Chapter 33

Forgiveness

Although the plane ride home was the same duration as the flight to Italy, it seemed like it was twice as long. That was due mainly to their concern about Mokuba's welfare and the dreaded silence between Seto and Anna. Both of them had something to say to the other, but both opted not to. Seto wanted to talk to Anna about what happened last night. He wasn't sure he wanted to apologize, he didn't feel ashamed of what he did. But he was certain he didn't want to have such a conversation in front of Mokuba. Anna felt like she had to tell him about her arranged marriage. He deserved to know why she fled like she did. He should now that she wasn't running from him. But she couldn't find the words. She struggled last night and she might have been able to do it, but she was afraid of the repercussions. She was afraid that he wouldn't want to see her anymore and their friendship would be over. She couldn't have that. She needed him. And as a result she couldn't tell him. And today she couldn't even bring herself to look at him.

The only words that passed between them were about Mokuba. And those were few, mostly consisting of updates on his condition or Anna asking Seto to bring her supplies. Anna cradled Mokuba in her arms most of the trip. She wanted to watch over him but also he provided a barrier between her and Seto. Mokuba was blissfully ignorant of the turmoil around him. He drifted in and out of consciousness during the flight.

As soon as the plane landed they wasted no time in getting Mokuba back his room. Mokuba was more alert now and in good spirits. Being home was already doing him good. Seto called for his personal physician, but it would be hours before he could arrive.

"At least his fever has gone down." Anna commented as they left the sleeping Mokuba's room.

"I think it helps that he's back in his own bed."

"If you want me to, I'll stay."

"It's not necessary. The doctor will be here soon."

"I should be headed back anyways. There is probably a ton of things I need to do."

"I'll have them deliver your luggage to your apartment."

"Call me if you need anything."

She didn't look at him as she walked away. Seto watched her as she left. 'What kind of an idiot are you?' He scolded himself. 'Go get her back! Don't let her leave!' He took one step toward the door but was instantly stopped by Mokuba groaning his name. She would have to wait; his first priority was his little brother.

Yugi sat at his desk pouring over his homework. He hated math; sometimes it just didn't make sense to him. He really wished Anna was here, she had a way of explaining things that made it so easy. But she wasn't here, and she wouldn't be for another couple of days. Pharaoh could sense Yugi's lament over Anna's absence. He knew that this was the best time to broach the subject.

The shadowy figure of Pharaoh appeared beside him. "Partner."

Yugi smiled, "Other me."

"Having trouble?" Pharaoh glanced down at Yugi's papers.

"I don't suppose you could help?"

"Sorry, we didn't have Algebra. I'm not sure I would remember even if we did."

"Anna could help me." Yugi said in a depressed tone.

"I wanted to speak to you about Anna." Pharaoh said cautiously.

Yugi threw his pencil down on his homework and leaned back in the chair. "Okay."

"I've grown very fond of her."

"That's great!" Yugi smiled.

"It is?" Pharaoh was a little confused by his reaction.

"Yeah! That's fantastic! I was so afraid that you didn't like her. I mean the two of you didn't get along very well at the beginning, but I was hoping that would straighten itself out. I don't know what I would have done if my best friend didn't like my fiancee."

That wasn't exactly what Pharaoh expected or wanted Yugi to say. "You're right; things have changed between us lately. No, that's not exactly true..."

Yugi looked at him wondering what he was trying to say.

"I've been watching her since the day you two met. Even then I've had a strange pull toward her. I don't even know if I can explain it."

"I can." Yugi interrupted. "She reminds you of Anck-su-namun. And when you saw her, she must have dug up some old memories of your wife. You've said yourself that being around her makes it easier to remember. I don't think it was a coincidence that she and I were engaged. I think it was fate. Just like why I was the one who had to solve the puzzle."

Yugi was so happy; Pharaoh wondered how happy he would be after he learned the truth.

"Yugi..." Pharaoh began. "I don't know what Anck-su-namun was like. I have no memory of her other than what we saw at the museum. It's not Anck-su-namun that I'm in love with, it's Anna."

"Love!"

Pharaoh didn't realize he had said that the way he did.

"You're...you're in love with Anna?" Yugi's sweet violet eyes looked so sad.

"Forgive me, I've overstepped my bounds. I shouldn't have..."

"Have you told her?"

Pharaoh was surprised at how well Yugi was taking this. "She knows."

"And what about her? Does she love you?"

"I can't speak for her."

Yugi paused for a long minute. Finally he spoke, "What are we going to do about this?"

Pharaoh shook his head. "I don't know."

"I suppose you'll want to spend more time with her."

"Not if that makes you unhappy."

Yugi wrapped his arms around himself like he was cold. He didn't know how to react. His best friend and his fiancee? But it was more than that; his best friend was also himself. He didn't know what to do. He just wanted to cry.

There was a knock at the door. Yugi quickly rubbed his face and eyes trying to cover up his distraught. Pharaoh's image faded away. He knew they would continue this discussion later.

"Come in Grandpa." Yugi said turning back to his homework.

"What about your fiancee, can she come in?"

Yugi turned in a flash to see Anna standing in his doorway. "You're back!" He overjoyed at the sight.

Anna went over to him and gave him a gigantic hug.

"I thought you weren't supposed to be back for a few more days."

"Something came up. My plane landed about an hour ago, and I came straight here."

"I'm so glad you're back." Tears were beginning to well in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Anna gently brushed away the first tear that flowed down his cheek.

"The other me...he told me...about you and him." Yugi said between sniffles.

"I'm so sorry, Yugi. We never meant to deceive you."

"Do you love him?"

"I'm not in love with him."

Yugi was shocked, but Pharaoh, who was listening in, was even more flabbergasted.

"It's the two of you." Anna continued. "You each have so many traits I love. Like your kindness and generosity. And Pharaoh's strength and passion. The two of you together have what I want. I couldn't chose between you, I wouldn't want to."

"You really mean that?" Yugi smiled as his cheeks were soaked with tears.

"I do." Anna smiled back at him.

Yugi started wiping his face with his hands. "So...how are we going to do this?"

Anna laughed; "I haven't the slightest clue."

That made Yugi laugh too.

"You know...If I had Anck-su-namun in my body, we could double date. And we'd only have to pay for two meals."

Yugi was happy and laughing again. "I'm so glad you're back!"

Seto sat in his bedroom typing on his laptop. He felt like all the pressure of the world was suddenly coming down upon him. Mokuba was sick. Anna was avoiding him. He was behind on his paperwork. And that stupid doctor hadn't shown up yet. He wanted so much to bury himself in work so he could forget. It had always worked for him in the past, but not tonight. It was getting later and later and he was getting more and more behind. He just couldn't concentrate. His mind was a jumble of worries. He looked over at the phone. He wanted to call Anna, to talk to her. She always knew exactly what to say to make him feel better. But he didn't. 'What did I ever do before I met her?' He asked himself. 'I was miserable, that's what. And I'm not miserable now? This happens to me every time she leaves. I have to find a way of making her stay. I just have to..."

His thoughts were interrupted by a cry from Mokuba's room. He leapt up from his chair and ran down the hall.

It was well past midnight now and Anna had just finished unpacking all her clothes. She commented that if she took any more trips like that she was going to have to get bigger closets. 'There is still plenty of space in my closet at Seto's apartment.' She stopped herself. 'What's wrong with you? Can't you go ten minutes without thinking about him? Okay, I admit, it's a physical thing. He's totally hot. Especially when he's got his shirt off...and those leather pants...Snap out of it! You're engaged for heaven's sake. So he's hot. So is Brad Pitt, but do you see me drooling over him? No! Well, that's because Brad Pitt doesn't sleep in the next room. Geez, get over it already. It's just a crush; I've had them before. This one will blow over like the last one.' Anna went into the living room and sat down on the couch. She was worked up now, and afraid she might have to go take a cold shower to cool her thoughts. Luckily for who came to the door, she didn't.

She hadn't asked Pharaoh to come over, but she knew he would anyways. She opened the door, grabbed him and pulled him in. Quickly she locked the door and pinned him to the wall and began devouring his lips. If she couldn't have her fantasy, she was determined she'd have her reality.

Pharaoh didn't resist. He took everything she gave and gave as good as he got. Finally their lips parted.

"Did you miss me?" Pharaoh said breathlessly.

"You have no idea what I had to go through." She attacked his lips again. She peeled his jacket off of his shoulders and with his help it fell to the ground. If he wasn't sure of what she wanted before, he knew now. "I don't believe I've ever...showed you...the bedroom." Anna hinted as Yugi trailed kisses down her neck.

She took his hand and led him down the hall, into her bedroom, and to the bed. She crawled onto the bed and lured him to follow. He did so willingly. He positioned himself so he wasn't completely on top of her. He wanted to give her some room to move about. He planted gentle kisses on her lips as his hand brushed through her hair. The kisses led across her chin and down her neck. She leaned her head back so he could get more access to her neck and all it's sensitive areas. He then slowly undid each button on her shirt one by one. He didn't want to rush; he had to savor this moment. Just as he came to the last button his concentration was broken by the ringing of the phone.

"Who would be calling at this hour?" Anna huffed in frustration.

Yugi was undaunted; he had finished with the buttons and glided the shirt open to reveal a white lace bra. "Don't answer it." He said as he kissed her newly exposed collarbone and slid the straps of her bra down her shoulders.

"Damn, that's not the phone, it's my cell. That means it's my Uncle." Anna let out a huge sigh as she reached one arm onto the nightstand and grabbed her cell phone. She didn't check the caller ID; she probably wouldn't have answered it if she knew who was calling. "Yes!" She said in an angered tone. She didn't want to be distracted from the event at hand. Her face became pale when she realized who was on the other end. Yugi could feel her body tense up as she listened. "What!" Anna sprung up in bed with such a force that rolled Yugi right off of her. He caught himself; otherwise he would have landed on the floor. "I'm on my way," she said as she hung up the phone. She didn't give Yugi a chance to continue; instead she jumped off the bed and started reassembling her clothes.

"I have to go. A friend of mine just got taken to the emergency room."

Yugi was not without concern. "I'll go with you."

"I'll probably be there all night. You should go home and get some sleep. Yugi has school in the morning." She quickly slipped on and buttoned her shirt. Grabbing her phone she dashed down the hall and Yugi followed. "Oh! How did Yugi take it when you told him you've been coming over here at night?" She asked as she picked up his jacket off the floor. "Was he mad?"

"Not exactly." His half spoken words and expression told Anna the truth.

"You didn't tell him?" She threw his jacket at him. He caught it without trouble. The fact that she wasn't able to injure him made her even madder. "Don't come back here until you do!" In an instant passion became anger, and she bluntly guided him out the door in front of her. Pharaoh was not happy to be leaving. He had waited long enough for her and he wasn't willing to wait much longer. And he didn't like being ordered around.

Back and forth Seto paced in the waiting room. He tried his best to keep his stern face intact, but as the minutes past he found it grew harder. He knew that people often had fits of emotion when loved ones were in the hospital, and that the nursing staff wouldn't think less of him if he broke down. But he couldn't. He was Seto Kaiba, and he didn't show weakness. He threw another glance at the clock. Time was his worst enemy. The more it slipped by the more anxious he became. He never felt so helpless in his life.

He heard the click of heels rushing down the hall; he knew what that meant. He turned just as Anna appeared in the doorway. The instant they saw each other they ran and embraced. She didn't care that he had ruined her evening with Yugi. He needed her, and she wasn't going to let him down.

"How is he?" She asked breaking the embrace.

"I don't know, he's still in surgery."

"Surgery? You didn't say that when you called."

"They thought it was his appendix, but..."

Anna could see how distraught he was. "Come on, let's sit down." She walked him over to one of the waiting room couches.

He sat and automatically buried his face in his hands. "Did I do the right thing? Should we have just stayed in Italy?"

"We were almost two hours train ride from the nearest University hospital. Who knows what would have happened if we stayed."

"Two hours on a train is still better than twelve hours in a plane."

"You did what you thought was right."

Seto uncovered his face and plopped his hands down on his lap. "How do I know anything I do for him is right? He's my brother, my responsibility. I could be hurting him more than I'm helping."

Anna slipped one of her hands into his. "You can't start double-guessing yourself. You're doing the best you can, that's all anyone can ask of you. But the only opinion that matters is Mokuba's, and he thinks you're the greatest. He loves you not because you give him fancy gaming systems or toys, but because you're there for him. He can count on you. He looks up to you. You're more than just his brother; you're his friend."

He lifted her hand and curled it around in his hand inspecting it. She thought he looked as though he was lost in thought, that his mind was searching.

"Yesterday..." He began.

"I don't want to talk about yesterday." Anna cut him off. Seto's eyes reached up to meet hers. "Let's not dwell in the past. The present is hard enough to deal with." She leaned her head and rested it on his shoulder.

And just like that all was forgiven. Neither of them had to say a word. It was always like that between them. They could say so much without saying a thing.

"I didn't take you away from anything important, did I?" Seto asked quietly.

"Nothing that couldn't wait."

The hours crept by like snails on wet tar. They were beginning to fear the worst when a man in green scrubs came into the waiting room.

"Mr. Kaiba?" He asked looking toward Seto and Anna.

Seto leapt out of his seat and Anna with him. She stood next to him and subtly held his hand.

Seto didn't have to speak for the man to know who he was. "I was one of the doctors who performed surgery on your brother. As we had originally diagnosed, his appendix was inflamed and infected. We went in laporoscopicly and tried to remove it, but it ruptured before we could reach it. When an appendix ruptures there is damage to several systems and causes internal bleeding." Anna squeezed Seto's hand tightly, waiting for the bad news. "We then had to make an incision and repair the injury. It took a little longer than expected, but I'm glad to say that your brother came through with flying colors" Anna let out a huge sigh of relief. Seto did the same, but mentally. "We'll want him to stay here for a couple of days, but then he should be able to go home."

"Can we see him?" Seto asked dryly.

"He's being moved to an ICU bed. Once he's settled in I'll have a nurse take you to him."

"Thank you doctor." Seto said and then returned to the couch. He had to sit down. He felt like his legs were about to give way under him. He had never been so scared in his entire life as he was at the thought of losing Mokuba. As Anna approached the couch he reached his arm over, gesturing to her what he wanted. She scooted over next to him and wrapped her arms around his chest. He followed by bending his outstretched arm onto her shoulders. His spare hand he laid against her front forearm and he made small circles with his fingers. He began to zone out. He didn't want to think. It was too hard to think right now.