Disclaimer: No I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh. If I did, Anzu would get with every bishounen on the show! XD
APRICOT SUNDAE
During his search of Anzu, book bag tucked securely under his right arm, Yuugi wandered aimlessly along the sidewalk in hopes of identifying the two story house belonging to his brunette friend.
I think it's that one…. Yuugi thought, briefly eyeing the house as he stopped to inspect the lawn and porch, the door, then the lot crowded with two cars.
Or… His eyes drifted to a house further down.
Maybe it's that one…? Sheepishly, with his left hand, he scratched the base of his neck in mild contemplation
His eyes drifted to a house further down. Sheepishly, with his left hand, he scratched the base of his neck in mild contemplation.I can't believe I forgot what Anzu's house looks like!
Shoulders sagged in defeat and shame; he'd known Anzu since forever!
" Come on, Yuugi. You can do this," He assured himself, moving his legs and walking down till he reached the end of the sidewalk, meeting the intersection.
" There it is!" He chirped happily. He sprung across the street, sneakers squeaking on the wet concrete, making it to the other side in few giant leaps.
Are you sure you don't want me to take over, Yuugi? Yuugi pondered the offer of his Yami.
Sure! Alright! But just till we get to Anzu's! He replied through the link.
He was exhausted from the journey to his friend's home and was more than relieved and grateful for Yami's sincere offer to take over awhile and let him rest.
The transformation was abrupt, a mere flicker and splash of white light that blended in the afterglow of lightning brewing in the sky.
Yami opened his eyes, letting the violet globes survey his surroundings as he adjusted in Yuugi's body as he always did after the switch had been completed.
He felt Yuugi slip and nestle in the comforts of his soul room, his presence and mind drifting till he'd fallen into a light sleep.
Do not worry, little-Yuugi. Yami murmured through their link just before the boy slept. I am confident Anzu is safe in her home.
Yami murmured through their link just before the boy slept.He stalked gracefully down the sidewalk, eyes lifting to eye the home Yuugi had pointed out moments before.
His legs guided him up the stone path leading a trail to the front entrance door where a welcome mat was placed neatly.
Trotting up the porch steps, Yami slipped under the safety of the canopy just as a light sprinkle descended from the clouds swirling in a havoc storm above.
He knocked once, then twice, then three times before he rang the door bell.
" She isn't answering," Yami murmured, peering to the right where a window was located, allowing a minimal glimpse of the family room. Empty.
" Strange. Perhaps she is at a friends?" Yami shook his friends. That was highly impossible. Honda and Jou were the only other ones besides Yuugi and himself.
And Jou and Honda had gone, at a last minute request, to Jou's house to help Shizuka move some furniture; Honda had been more than happy to accompany.
Yami turned, walking down the steps and heading back into the street where he bumped into someone.
The mop of brown hair was unmistakable to his keen eyes. " Anzu?"
Startled, she looked at him with wide eyes. " Y-Yami?"
His eyes fell down, leveling with hers. " You were not at school today," He announced in a low whisper.
Her head was angled at the side, a grim expression settling on her face. " I heard you!"
His brows drew in the center; Anzu never took that tone with him, or anyone.
" Is everything alright?" He asked.
As though she'd been drawn away from a dream, she shook her head, clearing the fogginess clouding her mind and eyes.
" W-what?" She flushed in realization. " Oh--I'm sorry, Yami. I--didn't mean you---earlier---with the---uhm,"
He gave a brief shake of his head. " It's fine. A misunderstanding, I take it?"
Anzu looked down, avoiding eye-contact. He probably thinks I'm crazy! Thanks a lot Marik!
The crazed spirit rejoiced in a sneering laugh. Now isn't the time, dear-Anzu. Now be a good slave and get me that puzzle!
" Anzu? Are you positive nothing is bothering you?" Yami asked, watching the girl drift into another thought, before his voice snapped her back to reality.
" I-I'm fine, Yami! Just tired," She explained, barely managing to lift her eyes and meet his in a cool stare.
She nervously looked away, finding their surroundings rather interesting.
" You know if anything is troubling you, Anzu," Yami began, voice firm, reminding her briefly of a fatherly tone; clipped, understanding, wise. " You can always come to me,"
She nodded her head. If only it were that simple, Yami.
" I know. Say, why don't you come inside with me?"
She looked up at the sky while extending her right hand to catch a rain-drop. " It looks like it's about to come down pretty heavy,"
Though normally observant in the expressions of others, Yami bypassed the guilt and regret clouding her eyes.
Stiffly she lead him to her house, head bowed, legs shaky, hands clammy, heart pounding in her chest with frantic beats.
I-why--why are you making me do this Marik? Anzu demanded, searching out the Yami through the edges of her subconscious.
It's only fair that I am crowned Pharaoh; it has always been my rightful title as ruler of the world! Once my plans set in I will be in command of everything and anyone!
What about Bakura? I thought you were supposed to be helping him! Not betraying him!
He's a fool to think I'd help him! You, my dear, are only a small portion of what I have truly wanted since that damned Pharaoh sent me to the shadow realm!
And what if Bakura finds out!? He won't let you use him!
He is of little of my worries right now. What I am more concerned with is retrieving the Millennium Puzzle and Egyptian God Card! Don't forget our deal, Anzu. Be sure to get me what I want and your little friends won't be put in harms way.
And what if you're lying to me too? How can I trust you!
Whether you want to or not, I will get those items. If you choose to disobey me I'll be forced to use 'reinforcements' to make you!
Anzu shuddered, she knew what he was implying all too well; mind-control with the powers of his Millennium Rod.
" Anzu?" Yami stepped beside her, placing a hand on the frozen girl's shoulder as she stared blankly at the door to her home.
" You are acting strange….." Yami murmured, studying her face as she broke from the inner battle in her mind he was unaware of.
" Sorry, just thinking," Anzu lied, supplying a weak smile. She knelt down, lifting the "welcome" mat and extracting a gold key from under it.
She shoved it in the key-hole, twisting it and giving the handle a good yank to the left before she pushed the door in, allowing them access into the empty house.
" Make yourself at home," She said as he walked in after her while she busied herself with closing the door and setting the key aside.
" You have a lovely home, Anzu," He complemented, eyeing the rooms as he strode into the family room in her lead.
" O-oh? Thank you," She turned to ask him something , only to collide into his chest where the puzzle shook from the movement.
" So-sorry," Baka! What were you thinking!?
She found her hands pressing against his chest for support where she intended to push off the next minute, only to find her fingers lacing through the chain connected to his Puzzle.
What the--!? She watched in horror as her fingers clenched the silver chain almost brutally, tugging on it. She hadn't moved her hands!Was Marik already controlling her!?
Yami arched a delicate brow. " Anzu? Is everything alright?" He watched her hesitate to pull away, her hands clamped around the necklace bound to his neck in a severe grip.
" I-I'm so sorry Yami," She sobbed.
Yami's brows furrowed; she was overreacting for such a small thing. She'd just bumped into him. No harm had been caused.
" It's nothing to apologize for Anzu. Acc---" He paused, caught up in the motion as she fiercely yanked at the Puzzle gripped in her hands, snapping the chain in half and freeing it from around his neck.
" Anzu, what are---" She dashed out of the family room and he could hear the faint slam of the door. Slowly, gradually, he could feel the aches rushing through his body; he was separating from Yuugi's body.
Soon he'd depart completely if he did not get the Puzzle in time.
I have to find her! Yami thought, running after her with hurried steps. This doesn't add up! Why would Anzu take the Millennium Puzzle!? And where is she going with it!?
Marik smirked. " My plans are going according to plan. Seems little-Anzu is worth something after all," He sneered.
" Did she get the puzzle?" Bakura stalked into the dark room, racking his eyes up Marik's seated form clad in a purple cloak, the hood drawn down around his shoulders.
" Well?" Bakura hissed, impatient wearing his control as his face grew flustered.
" She has done more than retrieved the Millennium Puzzle," Marik muttered, lowering his eyes to Bakura's narrowing ones; he didn't like where this was going.
" What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Bakura demanded.
Marik rose from the throne-like chair mounted on a two foot platform. Gripping the rod in his hand, Marik approached Bakura, stepping down the platform till he stood several feet in front of him.
" You were a fool to think I'd help you, Bakura," Marik murmured, lips drawn in a taut, grim line. " And a fool to think I'd hand over the items to the likes of you,"
" So then, you betrayed me did you?" Bakura laughed the words, eyes glowing a malicious red in the dark room.
" You'll regret messing with me, Marik," Bakura spat, snatching a dagger from his pant pocket. " I won't be easily defeated."
Marik revealed the Millennium Rod from beneath the flap of his cloak.
" You were mind-controlled once. I can assure you doing it again will be an easy task,"
The muscles in her legs burned as she ran with clumsy steps in the direction of the warehouse. The light sprinkle had escalated to a brutal thunderstorm.
Rain drops pelted her like pins and needles, but the coldness it brought had numbed her body regressed of feeling.
Anzu clutched the Millennium Puzzle to her chest, squinting her eyes when her vision blurred and she was blearily aware of the tears prickling the edges.
I hate you Marik! I hate you! I HATE YOU!!
She stumbled, a choked sob falling from her mouth before she caught it in her throat. The warehouse was visible in the distance and it was then she heard the footsteps pounding behind her, muffled by the rain and the sound of her beating heart and ragged breathing.
Yami…….too close……..catching up… Frantically she leapt the last distance, a solid three feet, stumbling into the entrance leading in the warehouse.
" ANZU!!" His lungs stung, dry and raw from overuse. But he refused defeat. Refused to let a little thunderstorm stop him from catching up with her.
If he didn't…….
I'll separate from Yuugi completely! I have to hurry! He ran into the warehouse Anzu had momentarily entered, skidding to a stop when he was greeted with a dueling arena set up in the lone expanse.
Yami grit his teeth, fully aware of the presence behind him.
" Bakura! What have you done with Anzu!?" He demanded, whirling on the spirit.
Bakura laughed, the sound distorted and off. It was Bakura……but he wasn't in control.
" Marik!" Yami viciously spat, glaring at the white-haired thief, meeting his stare with dull glazed eyes.
Expression solemn, Bakura kept at bay, arms held by his sides as he spoke in a hoarse whisper, a mingle of his voice and Marik's with a faint echo leering in the background.
" Enough introductions Pharaoh! It's time we play by my rules,"
" SETO!" Mokuba raced up to his brother, catching him just in time before he toppled to the floor. " Seto, what happened!?"
He eyed Kaiba's bruised cheek and beaten clothes covered with blood splotches and dirt.
" It's…..nothing," Kaiba mumbled, grunting when Mokuba assisted him to the nearest chair located in the family room.
Caught half-way through the storm, he'd been soaked to the bone, clothes sagging from the water, while strands of his hair meshed to the sides of his face.
Kaiba slouched in the seat, head lulled back as he shut his eyes, moving a hand over his forehead.
" Big brother? Seto? SETO!!" Mokuba shouted, shaking Kaiba fiercely, panicking when he saw his brother motionless in the leather chair.
Kaiba groaned. " I'm not dead, Mokuba," Just resting. Damn it….my whole body aches.
" Do you need anything. Seto?" Mokuba asked.
Kaiba nodded, sitting up. " Help me upstairs. I need to get out of these," He muttered, implying his wet clothes.
Mokuba nodded, stepping back after clinging to Kaiba's left arm, tugging him up and pulling him away from the chair, guiding him upstairs.
Kaiba, breaths haggard, forced his limbs to comply and lift up the steps. Suddenly he envied the steps that seemed to travel up for eternity.
Damn it….why didn't I think of just taking the elevator?
Kaiba cursed, barely aware of his left arm thrown over his younger brother's shoulders, supporting partial of his weight as they strode to the second floor.
" We're here, Seto," Mokuba murmured, stopping just affront his office door.
Kaiba slung his arm off Mokuba's shoulders, nodding his head in appreciation before he walked inside.
" Will you be alright, big brother?" Mokuba prodded, watching from the entrance as Kaiba staggered to the closet in his office.
" I'll be fine, Mokuba." Kaiba assured. " Go to bed, it's late,"
" What about you're injuries?" Mokuba insisted, stepping slightly into the office.
" I'm fine, Mokuba," Kaiba repeated, slightly more agitated than the first. He wasn't in the mood for idle chit-chat about some measly cuts.
He had other things to worry about. Like why the hell was he attacked by Marik's rare hunters. And why did he get the feeling she had the answers.
He shredded off the drenched garments, stepping out of the puddle of wet clothes and changing into his Battle City ensemble.
After maneuvering his shoulders and arms into the white trench coat, he slid into the chair situated behind his office desk where his laptop lay shut.
Opening it, he began typing in the acquired information for his local Domino City tracking device.
First I'll track down Yuugi; wherever he is she's bound to be.
" Man, dat was da worst thing in my life," Jou muttered,
stepping out of his home with Honda walking up behind him with an unpleasant grin, at least to him.
" Stop smirking like dat ya big jerk," Jou grumbled, tucking his crossed arms behind his head.
Honda's grin grew. " I can't help it. You're sister's hot,"
" Kisama….." Before Jou could finish his foul name call, Honda pointed ahead.
" Hey man, look! Over there by that warehouse! I coulda' swore I saw Yuugi," Honda muttered, squinting his eyes to look past the rain.
Jou snorted. " Dat's da worst excuse you've eva' made up to get outta' a mess,"
" Just look!" Honda shouted.
With a row of obscenities, the blonde looked in the distance at the warehouse few blocks down. Like he was supposed to see anything that far?
" I dun see nothing," Jou mumbled, arms crossed over his chest.
" Of course not you idiot! Yuugi already went in! Now come on!" Honda scrambled down the steps before he raced toward the warehouse.
Jou frowned. " I don't know 'bout dis," With a last look back at his house, he fled after Honda.
" 'Ey! Wait up, man!"
Were they ever in for a surprise.
A/N: I know. Lots of thing are going on, yet at the same time nothing happened. XD
But now this is where the actions going to start. And hopefully some Seto/Anzu romance. Kaiba's tracking her down by first looking for Yuugi, and since Yuugi always carries his duel deck, Kaiba will find him in a snap. And then some. Lol.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. More to come later! Ciao
By the way, this is an OFFICIAL Anzu/ Seto pairing! Sorry everyone else. But like I said, once this fic is over, my next pairing is….
Ryou/Anzu!! WOOT! And then I'll try to keep to my promise and do all those other pairings in order of the votes.
Kisama: ( Vulgar way to say YOU! ) With something intended to come after it. lol. Get my drift? XD
Thanks to all those who reviewed!! Much appreciated!
KEEP READING AND REVIEWING!!
