Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh, but I do own a box of cinnamon Mentos.

Author's Note: Yeah. Second chapter and all. This is going to move very quickly, as I'm experimenting with a different writing style than I am used to.


Slender fingers twined together, propping up a pointed chin. Dark green eyes flashed with surprise, incredulity, and, above all else, distrust. A tilt of the head, and wild black hair partially hid the intense eyes, falling about the boys face like a thin curtain.

Anzu sat back in the booth, her arm snug around Shizuka's waist and ignoring the steady drone of the diner's early evening occupants. She focused entirely on the dice kitty seated across from her, lounging in his seat with the graceful abandon of his nickname. Shizuka squirmed briefly in embarrassment and then stilled, cold hands clutching at Anzu.

The girl hadn't been eager to come tonight despite her offer of help, but that hadn't been enough to stop Anzu. It had taken a while to convince her, and then more time to contact Otogi – so much time wasted, so much time she could have been spending more usefully! – but they were here, and they were gathering their army, and that was all that mattered. It would be easier to execute her plan if she had more people on her side, whether to stand with her or to distract others so they could not interfere. And of course, it would be quite useful to know who was against her. She couldn't allow them to run free, after all.

"Why are you telling me this?" Otogi asked, unfolding his hands and leaning back. He plucked a die from his pocket and twirled it between his fingers, a nervous habit he had picked up as a child. Half of the time he didn't even realize what he was doing.

"Because we need your help," Anzu replied simply, taking a sip of her milkshake.

"We?" His eyes flickered to Shizuka and back. "What makes you think I won't go to Yuugi-kun with this?"

"It wouldn't be in your best interest."

A slender brow rose. "Oh?"

Anzu lowered her gaze to her drink, thick lashes briefly shielding the fiery eyes. Her grip on Shizuka's waist tightened as she pulled the girl closer, pressing her tightly against her side and slipping her hand beneath the thin shirt. Shizuka obediently snuggled up against the dancer, though her eyes never left Otogi.

"I have something you wish to possess."

Shizuka stiffened and made a sound in the back of her throat, and Anzu felt a flash of irritation. She had gone over what she needed the girl to do; she had made sure Shizuka understood what was required of her. She had softened the blows with tender kisses and caresses, and in the end, Shizuka had agreed to play her part. It had taken so very very long, but she had agreed…she had agreed!

She had better not ruin this. We only have one chance with Otogi, and if she blows it…

Anzu plastered on a smile. "Think about it," she purred, lifting a hand to stroke Shizuka's hair. His gaze followed the path of her fingers; good. "With him out of the way, your father will cease his incessant nagging…amongst other things." Her hand slid down to stroke the girl's slender throat. "And if you play your part well…" She let her sentence trail off as her hand slipped into Shizuka's shirt, feeling the girl gasp and press against her, undoubtedly blushing with shame.

A slight flush crossed his cheeks as he coughed and looked away, the die falling from his grasp to clatter onto the table. "You do realize what you're asking me to do," he said, voice colored with a tint of anger and…something else. He was watching them out of the corner of his eyes and trying to hide it, trying to conceal where his gaze was falling. "You're asking me to betray my friend."

Her smile faltered and she pounded her fist against the table, causing the glasses to jump and rattle. "I'm asking you to take a hand in your destiny, instead of sitting idly by and letting everyone else walk on you and force you into actions to benefit themselves! I'm giving you the opportunity to stop your enemy once and for all! I'm not blind; you never ceased to view him in that light, ever since he humiliated you at your own game."

Otogi sneered. "You're just angry that he's screwing that blonde instead of you," he spat as he leaned forward, his eyes piercing. "You feel so rejected, and yet so helpless, that you feel the need to use others in order to get back at him. Well, forget it; I'm not your tool."

Eyes narrowed, Anzu stood abruptly, jerking Shizuka with her. Without a word, she turned and strode towards the door. This hadn't gone well at all. Shizuka hadn't spoken up, she hadn't done her part, and now Otogi was going to blab to Yuugi. She couldn't allow that. If the boy was forewarned, he would be able to take steps to stop her, and that silly girl he kept by his side would win. She would win, and Anzu would fail. She couldn't allow that to happen.

When she was a few feet away from the egress, thoughts swirling frantically in her mind, she was stopped dead by a single word.

"Wait!"

She turned around slowly, resting a hand on Shizuka's back possessively. She looked at Otogi, who was standing beside the booth, one arm outstretched. His tortured green eyes were fixed upon Shizuka's slight form, and he fidgeted, tongue darting out to moisten his lips.

"Wait," he repeated, his tone quiet and defeated. The dice kitty slumped back into the booth, a haunted expression marring his handsome features.

Fighting back a smile, Anzu approached the booth once more, urging Shizuka to sit by Otogi. With Shizuka's immediate presence gone, Anzu's hands clenched into fists behind her back, almost tight enough to pierce the delicate skin of her palms. It was up to Shizuka now whether Otogi became an ally, or an enemy, though it was obvious to her now that Otogi was sitting in the palm of her hand. Though if he slipped out…

No matter what, Anzu refused to lose this game.