Disclaimer: NO, NO, NO!!! I DO NOT OWN YU-GI-OH!! STOP TORMENTING ME, PEOPLE!!
Lawyer #1: ..ahem..
deity: *blink*...and uhh..lawyers..
Lawyer #2: Much better..
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Replies
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Princess of Darkness and me - *waves ecstatically* ^_^ Hiya again!! Sorry for the slow update...
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DEath - Well, hello there, too. I'll be sure to count your votes too. ^-^
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Kitty, queen of the leprechaun - *sighs* Alright, alright.
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sakuraserenitybulma - ^^;; Well, we'll just have to see about that, now won't we?
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Shy-Lil-Dreamer - *bows and grins* Thank you so much. I really appreciate your feedback.
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Nightwish-sama - ^_^ Why, thank you!!
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LadySilverDragon2 *grins* Thanks to you too.
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roses in bloom - Hey!! Well, again, thank you for your vote. ^_^
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Dustbunny3 - ^_^ Thanks for the advice. Maybe later, I can check it out. And sorry for the lack of progress of updates. ^^;;
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Gaurdian of the Light - Uhh...email you? I don't think that I've emailed you before..
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Spirit of the Katana - Alright!! Thank you so much for the complement!!
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Aikenka - O__o I never thought that anyoine would pick the pairing of Mokuba/Blue Eyes White Dragon plushie..I guess that you proved my theory wrong. ^^;;
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Mystical Miyuki -
deity: *grins evily* So you want money, ehh? *looks towards a certain CEO*
Seto: *narrows eyes* Oh, no you don't.
deity: *puppy-dog eyes* B-But..
Seto: *glares* No.
deity: *looks about to cry..not* MOKUBA!!
Mokuba: *still playing with the rubber duck* Yep?
deity: *sniff, sniff* Can I borrow some cash?
Mokuba: *blink* Why?
Seto: *looks at Mokuba* Say no. Whatever she says, say 'no'.
deity: *grins idioticly* So Mokuba, Can you NOT give me some cash?
Mokuba: *blinks again* ..Uhh...no. *gives the entire Kaiba fortune to deity which deity gives to Mystical Miyuki*
Seto: *eyes widen* Y-You tricked him!!
deity: Yeah..and your point is?
Seto: y..y... *currently speechless*
deity: *nods* So yeah, that's my belated Christmas and New Year's present to you: the whole Kaiba fortune!! MUAHAHAHA!! Sepnd it wisely, girl!!
Seto: *points to deity* Y-You're insane, you know that?! Insane, I tell you!! INSANE!!
deity: *nods and grins widely* Yup, it's fun, isn't it?
Seto: .. *Is again, rendered speechless*
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bellefille1 - *nod, nod* Yep, I hope you have had a great vacation. Man...I'm broke too. So yeah, I can't help you in that department.. *sniff, sniff*
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Gryphaena - Weeeelllll, you'll see soon, ne? *wink*
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Pink and White Snow - Thank you for the review! ^-^
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anonymous - *nods* Well, I'm still counting the votes.
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Mae Crawford - ^^ Your review made me smile. I mean, really. Thank you for the lovely review!! And yes, you are THAT famous..do you know how many people have you and your fanfics on their favorite's list?!
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Dragon Faere - O__O Umm...okay...uhh..yeah..
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Molly-chan the Anime/Game fan - ^^;; Uh huh.. So is Yami still okay? Because judging by the events from the last chapter, I would've thought that he was dead. *sweatdrop* No offense, Yami. ^^;;
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Choas Babe - Well, I'm gonna see if I can do that. If it does not fit into the storyline, I might not do it...but, since you requested it, I might as well see if I can.
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Reveal The Freak You Are - Alright!! We'll see, that we will!!
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kawaii berry/ryou_sucks (ryou_sucks@yahoo.com) - *sweatdrop* ..You do have a point there...
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Child Of The Dark Wolves - ^^;; ehehehe... Well, I tried. I like your new pen name.
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unknown - I'll see... The outcome is still a mystery..
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Mystery_Chick - Thank you for the complement!! I'm still figuring out the votes..
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tea/anzufan Thank you so much for the vote!! ^_^
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Just this once - ^__^ Well, the pairings that I like vary a bit, depending on my mood.. For example:
Light Mood = Yami(Yugi)/Anzu or Ryou/Anzu
Dark Mood = Bakura/Anzu
Teasing Mood(or when I just don't care) = Duke(Otogi)/Anzu
Calm Mood = Seto Kaiba/Anzu
Depressing(Angsty) Mood = Marik(Malik)/Anzu
And so on and so on..
Although this fanfic is angsty for the most part.. The pairing I'm using now doesn't reflect my mood; instead, it is swayed by the reader's votes.
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LUNAR DRAGON 209 - Ahh.. A very long review. And as for Anzu forgiving them..It's not going to be easy. You'll see what I mean later on. And as for your fanfics, I can't promise to read them, but if I get done with this and my Language Arts Project, perhaps I'll be able to read your work.
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When in seven hells are you going to update? - I'm sorry that I couldn't update sooner; it's just that there is major pressure both in school and at home. My mom doesn't really encourage my writing; says that studying is a better way to spend my time. My dad doesn't really mind, so atleast somebody supports me; even if it's just a little. Thank you for your vote; I apologize again for my lateness.
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"Blah" = Talking
'Blah' = Thoughts
-was- = Emphasized Words
Notes: Joey might be refered to as Katsuya, Joey, Jounouchi, or something like that during this chapter.
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Chapter Twelve:
Under The Weather
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She closed the jar with shaky fingers and held a miniature pill in one hand. She took a glass of water from the table, swallowing both that and the pill. Jounouchi watched her with arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Ever since the incident, he'd been wary of the woman's actions. Anzu opened the cabinet and placed the pills inside, turning to walk out of the door.
As she reached the doorway, Jounouchi made to follow, but her voice stopped him. "I'm very well able to do this, Jounouchi-san."
"But you-"
Jounouchi watched as she left. He sighed and turned his head to look out at the window. Anzu Masaki had been allowed out of the hospital.. but on one condition; she had to have supervision. Yugi had to manage his game shop along with his grandfather, and with his chores on one hand, and work on another, visiting Anzu was simply out of the question. Yami had refused to confront the auburn haired woman after the incident on the bus, and Ryou had to go on a business trip to England.
As for Bakura, Malik, and their darker halves, that was impossible. Leaving an unstable man with only one ill-driven woman.. had the same possiblity as leaving a tomb robber in a house with many valuables. Duke had his job to handle also, as did Shizuka. Jounouchi would've been too busy to go, but since the options were limited, Duke had relunctantly let him go, but only with a little persuading from Shizuka. And Tristen.. Jounouchi just couldn't imagine him with hot-tempered Anzu without sweatdropping.
So here he was.. all alone, with the exception of the female CEO. She had grudgingly let him in the house but the tension was just too much for him to handle. She had changed so much in the past years, that it was just.. scary. The shining- friendship girl was no more, instead a woman with the same exact coldness as Kaiba was standing in her place.
Joey tugged on his white buttoned shirt, reminding himself of his job while in this house. This house.. 'More like a mansion.' he thought, sulking. The living room was large enough to fit his apartment and the entire house was larger than Seto Kaiba's, if not equal in size.
'Geez..' He stretched and yawned. He had to wake up at 5:00AM this morning, and by Ra, Joey was -not- a morning person.
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'...Another contract; when will they -ever- learn?!'
Anzu crumpled the sheet of paper up in frustration and threw it in the wastebasket. Other sheets similar to that one littered the floor and she just couldn't bring herself to pick them up. Looking at the clock on the wall, it was 6:47 PM. She had rings under her eyes and she had the look of a sleep-deprived woman.
'..Funny..It's only mid-afternoon and I'm tired..'
She leaned against the computer chair and closed her eyes half way. She had missed about a week, having spent so much time of the hospital. New and old contracts from other companies, as well as old bills which she had neglected to pay, were littered upon her desk. The stress had taken it's toll on the woman and all she wanted was some rest. She could compensate for it later.
'..Hmm.. Just..five more minutes..'
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He strolled around the large mansion, whistling loudly. In a way, it was creepy. The halls were vast and vacant, yet his voice and/or miscellaneous sounds echoed. Joey shuddered. Ryou had promised to help him out here when he came back from his trip in England and Shizuka took an oath to visit this house once in a while. Yugi did the same and forced his yami too; Joey was glad for their persistence..but, couldn't they have come sooner?!
He paused at an open door and took a peek inside. 'hehehe.. ' It really was a kodak moment. A chibi-like Anzu was slumped over in an armchair that was twice her size, with an arm dangling down one armrest. Her hair was in a disarray and the formal suit she wore was wrinkled in various places. Joey risked opening the door further and stepped inside the room. He wrinkled his nose in disapproval as he stepped over the crumpled sheets of paper littered around the room. One particular sheet of paper clung to his shoes and using only his index finger and thumb, picked up the piece of paper that read 'Contract' and threw it carelessly on the broad desk.
His destination was reached as the large window came in full view. Joey frowned slightly for the burgandy silk curtains were blocking his view from outside. He tugged at the braided white string that restrained the sheets of red, and as the curtains were freed, light filtered through more easily and Joey let out a crooked grin.
'Perhaps that's the reason why dat woman is so dang pale.'
He paused only to sneek a view outside, at the freshly lawned land and tame atmosphere. As he turned around to leave the room, he met a pair of deep blue eyes stared back at him with an unreadable expression.
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Ryou sat on the suitcase and forced the lock close. He wiped the beads perspiration off of his forehead and he sighed in relief, glad to have one less burden off his back. Before leaving the hotel room, he let out a very un-Ryou-ish smirk towards the unrelenting baggage.
He strolled out of the hotel with something alike to satisfaction, but no, that couldn't be it..
Things have been hectic these past few weeks. He was to engage in a meeting here, and he had been crushed when the news of the meeting canceled, reached his ears. Now after spending an awful lot of time on the blasted plane, after wasting much needed money on a hotel he was to stay at for five days, after wasting -much- more money on the formal black suit for the bloody meeting, he was informed that it would be better to just go back home.
With furrowed eyebrows that clearly showed his frustration, he headed to the park, where peace and quiet were available for the likes of him.
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"Yes, yes.."
The woman crossed her arms and glared dangerously at the tri-colored haired man when the realization of him not listening to -her- hit her full force on the head. She screeched with a highly irritating voice, "How rude!! Why I ought to-"
"Yes, yes..."
The woman screeched louder, her voice like long nails slowly dragging down a chalk board. She paused to say something else but obviously thought it unnecessary, sending Yami a withering glare instead, then strutting towards the exit, the glass door shutting behind her with a loud 'BANG'.
As if on cue, the old man known as Solomon, ambled in from the doorway connecting the spare room and the game shop. He turned tired, violet eyes to Yami and found himself sighing for the third time that day.
"You've sent another customer fleeing, boy. If this continues, we'll be out of business."
Yami paid no heed his elder and continued to press random buttons on the cash register, his eyes dull and glazed, as if in deep thought.
Solomon shook his head again, losing hope, and continued to sweep the room with an ancient broom that usually stood by in the dark corner.
"Grandpa!!"
The old man looked up to see his grandson enter the room, struggling to put his navy coat on. "Going somewhere?"
Yugi nodded and smiled brightly. "We're going to visit Joey. You know, to see if he needs company and maybe even some help."
Solomon's curiosity heightened and he raised a gray brow. "Ehh? What does he need help for? I tell you, that boy is extremely lazy. What are you going to do? Help him overcome his laziness? And besides, you don't need to feel obligated to do his work yourself..." He then muttered, "Just like when I was teaching him the game of Duel Monsters.." He shook his head and sighed again.
Yugi sweatdropped and buttoned his coat. "Well, grandpa, no. Anzu just came from the hospital and it seemed like Jounouchi was the only one who had spare time to lend to watch over her."
His grandfather nodded and mumbled something under his breath. "..Figures.. That boy has even got time to kill and me? An old man who works every waking hour, to keep this gameshop alive."
By then, Yugi's last words were finally comprehended and his eyes doubled their normal size. "Ehh?! Anzu has arrived?! And what's this? Her being in the hospital? It's preposterous!! And why, of all people, was Jounouchi Katsuya, chosen for this particular occupation of watching over her? I could've done it!! I could've watched over her, maybe even volunteered to be her private guard!!"
Yugi grinned boyishly and shook his head, replying,"No, it's quite alright, grandpa. You've got the gameshop to restore!! And besides, Anzu's..." He looked through the window before continuing, "..She's feeling..under the weather." He turned to look at his older relative and smiled sadly. "She's not really in the state of accepting visitors. Yami and I are just going to help Joey out with the medications and the measurements."
Solomon snorted. "Alright.. But you better be careful, Yugi. I understand your predicament." He glanced at the dirty floor, resuming his sweeping. "That boy.. He might even give Anzu an overdose and what will that solve?" He then gazed at the clock on the wall for a few minutes and then exclaimed, "You better get going." He pointed to Yami, "He looks like a corpse. Give him some fresh air, will you?"
At the sound of his name, Yami started. "Who? What? Huh?"
Yugi tugged on his counterpart's sleeves. "We're going to Anzu's."
Yami stared at Yugi as if he had just volunteered to freely give up half of his organs for donations. "Not in hell!! I am -not- going to that mad woman's house!! I am not-"
Yugi ignored him and dragged him out of the shop regardless, waving a farewell to his grandfather.
Solomon was left in the gameshop, sweeping and muttering inaudibly.
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End Chapter
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***I really must apologize profusely for my lateness..again. I have many excuses this time, though. As I've said before, my parents don't really give me much motivation to keep me writing(that's what you guys are all here for, right? *winks*) and what with more homework and review preparing us for the EOG(End Of Grade Tests), I have very limited time. My parents keep stressing for me to get high grades this last semester and much more peer pressure is added.
Also, my dear old, supposed-reliable inbox, broke down and I can't even open my own emails anymore. My dad thinks it's a virus, and I sort of agree. So my dad is calling the company this weekend, hopefully to get the problem solved as quickly as possible. I am very, very, sorry and hope that anyone reading this will understand. I also have complications at home, and I'm only writing this because I'm in a friend's house.
As for the next few chapters, I will update as soon as I can. Meaning that, to make up for all that I've put you readers through, I will write these upcoming chapters during free time at school and then type and upload them at a friend's house. The end is nearing in about a few more chapters. I hope that no one has abandoned this fanfic just yet.
..But still.. I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed and to those who have and still do, stick with me.
~
Next Chapter - The time for confrontation. Yugi, Yami, Ryou, Bakura, Joey, as well as others. And how can I forget our favorite character, Anzu? Tension is high, but the question still stands: Who will be the one to break it? And will Anzu's grudge against the people around her ever disappear? You'll find out in the thirteenth chapter of 'A Wound That Can Not Be Healed.'
~
deity of death
Lawyer #1: ..ahem..
deity: *blink*...and uhh..lawyers..
Lawyer #2: Much better..
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Replies
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Princess of Darkness and me - *waves ecstatically* ^_^ Hiya again!! Sorry for the slow update...
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DEath - Well, hello there, too. I'll be sure to count your votes too. ^-^
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Kitty, queen of the leprechaun - *sighs* Alright, alright.
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sakuraserenitybulma - ^^;; Well, we'll just have to see about that, now won't we?
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Shy-Lil-Dreamer - *bows and grins* Thank you so much. I really appreciate your feedback.
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Nightwish-sama - ^_^ Why, thank you!!
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LadySilverDragon2 *grins* Thanks to you too.
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roses in bloom - Hey!! Well, again, thank you for your vote. ^_^
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Dustbunny3 - ^_^ Thanks for the advice. Maybe later, I can check it out. And sorry for the lack of progress of updates. ^^;;
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Gaurdian of the Light - Uhh...email you? I don't think that I've emailed you before..
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Spirit of the Katana - Alright!! Thank you so much for the complement!!
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Aikenka - O__o I never thought that anyoine would pick the pairing of Mokuba/Blue Eyes White Dragon plushie..I guess that you proved my theory wrong. ^^;;
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Mystical Miyuki -
deity: *grins evily* So you want money, ehh? *looks towards a certain CEO*
Seto: *narrows eyes* Oh, no you don't.
deity: *puppy-dog eyes* B-But..
Seto: *glares* No.
deity: *looks about to cry..not* MOKUBA!!
Mokuba: *still playing with the rubber duck* Yep?
deity: *sniff, sniff* Can I borrow some cash?
Mokuba: *blink* Why?
Seto: *looks at Mokuba* Say no. Whatever she says, say 'no'.
deity: *grins idioticly* So Mokuba, Can you NOT give me some cash?
Mokuba: *blinks again* ..Uhh...no. *gives the entire Kaiba fortune to deity which deity gives to Mystical Miyuki*
Seto: *eyes widen* Y-You tricked him!!
deity: Yeah..and your point is?
Seto: y..y... *currently speechless*
deity: *nods* So yeah, that's my belated Christmas and New Year's present to you: the whole Kaiba fortune!! MUAHAHAHA!! Sepnd it wisely, girl!!
Seto: *points to deity* Y-You're insane, you know that?! Insane, I tell you!! INSANE!!
deity: *nods and grins widely* Yup, it's fun, isn't it?
Seto: .. *Is again, rendered speechless*
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bellefille1 - *nod, nod* Yep, I hope you have had a great vacation. Man...I'm broke too. So yeah, I can't help you in that department.. *sniff, sniff*
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Gryphaena - Weeeelllll, you'll see soon, ne? *wink*
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Pink and White Snow - Thank you for the review! ^-^
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anonymous - *nods* Well, I'm still counting the votes.
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Mae Crawford - ^^ Your review made me smile. I mean, really. Thank you for the lovely review!! And yes, you are THAT famous..do you know how many people have you and your fanfics on their favorite's list?!
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Dragon Faere - O__O Umm...okay...uhh..yeah..
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Molly-chan the Anime/Game fan - ^^;; Uh huh.. So is Yami still okay? Because judging by the events from the last chapter, I would've thought that he was dead. *sweatdrop* No offense, Yami. ^^;;
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Choas Babe - Well, I'm gonna see if I can do that. If it does not fit into the storyline, I might not do it...but, since you requested it, I might as well see if I can.
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Reveal The Freak You Are - Alright!! We'll see, that we will!!
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kawaii berry/ryou_sucks (ryou_sucks@yahoo.com) - *sweatdrop* ..You do have a point there...
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Child Of The Dark Wolves - ^^;; ehehehe... Well, I tried. I like your new pen name.
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unknown - I'll see... The outcome is still a mystery..
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Mystery_Chick - Thank you for the complement!! I'm still figuring out the votes..
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tea/anzufan Thank you so much for the vote!! ^_^
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Just this once - ^__^ Well, the pairings that I like vary a bit, depending on my mood.. For example:
Light Mood = Yami(Yugi)/Anzu or Ryou/Anzu
Dark Mood = Bakura/Anzu
Teasing Mood(or when I just don't care) = Duke(Otogi)/Anzu
Calm Mood = Seto Kaiba/Anzu
Depressing(Angsty) Mood = Marik(Malik)/Anzu
And so on and so on..
Although this fanfic is angsty for the most part.. The pairing I'm using now doesn't reflect my mood; instead, it is swayed by the reader's votes.
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LUNAR DRAGON 209 - Ahh.. A very long review. And as for Anzu forgiving them..It's not going to be easy. You'll see what I mean later on. And as for your fanfics, I can't promise to read them, but if I get done with this and my Language Arts Project, perhaps I'll be able to read your work.
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When in seven hells are you going to update? - I'm sorry that I couldn't update sooner; it's just that there is major pressure both in school and at home. My mom doesn't really encourage my writing; says that studying is a better way to spend my time. My dad doesn't really mind, so atleast somebody supports me; even if it's just a little. Thank you for your vote; I apologize again for my lateness.
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"Blah" = Talking
'Blah' = Thoughts
-was- = Emphasized Words
Notes: Joey might be refered to as Katsuya, Joey, Jounouchi, or something like that during this chapter.
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Chapter Twelve:
Under The Weather
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She closed the jar with shaky fingers and held a miniature pill in one hand. She took a glass of water from the table, swallowing both that and the pill. Jounouchi watched her with arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Ever since the incident, he'd been wary of the woman's actions. Anzu opened the cabinet and placed the pills inside, turning to walk out of the door.
As she reached the doorway, Jounouchi made to follow, but her voice stopped him. "I'm very well able to do this, Jounouchi-san."
"But you-"
Jounouchi watched as she left. He sighed and turned his head to look out at the window. Anzu Masaki had been allowed out of the hospital.. but on one condition; she had to have supervision. Yugi had to manage his game shop along with his grandfather, and with his chores on one hand, and work on another, visiting Anzu was simply out of the question. Yami had refused to confront the auburn haired woman after the incident on the bus, and Ryou had to go on a business trip to England.
As for Bakura, Malik, and their darker halves, that was impossible. Leaving an unstable man with only one ill-driven woman.. had the same possiblity as leaving a tomb robber in a house with many valuables. Duke had his job to handle also, as did Shizuka. Jounouchi would've been too busy to go, but since the options were limited, Duke had relunctantly let him go, but only with a little persuading from Shizuka. And Tristen.. Jounouchi just couldn't imagine him with hot-tempered Anzu without sweatdropping.
So here he was.. all alone, with the exception of the female CEO. She had grudgingly let him in the house but the tension was just too much for him to handle. She had changed so much in the past years, that it was just.. scary. The shining- friendship girl was no more, instead a woman with the same exact coldness as Kaiba was standing in her place.
Joey tugged on his white buttoned shirt, reminding himself of his job while in this house. This house.. 'More like a mansion.' he thought, sulking. The living room was large enough to fit his apartment and the entire house was larger than Seto Kaiba's, if not equal in size.
'Geez..' He stretched and yawned. He had to wake up at 5:00AM this morning, and by Ra, Joey was -not- a morning person.
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'...Another contract; when will they -ever- learn?!'
Anzu crumpled the sheet of paper up in frustration and threw it in the wastebasket. Other sheets similar to that one littered the floor and she just couldn't bring herself to pick them up. Looking at the clock on the wall, it was 6:47 PM. She had rings under her eyes and she had the look of a sleep-deprived woman.
'..Funny..It's only mid-afternoon and I'm tired..'
She leaned against the computer chair and closed her eyes half way. She had missed about a week, having spent so much time of the hospital. New and old contracts from other companies, as well as old bills which she had neglected to pay, were littered upon her desk. The stress had taken it's toll on the woman and all she wanted was some rest. She could compensate for it later.
'..Hmm.. Just..five more minutes..'
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He strolled around the large mansion, whistling loudly. In a way, it was creepy. The halls were vast and vacant, yet his voice and/or miscellaneous sounds echoed. Joey shuddered. Ryou had promised to help him out here when he came back from his trip in England and Shizuka took an oath to visit this house once in a while. Yugi did the same and forced his yami too; Joey was glad for their persistence..but, couldn't they have come sooner?!
He paused at an open door and took a peek inside. 'hehehe.. ' It really was a kodak moment. A chibi-like Anzu was slumped over in an armchair that was twice her size, with an arm dangling down one armrest. Her hair was in a disarray and the formal suit she wore was wrinkled in various places. Joey risked opening the door further and stepped inside the room. He wrinkled his nose in disapproval as he stepped over the crumpled sheets of paper littered around the room. One particular sheet of paper clung to his shoes and using only his index finger and thumb, picked up the piece of paper that read 'Contract' and threw it carelessly on the broad desk.
His destination was reached as the large window came in full view. Joey frowned slightly for the burgandy silk curtains were blocking his view from outside. He tugged at the braided white string that restrained the sheets of red, and as the curtains were freed, light filtered through more easily and Joey let out a crooked grin.
'Perhaps that's the reason why dat woman is so dang pale.'
He paused only to sneek a view outside, at the freshly lawned land and tame atmosphere. As he turned around to leave the room, he met a pair of deep blue eyes stared back at him with an unreadable expression.
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Ryou sat on the suitcase and forced the lock close. He wiped the beads perspiration off of his forehead and he sighed in relief, glad to have one less burden off his back. Before leaving the hotel room, he let out a very un-Ryou-ish smirk towards the unrelenting baggage.
He strolled out of the hotel with something alike to satisfaction, but no, that couldn't be it..
Things have been hectic these past few weeks. He was to engage in a meeting here, and he had been crushed when the news of the meeting canceled, reached his ears. Now after spending an awful lot of time on the blasted plane, after wasting much needed money on a hotel he was to stay at for five days, after wasting -much- more money on the formal black suit for the bloody meeting, he was informed that it would be better to just go back home.
With furrowed eyebrows that clearly showed his frustration, he headed to the park, where peace and quiet were available for the likes of him.
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"Yes, yes.."
The woman crossed her arms and glared dangerously at the tri-colored haired man when the realization of him not listening to -her- hit her full force on the head. She screeched with a highly irritating voice, "How rude!! Why I ought to-"
"Yes, yes..."
The woman screeched louder, her voice like long nails slowly dragging down a chalk board. She paused to say something else but obviously thought it unnecessary, sending Yami a withering glare instead, then strutting towards the exit, the glass door shutting behind her with a loud 'BANG'.
As if on cue, the old man known as Solomon, ambled in from the doorway connecting the spare room and the game shop. He turned tired, violet eyes to Yami and found himself sighing for the third time that day.
"You've sent another customer fleeing, boy. If this continues, we'll be out of business."
Yami paid no heed his elder and continued to press random buttons on the cash register, his eyes dull and glazed, as if in deep thought.
Solomon shook his head again, losing hope, and continued to sweep the room with an ancient broom that usually stood by in the dark corner.
"Grandpa!!"
The old man looked up to see his grandson enter the room, struggling to put his navy coat on. "Going somewhere?"
Yugi nodded and smiled brightly. "We're going to visit Joey. You know, to see if he needs company and maybe even some help."
Solomon's curiosity heightened and he raised a gray brow. "Ehh? What does he need help for? I tell you, that boy is extremely lazy. What are you going to do? Help him overcome his laziness? And besides, you don't need to feel obligated to do his work yourself..." He then muttered, "Just like when I was teaching him the game of Duel Monsters.." He shook his head and sighed again.
Yugi sweatdropped and buttoned his coat. "Well, grandpa, no. Anzu just came from the hospital and it seemed like Jounouchi was the only one who had spare time to lend to watch over her."
His grandfather nodded and mumbled something under his breath. "..Figures.. That boy has even got time to kill and me? An old man who works every waking hour, to keep this gameshop alive."
By then, Yugi's last words were finally comprehended and his eyes doubled their normal size. "Ehh?! Anzu has arrived?! And what's this? Her being in the hospital? It's preposterous!! And why, of all people, was Jounouchi Katsuya, chosen for this particular occupation of watching over her? I could've done it!! I could've watched over her, maybe even volunteered to be her private guard!!"
Yugi grinned boyishly and shook his head, replying,"No, it's quite alright, grandpa. You've got the gameshop to restore!! And besides, Anzu's..." He looked through the window before continuing, "..She's feeling..under the weather." He turned to look at his older relative and smiled sadly. "She's not really in the state of accepting visitors. Yami and I are just going to help Joey out with the medications and the measurements."
Solomon snorted. "Alright.. But you better be careful, Yugi. I understand your predicament." He glanced at the dirty floor, resuming his sweeping. "That boy.. He might even give Anzu an overdose and what will that solve?" He then gazed at the clock on the wall for a few minutes and then exclaimed, "You better get going." He pointed to Yami, "He looks like a corpse. Give him some fresh air, will you?"
At the sound of his name, Yami started. "Who? What? Huh?"
Yugi tugged on his counterpart's sleeves. "We're going to Anzu's."
Yami stared at Yugi as if he had just volunteered to freely give up half of his organs for donations. "Not in hell!! I am -not- going to that mad woman's house!! I am not-"
Yugi ignored him and dragged him out of the shop regardless, waving a farewell to his grandfather.
Solomon was left in the gameshop, sweeping and muttering inaudibly.
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End Chapter
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***I really must apologize profusely for my lateness..again. I have many excuses this time, though. As I've said before, my parents don't really give me much motivation to keep me writing(that's what you guys are all here for, right? *winks*) and what with more homework and review preparing us for the EOG(End Of Grade Tests), I have very limited time. My parents keep stressing for me to get high grades this last semester and much more peer pressure is added.
Also, my dear old, supposed-reliable inbox, broke down and I can't even open my own emails anymore. My dad thinks it's a virus, and I sort of agree. So my dad is calling the company this weekend, hopefully to get the problem solved as quickly as possible. I am very, very, sorry and hope that anyone reading this will understand. I also have complications at home, and I'm only writing this because I'm in a friend's house.
As for the next few chapters, I will update as soon as I can. Meaning that, to make up for all that I've put you readers through, I will write these upcoming chapters during free time at school and then type and upload them at a friend's house. The end is nearing in about a few more chapters. I hope that no one has abandoned this fanfic just yet.
..But still.. I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed and to those who have and still do, stick with me.
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Next Chapter - The time for confrontation. Yugi, Yami, Ryou, Bakura, Joey, as well as others. And how can I forget our favorite character, Anzu? Tension is high, but the question still stands: Who will be the one to break it? And will Anzu's grudge against the people around her ever disappear? You'll find out in the thirteenth chapter of 'A Wound That Can Not Be Healed.'
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deity of death