Dreams of Innocence
Chapter XV: Family Issues
Rowan ran up the steps and through the electronic doors. As she passed the security desk, she flashed her I.D. She nearly tripped on the carpet as she ran, but managed to get into the elevator before it shut. Panting, she leaned against the wall and slid to the ground. Her ring-covered fingers dug through her purse to pull out the envelope her mother had given her this morning.
{Dad sent this, eh?} Her eyes narrowed, debating on whether or not to open it. However, she was cut short by the elevator doors opening. Standing up, she straightened her blue-tank top and baggy black jeans. Grabbing her purse, she stepped out and gulped in surprise. She laughed nervously.
"H-hello Mr. Kiaba," she managed to say. Seto Kiaba stood there, his arms crossed and frowning rather dangerously. Rowan sweatdropped.
{Oh dear god, please don't let me get fired!}
Instead, he simply walked passed her and into the elevator. She turned to see the door close. Blinking, she stood there, dumbstruck. Suddenly, she felt someone jump on her.
"Hey Ro!" Rowan, waved her arms frantically, falling on her face. The laugh from behind gave her the hint to who it was. Grinning, she pulled the kid off and laughed.
"Hey there Mokuba. Sorry I'm late."
"That's okay!" Ruffling his hair, Rowan giggled.
"I-I can't believe it..."murmured Yuugi. Yami appeared beside him, in equal shock.
"I've never seen that card before," murmured Ryouji. Anzu was still in shock, and silent. However, the silence was broken by Ryouji's cell phone, Grabbing it, he answered, shaking off his shock.
"Hello? Otogi speaking."
As Ryouji spoke on the phone, Anzu turned to Yuugi and Yami. "Where do you think he got that card?"
Yuugi shrugged. "I dunno. But he's really lucky to have gotten it."
"Something didn't seem right about the boy," spoke Yami in a hushed tone.
"What do you mean?" Yami turned to Anzu, sighing.
"I'm not quite sure...but something about him just didn't feel right." Then, Anzu looked down at her watch.
"I better go. My parents are, by now, furious with me," groaned Anzu. With a wave, said good bye to Yuugi and Yami and nodded to Ryouji, who waved good-bye to her.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?" roared Mr. Mazaki when Anzu passed the living room. Jumping in shock, Anzu saw her father standing their, furious with her mother sitting on the couch, looking relieved to see her daughter.
"I-I'm sorry Dad," stammered Anzu, frightened. "I di-didn't mean to worry you."
"You were out all night! In the rain! Where did you go?" demanded her father. Her mother placed a hand on his arm, trying to sooth him.
"Please dear, you're scaring her. I'm sure Anzu can explain-"
"Explain what? That she ran away without telling us and didn't even call?"
"Please Dad, just list-"
"No, I want you to listen to me young lady!"
"Sam!" argued Mrs. Mazaki, standing up. "There is no need to yell at Anzu!"
"You are to stay out of this!" stated Mr. Mazaki.
"Dad, please stop yelling!" argued Anzu. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to worry you!"
"Sorry isn't good enough! You've been out of line lately young lady!" spoke her father, eyes narrowed. "Coming home late, not eating, not obeying your parents, what's next?"
"How the hell do you expect to me eat or stay here when all you and mom do is argue and scream at each other?" yelled Anzu, growing angrier and angrier with every passing moment.
"Don't you use that language around me young lady! From now on, you're grounded!"
"What!? For how long?"
"For however long it takes for you to learn to respect your parents and rules! And I don't want you around that Motou kid anymore either." Anzu stared, unable to speak. Her mother, however, spoke for her.
"Sam! Yuugi has nothing to do with this! You have no right to tell her to stop seeing her friends!"
SMACK! Mrs. Mazaki stumbled backwards, holding her bruised cheek and staring at her husband in shock. Anzu was trembling. Mr. Mazaki still held his hand in the air, preparing to hit again.
"Mom!" cried Anzu, hurrying over to her and hugging her. Mrs. Mazaki wrapped a protective arm around her, holding her close. Mr. Mazaki, however, acted as though nothing had happened.
"Now I want you to go straight to your room, Anzu," he ordered coldly.
"You just hurt mom!" she shouted at him. "How could you?"
"What I do to your mother is none of your concern!"
"Hell it is!" screamed Anzu. "Don't you dare lay another finger on her!" Mr. Mazaki, furiously reached out and grabbed Anzu roughly, pulling her away from her mother. He pushed to the doorway, causing her to almost trip and fall on her face.
"Go to your room!" Clenching her fists, Anzu stood there and spoke in a low, cold tone that was unlike her.
"No." And then, with that, she turn and fled.
"ANZU MAZAKI! GET BACK HERE!" she heard her father roar, but she refused to turn around. Instead, she ran out the door, slamming it behind her. IN her mind, she resolved to not go back until nightfall.
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Well, that's it for today's update! Now I can relax and enjoy my week of no school. ::happy grin:: I hope you're all enjoying this fic! ~LadySaturn aka Sanji