Melting the Ice
Chapter 26
Much to Consider
"Anzu I know you'll do great!" Yugi said.
"Of course, you work harder than any of us." Jonouchi chipped in.
"When do you work?" Honda joked.
The two boys started a fight, which Yugi proceeded to stop before they began rolling across the ground. Anzu told them about the situation with the dance school and of course, they supported. Anzu was happy that her friends were supportive of her in everything now. They had been friends for a long time; nothing should destroy the bond they created.
Finally, after breaking them up, the boys straitened up. Yugi let out a sigh and gave Anzu a weak smile. She smiled back as Jonouchi and Honda brush the dust off their clothes.
"So, do you have a routine?" Yugi asked.
"Sort of," she replied. "But I really want it to WOW the judges."
"I'm sure you'll do great." Jonouchi said giving her thumb up. "You are the best dancer in school."
"Yeah between studying for exams and watching Mokuba… I guess I will not be able to hang out much. Not to mention I have to be at Mokuba's school in twenty minutes."
"We're heading over to Yugi's," Honda said.
"I hope to study and not play Duel Monsters." She said, raising and eyebrow the boys.
The three smiled sheepishly. Of course, they wanted to play Duel Monsters. There were competitions in the summer and Yugi and Jonouchi wanted very much to be in them and win! The four said their goodbyes, allowing Anzu to go watch the younger Kaiba.
As Anzu walked away, her mind drifted to Seto and wondered if he would come and see her? She knew if she asked Mokuba he would definitely come. She thought better to consult with Seto first just in case if something important were to come up. Yeah, that excuse was pathetic. She knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to talk to Seto and not just about the entrance exam to the school. No, she wanted to talk about them. Although she was busy, her mind seemed to wander to that day but now she would be leaving the brothers soon.
What could she do? She thought that by now things would have evolved into something more, instead it did not. Their relationship was at a standstill. Of course, they talked. They had their brief meetings in his office to get her pay or when Seto came home and they greeted each other at the door. Those were coming and going instances.
The idea of quitting her job did not hit hard until recently. Perhaps it was even during the catfight with Ms Green. Maybe it was when Seto consoled her right after, that even though his exterior was hard as ice. His inside no matter how he tried to hide it was gentle. She had feelings for that Seto, the one she learned through a course of nearly a year.
Anzu turned her gaze to Mokuba's school and saw the young boy leaning against his black limousine. He had a sour look on his face, something she was not accustomed to seeing until recently.
X, X, X,
"Anzu can you help me with his problem?" Mokuba asked.
"Mokuba you do it the same way as the last problem." Anzu said.
Mokuba and Anzu both had their textbooks and notebooks sprawled across his room in attempt to study. Both had exams next week and both of them wanted to pass. Anzu however, wanted to get the exams over it and focus her last few days solely on her dancing. Her schedule was completely full. Between school, babysitting, studying, and practicing, Anzu had no time for a social life.
"I don't understand how to do it." He said stubbornly.
Anzu frowned. Ever since the day of the party, Mokuba had been trying to get her attention in every way. When Anzu tried to comment he did not need her, the boy instantly sent her on a guilt trip. It was a pain. Every so often when Anzu tried to practice dancing to relieve the stress of studying, Mokuba seemed to need more help. Of course, she knew he was doing it on purpose but she could not take chances. If he failed his exams from her neglect, Seto would kill her. That is if she was lucky.
Mokuba shoved the notebook on her lap. Anzu stared at it. It was the exact same steps as the last one. She threw the notebook back towards him refusing to do the problem. If he did not try, he would never learn, even though she believed he already knew how.
"Why won't you help me?" he whined.
"Mokuba you already know how!" she scolded.
"I do not!"
"YES YOU DO! SO STOP ACTING STUBBORN!"
Anzu gasped and covered her mouth. She did not mean to yell. Mokuba stared at her and then threw his book across the room and fled from her. Anzu watched him run out of the room. She shook her head while at the same time Seto walked in.
"Trouble?" he questioned sarcastically.
Anzu let out a groan and fell on her back. She took her book and placed it on head in defeat. Seto approached her and pulled the book off her. Her cerulean eyes stared into his. He held out his hand helping her up from the floor.
"Mokuba is just being difficult." She sighed. "It's like he wants me to be his nanny forever."
"He'll get over it." Seto said, holding out his hand.
Anzu took his hand and he helped her up. She smiled, blushing slightly. His hand felt so warm and comforting through all the chaos that was going on.
"Maybe you should take a break from everything." He said. "You look like a wreck."
"I have no time to take a break, Mr. Kaiba." She said with a smile. "I have to study and work on my dancing."
Anzu pushed past him playfully, and went to retrieve her school bag when she tripped over a textbook. Seto stuck his arm out, catching her around the waist. He steadied her and then shook his head.
"Klutz," he muttered.
Anzu blushed slightly, averting her eyes from him. Even now after everything. Anzu felt herself unable to look at him. Yes, she knew she had some sort of feelings for him. She felt it every time they had moments like this. Yes, they were friends but still Anzu wondered maybe… just maybe there was something more.
"Okay, I'll go home and get some sleep." She blushed. "See you tomorrow."
Anzu gathered her things quickly before heading out the door. When she was gone, Seto looked down at his arm that he caught her. He lowered it to his side and closed his eyes.
X, X, X,
Anzu stood in her living room, leaning against the wall. Sweat beads fell down the back of her neck. She was dressed in black leotard, white leggings and legwarmers. Her breathing was hard and she felt tired. Anzu had been practicing for a week strait between her last few weeks of school and watching Mokuba. Yet nothing seemed easy for her. She was tired, mentally and physically. Mokuba and she were in awkward terms now. The boy did not want her to stop being his nanny. He liked the attention too much.
Anzu slumped to the floor. Her furniture was moved off to the side giving her adequate space to move around. A small radio sat on the floor waiting for her to press play. She had found the perfect music. It was a fast pace song that she knew she could do some impressive steps to. Yet, no matter what she came up with for a routine did not seem to measure up. She had no idea what to do and time was running out.
The clock on her wall switch to 11 pm. She sighed and shook her head. It was time to study until the morning hours and then go to school. The brown-haired woman walked up to her room, forgetting about rearranging the furniture back. She sat down at her desk and cracked open her books.
Anzu tried her best to concentrate on her math. Yet, the conflict with Mokuba and her dancing was disturbing. Tapping her pencil to her cheek, Anzu wondered what she could do. She wondered what Seto would do in this situation. He probably talked to Mokuba about it. Yet, what could she say? He grew accustomed to her. Seto did seem to take more notice to Mokuba. She could see why he did not want to give her up. Sighing, Anzu gave up studying for the night.
She needed to settle this with Mokuba as soon as possible. Letting out a yawn, she flopped down on her bed, too tired to get dressed into her pajamas. Tomorrow she would talk to Mokuba that would work.
As she lay in bed, she turned her head to look at her dresser where a picture sat. She picked it up and stared at it. The photo was of her and Seto from the night of the dance. Mai who in turn gave her a copy took the picture in secret. The two of them were dancing and Anzu loved it. The dance seemed long ago but it still played fresh in her mind. That night Anzu felt like Cinderella. She brushed her fingertips on Seto, the only picture she had of him, made her heart beat wildly.
Anzu wish she could sort out her feelings. At first, she felt content with their friendship but even if their meetings were brief, she wanted to be with him. It was something deep inside her, almost painfully stabbing at her. Yet, she could not give up her dream and continue being Mokuba's nanny, no not after she worked so hard. However, worry filled her. If she were to leave and the two became distant as before would their friendship dissolve to what they were before? Would they become just two mere acquaintances if that? The very thought pained Anzu deep into the very core of her heart.
"Seto…" she whispered.
X, X, X,
Mokuba sat in his room fiddling with his necklace. He had open up the duel monsters' card shape charm and stared at the younger version of his older brother. He missed the good old days when life seemed simple and Seto was not some CEO of one of Japan, if not the worlds, leading companies.
The young boy continued to fiddle with it until finally he pulled something off. He pulled off a foreign object; something that did not belong but knew what it was. It was a tracker that Seto placed inside to locate him. After his kidnapping, Seto made she he would be able to find his brother anywhere, anytime. That is until now.
X, X, X,
Ring!
The cell phone rang. Anzu picked her head up and saw her cell phone light up as it rang. Who would be calling her at midnight? She had only been asleep an hour. She grumbled slightly that this better be important or she would strangle who was calling her. When she looked to see who was calling, the phone read KAIBA.
Shocked and confused, Anzu flipped it open. Why would Kaiba, whichever of the two call her? The last thing she needed was Seto to flip out on her or something to that extent.
"Hello," she answered.
"Is my brother there?" Seto's voice called to her.
"Mokuba… no, why would he be here?"
She heard Seto curse. Anzu felt her palms become sweaty. Had something happened to Mokuba?
"He's missing," Seto said. "I went to check on him and he was not his room. When I used the tracker, it said he was in room. He removed it."
"You don't think he's upset at me?"
"That's why I called." Seto's answer came with frustration. "I'm sending out the security to look for him. I'll be out looking myself."
"I'll go too!" Anzu offered.
"No, you stay at home." Seto said. "In case he does show up there."
"No, I should look for him. I am his nanny after all. It is my job to watch over him."
"Anzu… I appreciate the offer… but my team will find him faster if he is out in the city than you will."
Anzu gave up. True what could she do walking around or taking a bus? Yet, she felt the strong urge to go out and help. She conceded to Seto and hung up the phone so he could go on his search. She fell back on her bed, head hitting the pillow. Could she really sit here? No, she could not. Even if she had to walk, she would look for the boy. Not to mention she felt responsible.
DING DONG!
Anzu groaned. She picked her head up from her pillow. Who would come to her house at this hour of the night? She got up as the doorbell rang loudly again. The young girl moved out of her room and down the stairs. Anzu moved close to the door worried. Thoughts about who could be at the door worried her. She thought if it being a burglar. She was home alone but then again what burglar would ring a doorbell?
Suddenly, the person at the door began to knock loudly. Anzu peeked through the window and saw no one. Yet, the knocking continued. She flung open the door and saw no one in front of her.
"Hi Anzu," a voice called out.
Anzu looked down and saw Mokuba. She blinked several times. She looked out onto the street and saw a small bike sitting on her grass. She looked back down at the kid and pressed her hand to her forehead.
"What are you doing here?" she gaped. "YOUR BROTHER IS LOOKING FOR YOU!"
She opened the door, letting the boy inside. He smiled up at her and took off his shoes. He probably realized Seto found out her was gone. The expression on his face did not change, yet how could he act so calm. Anzu closed the door behind the boy as he looked at her house.
"You rearranging your furniture?" he questioned innocently.
"Don't change the subject on me!" she snapped. "Answer my question."
Mokuba sighed.
"I'm sorry for getting upset with you." He admitted. "I just really like having you around. Seto pays more attention to me and I am not so lonely anymore. You changed us you really did. Back when we were kids was the last time I could remember Seto acting like this."
Anzu sat on her couch. Mokuba hopped on next to her.
"You mean…"
"When our adoptive father was around, Seto was abused by him." he sighed. "He made Seto work so hard and I guess it stuck with him. He never even trusted people and… and… ANZU I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT. I WANT YOU TO STAY MY NANNY!"
The boy stared at her on the verge of tears. Leave it to a little kid to be so strait forward. She placed a hand gently on his head ruffling his hair. Mokuba felt comfort in the gesture. The affection she gave him was so motherly and he had no recollection of his real mother. If he did, he bet it would be just how Anzu was to him.
"Listen," Anzu said. "I cannot be your nanny."
Mokuba lowered his eyes.
"I can be your friend though. I won't be able to come over as often but if you ever need me you can call me."
"It won't be the same."
"Yes, I know but Mokuba… dancing has been my dream for so long."
Mokuba scooted closer, wrapping his arms gently on her waist. His head lay on her lap, trying his best to hide his tears. Anzu stroked his hair gently.
"Please Mokuba, please understand how I feel."
How did she feel? She felt hurt as well. She wanted to be his nanny and she wanted to work for his brother. What could she do?
"I do… but I'll miss you so much. Seto will miss you too!"
Anzu kissed his head gently. She would miss being with him as well. She loved him like a little brother. Over time, she grew protective of him. The boy was truly something special. When the boy said Seto would miss her, it tugged at her heartstrings. If she gave up her dream, she could be with them, be with Seto. Dancing and exams had buried the idea of leaving the Kaiba brothers, yet the thought always managed to resurface. Fighting with her causing her to doubt her senses, doubt what she really wanted. Anzu closed her eyes. It was her dreams versus her heart. Neither she wanted to give up, but knowing she had to.
She bent down gently, hearing his soft breathing. She carefully moved his wild hair from his eyes to see them closed. He fell asleep. She carefully slipped out from under him and rested his head on a pillow. She headed into the kitchen and picked up the phone, dialing Seto Kaiba's number.
X, X, X,
Author Note- Well, here comes another dilemma. Anzu's strong feelings for Seto are starting to conflict with her dream of being a dancer.
To tell the truth it is getting harder and harder to write the rest of this story. I have everything planned out and ready to go but no motivation. Even rereading this to make improvements has been slipshod. Sorry, if it is not up to par but my muse for writing this story is draining out of me. I only hope the next chapter will keep you more interested but I needed to resolve the issue with Mokuba losing Anzu. I think Mokuba will move on, he's a kid they'll bounce back.