Chapter Fourteen, Denial, Betrayal

Anzu stared at his smug expression. How could he be smiling after telling her that?

"My father wouldn't be involved in something like that, neither would Julian!" Anzu protested.

"Oh, so Yami's lying is he?" Bakura arched his eyebrows. If she said yes, one of her friend's was lying. If she said no, her father and best friend were turned against her.

"Well, Anzu?" Bakura watched her with anticipation sinking into him.

"Why would they be doing this to me?" She whispered, her creamy hands clutching her bed's mattress.

"They're not doing anything to you," he took out a cigarette, eyeing it cynically, "it's me they're after." Anzu raised her head, her eyes wide with surprise. The sapphire swirls in her eyes urged him to go on. "I don't know exactly why, but it's not at all you they're trying to destroy."

"In a way it is!" Anzu exploded. "My father and best friend have been showing me a lie!" Anzu took in deep breaths, calming herself. Bakura was about to light his cancer-giver, but the female beside him glared. He sighed, stuffing it in his coat pocket.

"Well," Bakura inaugurated tentatively, "at least your mother isn't involved." Anzu didn't riposte.

"So..." Anzu sighed. "When's the next ball? We'll want the ton to start gossiping, won't we?"

Bakura, thankful for the change of subject, nodded in a silent response. "Two nights from now."

"No cheaters today?" Marik asked his younger brother, sulking. "Pity, I wanted to kick someone's ass today. Or at least watch Bakura make them shake in their boots." Both brothers snickered, grinning at each other, becoming more watchful and more hopeful.

"Hello, lads." The blondes turned briefly to Yami, who had a Cheshire grin on his lips, one to copy Bakura's.

"Here to see Bakura?"

"Actually," Yami smiled broader, "I was playing over there and I got stiffed by a cheater. He was using some special dice a bloke said he snuck out from Bakura's office." Both froze.

"Then why the hell are you smiling?"

"I know that I'm going to get my money back." He hinted, a sinister twinkle in his eyes betraying his grin. The two relatives glanced at each other, and then smirked.

"I love my job." They both said at once, following Yami to the table where the cheater was.

A loud knock echoed in Bakura's brain and he glanced up, the doors bursting open with great force.

"Ya shouldn't struggle, you know," Marik told the elderly man, "it makes our job so much more thrilling." The two blondes threw him in the chair in front of Bakura's desk and the lord raised an eyebrow. "Cough 'em up." The male grumbled, before reluctantly throwing the dice that had once belonged to Duke Mazaki on the table.

"Where did you get those?" Bakura asked, picking them up, observing them in the palm of his hand.

"If you must know," the man scoffed, his mustache bristling, "I bought them from a man that said you gave them to him." Bakura snorted immediately when he was finished.

"You elderly men are supposed to be able to—" Bakura heard a tiny footstep and his eyes flickered to the doorway. "Anzu?" Anzu wiped her tearstained face fussily, silent. Everyone turned to stare at the female that had arrived.

"Bakura, this is all your fault." She sputtered out.

"What."

"If I didn't have to marry you, then I wouldn't have my family going against me!" Bakura stared at her blankly.

"Didn't I tell you Sofia still—"

"My father's convinced her that he's doing the right thing. She was trying to lock me in my room! She even boarded up my window. I was lucky I had an extra key." Bakura looked uncomfortable. The man in the chair grinned and threw a dirty, sidelong glance at Bakura, triumphantly.

"One of you take care of this fool." Bakura grunted to the three males, taking Anzu gently by the elbow and guiding Anzu into the library. Once the door was closed, the three turned to him with grins. Yami with his Cheshire grin; Marik and Malik with grins of menace.

"Hel-lo." Yami said, grinning, his eyes twinkling balefully. "I do believe you owe me some money, chap."

"M-money? O-Oh, yes, yes, of course!" he hastily handed Yami his money and gulped as he flipped through it.

Whap!

The man held his jaw in horror. Yami had punched him, smiling.

"He hit me!" He exclaimed to the two blondes.

"Did he?" Marik opened his eyes wide. "Didn't see it myself." It was obvious he had seen. He turned to Yami. "Would you care to do it again?"

"No!" the man shrieked as the three pounced on the opportunity.

Bakura pulled a chair up, sitting across from the brunette.

"So let me get this straight, your father manipulated your mother so she's on his side now?"

"That's right." She sniffed, her eyes rimmed with burgundy flesh. "It's horrible, my whole family's turned on me just because I'm marrying you. If Duke hadn't gambled so much..." her voice trailed off. She didn't need to finish the sentence; Bakura already knew.

"There's not much I can do. Duke, apparently, is with Ryou somewhere. Ryou's been hauling him around with him everywhere he goes." Bakura frowned in thought. "I can't begin to imagine why." He cast a suspicious look at Anzu. Her lips twitched into a grin, a giggle erupting in her throat.

"Neither can I." She replied innocently. Bakura sat back, satisfied that she was more ecstatic.

"You can stay with me for awhile, if..." he stopped, seeing her azure eyes darken.

"I think that I'd prefer not to. I'm sure I can find a suitable place to stay." Anzu sniffed.

"Do you really think Mai's going to be around after that little stunt she pulled on me?" Bakura demanded, feeling his temper rise.

"I don't know, your mind works in mysterious ways, doesn't it, Bakura?" She was heading somewhere with the question, but Bakura wasn't about to find out where.

"Listen, I don't have time for arguing with you, Anzu, let's just drop it." Anzu glanced at the clock above a shelf.

"I suppose you're right," Anzu murmured, "I have a place to be soon." His eyes darkened.

"I'll escort you, just in case." Bakura told her, standing up. His announcement felt no room for argument and Anzu simply smiled lightly.

"Very well," she kneeled down, brushing her skirts off, "if you're up to it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm going to see Lady Ishtar, the Prime Minister."

"Fuck that, Marik or Malik can deal with their sister." He said instantaneously. She laughed and gently touching his wrist, she left the library, ahead of him. He stared at the place where she touched his wrist. He peered closer, as thought expecting dirt to be on it. Eventually, Bakura shrugged and followed her.

"I see you took care of things." Bakura noted, raising an eyebrow haughtily at the crumbled body of the man's.

"Yes and I got my money back!" Yami chipped in, waving the bag of coins in his enemy's face. "But I must be going, I have much gossip to catch up on." He turned to Anzu, smiling, a friendly glimmer in his amethyst-crimson eyes. "I do hope to speak with you soon, Anzu." He grasped her hands, gazing into her eyes. "I have been neglecting speaking with you, my dear." He brushed his lips over her fingers, before leaving with a regal inclination of his head to the company in the room. Bakura felt a growl begin to develop in his throat, but he swallowed it down.

"So how 'bout it, Anzu?" Bakura asked her.

"Oh..." She hesitated. "Well, if it's no trouble, I suppose."

"Good. One of these morons can pick you up. Who's honor is it going to be to take her to your sister's?" Both of them went bug-eyed and looked like two animals ready to hide.

"I took her home this morning, so..." Marik shot a glance at Malik. Bakura's eyes flashed and he spoke up.

"I would, actually, prefer you to take her, Marik." Bakura said, his tone arduous and remorseless.

"Fine," Marik grunted, not about to argue on the subject, "come on then, Mazaki." Anzu swooped down on his words and followed him. When they were out the door, Malik frowned over at Bakura, who looked serene, not at all as stone-hard as he had been just seconds ago.

"You're not still pissed at me because I kissed Anzu, are you?" Malik asked boldly. Gradually, Bakura moved his eyes over to Malik's.

"Yes," Bakura spoke in a soft whisper, "I am." His eyes were dark, showing an intense ferocity that had not been there for many years. Malik succumbed to silence, deciding that it was better not to question further, especially because he was alone with the fiend that he thought was his friend. "Do not, however, think that means I won't get over it." He paused. "Eventually." Malik winced at the grin on Bakura's lips.

"Is it safe to ask you anything?" Malik inquired lowly.

"I should think so."

"Are you jealous you haven't barely touched Anzu?"

"I said, think, Malik." Bakura reminded him.

"I know, but I'm curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat if you have forgotten."

"Why in hell's name are you avoiding my question?"

"I'm not." Bakura paused. "I'm not jealous either."

"Yes you are," Malik argued, "you're insane with jealousy!"

"Must we speak of this?" Malik glared at him.

"No." Pause. "You should've helped us beat that bastard up." Bakura grinned at the topic Malik had decided upon.

"I wish I had. He looked like an easy kill."

Marik grasped Anzu's beige hand as he helped her off the horse.

"When do you expect to be done? I, no doubt, will be the one picking you up."

"An hour." A suave voice replied. They turned to see Isis and Seto awaiting the female. "You may pick her up in an hour, brother." Marik stiffened at Isis' gentle touch on his shoulder. "It was sweet of you to drop her off, why didn't Bakura?"

"He didn't want to see you, no doubt." Marik sneered. Isis raised am eyebrow, shrugging in a petite manner.

"Come, Anzu, Marik can get on the horse himself I should think." Isis grinned at her brother, who glowered. Isis led her into the large mansion, Seto at her side. "This is my husband, Seto. He helps me manage everything. He's very good as a business man." She grinned charmingly up at the taller male, who glanced at her with his cold, cobalt eyes, a certain warmth taking over them as his eyes made contact with Isis' jade ones. (A/N: her eyes are jade, right?) Anzu watched them with admiration, before turning her head to peer at a painting. "Come, we have much to discuss, Miss Mazaki." Seto left the women's sides, grunting something to his wife that Anzu couldn't comprehend. She cast a puzzled look at Isis' laughter. "He's such a sweetheart." Anzu wanted to raise her eyebrows high, but decided against it. "Don't digress, dear." Anzu jumped as she realized she was going down a corridor.

"Beg pardon." Anzu murmured regally. Isis chortled and led her into a tearoom.

"I did not expect you to be late, so I had the tea and snacks set out early." Isis smiled, picking up her cup. Anzu could see the mischievous twinkle in her eyes. After taking a sip, Isis began to speak again, "Tell me, how is Bakura?"

"Good."

"Really? So is Seto." Anzu's mind started to whirl. She had a feeling they weren't speaking about health.

"What are we speaking of?" Anzu asked timidly. Isis laughed.

"In bed, dear. What is Bakura like in bed?" Anzu paled, realizing that Isis wanted to discuss "things", not converse politely.

"I...Don't know." Anzu admitted.

"You have not been in bed with him yet?" Isis raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Well...No."

"Tsk, tsk, I would expect a man such as Bakura to have already bed you by now. He is a rake, you know." Isis smiled. "Any wanton woman would love to be in your position."

"Oh?"

"You must be doing something wrong."

"I expect that pushing him away a bit might be it." Anzu muttered under her breath; Isis heard. The elderly female smirked.

"Shy?"

"Um, yes."

"Marik tells me that you and Malik had a, ah, incident?" Anzu stared at her. Since when did Marik talk with his sister?

"We're purely plutonic." Anzu told her calmly. Isis nodded.

"I would think as much." Another sweet smile. "Your wardrobe may be the problem. You need something bold."

"Bold?"

"Yes." Isis ran her eyes up her body. "I think I can find something for you. The ball is tonight, you know. Will I be seeing you there?"

"Yes, Bakura's agreed to take me. I'm staying with him for a while. I'm having a disagreement with my parents."

"So you should be with his child soon then, I'm assuming." Anzu flushed, doubting it heavily.

Bakura scowled, glancing at the clock.

"Where the hell is that woman?"

"That woman has a name." Anzu snapped, glaring at him. Bakura glanced behind him once, turning back, then whipped around.

"What...?" He stared at her gown, then shook his head, his mind overloading with dirty thoughts. "Let's just go, I hate balls!" And gowns. And undergarments...dammit! He took a deep breath as he preceded ahead, Anzu trailing behind him.

Why in the world was he staring at me like that? Anzu thought in a naïveté manner. She shrugged, the transparent straps of her gown sliding down her shoulders. She ignored them, climbing into the carriage. Bakura scowled, taking in deep breaths, not following her inside the carriage. Marik and Malik came out, Duke and Ryou tagging along.

"What's wrong with you?" Ryou inquired. Bakura shot him a dirty look.

"Her." He ushered his brother in, who took a glance at Anzu and grinned at his elders, feigning innocence. The others went in and Bakura ended up sitting between Anzu and the carriage's wall. He was near to tearing off her gown and taking her right there in front of her brother and his three household companions when the carriage halted and the chauffeur opened the carriage door. Duke helped his sister out and asked lowly, "You know that Bakura's going crazy over you, right?" Anzu looked at him, eyes wide with surprise.

"Did I do something wrong?" She asked in concern.

"I think your gown's doing something wrong." He grinned at her as though saying: Good job! Anzu shrugged and followed them up to the mansion where the ball was being held.

"Anzu!" Isis kissed the air of her cheeks, smiling. "I'm going to steal her for a minute." Bakura grunted, feigning carelessness. Inside he was begging her to.

"Damn!" Bakura swore as soon as Anzu and Isis disappeared. Duke and Ryou had left to the refreshments, commenting that they were dying for something to drink.

"Tsk, Bakura, you looked like you were ready to fuck her anytime in the carriage." Marik commented, grinning at him.

"Are you blind! Where the hell did she get that-that-that thing!" Marik smirked, turning his head from him, silent. "You know."

"I know, but I've been sworn to secrecy."

"Why you little—"

"There you chaps are!" Yami clapped Bakura on the back. "Anzu looks lavishing tonight, wouldn't you agree, Bakura?"

"Oh he agrees, all right." Marik said, snickering.

"Shut up, you traitor." The blonde just stuck his tongue out, grinning like a fool.

"How amusing is this?" They turned to the cool tones. Seto smirked at them. "If you must know, my wife donated a few dresses similar to that from Paris to Anzu." Bakura's jaw dropped.

"Now those two are becoming friends?" Bakura looked utterly shocked. Yami simply smiled, like he always did.

"Sooner or later, they'll be having tea at your house, Bakura." Seto said, grinning coolly at him.

"Bakura?" Right when he was about to crush Seto to pieces, Anzu came up and tapped on his shoulder. He turned and immediately turned his head back, swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat. "Hey, what's wrong? You're face is red." Isis grinned, seeing the impish look on her new friend's face.

"N-nothing's wrong." Bakura managed out, looking anywhere but at Anzu, who was shorter than him and a gown on that exposed the velvety skin of her breasts. Some of it, at least.

"Are you sure?" Anzu asked innocently, even though she was acting far from innocent.

"Yes, why!" He demanded, glaring at Marik, who was clutching onto his brother, laughing in his shoulder. Malik sealed his lips, attempting not to laugh. Yami was having bizarre coughing fits behind the two, a giggle or two going uncovered.

"I was going to ask you if you want to dance." Anzu stated bluntly.

Dance? He repeated in his mind, thinking of the silk clinging to every delicious curve of her body. Dance! Is she absolutely insane? In a waltz? Hell no! "Sure." DAMN IT ALL!

"Pfft!" Malik nearly started laughing if it hadn't been for the nasty glare Bakura sent him, before he descended with Anzu on the dance floor.

Anzu crossed her arms in the carriage, feeling cool air cross over her bare arms. Bakura glanced at her and mentally groaned, seeing that when she had crossed her arms, it caused her breasts to push upward. I need to find a different whore. He thought to himself, feeling how hard he was in the pants. He swallowed the lump in his throat, managing to wrench his eyes off Anzu's perky mounds. He licked his dry lips, having trouble breathing. Or I could just go for a ride.

DIS: (laughs) Poor Bakura! He's horny and doesn't have Mai to screw with. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please review and tell me how you liked it. Ciao!