In My Arms
Chapter 21
Anzu stepped out masking her somber frown with a smile she'd perfected long ago. The others were stirring, she was pretty sure Yami had disturbed their heavy sleep. It was almost too late to still consider it morning anyway. Speaking of the ancient Pharaoh, he was nowhere to be seen.
"Good morning Anzu." Mokuba mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
She smiled at his groggy state and the wild mane of hair flying whichever way. "Good morning Mokuba. You wouldn't happen to know where Yami is would you?" She asked cheerily, though at this moment, the mention of him sent a heavy lump to her stomach.
Mokuba yawned and plopped back down on the sofa. "I think he said he was gonna go get Joey." He muttered and leaned into the soft cushions in attempt to find slumber - like the rest of the guys had.
"Oh okay." 'I just hope Joey's at home and NOT over at Kaiba's. Of course knowing him…' She bit her lip and after taking a minute to think about it, she looked over to make sure they were all fast asleep before walking to the front, slipping on her shoes and leaving. She sighed as she shifted her purse from one arm to the other and then walked towards the elevators.
"I don't get it. He's not in his room unless he's purposely avoiding me and Kaiba's not answering his door… So where is he?" Yami frowned. Things were not boding well and he had a deep suspicion it did involve the CEO of Kaiba Corp. 'Damn. I bet Joey was with him this morning. Where could they have gone. In any case, I better get back and figure out what to do. Knowing the guys they all probably went back to sleep anyway.' He stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hallway. Once he reached his room, he pulled out his card key and entered and yes everyone was still asleep.
He shook his head and knocked on the bedroom door, when no reply came he walked in and to his surprise, Anzu wasn't there. "Anzu?" He stepped out and pondered on where she could've gone. There was a knock on the door and he made his way over there, trying not to step on anyone. "That must be-" He opened the door expecting to see Anzu when it turned out to only be a man dressed in red and black pushing a catering cart. "Breakfast…" He muttered.
She walked down the hallway, wiping her brow. "For a second there I thought he was going to see me." She mumbled to herself referring to Yami as she stepped off the elevator. "Thankfully he was too deep in thought to be paying much attention. But I guess if he didn't have Joey behind him it means he isn't in his room… Kaiba's not answering either, I wonder where they could be." 'And are they together?'
"Anzu?"
She turned at the sound of the gentle voice. She smiled in warm welcome, "Ryou." She approached him and the two went walking back towards the elevators. "Where are you headed?" She asked as they stepped in.
"I'm meeting Marik downstairs. He ended up sleeping early last night so now he's all energized and wanting to see what the world looks like when its still morning out." He said in a slightly irritated tone.
It was quiet as they descended, slowed down some by oncoming guests. "Ryou can I ask you something? It's perhaps none of my business and I shouldn't be intruding but it's very important that I know what is going on." She asked as they were alone again.
Ryou's eyes softened sensing the concern in her voice. "What's up?"
"This morning I heard you and Yami talking." She met his gaze, "Did he really use his Millennium Magic on Marik?"
He sighed softly and nodded. "Yes well, he owned up to it himself."
"Why? If I may ask, does it have to do with Kaiba's involvement with Joey?"
"… I'm not sure…" Ryou answered hesitantly. He frowned as the doors opened, he could see his impatient friend by the front doors of the hotel. "It's what I've been trying to figure out. I think the only one who knows anything at this point are Marik and Seto."
Anzu stepped out with him but stopped for a moment as she felt her phone vibrating in her bag. She pulled it out and looked at the name flashing her a new text. 'Yami.' She swallowed the lump in her throat as she read the message, 'Hey Anzu where did u disappear 2? Food is gttn cld.' "Ryou." She called out and ran up to him, at this point Marik was also approaching them. "Would it be alright, if I joined the two of you this beautiful day?"
"Anzu! What brings you in our company?" Marik asked with a smile.
"She wants to tour the sights with us." Ryou answered.
Anzu nodded gently. "If it's okay with you two that is." She rubbed the back of her neck nervously, "Wouldn't want to impose or anything."
Ryou and Marik shrugged and nodded in agreement. "Let's get going then shall we?" Marik said warmly and the three headed out.
-
"Wow this is amazing. I've never been on the ocean like this." He said in awe at the beautiful sight before him, the air felt so good against his exposed skin.
Kaiba adjusted his navy sunglasses and leaned on the railing. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. It is nice and peaceful I agree. Mokuba had a blast when I brought him yesterday." He informed a bit distantly.
Joey frowned slightly, "I'm sorry about that. I wish I could just tell him to -"
"I wouldn't involve you in our problems Joey. It's not that complicated to understand him really. I just have to get over the fact that I'm not his idol anymore." He replied with a shroud of sadness in his voice.
"I wouldn't go that far Kaiba. I'd say you mean the absolute world to him." He insisted, not liking this grim side of the other.
Kaiba smiled faintly. "As much as I'd love to ignorantly accept your sugarcoated fairytale, Joey, as well placed your kindheartedness may be, it's not the truth. It's already nearing two in the afternoon and I haven't even received one phone call from my brother. I've already left two messages that weren't answered and a text to call me." He sighed heavily, "What does that tell you?"
Joey looked down at the deep blue waves moving about beneath them. It was quiet for a while after. The brunet sighed again and put his arm on his shoulder, "I'm sorry Joey. We were having a wonderful time of the view and then I go and ruin it with my rants."
"No. It's okay Seto… Kaiba I mean, despite how I dislike seeing you upset, the fact that you're confiding in me, if even just to rant, makes me feel like I'm somewhat important to you now." The two held an awkward stare for a moment before Joey looked away, "I know that sounded stupid but…"
"No. It wasn't stupid." He looked back at him and Kaiba smiled. "Thank you. The truth is the more time we spend together, the easier I find it is to talk to you." He playfully hit him in the arm, "Strange as it sounds." He winked, "Come on, let's go inside. The captain had his men whip us up some deliciously fresh fish for lunch.
"We have been spending time together haven't we? You read my mind about being hungry." He joked.
"I didn't read your mind - you're always hungry." The other nodded. "Hey Joey," He started. 'I can't believe how easy it's been to talk to him today. Maybe friendship wouldn't be so hard after all..'
"Yeah?"
Kaiba's face tinted a little red. "You can call me Seto if you want. It's no big deal."
"Really..?" He asked with not-so-hidden excitement.
"I wouldn't say so otherwise." Kaiba resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the humungous grin on the other's face.
"So after we eat what should we do?" Joey asked curiously.
Kaiba smirked. "Joey, Joey, Joey…" He lifted his hand and pointed upwards with his index finger, "That is a surprise." The blond blinked a few times and sighed. He had no idea what kind of 'surprise' Kaiba would set up for him. He didn't know whether to be excited or scared.
Anzu and Marik gave victory signs and posed in front of the park swings. Ryou gave a thumbs up and the two laughed. "So what else do you two plan on doing today? We've visited a museum,"
"Yeah and got kicked out because somebody couldn't stay quiet for more than two minutes." Ryou said raising a brow at a certain Egyptian.
"Well I'm sorry. I just get loud when I get excited and there was a lot of cool things going on." He defended to no avail. Anzu giggled quietly. "Well what should we do next?"
The three pondered for a minute longer. "Hey don't look now but it looks like they've found us." They turned around slowly, just in time to see a charging Yami approaching. Yugi, Mokuba and Tristan were right behind.
"Anzu where have you been?" Yami inquired.
"I told you, I was getting an early start on sight-seeing." She replied.
"Yeah, you didn't even stop by to eat breakfast." The ancient pharaoh continued.
Ryou stepped up a bit and folded his arms across his chest. "It's alright, Marik and I treated her to breakfast at a nearby restaurant earlier." He couldn't help but smirk a little. "We wouldn't starve her Yami. If that's what you were so worried about."
"Wow Ryou, never seen you with a backbone." Marik whispered into his ear. Ryou rolled his eyes.
"Well whatever. Now that we've met up, Anzu can walk around with us. We were just about to get some lunch." Yami said.
"Hey so were we." Marik chimed in.
Ryou knew were he was going and so he obliged, "Yeah, say how about we all go together?" Marik held back laughing and joined him in a playful smirk.
Yami opened his mouth to say something against it the idea, "How about-"
"That sounds great!" Mokuba said with a bright grin. He always looked up to Marik - the guy was the ultimate prankster and just flat out cool. "There's actually a pizza place that has a lot of arcade games and stuff just down the street. We could all eat there."
Marik stepped up ignoring Yami's steely gaze. He ruffled the younger one's hair and smiled warmly, "Kid I like the way you think. I saw the place too. So how about it gang? Yugi, Tristan you in?" The two nodded hesitantly despite the angry aura radiating off of Yami. Despite the chill it was just too hard to say no to those beaming eyes of Mokuba. "Looks like it's a deal then."
"Awesome!" Mokuba cheered.
"Say Mokuba, can you run?"
"Yeah?"
Marik smirked. "The first one to the Paparazzi Pizza Biz, gets first pick at games…" Mokuba looked up at him and his grin broadened. "So," Marik took off in a run, as did Mokuba, "I guess that's me!" Anzu and Ryou, followed by the others, chased after them. Yami ran too but there was nothing but seething hatred in his eyes.
'Why would she so suddenly be hanging out with them? Something's up and I need to find out what.'