Disclaimer: She still doesn't own it.

Dustbunny: See? I didn't laze out!

Bunnydust: You uploaded a typed out document. Yeah, that proves everything.

Marshmallow: Hey! She did some editing too! Anyway, here we go!

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The glare he was receiving ticked Ryuzaki off immensely. First of all, it had been an accident. Second of all, he hadn't come out of the ordeal any happier than she. But then he had not lost two large bags of groceries either... The groceries! No wonder her glare held so steady and expectant. She was waiting for him to offer his help with her groceries.

But just as the young man was about to go about offering his help, Anzu turned her icy eyes away from him and hurried to gather her things on her own. The spell cast by the girl's eyes broken, Ryuzaki rose quickly to help with the gathering of the scattered items. The bags, surprisingly and luckily, had come out of the fall well and could still hold what was salvaged. The eggs and milk and an impressive amount of produce were all beyond saving so that at least there was less chance of the battered bags ripping. Fortunately, the bags were wax-coated.

As he helped pick up what was left- mostly bags of junk food and the few fruits and vegetables that had survived- Ryuzaki realized that Anzu was still glaring. It was a small blessing, at least, that she didn't direct the look at him. He sighed.

"Look, I'm sorry, alright? I was in a rush to get out of the rain and the wind surprised me," he thought it best to leave out his plan to hitch a ride beneath her umbrella.

"What are you doing around here anyway?" she asked, her voice bordering sub-zero. She had not forgotten the trouble he and Haga had caused her and her friends.

"That's my business," he returned in a voice he hoped make him sound important. In fact he was passing through on his way to a cousin's wedding.

"Just as long as your business doesn't involve Yugi or Jounouchi inany way," her voice dipped into freezing temperatures.

"I have no further interest in either of those losers," he said somewhat bitterly.

Nothing more was said as the bought goods were gathered and placed into one of the bags which was in turn placed in its partner. So few were the things that could be kept that only one bag was necessary. Ryuzaki flinched, certain to get an earful for having caused the loss. But Anzu simply gathered her remaining bag and her umbrella and stood to leave.

"Hey… do you want me to help you with your bag?" Ryuzaki offered, hoping still to use the umbrella.

"So, you knock me over and then try to scam me for my umbrella, huh?" she smirked slightly as Ryuzaki gaped. How did she..?

"Come on, I have no idea how to get to my hotel from here," he was almost begging. "I'll drown or get sick or something. Can't I just use it until I can call a cab or something?"

"You have got to be kidding me!" Anzu nearly exploded. "After all the trash you and your buddy Haga put us through-"

"I getcold too, y'know!" Ryuzaki cut her off. "Anyway, forget it! I don't need your lousy umbrella!"

"Then don't ask for it again!"

"I won't!"

"Good!"

"Fine!" Ryuzaki shouted before turning away. What kind of world was it where not even a goody-two-shoes would allow you the use of their umbrella?

Ryuzaki lost the strut in his step as the thought came to him. Anzu was one of the goody-good guys. If even she wouldn't give him as much as passage through a storm to use a phone, what did that make him? The good guys, especially the goody-goody type, were supposed to be eternally caring and forgiving to everyone, weren't they? So then what did being refused that kindness and caring, that forgiveness mean?

Meanwhile, Anzu was stalking off in the other direction, muttering to herself. The nerve of that little twerp. He had obviously been planning to con his way into the use of her umbrella and when it back-fired he expected her to just forgive and forget. It wasn't just anger, though, it was fear and suspicion. Who could be certain what Ryuzaki was up to? He could really want no more than to get through the rain or he could plan to use her as bait of some type. But still… The blue-eyed dancer looked back at the small-framed retreating figure. He looked so lost and pathetic. Surely she could let him use her umbrella until he could get a cab… No! Anzu refused to fall into the image that he had obviously set for her. She would not become the gushy goody-goody-friendship-preacher that she knew so many had already pegged her as. But then… for all Ryuzaki had put her through, put her friends through, he had been through just as much. And he was a lot better than Haga anyway…

"Oh, for crying out loud," she muttered beneath her breath as she hurried back to him.

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Dustbunny: Ain't she sweet, folks?

Anzu: I don't know where you're going with this... but I don't think I like it.

Dustbunny: Too bad. I'm the writer and I decide what happens. besides, poor Ryuzaki needs love/glomp/

Ryuzaki: Help...

Marshmallow: Nope; this is too amusing. Anyway, hope you leave a comment or two