"That girl you are engaged to...She was kissing Malik." Mai said steadily, trying hard not to smirk. Bakura stared at her, no longer paying attention to his boots.
"Why the hell were you eavesdropping?" He asked, barely keeping control of himself.
"I wasn't." Mai snapped, glaring at him, "I went downstairs and they were just...there." Mai spread her arms out in a gesture of confusion. Bakura pursed his lips, not liking what was going on here. A growl erupted from his throat and he went back to his boots, angrily tying them.
"Fine," Bakura lashed out to Mai, "you told me, now get out of my sight." She left, smirking to herself.
Oh yes, she thought, we'll see if your brother gets away Scot-free now. Mai let a small snicker come out from her red lips.
-
"Ryou!" Ryou jumped and looked up to see Bakura's blazing eyes.
"Oh dear," Ryou set his book down and looked at his brother worriedly, "what's happened?"
"Anzu might be marrying me," Bakura said, pacing the room, "but she's head over heels in love with Malik." Ryou's eyes widened to the size of the plate in front of him.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure!" Bakura snapped at him. I need to find that fool, Duke. Not just a marriage is going to do! She won't get in my bed when she's in love with Malik. And who knows if Marik has been sworn to secrecy or not...
"What's this I hear about Malik and Anzu?" Bakura turned and a slow smirk seeped onto his lips. Look who's here.
"Hello Julian."
-
"Not here?" Anzu repeated, looking weary.
"No, ma'am. Some woman, Mai I believe her name, was here and then after she left, he did." The maid said all in one breath.
"How long was she here?" Malik asked, knitting his brows together in confusion.
"Not long," the maid replied, "maybe only 5 minutes or less."
"Odd," Malik mumbled, "Mai wouldn't normally come to a man's house for such a short time." Anzu felt a shiver run up her spine as though cold dread had fallen onto her shoulders. She took a deep breath, trying to think of why Mai would be at Monsieur Julian's.
"Oh well, maybe I can catch him at a better time." Anzu murmured to herself, shrugging.
"Perhaps." Malik said, not entirely relaxed.
"I'll be going home now," Anzu said then, "tell Bakura that I need to speak with him."
"Of course."
-
"...I don't believe you." Julian said, looking pale with horror. Anzu wouldn't throw herself at Malik like that...Not Anzu.
"You should, you know." Bakura said, looking at him, smirking. If he could get on Julian's good side, have Malik confess and him out of the way, he could get Anzu in no time. Hell, they could annul the marriage in no time too if he bedded her soon enough. Bakura's smirk widened at the thought. All he had to do then was find her brother and "convince" her that she needed to born him a child—and soon.
"Anzu wouldn't do that, Bakura, I—"
"Bakura!" A shout came from the hall. Marik groaned, noticing that voice from a mile away. Bakura, however, looking genuinely puzzled. The doors were thrown open by a short, spiky haired lord. Yami gave a puzzled look, then beamed at the men in the room.
"WHAT IN THE HELL?" Bakura yelped in terror. He life was going out of control! Why in God's name was Yami back from India? He didn't need to deal with him right now, especially right now.
"That isn't a nice way to greet an old friend, Bakura." Yami noted, smirking at him. "I heard you were getting married and just had to see the wench that you're marrying."
"For the time being," Bakura said slowly, keeping his anger in tact, "it's on hold."
"Oh?" Yami plopped into a comfortable red chair. "Why's that?"
"Anzu was found kissing Malik." Marik said, shrugging, glaring at the shorter male.
"Anzu?" Yami suddenly looked alert. "I do beg pardon for calling her a wench, Bakura." He looked at his enemy carefully, "Are you seriously planning on marrying her? Anzu Mazaki oh Hathaway and Sofia, am I right?"
"That's right, Yami." Bakura hissed through clenched teeth, breathing hard.
"I doubt she'd kiss Malik purposely." Yami said, taking out flask of brandy and detaching the lid from it, took a deep gulp.
"She's a tricky bitch," Marik pointed out to Yami casually, "who knows?" Yami shot a dark look at Marik.
"She's not a bitch, Marik." Yami affirmed, "And if I ever hear you call her one, you're going to regret it."
"Oh will I, tiny?" Marik asked, raising his eyebrows. A death silence followed his remark. Everyone knew Yami was a bit short, but no one dared to mention it in front of the rabid lord of Semshire.
"Fuck you, Marik," Yami growled, his eyes narrowing into slits, his eyes blazing a violet red.
"Both of you shut the hell up." Bakura commanded, rubbing his temples. "I don't give a fuck if Yami's short or not."
"I'm not—"
"When Malik gets back," Bakura interrupted, "we'll ask him the questions." He looked around the room, daring them to disagree.
"Okay." The other men mumbled, noticing his wariness.
-
Malik was still pondering on the Mai Julian incident as he walked into Bakura's office. He looked up and stared back at the faces.
"What?" He asked, deciding not to close the door.
"Where have you been?" Bakura asked, eying him apprehensively. Malik blinked and shut the doors vigilantly.
"I just got back from looking for Julian." Malik nodded to the male he was speaking of.
"Where's the note?"
"I gave it to Anzu," Malik said, glancing at his brother, "she came by earlier when you were with Mai." Marik mouthed, 'Get the hell out of here!' to him and Malik swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Yes," Bakura stood up from behind his desk, "so I found out."
"Why, what's going on?"
"Mai saw you and Anzu kissing." Bakura's eyes narrowed at him. Malik looked at him blankly, not understanding at first, then he gave a sigh of relief.
"Oh, that." Malik articulated with relief, "She wanted me to take her to Julian's, but I told her that she had to give me a kiss first."
"You see!" Yami spoke up loudly, "I told you Anzu wouldn't fall for a lug like him!"
"Lug?" Malik repeated, "Now wait just one minute—"
"Okay," Bakura shrugged that off, "Anzu isn't guilty, but you are." Marik felt his stomach turn over as Malik's eyes enlarged.
"What!" Malik exclaimed in repulsion, "Now come on, Bakura! You would have proposed the same thing!"
"So?" Bakura walked slowly over to Malik. Marik braced himself, just in case he might have to save his brother's ass. "That's me, not you."
"You can't convict me for something like that when you would and have done it!"
"Oh can't I?" Bakura smirked and snatched Malik's arm in an instant, "I'm an unfair person, you know that Malik." He brought out a knife and slit both of Malik's wrists.
"What the hell is your problem!" Marik snapped, jumping up and grabbing his brother just in time.
"Me?" Bakura sat behind his desk, conjecturing, "I believe it's your brother, Marik." Marik hesitated, then heaved Malik up and hurried to get him help. Bakura smiled softly, a glint in his eyes.
"You're insane." Julian whispered, inching towards the door.
"Hmm..." Bakura flung the dagger at the door and it missed Julian's ear by millimeters. "I suppose I am."
-
Anzu heard thumping at her door and she sighed, walking over to it.
"Oh my goodness!" She gasped at the two brothers. "What happened!"
"Explain later, physician now." Marik grunted, dragging his half-asleep brother into the home.
When the physician arrived, Marik had to slap Malik every once awhile to keep him awake. Dr. Ramani put some creamy medicine onto his wrists and wrapped them heavily.
"That should do for now." He told Anzu, "Change the bandages every once in awhile and remember to smear this on the cuts when you do." He put the jar of cream in her hands. "Good day, Lady Anzu."
"Thank you so much, Doctor." He just smiled and nodded, before leaving.
"Malik is awake and having tea." Marik glanced at Anzu, "I think it's best he stay away from Bakura."
"What happened?"
"Bakura slit his wrists." Marik peered in the room at Malik, who guzzled cup after cup of tea. "He's pretty pissed off right now."
"Oh dear." Anzu murmured.
"It's your fault, you know." Marik shot at her.
"Don't blame me for something that I don't even know about!" Anzu retorted.
"Oh?" Marik's eyes narrowed, "So you're saying you didn't agree to kiss Malik and he forced it on you and you couldn't have slapped him?" Anzu pulled back in shock.
"Oh no." Anzu whispered.
"Oh yes," Marik growled lowly, "seems Mai saw you two and told Bakura."
"Mai!" Anzu gasped, "Julian knows too then?"
"Yes and only a matter of time before everyone finds out what a whore you are." Marik sniffed, crossing his arms. Anzu shoved the cream and bandaged at him and left to clear things up.
-
Damn her. Bakura thought, staring at the knife on the door. He was alone in his office, staring at the door, his thoughts revolving throughout his mind. How could I do that to Malik? It's all her fault, damn her. He paused, glancing down at his shiny oak desk, Why did I even get pissed? Shit.
Knock, knock.
Bakura's eyes flickered to the door, silent. He sighed, and then called out, "Come in." Anzu cautiously poked her head in. Bakura stiffened and sat up straight. "Anzu."
"Bakura...I...I need to speak with you. It's very urgent."
"Very well." He ushered for her to enter. She closed the doors behind her, nibbling on her lip. "Anzu, if you think this is going to piss me off, I'd advise you to leave." He saw the side of her head bump the knife in the door. "I'd rather not have what happened to Malik to you."
"I...Wanted to explain about that." She murmured, lowering her eyes demurely.
"Fine. Sit down, then." Bakura watched her, not at all amused, as he normally would be by her nervousness. Anzu lowered herself onto the couch and smoothed out her skirts, silent for awhile.
"He told me that I shouldn't go to Julian's alone, since he loved me and was older than I was." Anzu began carefully. "It was my fault, I shouldn't have asked him to take me, I should have waited for you." Bakura grunted his agreement. "And his price was for me to kiss him and I did." She looked ashamed then, "I am sorry, Bakura, it was never Malik's fault. I didn't have to follow through with any of it, but I did." She raised her eyes to his face cautiously.
"Why are you protecting him?" Bakura asked her in a low voice.
"What are you implying?" He didn't answer for a long time. She grimaced, uncomfortable by the silence.
"Do you love him?" Bakura spoke at last, gazing over at her. She felt frail under his gaze.
"What makes you think I do?"
"Anzu," Bakura sighed, burying his face in his hands, "marriage is not supposed to be so difficult. However, you have somehow made my experience of marriage all the worst than it should be!"
"I disagree." Anzu murmured, "It just appears to be."
"No," Bakura sat back, settling in his chair, "it is and it should never have to be like this. Why do you want to make this a living hell, Anzu?"
"I'm not trying to!" Anzu choked out. "I don't want to marry someone I don't love, Bakura, that's why it's so hard!"
"So. You would prefer to marry Malik."
"That's not what I said at all!"
"But between him and I, you would, wouldn't you?"
"No, I wouldn't!" She burst out. "You say that I am making things harder, but you are! I'm marrying you because of my brother, Bakura! This is all so insane and-and-and I can't deal with you right now if you're going to make things all the more worse in my life." He snorted.
"You have a perfect life, Anzu. Your parent's adore you, you're rich and I, out of all the people, am marrying you, what more could you ask for?"
"Love!" She snapped at him. "I want someone to love, okay!" He stared across the room at her. Anzu seemed so much farther away then she truly was.
"You know I can't give that to you." He said lowly.
"Then I can't say that me being your wife is going to be as easy as you think it is." Anzu whispered, turning and leaving him.
-
DIS: I finally updated! Thank goodness! I'm so happy that this chapter came out better than the one I had made before this one. I had started this chapter, but it came out crappy, so I re-did and this is how it came out! Thanks everyone for your reviews and I'm looking forward to hearing from you again on this chapter! Ciao!
