Standing in front of the mirror, Anzu quickly twirled her shoulder-length black hair up in a bun. She slipped two lacquered chopsticks through the hair, their red and gold paint creating a stark contrast. Lightly teased bangs created a soft frame around her blue eyes. She decided to forgo any makeup, going "au natural" instead. She stood back from the mirror and took a look at herself. Staring back at her was a young women with lightly oriental features who was a little on the pale side and needing a good week or two of meals. Her breasts were overly large for her frame, a problem for a dancer, and over the years, her frame had become curvy as her hips slightly flared out from her petite waist. She stuck her tongue out at herself.

Anzu's cell phone alarm began to beep. It was time to go to Mikala's studio. Grabbing her dance CDs and purse, she quickly made her way out the door and ran down the stairs to the outside. She had estimated it would take her about forty minutes to get there. Her eyes kept scanning the groups around her as she made her way. Every few moments, Anzu's fingers would reach up and stroke her cartouche. She wondered if he would be there to see her dance, as she tried to work her way out of her mess.

It had seemed that her little white lie to Yugi decided to come to fruition and be truth. Her nap that morning and early afternoon had given her intense dreams. She had dreamed she was in a field of reeds along a large river at night. Thousands of stars twinkled above her; a sight she hadn't seen in a long time but she couldn't remember where. Atemu was with her and his lips were moving but she couldn't hear a word he was saying. Time seemed to speed up and soon the sun was rising over the area. He grabbed her and pulled her close into his arms, before pushing her into the slightly damp earth. It seemed he was hiding her from something overhead. At that moment her alarm went off and she woke up.

She could feel the dream still lingering around her, and it made the real world seem strange and far away. Shaking her head, she descended into the subway terminal and made her away across the island toward the dance studio. Her trip was uneventful and the usual mix of business sleek and gutter glitter were boxed around her in the small car.

Using her phone to check the time after she arrived at her next station, Anzu sprinted up the stairs when she realized that time was close to running out to make it to Mikala's. Running down the street, she came to her final crosswalk that crossed a lane of busy traffic, the dance studio right there at the corner on the other side. She had less than a minute left to get inside the studio; she knew if she was late this would blow her opportunity. Anzu hopped from foot to foot nervously as the seconds ticked by.

"Atemu, it looks like I'm going to fail," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around herself, tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

She bowed her head shamefully; the light was not going to change rapidly enough for her to get to the studio she could see at the corner. Suddenly, she heard the shriek of brakes being pressed too quickly, horns honking in annoyance, and the people around her began to move blinding across the street. She looked up to see the light she needed was red and the green man was lit on the crossing sign. She ran across the street, dodging and slipping pass the crowd. She wasn't going to question this good luck.

Dashing into the sedately faced dance studio, she found herself in a simple waiting room. There was a woman wearing a brightly colored dress decorated with flowers behind the wooden counter. She lifted an eyebrow to Anzu.

"My name is Anzu Mazaki, I have an audition at four o'clock!" She gasped out.

Picking up the phone, the woman spoke into it, "Ms. Mazaki is here for her four o'clock audition." The clock chimed the hour as she relayed her message.

"Sit down, Ms. Mazaki, Madame Mikala will be out shortly."

Anzu sat down in a blue plastic chair and waited for the dance instructor to come out. She began to fidget when ten minutes passed. Just when she thought she couldn't stand it much more, a tall woman reminiscent of African queens entered the room. Her skin was a rich, dark chocolate brown that stood out from the long orange and yellow scarves that wrapped around her yellow leotard. A pair of delicate gold slippers adorned her feet and their ribbons criss-crossed up to her knees. Gold pins held an orange and yellow scarf around her braided hair. Several brass rings were wrapped around her long throat and matching rings decorated her wrists.

"Are you ready to audition, Miss Anzu Mazaki?" the stately woman asked.

Jumping to her feet, Anzu clutched her bag tighter to her and nodded.

"Yes, I am, Madam Mikala," she replied.

A smile tugged at the corners of the dance teacher's lips and she turned, a wave of her hand indicating Anzu should follow, and walked through the doorway that led into a room behind the receptionist.

Digging into her purse, she pulled out several CDs and said to Mikala, "I have my dance CDs, if you have a player, we can begin as soon as you are ready."

A rich laugh was her response, Anzu blinked.

As Anzu changed into her slippers, Mikala walked over to her and held her hands out for her things. She hooked her fingers for everything when Anzu had only gave her the CDs. The younger woman released her purse and bag to the elder and stayed in the center of the room, shifting nervously.

"I have my own CD that I use for auditions, Miss Mazaki," Mikala finally said. "I want to see how well you react to music, how you improvise with your limbs, and if you really are a dancer at heart. When the music starts... you can begin."

Mikala inserted a disc into the player, pressed play, and sat down in a chair next to the player. When the music started and Anzu just stood there, she raised a hand for the dancer to begin.

Anzu tilted her head slightly; listening to the hip-hop freestyle beat and began to move her hips and legs to the music, her arms adding a contrasting movement as she flipped her lower body to a series of drums. She then flipped herself into a handstand, catching herself in an arc and then jumping back into position. As she dropped to the floor for a turn, the music shifted.

Now, the music had transitioned into Spanish rhythms, and Anzu began to tap her feet quickly as her hips and arms moved sinuously. She twirled in slow circles as her arms continued to create a container around her upper body. One foot swung toward the back and then forward again. She was able to anticipate the next shift of music as the pace quickened.

The next transition went into the sultry tones of modern jazz. Her movements were a blend of the hip-hop style with more bends and twists, her slippered feet sliding across the wooden floor. Anzu's upper body twisted independently of her legs as she let herself slip into the music. When she was well into the beats, the music nearly silenced and then sweet orchestral tones filled the room.

It was the music for the Odette Variation from Swan Lake. Pulling herself to pointe, she extended her leg until it was aligned vertically to her other. As she continued the dance, her sissones landed perfectly, and the bittersweet music brought tears as she remembered the story of the ballet. Silence descended as the music ended, there were no more variations, and Anzu stood perfectly in pose for a moment longer. She then released her position and turned before Mikala.

Anzu was rewarded with a small clap and a smile.

"Very good, Miss Mazaki," Mikala said, "You have real talent. There is still need for refinement, but I think this school can offer you that. If you are interested."

A real smile brightened Anzu's face at this success, and she jumped into the air.

"Thank you, Madame Mikala! Thank you! Yes, I'm interested!" Anzu exclaimed.

Mikala took Anzu back out to the main room, allowing her time first to put her street shoes back on and to gather her things. She handed her a sheaf of papers.

"This is our registration packet. It contains your forms and tuition information." Mikala paused. "Do you have a visa for the country?"

"I have one, but it's going to expire soon...unless I'm back in a school," Anzu replied, her lips in a frown.

Patting her shoulder, the woman smiled, "Don't worry, we'll figure it out. I'll discuss some options with you tomorrow. As you can see, my staff has left for the day as I don't normally hold night classes today."

Nodding, Anzu and Mikala made their goodbyes, with Anzu promising to bring the paperwork back the next day as she placed it in her bag. Before she left, Mikala stopped her, picking up her cartouche where it rested against her chest, over her heart.

"This is a fine symbol and a charm of protection, I can feel it. Keep it close to you, young swan."

Anzu laughed nervously, but smiled. "I always do, it means the world to me."

They exited the studio, and Mikala locked the building. A simple raise of her hand was her method of waving, and Anzu's response was a more excitable sway of her arm as she ran across the avenue before the light changed.

She was so excited about the progress of her day that as she descended into the subway below, she failed to notice the two shadows step away from an alleyway and follow her downstairs.