Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters.

WHY DOES LOVE HURT: CHAPTER NINE

~*~

Seto Kaiba stood up, slamming his briefcase shut as he lifted the bronze buckles and clicked them in place, sealing it tightly. Pushing his chair forward he jabbed his fingers against the keyboard, turning off his laptop before he shifted around the table, covered with a rife amount of papers and disks, scattered aimlessly atop it. Tucking his hand under the handle, he hastily picked up the black, leather satchel, before exiting his office and storming into the enormous mansion. A middle-aged woman, clad in a sleek black suit, whirled around in her chair, facing the cocky youth with a bright smile as she lifted her fingers off the keyboard.

" Evening Mr. Kaiba." She greeted, before picking up a stack of papers and extending her right hand affront him. " That's for your meeting with Mr. Armada today, Sir." She announced, as he took the papers with a grunt.

" Cancel the meeting." He ordered, tossing the stack back atop her personal desk before he continued towards the entrance.

" But Sir, what about the estat--

" I said cancel it." He replied gruffly, before successfully exiting the mammoth building.

Lifting his left hand, he, with an exhausted sigh, combed his rugged, roan bangs back before heading towards the white limousine parked along the sidewalk.

" Stupid wench." He muttered irritably before sliding inside the long narrow vehicle upon waiting impatiently for the driver to quickly, with a bow, open his door.

" Where to, Sir?" The driver questioned, peering through the review mirror as he awaited the owner of Kaiba Corporations response.

" Mokuba's school." He stated dryly.

~*~

Mokuba sighed, tugging his backpack higher up his back as he waited for his elder sibling to pick him up from school.

" Eh?!" Roughly he was shoved aside as someone ran past him, screaming loudly as they headed towards the intersection a block away.

" Watch where your going!" He grumbled angrily, lowering his head as he cursed repeatedly. Realizing who had recently barged past him he looked up with a shocked expression as he watched the slim Egyptian run ahead.

' Wh-what's Marik doing here!?' He thought frantically. Looking around momentarily he tightly held on to the black straps of his backpack before he quickly ran after Marik in an attempt to find out why he was back in Domino City.

" Anzu!" Marik panted heavily, his voice hoarse and raw as he repeatedly shouted the brunette's name. How could I let this happen!? I'm such an idiot! A shock of hope shrilled throughout his body as she turned in his direction with a blank, confused look. The vehicle's tires screeched loudly, smoke emitting from beneath the wheels as the road seared and scraped the black rubber, tearing off large chunks of the tires as they erupted in an outward direction as the driver continued to ground his foot against the peddle.

Whirling around, Anzu looked ahead, facing the truck as it neared her at an incredible speed. 'Move Anzu, move!' The shock flooded her critical thinking, causing her body to ignore her demands as her feet remained planted firmly on the ground. Heart racing, she whimpered as she shut her eyes tightly and placed her arms over her head, preparing for the impact before she felt a body shove her back and into the ground, her legs and arms skidding painfully against the asphalt as she felt a lean body weigh against her from above. Looking up she became mesmerized by the fierce, stoic blue eyes that lingered momentarily over her face before a pair of arms tucked beneath her and lifted her into a sitting position.

" What were you thinking, you fool!? Were you trying to kill yourself?!" Realizing the voice as Kaiba's she nervously looked up.

" I-I'm sorry.....I didn't see it coming.......I..was so scared.." She sobbed, falling against him

Marik halted affront the pair, watching as Seto hesitantly soothed the girl, with a false expression of disdain as she wept into his left shoulder. Narrowing his eyes he turned away, a gold flicker of jealousy flaring his violet orbs with a fierce glow as he snarled silently.

" Ma-Marik?" Her voice trembled with shock and fear as she peered over Kaiba's shoulder, studying the Egyptian with a questioning gaze.

" .....What?" He asked, lowering his voice to a solemn tone as he heard a shuffle from behind him. Kaiba rested his hands atop her shoulders, assisting her up as she clumsily walked towards Marik. The CEO remained behind her as he kept a steady hold of her tense shoulders.

" Was.....everything you said true?" Everything around them went completely mute, as if for that split second, only their existence mattered. The sirens and masculine shouts lowered to a muffled, faint echo as she waited for a response; the shuffling of police officers and paramedics becoming a mere blur around them as he remained silent.

" Why won't you answer me?!" She sobbed frantically, ignoring the warm beads of liquid that plummeted from her moistened eyes. Shutting her eyes she fell back, only to be caught by Kaiba as he pulled her in an awkward embrace, allowing her to once again, cry into his shirt. Marik shut his eyes, blocking out her frantic shouts, before he reluctantly walked away.

" We should get you home, Mazaki." Seto announced sternly as Mokuba walked behind him and intently examined Anzu from behind his waist.

" I-I don't want to go back......"

' I need to know.....I have to know the truth.' Pulling herself up she quickly ignored the stinging sensation in her legs as the cold air nipped at the various wounds branding her knees and ankles.

" Please Marik! I need to know if what you said was true!" She begged, advancing a few steps forward as he continued to ignore her and walk down the sidewalk.

" I love you!" She blurted out, advancing a step as she apathetically shouted her thoughts aloud.

Quickly he froze in his saunter, the shock of her words seeping into his mind, overwhelming him as he pondered the sudden sensation in his chest, strangely pleasurable. Taking this as his response towards her confession she lowered her head.

" I know....deep down your good.....and I'm sorry I couldn't make you realize that in time.....but I'm not sorry for falling in love with you. It sounded ridiculous to me at first...but now I don't care what others think. Its my life and I can love you if I want." She stated, welcoming the tears as they slid down her flushed cheeks. Shyly she wiped them away, lowering her head momentarily as she ran her sleeve across her lids, drying her face of the salty, clear substance. Trembling she felt him walk around her, his lips brushing against her earlobe as he spoke in a gruff, low whisper.

" You know.....your a fool for loving me."

" I don't need you to rub it in my face......." She whispered, preparing to pull away before he wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her back against him; resting his head atop her shoulder as he inhaled her hair.

" A fool......I simply can't help but love as well." He whispered huskily. Whirling around she faced him with an astonished expression.

" Wh-what?" She stuttered nervously as he looked down at her with an unreadable expression.

" But.....I thought I--you were.. going to use me to get to Yugi?" She mumbled out hurriedly, jumbling her words together in a hasty attempt to figure everything out.

" The Pharaoh?" Chuckling softly he lifted his right arm, tracing her jawbone with his index finger, the devilish smirk on his face dissolving into a solemn, stoic expression.

" There are more important things I am after Anzu," He began. " Such as....you."

" B-but what about your yami....I thought.....is this just another one of your plans to ge--

Quickly he pressed his lips against hers, silencing her as he pulled her lithe frame closer against him. Sighing against his lips, she relished the smooth texture of them as they moved deftly atop hers, joining hers in a passionate, meaningful kiss. Untangling his arms from around her waist he fumbled his hands in her hair, before pulling away with a heavy sigh.

" I also don't care what others think...." He stated, re-phrasing her statement from earlier. Tenderly he cupped her cheek with his right hand, looping his left arm around her hips as he soothed her into a contented state. Biting back a joyful sob she fell against him, crying silently as she tucked her arms under his and embraced him tightly.

" Promise me.....promise me you'll never leave me...." She pleaded, straining her voice as she held in her fear-stricken sobs. Wrapping both arms around her shoulders he rested his head atop hers.

" Never....I'll never leave you." He whispered, tightening his grip around her. Laughing softly she tilted her head up, a weak smile curving her lips as she gazed towards him. Arching a brow he looked down.

" And what is so funny about that?" He snapped with an irritated tone.

" I'm just glad..... it was me you fell in love with......" Blushing she looked down at her feet as his amethyst orbs lingered across her lips absently. Smirking he tucked his forefingers under her chin, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip.

" As I."

" What is the meaning of all this!?" Kaiba demanded, walking towards the pair before shoving Marik aside.

" Are you insane!?" He began, gripping Anzu from her shoulders as he shook her in an attempt to awaken her from her reverie. Blinking she slumped her head slightly back, eyeing the CEO with a naive expression.

" Eh?" Growling he tilted his head over his shoulder, momentarily glaring towards Marik before averting his attention to Anzu.

" I thought you liked that baka Yugi?!" Lowering her gaze, she studied her shuffling feet.

" It's....hard to explain Kaiba..." She whispered meekly, heeding the pair of ice blue eyes that examined her intently.

" I can't believe you like him of all people!" He shouted, raising his arms with an exasperated heave as he ruffled his bangs back with his right hand. Cupping her hands affront her chest she glanced up.

" I really appreciate you worrying about me....Seto, it means a lot. But I really love him, and it may sound insane but I know what my heart, as well as I, want." She stated confidently. Grumbling he crossed his arms over his chest, turning his head to the side; obscuring the faint pink hue fluttering over his cheeks.

" Yeah, whatever Mazaki." He muttered, snatching Mokuba's wrist as he dragged his younger sibling towards the vehicle. Smiling, she watched the brothers part, entering the limousine before the car drove away, disappearing as an ethereal mist began to rise over the streets. Gasping she felt her body tugged back into a pair of tanned arms, looping below her breasts as Marik held her possessively. Smiling she tilted her head over her shoulder. Slowly she noticed the opaque glint swarming around his violet eyes. Heeding the direction of his gaze she smiled weakly.

" I'm fine really. Just a few scratches I can take care of." She announced, whirling around in his embrace before looking up shyly. Absently he fumbled with the stray strands of her chestnut colored hair with agile fingers, twisting and flipping as he fiddled with the silky shocks.

" Shouldn't we.....be getting back?" She questioned meekly, the glazed tint vanishing from his eyes as he untangled his fingers from her hair, allowing the few strands to fall against her earlobe. Swiftly he picked her up in his arms, a smug smirk tugging at his lips as he looked down at her perplexed gaze.

" W-what are you doing?" She questioned, a faint crimson tine covering her cheeks as she looked up meekly. Leaning down he intently stared at her.

" Did you really think I was going to allow you to walk in your condition?" He murmured huskily, lips grazing her earlobe as he welcomed the sensational scent roaming in her thick, straight hair.

" Thank you Marik. I really appreciate this." She stated firmly, leaning against him as he began to walk towards her house.

~*~

Upon hearing the door glide open, and gently scrape against the pale peach carpet, Bakura ran into view, eyes narrowed as he examined the situation.

" Marik!" Bakura growled, advancing with a confident saunter as he prepared to chastise the Egyptian.

" Bakura, wait!" Anzu shouted quickly, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she slowly climbed out of Marik's arms, and steadily planting her feet on the ground.

" He carried me all the way here.....I-I was almost--

" What happened to you!?" He demanded, bending down slightly as he examined the minor wounds, scabs and bruises beginning to appear on her shapely legs. Glancing up he snarled towards Marik, narrowing his eyes in a belligerent slant.

" Did you do this to her?" Bakura arose, eyes remaining in an accusing glare as he protectively stood affront Anzu who was blushing faintly.

' I wonder why Bakura's being so....protective...' She pondered, eyeing the heals of the tomb robbers feet with a blank, dazed stare.

" So, the tomb robber decides to step forth after all this time." Smirking Marik leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as he mockingly stared at Bakura.

" And if you failed to notice, it was not I who harmed Anzu." He informed, shutting his eyes momentarily before opening them to glance towards Anzu who gently rested her right hand atop Bakura's adjacent shoulder.

" He's telling the truth Bakura. I got these scars from....well.....its a long story and hard to ex---"

" None of this would've happened if that kisama hadn't have deceived you Anzu! He was only leading you on. He's the same person as he was in Egypt. Nothing but a conniving ba--"

" Bakura stop, please!" The brunette shouted, turning around as she concealed the tears as they slid from her wavering eyes.

" He's not the same person.......he's not.." Lowering her head she shut her eyes. Marik pulled away from the door, preparing to comfort the visibly trembling girl, before the white haired boy threw his arm to the side between him and Anzu, causing him to halt with an arched brow, indicating his confusion. Shifting his eyes to the side, Bakura glared towards the slightly surprised Egyptian.

" This is between me and Anzu." He stated gruffly. Narrowing his eyes he lifted Bakura by his collar, jerking his body against his as he glared down.

" Now listen and listen good. Anzu is my woman and if you dare lay a hand on her I'll---"

" You'll what?" Bakura taunted, grinning mischievously as he chuckled towards Marik's useless attempts to frighten him.

" Stop it you two!" Anzu shouted, struggling to push the two apart before Marik released the tomb robbers shirt, allowing him to fall on the ground with a hard thud. Bakura chuckled, slowly standing before he rose to glare towards the tanned man. Anzu stepped affront Bakura facing him with an exhausted expression.

" Bakura......if...if you really cared then you'd trust my decision. Please just...believe me this once. That's all I ask." She pleaded. Turning his head to the side he scowled gruffly. Momentarily she turned to look at Marik before pushing Bakura into another room.

" I don't trust him, Anzu. I can't believe you were indulged by his act so easily." He spat with indigence as he continued to glare in the direction of Marik, though the wall separated his hateful gaze from penetrating to the Egyptian.

" I know," She began, slumping her head down in shame before hearing the shuffles of cloth as he pushed his hands into his Jean pockets, leaning back against the sofa, head turned to the side with an almost saddened expression.

' I must be seeing things.' Anzu confirmed inwardly before hugging Bakura tightly. " Thank you......thank you for understanding Bakura." Faintly the tomb robber smiled slightly before Anzu saw a faint blush creep over the youths cheeks.

" Um......Anzu? A-what are...you doing?" Ryou mumbled, flustered as he looked down and saw the brunette's arms fastened tightly around his slim waist.

" I-I......was just giving you a greeting hug!" She stated quickly, pulling away before running out and bumping into Marik.

Raising a bemused brow, he smirked slightly as she blushed and whispered several apologies in diverse phrases. Ryou peered out, looking at Anzu before finally noticing the other male in the room.

" Marik!? Wh-what's he doing here Anzu!?" He shouted, pointing towards the tall, lean guest with a questioning gaze.

" Well you see.......it's kind of a long story...Ryou..."

~*~

Author's note: Review please! And I thank all my other faithful reviewers. I hope you have all enjoyed my story so far!