Anzu's eyes slowly opened and she saw Ryou smiling down at her. She jumped a bit, but assured herself that Ryou was completely harmless.
"Hello, Anzu. Good morning. Do you want to come downstairs and eat or...?" He hesitated, the smile still held on his lips.
"I think I'll want to eat in here, Ryou, if that's not a problem."
"Of course not," Ryou shook his head. "Bakura thought you might not want to eat with the rest of the...Us, so he had me come up and ask you."
"I see." Anzu sat up, glancing outside. "It's raining."
"Unfortunately so." Ryou slid his hands behind his back, gazing outside the window. "I'll be back with your food." He hastily departed, leaving Anzu to her thoughts. She drew the blankets around her, licking her chapped lips.
Bakura fingered the fork absently, ignoring Duke's speculating eyes.
"She wants to eat upstairs," Ryou announced. Bakura nodded without looking up.
"Might as well let her," he murmured. "Does she seem better?"
"Much." Ryou sighed. "Do you suppose that...?" He looked uncertain, willing Bakura to look at him. He did.
"Suppose what, Ryou?" Bakura inquired, his facial expression blank. Neutral.
"Nothing," Ryou shook his head, filling a plate for Anzu.
"Do you think she'll let me see her?" Duke asked no one in particular. Bakura didn't reply, he simply kept eating his breakfast, wondering if Marik and Malik would be back in time to go to the casino.
As though the gods heard him, Malik and Marik glided into the dining room, looking pissed off.
"Damn Julian." Malik muttered under his breath. "Can't find him anywhere."
"Perhaps we should report it to the magistrate?" Ryou suggested, pouring some milk carefully and setting it on the tray where Anzu's food was.
"No," Bakura said immediately. "I'm not getting involved with the fucking magistrate. Period." Ryou frowned, but didn't retort. He lifted the tray, mumbling something under his breath.
"I'm going to go give this to Anzu." Ryou told his brother, who just shot him a look that said, Well get to it!
When Ryou was out of the room, Duke cleared his throat.
"I'm going to go with. I'd rather see if Anzu's okay for my own eyes."
As Duke was mounting the stairs, Yami slammed in, working his arms through his topcoat.
"Is Anzu okay?" He demanded, grabbing Bakura by the collar, heaving him on his feet. "WELL? Is she? I must know!" Bakura swallowed the piece of bread that had become lodged in his throat, thanks to Yami. He glowered at the shorter male.
"Let go of me Yami, right now." Bakura ordered him. Yami, however, didn't let go. He wasn't even close to being calm enough to. "Yami." It was a warning. Twitching his nose, the lord put him down.
"Sorry, chap." Yami murmured his apology. "I just...I overheard Malik and Marik speaking to each other and..." He adjusted his collar nervously. "I was worried about Anzu. Julian did this, you say?"
"He did." Bakura said bluntly. Yami nodded jerkily.
"Yes, yes of course...Of course he did." Another jerky nod. "I'm just concerned, Bakura. Julian doesn't seem the type to rape Anzu or...Or anything along the lines of that." A small droplet of sweat rolled down Yami's forehead and he hastily wiped it away.
"Is there something you're not telling me, Yami?"
"No! No, of course not. Why do you ask?" Bakura slammed Yami into the wall, his eyes narrowed. "I-I say! Bakura, put me down!"
"Why are you so nervous, Yami?" Bakura hissed. Yami gulped.
"If...If Anzu conceived...I mean...What..." Yami gulped. It dawned on Bakura that Yami was worried that Anzu had conceived Julian's child, which would make matters all the more complicated.
"I haven't found out whether she's conceived or not, Yami. I'll have my physician check her." Bakura assured Yami, who was adjusting his collar again.
"Jolly good," Yami murmured to himself. "Jolly good, jolly good." His violet-burgundy eyes flickered to Bakura. "You'll make sure, yes?"
"Of course." Bakura told him, nodding. Yami just gulped, nodding inelegantly. Bakura slowly lowered his eyes to the unfinished food on his plate.
"Bakura," Yami lowered into a seat, sighing. "There's something I must speak with you about, er..." He glanced at the blondes that were leaning near the doorway, glowering. Not at the situation of Yami, but just out of spite. They were pissed and Yami was unsure whether to ask them to leave. He wasn't in the mood to get his ass kicked. "But, I don't exactly..." Again, he glanced at Malik and Marik. This time, however, they noticed.
With a growl and snarl, Marik shoved himself from the doorway, his eyes flashing. "We'll leave you two alone, then." He wasn't happy about it, but he did it anyway. When they were gone, Yami's eyes slid back to Bakura, who raised an eyebrow smoothly.
"I think we can use this to an advantage." Yami told him. He knew he said the wrong thing when Bakura stiffened.
"Aren't you so very compassionate?" Bakura hissed sarcastically. Yami dropped his eyes to the oak wood of the dining table, his fingers drumming a beat on it.
"You know I'm just as worried and angry as you, Bakura." Yami murmured, not looking at his nemesis. "I may not like that there's an advantage to this, but..." He sighed, the air coming out irresolutely. "Well..." When he raised his eyes, Bakura seemed to have relaxed against the left side of the chair, his elbow propped up, holding his head, his fingers splayed across the side of his face.
"You mean her parents." Bakura assumed.
"Well, I'm not so sure of Hathaway, but Sofia, yes." Bakura frowned, tapping a finger against his cheek in considering manner.
"Despite the fact that she's gone over to the, ah, bad side, I think Sofia could have enough empathy for her own daughter." Bakura resolved, shifting in his seat.
"I also have a theory." Yami told him, his confidence raising a level. "This could have been bait."
"Bait?" Bakura's eyebrows snapped down. Yami ignored the expression, more sure of himself.
"Here's what I think," Yami straightened, the tension fading from his body. "Hathaway suggested to Julian that he rape Anzu. They knew that you'd come after Julian and apparently; they're going to do something to you. Then, when you're gone, they'll take Anzu." Bakura narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"That's a rather substantial theory you have there, Yami." Bakura sat up, clasping his hands together, his elbows propped up. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that you were there when they made this plan." Yami clamped his lips together, looking uncomfortable. "I'm right, aren't I? You're working for the fucking enemy!" Bakura stood up, slamming his hands down on the table. Yami sighed, standing up as well.
"No," Yami shook his head, "I'm not. I've been to every one of those meetings of theirs. They don't know that I'm on your side yet. I plan to keep it that way, until we're actually going to act."
"Act?" Yami smiled, the same good-ol'-boy smile.
"As in, fight." Bakura furrowed his brow, nodding charily.
"So when you told me that information earlier...?"
"I knew it already. I hadn't known that you and Anzu were fighting until Hathaway mentioned it."
"How can they not know you've been associating with us?" Yami's smile became crooked and a bit bitter.
"I'm a careful man when it comes to life and death situations." Yami told him sincerely. "Would you mind if I told Anzu about this or do you want to?" Bakura's eyes flickered to the clock.
"We can go up now. I need to speak with Malik and Marik afterward. I still need to take my place at the casino." Yami nodded in acknowledgment.
X
Ryou and Duke were just leaving when they came up the stairs. Ryou tilted his head at Yami.
"Anything the matter?" He asked, eyeing their grim expressions.
"No," Yami asked, his lips twisting into an innocent smile. "Why do you ask?"
Ryou simply shook his head, saying, "No reason." He cast a look at his brother, who arched an eyebrow at him in question.
The two males arrived at the bedroom. Anzu was frowning outside, sitting by the window, nibbling on a piece of bread.
"Anzu." Bakura addressed her and she turned, the frown turning puzzled.
"Ryou told me you didn't come up here because you had left already to the casino." Surprise was written all over her face. Bakura grimaced. If he told her that Ryou lied that would just break her heart more than it already was.
"I told him that I was going, but Yami caught me before I left." He gestured to Yami, who was, in spite of everything, grinning.
Anzu's mouth rounded in a silent O. "So, what brings you both – " she cast a suspicious look at them " – up here?" Yami chuckled. No amusement, however, was found in it.
"Bakura was acting rather cynical so he brought me up here today." He smirked. "He's quite protective of you, sweetheart." Anzu stared at them, unsure whether Yami was joking. When Bakura glowered at Yami, though, she knew that he was being very serious.
"Erm...Well, I suppose..." A tinge of color flooded on her cheeks, unable to finish her sentence. Bakura had the urge to smack Yami – hard – but decided against it. At least, for the time being.
"There's some things that I deemed you needed to know." Yami explained to her briefly of what he had told Bakura. She listened and didn't glare at him like Bakura had down in the dining room.
"What I don't understand is why you didn't stop them." Anzu told him softly, her sensitivity showing. An aggrieved expression crossed Yami's features.
"I do beg forgiveness, Anzu. I wasn't thinking straight." He took her hands, carefully, as to not startle her. She sighed.
"Well, I think that..." She hesitated. "I'll be fine." Yami nodded in agreement.
"You're a strong woman, Anzu, I'm sure that you can get through it." Anzu beamed at the compliment. Bakura grunted something behind them, but she ignored it. Bakura had a bad opinion on Yami when it came to his compliments.
"What was that, Bakura?" Yami turned, smiling at him, smugly.
"I didn't say anything!" He snapped at him, glaring hatefully. Yami laughed, standing up, Anzu's hands slipping from his. "I do believe my welcome had tired itself." He told her, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Anzu gave a short laugh.
"I agree," she glanced at Bakura, who was ready to throw Yami out personally – literally.
"Good day, Bakura." Yami leered at Bakura, who shot a dirty look at him. He bowed to Anzu, leaving the room leisurely.
"Oh, Bakura." Anzu shook her head, a smile on her lips. "You drove him off."
"Good." Bakura bit out. Anzu laughed at his bitterness.
"Are you leaving to the casino now?"
"Yes," he turned his attention from the doorway back to her. "Why?" She gave a nervous look.
"Who's going to be here?"
"Ryou and Duke." He replied, frowning a bit. "And the servants, of course."
"Okay..." Anzu smiled then. "But if I want, could Ryou or Duke bring me to the casino?" Bakura frowned at her. "I'm okay, really, I am." He frowned even harder at her.
"I'm advising you to stay here, Anzu." She looked hurt. "The casino has a lot of...men."
"You mean people that might hurt me." She said it so bluntly that it caused Bakura to flinch.
"You know what? Fine, get yourself hurt if that's what you want." He snapped coolly. Anzu beamed.
"Okay!" His face dropped.
"Damned woman," he grunted, knowing that he had lost. She simply grinned at him, before sliding off the chair, closing the window.
"Can you have a maid prepare a bath for me?" She asked him. Bakura glowered at her.
"Fine. I take it I'll see you later?"
"Perhaps."
X
Bakura tapped his fingernail on the oak desk, until the two Ishtar brothers entered.
"You called?" Marik asked. Obviously, their moods hadn't improved. Either they were pissed at Bakura or just pissed in general.
"You two have a rather pissy mood, wouldn't you agree?" Neither replied. They were glowering at nothing in particular. "Well?"
"It's not because of you," Marik muttered, his pupils barely even noticeable.
"Mind telling me why then?" Malik shifted a bit uncomfortably.
"I don't see why not." Malik told his brother, shrugging. Marik shot him a scathing look. "I was just making a suggestion!"
"Yeah?" Malik glared at his older brother, muttering under his breath. Bakura raised his eyebrows at them.
"Listen, if you're going to tell me, then do it now while I have the time."
"We're not – " Marik was rudely interrupted by his brother, who's intention seemed to be on pissing his brother off.
"Cornwell gave an offer." Bakura's eyes narrowed. "We didn't take it." Malik shot a look at his brother. "Well, I didn't."
"This is exactly why I hate you!" Marik growled menacingly at his younger brother.
"The feelings mutual." Malik told him, shrugging.
"What was this offer, Malik?" Bakura asked, reminding himself that Malik was on the same hate list as Marik was of his.
"To work with Hathaway and Julian, of course. He offered us quite a bit of money. I didn't take the offer, but Marik told Cornwell he'd consider it." Malik explained briefly.
"I take it you enjoy betraying your companions, Marik?" Bakura asked the elder of the two, keeping his anger in check.
"I never said yes." Marik snapped crossly. "I told him that I would consider it. That's the key word there."
"What's the difference?" Bakura exploded purposely. "Godammit, Marik, it doesn't take a genius to know what you're answer is going to be!" Marik glared at him. Malik snorted out, "No kidding" in agreement with Bakura.
"You shut up, Malik! Don't forget that you were the one putting the moves on Anzu, not me." That seemingly touched a nerve of Malik's, because his eyes went all dark and sinister, his eyebrows drawing down in rage.
"Fuck you, Marik!" Malik hissed.
"Alright, both you! Enough!" They turned to Bakura. "He isn't wrong, though Malik. You both are on the same level of anger and my hit list. Now let's get this straight," he stood up, "what do you want from me that will get you to not take this offer from Cornwell?" Marik stared at him.
"You wouldn't give it to me." He told Bakura simply, his anger calming down only a bit.
"Oh?" Bakura arched an eyebrow. "Tell me what it is and maybe I'll consider it." Marik let out an unpleasant bark of laughter.
"Oh, that's rich, Bakura!" Marik passed his hand over his face. "You went anger-crazed when Malik wanted Anzu, so I highly doubt that in my case it would be any different." Both Malik and Bakura seemed to freeze.
"Are you telling me...You idiots...Both of you...Are attracted to Anzu!" Bakura was obviously outraged.
"I never – " Marik began, but was cut off by Malik laughter.
"I'm not attracted to Anzu anymore." He nodded to Marik. "Though it appears he is. What? Gonna slit his wrists as well?" Malik's amusement vanished and he paled, seeing Bakura's thoughtful facial expression. "You aren't seriously going to...?"
"What exactly do you want from Anzu?" Bakura asked after awhile. Normally, he wouldn't do this, but having Marik as his enemy wasn't a challenge he was up to.
"To like me, what else?" Marik seemed as surprised as his brother.
"She already likes you." Bakura told him impatiently. Marik rolled his eyes.
"How are you so sure of that?"
"I would think it was obvious, Marik. She likes all of you morons." Marik frowned.
"He isn't wrong," Malik told his brother, stretching his arms and legs out like a feline.
"I noted you didn't add yourself." Marik said slowly. Bakura stared at him, surprised.
"So?"
"Does that mean she doesn't like you?" Malik burst into laughter.
"Come on, Marik! Get your mind out of the gutter!" Malik snickered behind his hand, both of the other males glaring at him. "Sorry, but..." He let out another snicker.
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Marik sighed, leaning back. "Then I suppose that I'll be poor all my life."
"How much money was it?" Bakura asked, curious.
"Hmm..." Marik frowned at Malik's snickers. "Shut up, you bloody idiot." That just encouraged Malik to laugh more. "I think it was over a million pounds." He seemed to consider that, then nodded. "That's about it." Bakura raised his eyebrows.
"Cornwell doesn't have that much money. He's barely a viscount."
"He dropped to a marquess." Malik informed them. "That's why I didn't take the bait."
"Someone's been doing their homework." Marik taunted. Malik shrugged, not insulted.
"Well then!" Bakura went back to his desk. "Go find yourselves a cheater down there, then. Glad I have that cleared up." The two nodded and left. Bakura heard Marik say, "Let's hope there's someone who we can bloody up, eh?" He chuckled at Marik's eagerness and Malik agreement. What would he do without those two?
X
DIS: Finally! I have this chapter done! I've been working all day on it! I was starting to run out of ideas. I know that most rape victims don't act like Anzu does, but hey! – I need her to be okay for the next chapter!
Bakura: And what, might I ask, do you have in store for the next chapter?
DIS: (grins) A lime! I really want to do a lemon, but (sighs) nobody's that lucky.
Bakura: A lime? With Anzu and me?
DIS: Bingo.
Bakura: YES!
DIS: (gives him a look of disapproval) Anyway, please review! Can't wait to hear from ya'll! See ya!
