APRICOT SUNDAE


" I can't believe it's barely Wednesday," Anzu groaned, shoulders sagging as she promptly stopped in front of Domino High.

Ryou smiled brightly, squinting his eyes to accentuate his boyish charm, making Anzu discreetly blush from her slouched position affront him.

" I love Wednesdays," He murmured softly, eyeing the students conversing loudly in huddled groups.

" It's a marvelous day today, isn't it?" Ryou relished the light breeze in the air, tilting his head back to inhale a gush of air.

Anzu smiled faintly, absorbing his cheerful personality that ebbed off him and onto her. " Yeah, I guess it is,"

Anzu jumped over a puddle, the action making her skirt rise and flutter against her thighs, unintentionally exposing the creamy skin of her upper thighs to the white haired boy's view.

Discreetly, Ryou adjusted his attention to the side, clinging more tightly to the brown book bag dangling in his hands laced affront him.

Anzu briefly regarded him from the other side of the small rain puddle, smiling brightly. " You're right; Wednesdays are lovable!"

Folding her arms behind her, she arched her neck back and admired the sky shrouded in a thick layer of ominous clouds prickling the edges of the sun.

With rising brows, Ryou smiled. That's the Anzu I know!

Striding forward, he sharply avoided the two-inch deep formation of water, smiling wider when Anzu rolled her eyes heavenward.

" Afraid to get your feet wet?" Anzu smiled toward him after composing herself and flattening the lower portion of her skirt with a hasty swat of her right hand.

" I wouldn't mind a little rain," Ryou spoke lightly, brown eyes glowing with tenderness.

" I love rain, but not lightening," Anzu confessed with a faint shudder of her shoulders and a chatter of her teeth.

Ryou cheekily smiled with a gentle chuckle. " I can't blame you! Lightening is very frightful!"

" You think so too!?" As though the sudden realization struck her, she leapt gleefully with a flap of her briefcase in the air above her head.

" I knew I wasn't the only one afraid of lightening!"

" 'Ey! 'Dere you two are!"

Jou approached the two teens talking amongst themselves at the edge of the sidewalk.

" Yug's been looking' all ova' for ya!" Jou muttered, grabbing Anzu's wrist and tugging her in the direction he'd momentarily exited from.

" M-me?" Anzu stuttered, stumbling in her swagger behind the blonde who began a rapid pace onto the school grounds.

" Yeah! Who else?" Jou grumbled, eyeing her with a raised brow.

" What about Ryou?" Anzu shifted her gaze momentarily to Ryou who stood by himself several feet behind their retreating forms.

Jou yanked her with more aggression. " We ain't got time ta wait for him! He can catch up!" He reassured.

Clumsily she tripped, hurling herself into the blonde's back and effectively propelling him staggering forward with a wail of his arms. With a curse, the blonde fell face first into the sidewalk.

" What da' hells wrong wit ya' Anz!?" Jou irritably rose on his knees, rubbing his nose while effectively sending his female friend a glare.

Anzu bowed. " Sorry, Jou. It was an accident,"

Ryou approached beside Anzu shortly after, peering over her shoulder to glimpse the blonde collecting himself from the concrete in which his body had left an indentation.

" That looks painful," Ryou admonished with a smile. Anzu nervously laughed; someone smiling at a situation like this could only be done---and lived through--by Ryou.

" What's wit dis floor?" Jou mumbled, struggling to escape the gooey goop clinging to his foot before he slipped and fell back down.

Anzu and Ryou reluctantly reverted their exchanged looks, peering up and to the side at the caution sign with coal black letters stating: " Caution: Wet cement."

Anzu meekly pointed to the white sign with blaring lights surrounding it. " Maybe it's because they just did a recoat on this sidewalk?"

Jou cursed. " Ya gotta be jokin me! What are ya' two doin' just standin dere? Get me outta dis nasty stuff!"

Anzu bit her lip. " But we can't get that cement on us too, Jou. Or else we'll all end up being living statues!"

Ryou chuckled. " That would be quite unpleasant,"

" I don't care wut ya do! Just get me outta did stuff before I turn inta' some statue!"

" We could use this pole!" Ryou knelt down and picked up the foot-long steel pole that had been resting beside the sign.

Anzu suppressed a laugh at the irony. I wonder if they knew something like this would happen…

" Yeah! Let's hurry before that stuff dries!" Hurriedly Anzu grabbed the pole from Ryou, slinging her book bag on the floor before she cautiously leaned over the boarder between dried and wet cement.

" Grab it, Jou!" Anzu shakily steadied herself from not falling, guiding the pole into the blondes right hand barely protruding from the gray goop.

" I got it! Now just pull me in!" Jou instructed.

Anzu jerked her head to the side. " Ryou! I need your help!"

" Right!" Quickly he went behind Anzu and grabbed the remainder of the pole, simultaneously tugging it backward as he and Anzu heaved the blonde toward them and out to safety.

" This is…..harder than it looks!" Anzu panted out breathlessly, wincing as her hands gradually became raw from the incessant sear of steel against her clammy hands.

Ryou grunted. " Keep pulling Anzu! We can't stop now!"

" Oh no!" Anzu cried. " It's slipping from my hands!"

" Don't let go Anzu!" Ryou cried in dismay, watching as her hands began to release the pole.


Kaiba irritably stalked down the sidewalk with his briefcase in hand, a foul expression on his face to clarify he was not to be messed with.

With terse steps, his longs legs glided toward the front of the school, blue slacks swishing in the process while his black shoes squished above the soggy grass as he crossed the field.

Students avoided his path, heeding the livid aura flaring off him as they swerved out of his way. Kaiba was not in the best of moods.

Just as he prepared to walk around the building, he heard the familiar voices of Anzu and Ryou in the distance.

" This is…..harder than it looks!" Immediately he recognized the voice as Anzu's. A few puffs of air followed shortly after, before silence, then a masculine grunt.

" Keep pulling Anzu! We can't stop now!" The second voice--with the obvious British accent--was undoubtedly Ryou's.

Kaiba sneered. I can't believe what I'm hearing. Mazaki and Bakura? He suppressed a laugh of incredulousness.

Stiffly he jutted up the steps, but not before hearing the horrid statement he knew belonged to none other than Katsuya.

" Hurry up ya two! Before someone sees me in dis gooey stuff!"

Kaiba gave an inward shudder as his thoughts were clarified. Yuugi's friends were freaks.


Anzu nibbled the tip of her pencil in a contemplative manner, rolling the metal cap at the tip between her teeth as she stared down at her paper.

State the following in standard form….yadda yadda………' If the center is at (2,6) and the diameter is at (3,0)…'.…Boy I've never had a thing for math…

Drawing in a sigh, Anzu peered to the side at Ryou who was seated on her right. I wonder if he knows about Bakura's plans?

The spirit had yet to confirm her 'mission' to get Yuugi's millennium puzzle, and she wondered briefly if he even had a plan.

Then there was the warning Bakura had threatened her with before he allowed Ryou to take control over his body again.

" This is to remain between us. Not even my hikari is to know,"

Anzu huffed, flicking the tip of her pencil against her upper teeth. But why doesn't he want Ryou to know about his plans? Wouldn't it make it easier on him?

With an aggravated exhale, she dropped her pencil and tugged the sides of her hair.

" I just don't get it!" She wailed.

The students in the classroom slowly turned their heads, directing their attention to Anzu with weird looks and raised brows.

She flushed in embarrassment, heeding the concerned look from Ryou beside her, and the annoyed look from Kaiba who obviously felt her interruption as a none-blessing on his behalf.

" Mazaki-san, is there something you need?" Sensei Gokenkai asked, lowering the chalk in his hand and turning away from the blackboard to face the brunette in the back seat.

Anzu swallowed. " No. I-I was just saying how I don't get this question,"

" Well please keep your thoughts to yourself during quizzes, Mazaki-san,"

Anzu nodded weakly. " Sorry," She mumbled, staring back down and lowering her hands from her head.

Again she found herself looking at the white haired teen briskly answering the questions on the quiz laid out on his desk.

So far he hasn't caught on; I have to keep to the plan and pretend nothing of last night happened.

She directed her gaze away from him, shutting her eyes. I can do this. I'm not about to let Bakura hurt my friends!

With a confident grin and nod, she went to finishing her math quiz.


Ryou waited patiently at the door as Anzu gathered her books and shoved them neatly in her book bag, closing the flap then quickly running toward the white-haired teen waving her over.

Had she been paying attention, she would've noticed the CEO approaching from the right.

" Anzu!" Ryou wailed, wincing when Anzu smacked into Kaiba's side, before both teens went whirling to the floor in a heap of limbs.

Kaiba grunted, hoisting himself up with his arms to find Anzu sprawled on top of him with her face buried in his chest.

" Watch where you're going!" Kaiba spat, swaying slightly when he began to rise off the tile floors with Anzu shortly following with a groan and a rub of her head.

" Ow…" With a sour glare, Anzu's eyes clashed with his. " It was an accident," She defended, kneeling to fetch her fallen book bag.

Kaiba curtly eyed her from his towering height of six foot four. " I don't have time for your idiotic lectures, Mazaki,"

Idiotic!? She fumed.

" Now move," Kaiba ordered.

Reluctantly she moved out of his way, watching him briskly exit the classroom and stalk down the hallway with a defiant saunter.

Ryou slowly peeked his head in and stared at his female friend still fuming by the door. " Anzu? Are you alright?"

Anzu cast a fleeting glance at the CEO. What a waste of good looks! With a cross of her arms, Anzu broke her hateful gaze from the boy's back, and turned to face Ryou with a bright smile.

" I'm fine, thanks for asking Ryou; Kaiba can be such a jerk at times,"

Ryou smiled and tilted his head slightly to the side. " I'm sure he has his reasons,"

" Yes," Anzu began, tone sarcastic. " I'm sure being rich has its downfalls,"

Ryou laughed. " Shall we meet up with Yuugi? I believe we were suppose to outside?"

Anzu paled. " I almost forgot! Yuugi wanted to see me this morning!"

" Well we'd better hurry," Ryou suggested, tone soft.

" Backing out of a duel, Yuugi?" Kaiba tersely stared down at the short dueler, pushing through Jou and Honda who stood guard.

" We've dueled plenty of times, Kaiba," Yuugi murmured.

" Then another duel wouldn't hurt," Kaiba muttered, smirking wanly. " Unless you're afraid of losing to me,"

Yuugi bypassed the rhetorical question. " I sup---"

" No way, Yug! Don't botha' wit moneybags! 'Less he enjoys losing to ya!" The blonde snorted, before he and Honda broke into laughter, enraging the CEO.

" What would you know, Katsuya!?" Kaiba spat, wrenching the collar of Jou's blue blazer and hurling the blonde toward him with a vicious yank.

" Plenty if I made it pass dose tournaments!" Jou defended, struggling to pry Kaiba's hand off his collar.

Kaiba sneered. " Luck won't get you everywhere, Katsuya,"

" So far it's got me ta lots of places," Jou spat back, grinning dumbly.

Kaiba released him, shoving the blonde to the floor. " It's no wonder you're all friends," Kaiba mumbled.

You're all the same goody-goods with nothing better to do but give stupid friendship speeches.

" Jou!" Anzu and Ryou appeared out of the building, rushing to the blonde on the ground.

" What's wrong with you Kaiba!?" Anzu demanded, glaring at him. " Why do you always have to be so mean!?"

" Because it keeps people like you away; I don't need foolish things like friends," Kaiba muttered, not bothering to look her way as he stalked off and toward his parked limousine.

Anzu stood, eyes wavering as she watched the CEO walk off. " You're just afraid!"

Kaiba ignored her and continued on his way toward the black limousine.

" You're afraid for anyone to get close to you…..and that's what scares you….." She whispered, before adding with more force.

" How's Mokuba suppose to know the pleasures of friendship if you keep him locked up!?

Kaiba sneered. " Unless you know what you're talking about, Mazaki. I'd advice you stay out of mine and Mokuba's lives,"

With a slam of the door, the CEO vanished inside, before the vehicle zoomed off.

Jou grumbled. " What da hell was dat about, Anz?"

Anzu sighed, shoulders sagging. I know for a fact Kaiba isn't as bad as he makes himself out to be. Ryou's right, he's not this way because he wants to be. He's afraid……afraid to open up to anyone and get up hurt in the end.

Anzu shook her head, still staring in the distance. " It's nothing, Jou."

Ryou helped Jou up while Honda and Yuugi came to the two boys' sides.

" I'll never get that guy," Honda muttered, eyes narrowing. " Rich guys like him just think they're all that because they have more than everybody else,"

Yuugi sighed. " Well I'd best head off. It's getting late and I was suppose to help Grandpa with cleaning the shop,"

Jou shuddered. " Never mind about goin wit yas, Yug! Dat old man will have me cleanin' to da bone!"

Honda nodded vigorously in agreement. " Yeah, no offence, Yuugi. That old guy can just be really creepy at times,"

Anzu flushed. " Yeah. Me and Ryou still have to work on our project tonight,"

Ryou blinked. " I almost forgot about that," He chuckled in embarrassment.

Anzu laughed, but on the inside she was beginning to regret bringing it up. If Ryou decides to stay over again tonight, Bakura might have more things in store for me!

Yuugi nodded. " Then I'll see you all tomorrow?"

Everyone nodded, except Ryou who seemed to be in a daze. Anzu swatted a hand in front of the boy's blank stare directed downwards.

" Ryou? You okay?"

Ryou blinked, moving his eyes from the millennium puzzle around Yuugi's neck. " I'm fine. Thanks Anzu-chan,"

She smiled at the child emphasis he put on her name. " Ready to go then?"

Ryou smiled, flushing as he went to pat his stomach. " Do you mind if we stop by the ice-cream parlor? I'm starving!"

Jou snorted. " Man, for once food is da last thing on my mind thanks to dis morning'!"

Honda raised a brow. " What happened this morning? You weren't in first hour,"

Jou flushed, rubbing the back of his head. " Nuttin' really. Just had some uh----"

" Minor problems," Anzu threw in, mouthing 'You owe me!' toward Jou, who mouthed ' I owe ya' nuttin!' back.

Yuugi laughed. " Well I'd better get going. Bye, Anzu! Bye, Ryou!" he waved toward the two, before he walked off with Honda and Jou in tow; surprisingly the three lived relatively close by, while she and Ryou had a few blocks between them.

When the three boys' were out of sight, she felt Ryou grip her arm. " Is something wrong, Ryou?" She asked, lifting her eyes to stare at him.

Ryou chuckled hoarsely. " That's Bakura, my dear,"

" Bakura!?" She sucked in a breath, now staring into red eyes.

His grip on her arm grew tighter. " Tonight you will get me that puzzle, and your friends will be free from harm," He murmured, releasing her.

Anzu rubbed her arm. " Tonight? B-But I can't!"

" You will if you wish for them to remain in this world," Bakura purred with a flick of his finger at her neck.

" Yuugi'll know it's me! And--and what if he wakes up and sees me? He'll get the wrong idea and think I'm on your side!"

Bakura scoffed. " Quit your damn complaining. You will do this. And you will do it tonight,"

Anzu wavered. " I'll only do it with a disguise……"

Bakura laughed, incredulous. " A disguise? Don't be ridiculous!" He narrowed his eyes. " I have no time to be looking for some 'costume' for you to wear!"

" Then I won't do it!" She crossed her arms over her chest.

Bakura grabbed her by her pink blazer, jerking her up against him. " Then you can say goodbye to your pathetic friends!"

" On the contrary, there's always mind-control," A silky voice murmured, followed by a husky chuckle.

Bakura slowly released Anzu, staring wide-eyed at the silhouette behind her. " It can't be! I sent you to the shadow realm!" He spat.

The figure smirked, revealing perfect white teeth. " You should know me better than that, Bakura old pal,"

Bakura gritted his teeth. " I'm not your 'pal' you crazy bastard!"

The figure laughed, uncrossing their arms. " You want my help or not?"

Bakura warily eyed the shadowed figure " And the terms?"

The figure laughed hoarsely. " Simple. You hand the girl over to me,"


A/N: Yes! My first cliffhanger! I think…..heh --. And who's this mysterious figure!? If you guys didn't figure it out, then it'll add to the suspense! But I gave some clues.

What will happen?! And does Anzu really think Kaiba's looks are going to waste!? ( lol )

Here is the poll so far:

Seto/ Anzu/ Ryou: 4

Bakura/ Anzu/ Ryou: 8

Seto/ Anzu/ Bakura: 2

Anzu/ Seto: 25

Anzu/ Ryou: 21

Anzu/ Bakura: 9

Seto/ Anzu/ Ryou (Bakura): 4

Seems Anzu/ Seto is still in the lead. And Seto/ Anzu/ Bakura has been officially added to the pairing list! Though they have little chance to catch up! Then again, so do the others! o

But Remember…

Read, Review, and VOTE!! XD