Melting the Ice
Chapter 14
False Thoughts

"I'm going to New York!"

Anzu squealed as she hugged the brochure to her chest. She was on her bed, still unable to believe her good fortune. Her dream was coming true, well, somewhat anyway. She was finally going to New York. How long had she dreamt of going there and becoming a professional dancer? Since she was a little girl. Now, thanks to the one person she- had least expected to get the help from- she would finally be able to see the place for real. Anzu stared at the pictures of New York Skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and all the exciting places they were bound to visit. Sighing in content, she leaned back against her pillow and placed down the brochure. The feeling was overwhelming. However, it did cut into her deadline.

It had been over a week since Kaiba had given her the good news. It was December and Domino City was covered in a blanket of snow, covering the trees, ground, streets and the rooftops. The weather became extremely cold making it hard to go outside and walk to school. Anzu sighed, staring out the puffy white flakes. Winter seemed so long and it had only just begun.

Anzu picked up her knitting needles and began to work on a scarf. Sprawled over her white comforter, were her books, yarns, and the brochure. The young girl was dressed in her pale pink pajamas, puffy white slippers on her feet, and her hair wrapped in a towel. Her radio was on, playing a soft melody that was filling her room.

I wonder what the guys will think, she thought. Well Yugi more or less. he actually knows I work for him but Jonouchi and Honda have no idea. If they did find out, they would probably get angry with me. They might even call me insane for working for Seto. KAIBA, KAIBA, KAIBA! Get it through your head Anzu, Seto is what Mokuba calls him. And you're most definitely not Mokuba.

Just then, she noticed her little tantrum caused her to make a mistake in her knitting. Anzu groaned and undid it. Luckily, she did not keep knitting past it. If she had, she would have done all the work for nothing. Pulling the yarn apart, she looked at how much she had already done. It was only about one forth of the way finished. Letting out a slight groan, she continued to knit.

'I have to get these done and wrapped in three days.' She finished Yugi and
Jonouchi's scarves and now was working on Honda's scarf.

"I wonder what I should pack," She pondered. "I guess casual will be good
since I'll be with Mokuba the whole time. I wonder if we'll get to go sightseeing."

She stopped knitting and began giggling again.

X, X, X,

Yugi took a deep breath, as he dressed for school. He was staring in the mirror as he buttoned up his white dress shirt. The spirit of the millennium puzzle appeared at his side. He noticed Yugi's far away look as if he was out in space. Blinking, the spirit called out to his partner, as he placed on his blue blazer backward.

"Yugi," he called out to get his attention. Yet, the young boy did not even come out of his daze.

"Yugi!" he tried again. Yugi strolled around his room to get his blue dress pants. The spirit watched him as he put the wrong leg in one of the pant legs. Fed up with his partner not listening to him he walked up to Yugi and shouted the younger boy's name.

"YUGI!"

Finally, Yugi came out of his daze. He noticed the spirit was rather annoyed with him. Yugi however, could not help it. He had been lost in his thoughts the past few weeks.

"Is something wrong, partner?" Yami asked, obviously worried.

"Oh, no. I was just thinking about something." Yugi answered.

"About what? Tell me."

"Well," Yugi blushed. "It's about Anzu. I think. Well, I mean Jonouchi and Honda seem to believe that she likes me. She asked me what I wanted for Christmas and. oh this is silly! Anzu is just being nice because we are friends."

Yugi did not want to deny the fact that Anzu could possibly like him more then she let on. He wanted it to be true. The fact that he liked her was one of the reasons why. His feelings for the curvy brown haired girl were genuine. Since he knew Anzu was going to give him a gift, he got one for her too. It was contained in a small box, wrapped in dark purple paper and tied with white ribbon around it. He spent much of his money to purchase the item, but when he saw it, he knew it would be perfect for her.

"Perhaps, she does like you." Yugi's other half suggested.

"You don't think she... No…. she likes me as a friend. Just as a friend." He did not want to get his hopes up. Pushing the thought away, he went to the door to leave when the spirit cleared his throat.

"What?" Yugi asked.

"Are you certain you wish to go to school dressed like that?"

Yugi looked down at himself and was mortified. Quickly undressing himself and redressing himself, he headed for the door this time ready to leave. Yet, the spirit once again cleared his throat.

"What is it now?" Yugi whined.

"You like Anzu, I can tell."

"WHAT? Of course not. I mean, I do like her. AS A FRIEND! That's it."

"Why not invite her over for Christmas then?" He suggested.

"No, Anzu is probably going to be busy anyway."

X, X, X,

At school, Anzu was busy scribbling down notes for the homework. Time was running so much faster, it would seem. She felt so rushed now that she had more than one task to complete before her trip. She had them listed mentally in her head: Pack, get a camera, finish all her schoolwork, finish her homemade gifts, help Mokuba study for a math test, and figure out how to tell her friends she would not be around for the holidays. She already spoke to her parents about it and they were somewhat upset. That was until she told them she would not have to pay for airfare or a hotel. However, how could she break it to her friends? Than again, how could she tell Yugi she was going with Seto Kaiba? It was not as if she was going with her family for a vacation. She was going with someone who despised Yugi so much.

Maybe Yugi won't mind, she thought nervously biting into her pencil.

'Well its not like it is any of his business if I go or not but it does seem awkward. Not like, I am going to spend anytime with Se- Kaiba!' She caught herself and mentally yelled. Why do I keep calling him that? Not like he ever refers to me as anything but my last name.

Just then, she noticed her teeth biting her pencil hard, leaving teeth marks in it. She forced herself to stop but it was a habit. What did she have to be nervous about it anyway? Letting out a soft sigh, she returned to writing down the rest of her notes.

From right next to her, Yugi casually turned to look at her. His purple eyes strayed over the nervous brunette, cheeks burning red in the process. The vertically challenged boy could sense her nervousness and wondered what had made the girl so flustered. When Anzu turned slightly, feeling his gaze burn into her, he turned away. He knew now his cheeks were bright red but he could not help it.

"Is something wrong?" Anzu mouthed to her friend.

Yugi felt his heart skip a beat. The way she cared for him was enough to make him melt. His feelings for her were strong. Yet he had no confidence. What if she rejected him and laughed in his face? That was his main worry, that his own feelings would not be returned.

"Nothing," he whispered back.

X, X, X,

After Anzu left school to go pick up Mokuba, Yugi stood at his locker exchanging his school shoes for his snow boots. A small frown fell upon his face, wishing he had the courage to ask Anzu to come over for Christmas. He would give his gift to her then too. He knew she would love it the moment she opened it. Well, at least he hoped she would. Yugi let out a groan and leaned his head against his longer.

"Something wrong Yugi?" Jonouchi's voice came from behind.

The shorter boy looked behind to see Jonouchi standing with on hand in his pocket. He casually ran his free hand through his blond locks, making them unruly.

"Not really," Yugi admitted.

"What's up?" Jonouchi pressed on.

"It's nothing, never mind," Yugi wanted to avoid spilling his rather embarrassing secret.

"I bet I know what it is!" Jonouchi snickered.

Yugi gaped, not sure what to make of his friend.

"You were staring at Anzu all day! So, why not ask her out on a date?"

Yugi turned beat red from the mere thought. He had no courage to ask her to come to his house for Christmas. How could he possibly ask her out on a date?

"Believe me Yugi, she likes you."

"I'm not so sure; maybe she is just being nice to me. What if she doesn't really like me at all? What if she laughs in my face for even thinking we could be more than friends?"

"What if she doesn't?" Jonouchi questioned. Yugi looked at him feeling his cheeks burn. He never really thought of the fact that Anzu could like him. After all, she was his childhood friend. They got a long pretty well. How could she not like him? What did he have to worry about? Yugi was a nice person and they enjoyed each other's company. Perhaps she would say "yes". What did he have to lose?

X, X, X,

Inside the warm spacious Kaiba Mansion, Anzu and Mokuba were both sitting in the younger boy's room working on the math homework. All over the floor was Mokuba's school clothes, sprawled and wrinkled. He changed into a warm yellow sweater and jeans. Anzu was still in her school uniform, but was comfortable in the warm room. As the younger boy did his problems, Anzu continued her knitting.

"Yes, you got it right!" Anzu congratulated Mokuba when he finished the last of his practice test for math. Mokuba beamed as he placed his pencil down and closed his book. He felt he could ace the next test in a heartbeat. Now he just wanted to relax with some mindless fun. After all, he did not want to overload his brain and forget everything he learned. He began to run around his room, pacing back and forth trying to find something to do. He threw his video games on the floor to find one to play but he grew tired of playing them. Next, he jumped on his bed and began flipping through the channels trying to find a cartoon to watch. Nothing was on. Mokuba let out a grown as he turned off the TV and dropped the remote carelessly to the floor. The younger Kaiba brother began to pace again, moaning and groaning. Anzu was still knitting her scarf.

"Anzu," Mokuba whined. "I am so bored, can we go do something?"

Diving to the floor, he looked up at her with his innocent eyes. Anzu stared at him from over her knitting and sighed. She could never say no to his face. Placing down her things she nodded, to which Mokuba cheered.

"Well, what should we do?" Anzu peered out at the winter wonderland.

"Let's go sledding," Mokuba said running into his walk in closet. He began throwing out a warmer jacket and clothes. Anzu watched him come out of the closet covered in winter attire and a sled in hand. Not just some child's sled but some very expensive looking custom made sled. If that was even possible, then again with Kaiba anything was possible.

"Did your brother buy you that?" Anzu asked.

"Yeah, he got it for me. It was only a fifty thousand yen, give or take a thousand."

"FIFTY THOUSAND YEN?" Anzu nearly fainted. What did she expect? Kaiba was rich and he was the type to show off his wealth. It was somewhat like an in your face arrogance that annoyed her. Kaiba had money and he was going to show it off just so he could like higher then others.

"Your brother doesn't buy cheap does he?" Anzu asked staring at the board.

"Well, this was also imported and not to mention custom made just for me," Mokuba began to ramble on all the qualities of the sled but Anzu just stared wishing she could have money to burn even more.

After telling her the features, Anzu got back into her winter attire and the two headed into the backyard of the Kaiba grounds. Anzu stared hard at the large trees growing throughout the yard. The evergreens were frosted with snow. The pool was covered with a large plastic cover, now sprinkled with snow.

"Mokuba," Anzu wondered. "Where are we going to play in your backyard? It's all flat."

"We have to walk down this path to the back, its hilly over there." He pointed his gloved hand to a shoveled stone path leading through the gardens. Mokuba led the way through the dead garden. All along, she saw marble fountains, now turned off, expensive statues, and stone benches through the path. When they reached the center of the garden, Anzu stood in awe before a monstrous fountain, made of white marble. In the center was something she did not expect at all. It was three angels. The center one had her arms stretched out to the heavens, her wings outstretched behind the others. Her head was tilted up, unable to see her face. The one on the left knelt down to her knees, her hands clasped together, praying. Her wings were folded behind her. Her gentle face bent forward, eyes clothes. The final one was crouched slightly forward, wings stretched out behind her. She had a gentle, warm face, which was odd. One of her hand held onto the pedestal, while the other stretched out of over the water as if urging Anzu to take it.

Anzu stared for a long while until she felt Mokuba tugging at her sleeve. The young boy looked at her as if asking her what is wrong.

"Um, what's with the angels?" Anzu asked.

"Oh. Um well, I don't know. I guess Seto liked it. Come on Anzu let's go sledding already!"

Anzu nodded, and followed the boy through the garden to the back where the hill was.

X, X, X,

Later that evening Seto Kaiba returned home tired and in need of a good night's sleep. As he walked into his private office, he dropped the briefcase on his desk. He turned the desk light on, feeling a headache coming on and knowing the bright light would aggravate it. As he pulled out his leather chair to sit down, he looked outside and noticed the yard lights on. Wondering what was going on, he stepped over to the balcony window and peered out. In the distance, he saw two figures sledding down the hill at tremendous speed before slipping over on the side, and tumbling into the snow. Seto instantly knew who it was, and he was furious. It was freezing outside.

"What could that idiot be thinking?" he growled as he left his office, slamming the door behind him. He rushed through his house, knowing the fastest way to the backyard, since he memorized the layout of his own house. Ignoring the cold wind striking through him like a knife, Kaiba followed the stone path that Anzu and Mokuba had taken. Once passing through the maze that was his garden, he found the two laughing and throwing snow at each other like children. Seto watched, noticing the happiness in Mokuba's eyes, and it was genuine. The last time he had fun was a long time ago, a very long time ago. Shaking off, Seto approached them.

"What are you doing out here?" He demanded, furiously. "Mokuba, get inside this instant." Mokuba gulped as he saw his brother glaring daggers at Anzu. Without hesitation, he grabbed his sled and hurried past him. Seto stared at Anzu, sitting in the snow after being clobbered by a snowball from Mokuba. When Seto believed Mokuba was out of earshot, Seto approached her.

"Are you a complete idiot?" He asked. "You are playing out in the freezing cold. Mokuba could get sick and obviously, you would not know anything about it. You are completely irresponsible."

"I am irresponsible?" Anzu growled. "Look at you; you aren't even wearing a coat out here. You could get sick too you know."

"Don't try turning this on me," His voice cold. "You are completely incompetent."

Anzu felt hurt but took his hateful words until he was done. When he was, he turned and headed for the gardens. Anzu tried her best to shake off what he said to her, it did not matter because he did not fire her. Seto walked in a brisk pace, making it hard for Anzu to keep up since she was now realizing how cold she really was. As they walked, Anzu felt her knees begin to shake perhaps she was too cold.

"Hurry up," Seto urged. They arrived in the center of the garden where the angel fountain was. Anzu stopped for a moment and looked back at the fountain. Seto noticed her slacking and was about to yell at her again when he noticed her staring at it.

"It's beautiful," she muttered "I was actually surprised. I was thinking it would be a huge Blue Eyes White Dragon or something." She let out a small pathetic laugh, trying to lighten the mood. However, it did not seem to work. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she turned to continue.

"It's called 'Heaven's Tears' because when the fountain is on it looks like the angels are crying." Seto was staring at the three angels, now covered in a thin layer of snow. His eyes were transfixed on the one who was stretching out her hand. Anzu looked at him in shock. The hard look on his face, the eyes staring up at the angels was not normal for him. Even when he was dueling, his eyes were never like that. There was only one time when he looked like that she could ever remember. That was when he looked at Mokuba. That was when his eyes were soft.

"Something wrong Kaiba?" Anzu asked trying to sound normal.

"No nothing, we have to get back it's late and I have still many things to
do before the trip."

"Oh yeah, the trip," Anzu had, for a moment, forgotten about the trip to New York. Her mind was set on Seto Kaiba. His eyes seemed so intense. His voice traveled as if he was not even really thinking about when he was saying. They stood in silence until a harsh winter wind through snow at them.

Suddenly he turned away, his hand coming up to his shoulder as if he was in pain.

"Come on, it's freezing out here." He said in his usual ice-cold tone.

"Yeah, it is cold." She admitted solemnly.

X, X, X,

Above the Kame Game Shop, Yugi was dressing himself for school. It was now or never for him. He finally had come to the decision to ask Anzu to his house for Christmas. He made a special invitation himself. It had a Christmas theme to it, and he placed it a bright red envelope and sealed with a candy cane sticker. It took him a long time to write the invitation. He wanted it to sound perfect, not geeky nor desperate. Inside, on the paper decorated with Christmas lights, and holly he wrote:

Dear Anzu,

I would really enjoy it if you would come to my house for Christmas dinner.
If you are not busy, please come to my house at 7:00. I cannot wait to see
you.

Yugi

Okay so he admitted the letter was not perfect and it was short and to the point but this was the first time he invited someone to his house for a special occasion. In his mind, he pictured Anzu opening the letter and wanting to go so much. She would happily say "yes" and be waiting for that day. Then on Christmas Day, she would come to his house dressed up and looking pretty and he would give his gift that still rested on his desk. Then perhaps after she opened it she would give him a gift in return. Of course, he knew Anzu was going to give him a gift but maybe he would give her a kiss under the mistletoe. The mere thought made Yugi turn tomato red but he could not help it. It was obvious to everyone, except maybe Anzu, that he liked her. Yet, he never got the courage to tell her or ask her on a date. Now because of all his other friends' pushing he found his courage to ask her.

Yugi finished dressing and placed the Millennium Puzzle around his neck. The golden pyramid swung against him, around the long metal chain. After a repeated check in the mirror, he placed the invitation in coat pocket, tucking safely within the folds.

"I'm ready to do this, I can do this, I will do this," he said sternly into the mirror. After grabbing his backpack, he walked down the hardwood floor, down the stairs and placed on his shoes.

"BYE GRANDPA!" Yugi called out when he finished tying the laces. After rushing out the door, he hurried to the bus stop to catch the bus to school. As he waited, he kept trying to find the right way to ask Anzu.

"Anzu here. Please read this." and then I would hand her the letter. He thought mentally. On the other hand, maybe I just place the letter in locker. No, then she might think I am too embarrassed. On the other hand, maybe I should just mail it to her house. Oh, man I do not know if I can do this!

Yugi began to get nervous until he felt a comfortable feeling from the spirit telling him it will be okay. The bus ride to school felt like the longest time in his life. Yet the closer he got the more nervous he began to get. In his mind, he kept repeating not to get nervous and just play it cool. Once he arrived, he took a deep breath and filed behind the people rushing to get out of the cold. As he stepped into the hall where the students' lockers were, Yugi saw Anzu taking off her coat. Suddenly all his courage evaporated and instead of going toward her, he hid behind another set of lockers. He peered over as Anzu took her time getting herself ready for the school day.

"HEY YUGI!" Jonouchi and Honda called out loudly, causing the boy to jump.

"SHH!" Yugi said, placing his index finger to his lip.

"What's wrong?" Honda asked, "Why you shushing us?"

"Oh hey, there's Anzu!" Jonouchi said a bit too loudly. "Did you ask her yet?" Yugi grabbed onto him and pulled the two boys around the corner.

His shoulders scrunched up to his ears, he had lost his nerve. "Guys, I can't do this."

"Do what?" said Anzu, who had heard the ruckus. Yugi jumped a high, frightened by this. The guys all grinned as Yugi turned beat red.

"Do you guys mind if I talk to Yugi. Alone?" Anzu eyed Jonouchi and Honda. The two snickered, and elbowed Yugi's sides. The whispered for him to go for it and then hurried out of to give the two peace.

"SO what DID you want to talk about?" Yugi squeaked, perspiration sliding down his neck.

"I want to tell you something," She said.

"So do I," he piped up. Inside his pocket, his hand clutched the invitation. He would do it now and get it over. She was in a good mood. They were friends. Why would she not want to go to his house for Christmas? Yugi felt his courage returning.

"You go first," Anzu said with a smile.

"Oh, no you first," Yugi said. Perhaps she was going to ask him something important. Maybe she would tell him she wanted him over her house for Christmas. The multicolored haired boy began to get anxious. What could Anzu possibly want to tell him?

"Yugi, I have some great news but I can only tell you." She said with a smile. Yugi gently bit his lower lip as Anzu pulled out something from her pocket. Yugi felt his heart launch itself against his ribcage. His palms were sweaty and he could not believe it. Anzu was going to invite him somewhere.

"Yugi, I'm going to New York for the holidays!" She said excitedly holding out the brochure. "I am so excited and well, the thing is I'm going with Kaiba to watch Mokuba. I know it is not going to be that fun but my parents are going to be out of town and I had no plans so I said yes. I cannot believe it I am going to New York! Oh and by the way I'm going to tell Honda and Jonouchi that I'm going out of town with my parents, so can you keep my cover?"

Yugi felt his hand clutch the invitation tightly, crushing it. His shoulders limped slightly.

"Oh and by the way here is your Christmas present," Anzu held up a neatly wrapped package. "I know it's early but here."

Yugi's face brightened as he tore open the gift and found a beautifully hand knit scarf inside.

"You made me for this." he began to ask his hopes lifting.

"Yep, I made one for Jonouchi and Honda too, I'm going to give theirs right now." She rushed past him to go find Honda and Jonouchi.

Yugi stood there feeling his heart begin to hurt. Inside his coat pocket, the invitation was crumbled under his fist. His head fell and his eyes were closed. Slowly, he took out the invitation and threw it in a nearby trashcan. He stared at the purple scarf and then without thinking threw it in the back of his locker carelessly along with his coat and things.