Kaiba," she stepped away from Kaiba to grasp both of Anzu's hands in hers. "It's such a pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you, you as well, Miss…" She looked to Kaiba for help but he was still mute.
The woman's diamond earrings made her beautiful face glow almost ethereally as she smiled. "Miyu. You may call me Miyu."
Somebody tapped a glass with some silverware and the chatter and music in the spacious ballroom quieted. Miyu squeezed Anzu's hands gently before walking away, her silver dress trailing behind her like a river of stars. The attention turned to a well dressed gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair and a handsome dimple in his smile. A waiter handed him a microphone which he tapped and tested with a prolonged "Heellllo?" much to everybody's amusement.
"Ah, there we are! I would like to invite everybody to my daughter's welcome home party. Thank for you coming out tonight to join us in celebration of her return from her studies in Paris." Polite clapping and everybody went to their seats. Anzu allowed Kaiba to seat her, though a part of her still expected him to pull the chair out from under her at the last possible moment.
"Now, I'm sure we're all dying to dig into the grub," a few scattered chuckles. "So I'm going to shut up and welcome the waiters to begin serving."
With the help of Mr. Venchuri, Anzu was able to get through dinner without any major mishaps (though Mrs. Venchuri made a strangled sound when Anzu picked up her salad fork for the appetizer. Jeez, Mokuba wasn't kidding when he said dining decorum is strict). Kaiba was silent except when answering Mrs. Venchuri's prying questions. Anzu wasn't sure why but she figured that it had something to do with Miyu. She remembered how Mokuba's facial expression changed when Kaiba had mentioned her. She certainly sounded very close with the Kaiba brothers. Oh, she had wanted to see Mokuba. Perhaps I should go fetch him.
She prepared to stand and excuse herself when Kaiba's hand covered hers and forced her to stay. "I'll be right back. I'm going to go check on Mokuba," she whispered.
"Stay with me." Though he only meant it as a business tactic, the words still made her stomach twist. "Dinner's not yet over. It would look bad if you left now."
She was about to respond when the music swelled and Miyu's father came back on the microphone. "And now, it's time to get up and get jiggy with it on the dance floor. Come on, don't give me those groans. If an old geezer like me can do it, so can you!"
Kaiba rose to his feet, smoothed down the front of his suit and held out a hand that Anzu took with little thought. He led her onto the middle of the dance floor to join the other couples and began to lead her in a waltz.
She had to admit, this was… nice. Though most of their interactions this night were all feigned, she thought she saw some respect flash in his eyes while he looked at her when they were networking before. And he really wasn't that bad when he wasn't insulting her all the time. She might even admit that she was beginning to develop some respect for him as well.
The chandelier looked like a brilliant sun hanging in the middle of the glass ceiling and spilled marvelous pools of light on the floor. Twirling underneath it in dizzying circles, Anzu actually felt happy and her lips lifted in a small smile. Kaiba looked like he was about to say something and she tilted her head slightly to indicate that she was listening.
"…ank you."
"What?" Anzu didn't hear his mutter.
"Tha… you."
"I'm sorry?"
"You know what I said!" he snapped. Anzu was utterly confused. One moment he was supposedly civil towards her and the next, he was back with biting remarks.
"Look, you can't just mutter something unintelligible and then expect someone to hear you loud and clear. Why are you so unreasonable?" she said exasperatedly. And here she thought they were finally getting to the stage of mutual respect.
"I'm the one- you're the one who's unreasonable!" She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "You're really getting creative with your insults. I think you're losing your touch, Kaiba."
"Heh, you wish," he scoffed, but he didn't say anything more.
"Excuse me, may I cut in?" A tall gentleman tapped Kaiba's shoulder and Kaiba practically threw her hand into his in the same second. Anzu's foot itched to trip him as he walked away.
000
It was slightly chilly out in the garden and Anzu was pondering whether to go back inside to fetch her shawl. But she was a bit flustered from all the dancing and needed some fresh air. She couldn't believe that winter was already coming up soon. It's only been 2 months since the engagement party and it already felt like a lifetime.
Taking a seat on a bench, she gazed at the moon's pale face reflected on the pond's surface. She was getting restless for it was approaching midnight and they still had school tomorrow. I'll just rest here for a few minutes and then go hunt down Kaiba, she reasoned, hugging herself.
Canon in D drifted from the ballroom along with a couple of hushed whispers. A few excited ones traveled clearly to her.
"Wow, what a well-matched couple!"
"She's so beautiful and he looks ravishing!"
"Isn't that Mr. Seto Kaiba? Lucky her!"
"I didn't know Ms. Izawa kept a long distance relationship while in Paris."
Curiosity getting the most of her, Anzu went back inside to see the cause of all the commotion. The couples on the dance floor had begun to filter out so that only a few remained, but one pair stood out like peacocks among pigeons.
Miyu's hair cascaded softly around her shoulders and down her back, her white dress shimmering like angel wings. Her kind smile seemed to shine even more radiantly when it was directed at her dancing partner. Kaiba held her hand and waist gently as he led her around the floor, but Anzu couldn't see his expression under the shadow of his bangs. The excited chatter around her all revolved around the beautiful pair dominating the attention of everyone in attendance.
"They're perfect for each other," someone said and Anzu had to agree. She was beautiful, well-mannered and kind, a perfect match to Kaiba's short-tempered attitude. Around her, Kaiba was gentle and demure and around Anzu, he was sharp and spiteful. He seemed to open himself to Miyu, becoming temperate and vulnerable when he brushed Anzu off even when she was trying to act nicely towards him.
Somehow, that revelation hurt. A lot more than it should have. Anzu tried to shake off the gnawing pain in her chest but it only pressed harder. She had to look away, angry at herself and at Kaiba for making her feel this way.
"Anzu?" a familiar voice shook her out of her reverie. Mokuba was standing before her, looking abashed. "You should have woken me up. Were you lost without me during dinner?" he grinned, referring to her never-ending confusion with the function of each separate fork.
"Cheeky," she teased as she ruffled his hair slightly—"Hey!"—and proceeded to stir him away from the loitering crowd. She asked a waiter if he could bring any leftover appetizers to their table. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"A bit," he admitted. "Though I can wait until we get home."
"Nah, they have plenty of food here. Besides, it's already 11pm and you don't want a stomachache from eating too la—"
"Mokie?" someone called softly and both of them turned to see a streak of white rush towards them and envelop Mokuba in a hug. Anzu saw Kaiba standing a bit further off, hands in his pants pockets.
"Did you miss me?" Miyu asked the bundle in her arms, who made a noise in affirmation. "Oh, I'm so glad! Seto's told me so much about your recent accomplishments! I heard you made 1st chair in your school orchestra! Oh, I'm so proud of you!"
The waiter arrived balancing a large tray of shrimp puffs and Miyu clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Oh, are you hungry, Mokie? Come with me, I'll go ask the chef to whip up your favorite!"
"You mean pasta alfredo with extra chicken?" Mokuba's eyes seemed to gleam.
"Naturally," Miyu winked, taking his hand and giving Anzu a small smile before they left, dragging along a reluctant Kaiba on their way. Mr. and Mrs. Venchuri were at another table, talking with some business partners, leaving Anzu by herself at their table, feeling somewhat lonely. It was ridiculous because she felt almost… robbed. Like Miyu had taken something from her that was very important. But Miyu didn't seem to have a bad bone in her body and she never 'had' Mokuba to begin with. And Kaiba was a whole other story.
But something in her turned warm and fuzzy at the faint memory of Kaiba's attempt to thank her. Of course she knew what he was trying to do, she just wanted to hear it loud and clear from him. It proved that he had something with the resemblance to a heart. Though he tended to deny it, he must think she was useful in some way. It was strange, but she wanted to be useful to him. More than that, she wanted them to friends. A jealous part of her also wondered why he was spending more time with Miyu than with her, his supposed fiancé.
"Ahem, excuse me, ladies and gentleman. I know you're tired of hearing me ramble, but my daughter would like to make an announcement," the ever charismatic Mr. Izawa was back with his microphone. Everybody settled back into their seats, including the Venchuris and Mokuba, now nicely stuffed. Scanning the room, Anzu saw Kaiba escorting Miyu up to the podium and stayed by her side as she accepted the microphone from her father.
"Thank you, father. I want to thank everybody for coming out to my welcome home party. I also want to thank my father for pulling everything together, and all the staff for preparing such a wonderful evening for me. Thank you all so much." EShe bowed and everybody clapped politely.
"And before I dismiss everybody for the night, I want to extend another invitation. A very special one that I am very excited to announce." Murmurs began to sprout. Anzu looked to Mokuba but he just shrugged.
A shy smile before she spoke. "I'm… engaged to be married in the spring."
Gasps and noises of happy surprise sounded in the room. Anzu stole a glance at Kaiba, but his expression was stoic and unreadable.
"My fiancé regrettably couldn't make it here today. He's still in Paris, taking care of some business for his company but he will be here for our engagement party. Father, will you send the invitations as soon as possible?"
"Of course!" Mr. Izawa managed through his happy tears, though it came out as a whimper. Laughter ensued and Miyu's was magnified through the microphone. "Thank you, father. And I also wanted to especially welcome three very special guests here today, two of which are very close to my heart and one that I hope will be like a sister to me very soon." She looked to Kaiba beside her before turning to face Anzu's table with her radiant smile.
"Mr. Seto Kaiba, the soon to be Mrs. Anzu Kaiba and Mr. Mokuba Kaiba. Will you do me the honor of being my fiancé's Best Man, my Maid of Honor and my ring bearer?"
Before she even finished her request, Kaiba had begun to stride away. He made his way through a hushed, confused room of attendees and stalked to the door, pushing it open himself without waiting for the stunned doorman. Anzu looked after him with a stricken expression, whipping around to see shock and hurt settling into Miyu's face, and hurriedly gathered her long dress to follow after him.
000
She caught him in the middle of the steps. "Kaiba," she started, grabbing his arm but he shrugged her off, his long strides carrying him swiftly away.
"Kaiba!" she shouted in agitation, struggling to keep up with him in her heels. When they finally reached the end of the steps, she took the opportunity to run ahead of him and held out her arms to block his way. He stopped but didn't even look at her as he snarled, "Get out of my way."
"Like hell I will," she retorted and he tried to push her aside but she only stepped back quickly and held her arms out again. "What made you run out like that? That was so rude! How do you expect anybody to accept you if you always push everybody away?"
"I do what I want," he dismissed her by pushing her aside roughly.
"What about Mokuba?" she shouted after him and he stopped in his tracks. "You never spend any time with him, except maybe ten minutes at dinner! Do you know how much he wanted you to come to his recital? He was heartbroken!"
"Shut. Up." His tone was clipped, and she was glad that he was still turned away from her or she might lose her courage when faced with his fury.
"You need to hear this, Kaiba," she was almost apologetic. "You need to hear what you did to Mokuba."
"You have no right to talk to me about Mokuba," he growled before continuing to walk. She followed after him relentlessly.
"What do you mean I have no right? I have every right! I was at that recital and I saw how disappointed he was when you weren't there! One day you're going to wake up and he's going to be a man with his own life and you're not going to be a part of it. When that happens, it's going to be too late! Kaiba! Kaiba!" But it was no use. They were already off the property and he was too far away to hear her now. Her feet throbbed with the exertion of chasing after him and her lungs burned from shouting.
A limo drove up beside her and Frank came out, holding open the door with a bow and a "Mrs. Kaiba."
Defeated, she entered the limo only to be confronted with worried brown eyes. "Where's big brother going?" Anzu couldn't answer. "He wouldn't listen, would he, Anzu?" She looked at him with surprise and tears shone in his eyes. "I followed you guys for as long as I could and I heard what you said to him. He still doesn't care, does he?"
Her heart aching more than her body, Anzu drew Mokuba into the cradle of her arms.
