Chapter Twenty-Five, Ominous

Anzu sat quietly in her study, a quill poised in her hand. She had thought that she might receive a visit from her mother this morning to ask why she wasn't given a pardon, knowing how she hated to be excluded. So far, Sofia hadn't come by, something she was more than thankful for. Now, however, Anzu could not seem to focus on her business papers. She had been planning to write to her late husband's man-of-affairs to address the matter of her lost thirty-five thousand pounds.

My mind just doesn't want to cooperate with me today, she thought, staring vacantly out the window through the slit between the drapes. She reached out and pulled the drapes apart. It's understandable, I suppose, after last night. All of those in the Polite World will know that Malik and I are courting. We have been to bed together, too, and yet I still haven't told him how I feel for him. I don't want it to be too late like last time. I wouldn't be able to bear with myself if he considered me indifferent...

"Mum?" Anzu blinked and turned from the window beside her desk to see Bess poised in the doorway, an anxious look on her face. "L-Lady Radisson is here to see you, mum." Anzu stiffened, her mind blacking out for a moment as fear rushed up to clog her throat. Swallowing and pushing back from the desk, Anzu rose to her feet. She took a hold of the side of the desk with a trembling hand as she attempted to calm the emotions tangling up inside of her.

"Show her through, Bess," she quietly said, her voice surprisingly steady. She had told me that she would come to see me at her ball, so it is not as if it is incredibly shocking. Anzu waited patiently, knowing that there would be no Malik or Otogi there to be her strong shoulder to lean on. This was a problem she had created on her own; she would have to deal with it alone, too.

Bess returned with Lady Radisson, her eyes flashing to Anzu with worry. Once, Lady Radisson had been in her home nearly every day. Near the end of the termination of those meetings, all the servants had picked up on the suppressed resentment between the two women. It was only natural for Bess to be concerned on her mistress's behalf now.

The two women curtsied to each other and Anzu said to Bess, "You may leave." She smiled soothingly and the servant gave a quick curtsy, taking a step back and shutting the doors. Anzu returned her attention to her visitor, her eyes frosting over. Radisson smiled in such a cold manner that it could compete with Seto Kaiba's own smiles. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you," she responded, moving to the divan and settling on it gracefully. Anzu moved to the front of her desk, leaning against it. As usual, Lady Radisson looked beautiful. Even though she was in her mid-thirties, closing in on forty, she looked hardly any older than Anzu did. Her blonde hair was twisted up in an elegant chignon, shiny tendrils falling down against her high, molded cheeks. At one point, Anzu had been envious of her beauty, but she knew what was behind her deceptive features and hated her for it. She hated her for everything she was and it was not often that Anzu felt such a negative emotion as deeply as she did now.

"Anzu," Radisson said with a rueful sigh, "I am wounded that you never thought to reclaim our friendship once you came out of mourning."

"I was under the impression that our friendship had been adequately severed."

"Perhaps." She leaned forward, intertwining her fingers together, smiling up at Anzu. "I see that you ended our little deal with the prostitutes. That was a very unwise decision on your part. The money being drawn from that little venture was quite an amount and you had to ruin it. I should have partnered up with someone who wouldn't be as difficult as you." Anzu didn't speak, her fingers clenched around the edge of her desk. "If I discover you trying to eliminate me – or anyone you associate with attempting such a thing – then some rather...regrettable...incidents will occur."

"...Are you threatening me?"

"No, my lady, I am warning you." Radisson rose to her feet, but Anzu made no move to straighten from her comfortable position against the desk. "Let me tell you, Anzu, that your original choice was the better move. If you had no companions at all and had continued to ignore your brother and his wife's desire to socialize with you, the only person who would deal with the consequences of your actions would be you." She gave a tiny laugh, pressing her fingers to her lips. "Not to say that anything will happen to them." She lowered her hand, her lips curling into a malicious smirk, her eyes glittering. "Neither of us want any deaths to occur, do we, Anzu? Especially that beautiful lover of yours, Malik. He is far too attractive to lose."

Anzu shoved off from the desk and went to the doors, slamming them open. "Get out of my house." She turned, glaring at Radisson. "Now."

"Touched a nerve, did I? I'll remember what your weakness is next time, Anzu." She swept forward, pausing to murmur, "Let us hope you are his weakness, too." Anzu's eyes flashed warningly and without so much as a farewell, Lady Radisson strolled past her, not bothering to wait for a servant to show her out.

When she heard the door close, Anzu dragged herself to her desk, slumping in the seat behind it. She stared at the top for a moment before giving a low moan, pushing her fingers in her hair, pins falling out and dropping to the ground. Don't you dare involve him, Radisson, Anzu thought, shaking violently. This isn't about him; it's about me.

X

Malik stepped out of his manor, pushing his arms through the sleeves of his jacket when he spotted an unfamiliar carriage across the street. A hand beckoned him and he knew it was a woman's by the petite figure. Frowning, he held up a hand to his driver atop his carriage. "I'm going across the street for a moment. Stay here until I come back." He paused thoughtfully. "Do you happen to know whose carriage that is, James?" The man looked to where Malik had gestured, peering at it with an expert eye.

"That's Lady Radisson's carriage, sir," he announced with a jerk of his head towards said carriage. "Better be careful with her. I've heard some nasty things about her."

"Mmm...So have I," Malik murmured, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jacket, moving across the street with a leisurely pace. There was no reason for Radisson to contact him. If Bakura had set some men after her or had gone after her himself, she would be trying to speak with him or Marik, not Malik. However, if this had to do with Anzu, there was a good chance that she would try to get some extortion money from him to keep her safe. Now, there was an idea.

The door opened as he approached the carriage and the woman stepped out, smoothing her skirts down after closing the door. A corner of his mouth tilted upward dryly. He suspected it was fairly easy for her to acquire what she wanted with her attractive looks. Malik and his brother had a theory about wealthy blondes such as Radisson, though, and were extra careful with them. They tended to be the type of women who brought nasty situations to the men they associated with. "Lady Radisson," he greeted politely.

"I hope I am not being too forward by waiting for you outside your home," she said in a demure tone that was meant to entice him. It amused him more than anything.

"You must think that Anzu and I keep secrets from each other," he remarked, hoping that would be a good enough hint. It was. Her innocent façade was abandoned and she looked more like the evil bitch he had imagined her as. "Should I assume you want to blackmail me or extort some money for something?" The dark look she shot at him was not in the least feigned. "I believe you failed to recall that I'm not like the mindless gentlemen of the ton, Lady Radisson. I have more experience with happenings in the underworld than you could ever claim to have."

"Fine," she coolly replied. "I have spoken to Anzu this morning. I come to give you the same warning as her: if anyone who is friends with her comes after my life, she will pay the consequences, along with everyone around her. You had best relay this message to your half wit brother and his just as incompetent friend. If there is, say, an 'accident,' I would be willing to forgive it for a fair amount of money."

"What is your idea of fair?"

"Five thousand pounds." Malik snorted. "It is fair, when you consider that I may have lost my life."

"Very well, Radisson. If that ever comes to pass, you know where you can contact me. I wouldn't advise you to lie about it, though, because trust me, I will know." She stared at him for a moment, her mouth taut, and then she turned and opened her door. She blinked as he helped her into the carriage. He gave a taunting smile, saying, "Good day, dear lady."

"Good day," she answered with a neutral tone. He shut the door and chuckled to himself, watching as the carriage pulled away. He flicked a look around and then moved back to the other side of the street. Malik could hardly believe that the broad actually thought that he would allow her to force money out of him. Like his two roguish companions, Malik did not flinch from the idea of killing a person, nor performing the act. Although he hadn't done it before, he would hardly mind doing so in order to keep his family and Anzu safe.

Hmm, Bakura and I will have to discuss this, he mused cheerfully. If I can get this certain "accident" to occur, it will be even easier for me to get rid of Radisson. She might have killed before, but she had help. Marik taught me the worse aspects of my life; she can't win against me.

X

Marik shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Bakura across the table to him. He and his companion had come to Malik's gaming hell to wait for him and discuss new plans, as Otogi had been minimal help. He had come earlier than usual so as to obtain some money at the gaming hells and only an hour later, Bakura came trailing after Anzu Mazaki, whose very body seemed to spit fire.

It was actually making him feel rather awkward. None of the three rakes had ever seen Anzu angry, but by the way she snapped her cards down on the table and glared at anyone that so much as glanced at her, it was more than obvious how furious she was. What about, no one was quite sure. Not to mention, the men at the table were becoming increasingly agitated by the fact that their bets were piling up and yet the only one whose cards seemed to be getting anywhere were Anzu's.

Maybe being pissed off makes a woman good at cards, Marik mused, glancing to the doorway hopefully, peering over heads and tables. Relief flushed over him as he saw his younger brother enter, saying a few things to a man near the door. Marik waited and almost as soon as Malik's eyes skimmed through the crowds of his hell, their eyes locked. Malik lifted a hand lazily and came through the crowds to Marik's table. Thank God! Maybe he can do something about his woman now. He eyed Anzu warily as she stared icily at her cards.

"About time you got here," Bakura drawled, glancing up to Malik as he settled a card on the table. Anzu turned her head slightly as he came to stand behind her, looking at her hand curiously. "She came storming up to me, demanding me to show you where you were. When I told her you wouldn't be here for awhile, she insisted on coming in and playing some cards. I thought she would lose, but she's kicking everyone's ass." He grinned, seeming to approve of this despite the fact that he was going to lose his money.

"You and I need to have a talk," Anzu told Malik, turning to meet his gaze. Marik smirked behind Anzu, seeing a blank look cross his brother's face at her tone. He looked at Marik over her head, the question clear in his eyes. Malik was even more bewildered by Anzu's mood than the other two. "It won't be long," she added, turning to the table. "I fold." The men shifted, a silent sigh of relief. She took her winnings and stood up. Malik pulled the chair out for her, silent and confused.

"What did you two do?" He whispered to Marik and Bakura.

"For once, we really didn't do anything," Bakura replied honestly. At last, wariness appeared on his face and he slowly nodded, straightening.

Malik took Anzu's hand and settled it on the top of his, inwardly wishing his brother or Bakura had pissed her off. At least then he might not have had to deal with the anxiety that was filling his rib cage, seeping up into his throat. He suspected he had jinxed himself by telling Seto that he wasn't looking forward to Anzu in a bad mood. It was amazing that it had occurred so quickly. What did she mean by 'a talk'? He wondered, leading her upstairs to his office. His heart threatened to stop at the next thought that popped into his head, Is she planning on ending it with me? As far as I know, I haven't done anything to make her do that, but maybe she discovered something she didn't like...

With that dismal thought, he paused in front of his doors and opened one, ushering her inside. He followed afterward, shutting them quietly behind him and locking them for extra measure in case this ended up in a yelling fight. Anzu was fiddling with a quill on his desk, looking as if she were preparing for a business agreement. "So..." He began carefully. "What was it that you needed, Anzu?"

"Like I said, Malik, we need to have a talk." She raised her eyes from the quill and folded her arms across her chest, her eyes flashing furiously. She seemed outwardly calm, but Malik could see the brewing storm inside her and was dreading it. He was waiting for the next words, About you and me, but they never came. Instead, she stated coldly, "I want you to stay away from Radisson."

What, does she think I'm going to be seduced? He thought to himself, feeling his tense body relax. "Anzu – "

"She's not your problem to deal with!" She exploded unexpectedly, glaring mutinously. "She threatened me today, Malik, saying that she would make certain you and everyone else were dead before she got to me. I know that she'll try to get money or something from you for my safety and I'm telling you right now that I won't allow you to spend money on that stupid bitch!" He blinked, surprised by her swearing.

"Anzu, she already came to me with an offer. And frankly, it is none of your business what I do with my money. I would rather give it to someone, knowing that you'll be safe."

"You don't know her, Malik. Do you think just because you give her a few thousand pounds that she's going to keep to her word? You shouldn't even be involved. This is something I did myself..." Malik smiled slightly, seeing her shoulders begin to shake. Throughout her words before he spoke, black hatred had been in her eyes. Now, it was only fear; fear for her life, and for his own. It warmed his heart to know that she was so concerned for him.

With a tiny sigh, he crossed the room and took her trembling frame into his arms. She buried her face in his chest, her hands sliding up his shoulders and clasping his neck. He gently stroked her back, hoping to calm her unsettled nerves and warm the cold that had swept over her. Her skin, contrary to how warm it had been earlier, was icy cold against his neck. "Don't stress yourself over me, Anzu," he murmured, pressing his cheek to her temple. "I'll be fine. You know well who I am and the type of people I am friends with." He drew back, framing her face in his hands. "There is no reason for you to worry for my welfare. Let me worry over yours, alright?" Anzu's lips parted and she seemed about to say something, but clamped her lips shut and nodded soundlessly. He smiled and gathered her against him again, closing his eyes as he held her to him. "Why should you worry, anyway?" He asked lowly, secretly hoping for a certain three-worded response.

"I..." She paused. "It's not your responsibility," Anzu uttered at last in a flat, dispirited tone.

"Anzu, the entire ton believes we are courting; not to mention that I am your lover," he told her in an authoritative tone. "It's as much my responsibility as yours." His words had no effect on her, as she simply snuggled closer to him. With a rueful smile, he tightened his hold around her, wishing he were a stronger man and could tell her the truth.

Soon, he promised himself. I will soon.

X

Bakura glanced up from his hand, smirking a bit as Anzu and Malik came back down the stairs. Anzu seemed to be in much better spirits, her familiar smile spreading over her lips. She paused at the bottom of the stairs, saying something to Malik, beaming up at him. The male nodded, giving a light smile. He leaned down and kissed her before ushering towards the door. She waved a hand to him and then waved in Bakura and Marik's general direction. Bakura returned the wave while Marik raised a hand moodily. She left them, swishing out of the hell.

Malik moved towards them, settling in a seat between his two companions. He heaved a deep sigh, looking a bit weary with life right then.

"Keep your woman off the tables, Malik," one of the men grumbled, glowering. "We don't come here to lose money from her." Malik blinked and then laughed softly.

"I believe you," he replied. "Trust me, I had no idea she was so good until very recently." He fell silent, staring down at the cards settled on the table, appearing thoughtful. Bakura eyed him questioningly, wondering what had happened with Anzu to put him in such a mood. She had seemed much better after speaking with him, but for some reason it had decreased Malik's own level of happiness. On Malik's other side, Bakura caught Marik performing the same action as he was, but there was a grim understanding on his face that was not reflected on Bakura's.

Must be some sort of brotherly understanding, Bakura guessed, shrugging to himself and flipping through his cards. "Sure you gents want to keep playing with us?" He queried of the four other men that were staring intently at their cards. "After all, even though the lady is not here, you will still end up losing your money." They shot dirty glares to him, but he only laughed and slid his cards together in a single deck, laying them on the table. "I fold. How about you, Marik?"

"Mmm, yes. I fold, as well." He set his cards on the table and the three men rose to their feet. The other four looked up at them with bored expressions, knowing too well that they simply wanted to be alone at their own private table. It did not offend them, either, as the three friends had done this many times to several different people in their establishments.

As they moved over to a secluded table made for a minimum of five people that they often used for themselves, Marik inquired, "Mind telling us what Anzu's deal was, Malik? It was more than a little uncharacteristic for her to act that way." Malik glanced to him and then lifted his shoulders in a careless shrug as they moved into their accustomed seats.

"Apparently, she was upset because Radisson came this morning to threaten her." Malik reached over and shuffled the cards. "Vingt-et-un?" The other males nodded, placing their bets, as well as he. He shuffled and then dealt the cards. "Now, it wasn't the fact that she was threatened by her that pissed her off, but that she implied she would extort money from me for Anzu's safety – which she did shortly before I left home here. Anzu doesn't want anyone involved besides herself, since she brought it on herself." He peered at his two cards pensively, but Marik and Bakura's eyes were fixed on him. "I never thought she could hate someone as much as she does Radisson."

"Interesting..." Bakura murmured, finally looking to his card and frowning, drawing a card. He growled and snapped his cards down, face up, having gone over twenty-one with a ten, a four, and a king. "So, Radisson is the only thing that can fire up Anzu Mazaki. Somehow, I'm not so surprised that it was her that she chose to hate unconditionally. She was trying to kill her before we came along, remember."

"What else?" Marik prodded, glancing at his cards and then sliding them face down. Malik didn't reply, drawing a card and flipping his cards over, face up, to show a queen, a king, and an ace, bringing a total of twenty-one. He took his winnings and the three moved the cards in the discard pile. "What else, Malik?" He persisted. "You went up there fine and came back down in a weird mood."

"It's none of your business," Malik retorted in a cold, steady tone. Bakura blinked, looking up from the new cards that Malik dealt, glancing from one brother to the next. He could see a flash of ugly betrayal in Marik's eyes before it was smothered by anger. As if sensing the emotions rolling off his older sibling, he said more gently, "It's nothing to concern yourself with. What happens between me and her stays that way."

"Fine," he bit out in answer. "If that's how you want it."

"Don't act like a child, Marik," the latter sighed, abandoning his cards and leaning back. "Do you think I'm having an easy time with this?"

"With what?" Marik sneered contemptuously.

"You know what," was the quiet response. The table fell into silence, with Bakura fiddling with his cards at the other end of the table, looking uncomfortable at the black mood that Marik was shooting at his younger brother. Bakura knew, just as well as Marik, how the strain of his and Anzu's relationship was affecting him. Bakura was sure that if it were him or Marik in that sort of situation, they would end up hurting Anzu, no matter how they felt. Malik knew how to manipulate himself to make things work, though, and especially knew how to manipulate Anzu. However, whatever had occurred up in his office earlier had hit him somehow.

"I haven't ever seen you looking quite so inhuman, Marik," a dry voice remarked. Three sets of eyes turned towards Otogi, who was leaning against one of the empty chairs, his arm draped over the back of it. His sharp eyes took in more than he was admitting, but he made no comment about it, for which Bakura was grateful. "But then, whoever said you acted like a normal human being?"

"Are you looking to be called out, Mazaki?" Marik snarled, willingly distracted. Bakura stared at Otogi, a bit surprised. He had instantly honed in on Marik, even though lately he had been focusing more on Malik.

"Call me out?" The lord repeated caustically. "Don't be absurd. Who would call someone out for a few teasing comments?"

"Someone who has a short temper," he answered sharply. Otogi responded with an easy, taunting smile that had Marik snorting, a tiny smirk playing at the ends of his mouth.

He is purposely distracting him, Bakura realized, blinking. How long has he been here? I can't imagine that he would have picked up on the tension that quickly. He glanced to Malik and saw the same conclusion on his face. Inwardly, Bakura was relieved that he wouldn't have to deal with any more of the tension between Malik and Marik. Before Seto had died under false pretenses, there had been an uncomfortable pressure between the two until Marik came to a grudging agreement with his brother. It wasn't like the rivalry between the two when they went after the same woman – like with Anzu in the beginning – but something even worse and unbearable. Bakura wasn't eager to endure that again.

Somehow, I don't think Otogi is going to allow that to happen while Malik is courting his sister, Bakura reflected with wry humor. "What are you doing in the hells, Otogi?" He asked as Malik collected the cards and shuffled them. "I thought your family was against you falling into bad habits." Otogi raised an eyebrow cockily.

"Which reminds me...," Marik spoke up, his tone relatively normal with only the slightest edge to it, "I would ask you to stop teaching your damned sister these bad habits of yours. If Malik hadn't saved me, she would have cleaned me out completely." Otogi's eyes lit up with unsuppressed pride, appearing gleeful.

"Really? She's gotten that good? How lovely." He settled down in a seat between Malik and Bakura. "I hope you don't mind me joining you two. Apparently Shizuka and Isis had some plans today that I was unaware of." Malik raised his eyes in question after dealing the cards for whist. "Anzu declined," he added at Malik's look. "I wondered if she would be with you, but I can see that I was wrong." There was a tinge of disapproval in his eyes, which he voiced in his next question, "Why is that, by the by?"

"I saw Anzu," Malik responded smoothly. "She seemed to have other things that she needed to get done today." Otogi's brow furrowed, but he merely nodded. The card game from then on went to a safer conversation, that of the dealings of those in the ton and meaningless gossip. It was all for distraction of the other players and, in Bakura and Otogi's case, to keep the two Ishtar brothers from speaking of anything that might cause a quarrel.

Halfway through the game, another familiar male came striding towards their table, waving his cane jauntily. Bakura smirked behind his cards as Yami flashed a quick, wary look to the Ishtars and then placed himself in the seat beside Marik. "Do you mind if I stay for a moment?" He asked in a cheerful tone, appearing as if one of them had given him an expensive gift.

"Try asking that before you sit down next time," Marik suggested in an exasperated tone. "What business do you have here anyway?"

"I have been paid handsomely and, even though you believe me to be disloyal, I have come to give some information. About Radisson, in fact – "

"We already know," Malik interrupted, frowning down at his cards intently.

"Ah...I see. Anzu has already come to see you?"

"Yes, but Radisson spoke to me before that."

"Why would she come to see you?" Yami demanded.

"To extort money from me, what else?"

The conversation continued, as well as the card game, but Otogi was no longer listening to either the words being said or paying attention to the cards he played. His attention was fixed on Yami. He could hear his pulse throbbing in his head and feel his heart slamming against his ribcage erratically as he gazed across the table at the Earl of Avon. He licked his dry lips and then settled his cards on the table, mumbling, "I fold." His hands were shaking slightly, his palms growing damp.

Bakura gave him a puzzled look, but Otogi ignored it and anything that he or the others said. Yami's eyes met his for one instant, but it was enough to confirm Otogi's suspicions. He was almost completely certain that Yami was the one who had stood out so distinctly in the theatre. He rushed out of the gaming hell, feeling his frame shake with the sudden conclusion.

He stumbled to his carriage and paused, retching. A few people cast alarmed looks to him, but most ignored him, assuming he was cup-shotten. He wiped his mouth and closed his eyes briefly before climbing into his carriage. "To the Royal Theatre," he called to his driver. The carriage lurched forward and he sighed, leaning back into the cushions, shivering violently. He's been right there in front of their faces, he thought. He could have been near Anzu and none of them would have known. They are well-acquainted with him, but they never knew...They never knew because they hadn't been there when Mackin was killed. Jesus...

The carriage eventually stopped and Otogi stepped out, holding a hand up to his driver, ordering, "Stay here." The man nodded and he headed into the theatre, the shock of his discovery leaving. With a sigh, he nodded to the guard in front and he returned the nod, moving to the doors to unlock them for Otogi.

He found the box easily, having gone to it many times since first finding it. This time, when he settled in the seat and placed Yami's face there, it fit perfectly like a puzzle that had been unsolved for far too long. The acid in his stomach stirred ominously and he leaned over, pressing his hands against his forehead for a long while. Yami and those three have business arrangements, that I know from the first time I saw him with them. And they seem to know him rather well, based on how they treated him today. I cannot tell whether he is a friend or acquaintance or what!

With a sigh, Otogi straightened and then stiffened, hearing the soft swish as the curtain moved. Before he was given the chance to turn, something hard hit the back of his head. Sharp pain snapped into his awareness briefly before he was enclosed in darkness.

X

Shizuka waved goodbye to Isis and then entered her townhouse, smiling at the housekeeper as she helped Shizuka out of her cloak. "Has Otogi returned yet?" She queried with a bright smile.

"No, mum. He has been gone ever since you left."

End Chapter Twenty-Five

X

DIS: Finally enough with the filler chapters. It's gradually coming to a close. About six more chapters, I believe. If you're reading this, please leave a review. It's only polite. Ciao!