APRICOT SUNDAE


" We'll duel to end this, Marik!" Yami proclaimed, staring at Marik seated in a throne encased by shadows.

" And when I win, you will free Anzu and end this game of yours!" He added.

Inside Yuugi had awoken from the commotion, kept at bay by Yami who remained in control.

Allow me to duel Yuugi. I promise not to let you, Anzu, or the others down. Yami promised through their link.

Yuugi nodded, watching quietly from within his soul room

I know you'll keep your word and rescue Anzu. I just hope we've made it in time. I don't see her anywhere! Yuugi replied

Yami scanned the warehouse, only to have his view blocked by Bakura stepping in front of him.

" It's time to end this. I'll enjoy sending you to the shadow realm once and for all," Marik declared through Bakura.

" Then I will be Pharaoh,"

Yami glared. " Never!"

" Don't be so confident, Pharaoh. I already have your Millennium Puzzle. What makes you think I won't take your Egyptian God Card as well?"

Yami narrowed his eyes, taking a defensive stance. " I'll never hand it over to you, Marik!"

Bakura laughed, tossing his head back and letting the sound echo in the wide expanse of the warehouse, sending unnoticeable shivers down Yami's spine.

" Enough of this Marik! Come down and face me!" Yami shouted, looking past Bakura till his eyes settled on Marik's seated form, clad in a velvet cloak.

Marik chuckled, lowering his eyes till they rested on Yami's face. " On the contrary Pharaoh, this is much more entertaining. Wouldn't you agree?"

Gritting his teeth in rage, Yami fisted his hands at his sides. " What of Anzu? What does she have to do with this? What do you intend to do to her Marik?" He demanded, voice rising in pitch and volume.

Marik rose from the throne, stepping off the platform, basking himself in the faint light the warehouse provided.

" I plan to use her to get what I want." Marik replied, smirking afterward. " And it won't be Bakura or me you will be dueling Pharaoh. But your little friend Anzu!" Marik announced with a cackle.

Yami gasped. No! Anyone but Anzu!


" I don't have all day!" Kaiba hissed, glaring heatedly at the driver from his place in the back of the limo.

" I'm going as fast as I can, Mr. Kaiba," The driver replied back with obvious discomfort and nervousness in his tone.

Kaiba moved his eyes away from the driver, keeping his arms crossed over his chest as he sat stiffly in the leather seats.

Staring out the tinted window, blotched with raindrops, he watched the scenery whisk by like a blur.

He silently wondered how Anzu of all people was involved with Marik. He knew she was low, but to this extent?

How could she allow herself to be controlled by Marik? She's weaker than I thought. Kaiba thought with visible disdain creeping into his expression.

Then again, coming from one of Yuugi's friends, I'm not surprised.

He smirked, recalling a time he'd seen Anzu running into class, late, soaked to the bone with twigs in her hair and mud blotched across her blazer and skirt.

He had to admit, she looked like a wreck. At the time he didn't think much on it, but with all this free time he had nothing better to do.

He remembered the conversation word for word without resorting to eavesdropping. The dweebs were rather loud. He supposed that's why they were all so annoying.

" What da heck happened to ya' Anz?" Jou took the initiative to ask Anzu why she'd come late, and why she looked the way she did.

" Sorry guys. Long story," But it seemed her answer wasn't good enough for Yuugi.

" Is something wrong? Is everything alright?"

Kaiba remembered looking over to them discreetly, after tearing his eyes from the book he was struggling to concentrate on, noting Anzu's dour expression.

" Everything's fine, Yuugi. What could be wrong?" She had replied, smiling weakly in an attempt to end the conversation as well as avoid it.

Kaiba himself knew that look on her face. Something had happened.

But he didn't care, so he had looked away and dove back into the third chapter of the novel in his hands.

He had also heard rumors about Anzu illegally working at Burger World. For what reasons he wasn't sure.

He hadn't really listened to the details, or listened at all, when a bunch of girls walked by him during lunch chatting away about the issue.

So what; she worked, big deal. He was seventeen and he owned his own business for God's sake. Hearing Anzu working at some burger joint wasn't the least shocking or surprising.

He recalled another memory, one he had forgotten.

" Please, Seto!" Mokuba begged, clutching onto Kaiba's trench coat as the elder boy refused to let down.

" I'm busy Mokuba."

" Just this once. I promise!"

Though Kaiba wasn't one to be manipulated easily, his brother had a knack for it. He guessed he felt guilty for never spending quality time with his brother, his only family.

" Fine, what is it?"

" Alright!" Mokuba cheered.

Kaiba glared. " I haven't agreed yet, so don't get your hopes up,"

" Well, I was thinking maybe we could eat out tonight. Instead of eating some fancy dinner like we always do,"

" I have a business to run, Mokuba," Kaiba replied. Mokuba sighed, shoulders sagging in defeat. He knew well what that meant, No.

" Maybe some other day," Kaiba added, before looking back to his laptop screen without another word.

" Yes, Seto," Mokuba whispered, bowing his head.

Kaiba gritted his teeth, aggravated. He hated seeing Mokuba moping around, especially when it was to purposely annoy him.

" Fine," He confided, breaking the silence that had passed between them.

" Really?" Mokuba leapt with joy. " Alright!"

Kaiba stood. " Let's make this quick, I want to be back no later than ten," He warned.

Mokuba nodded. " No problem, Seto. I even picked a place out already!"

" Good. Now let's go," In no time they were in the limousine, being driven to the restaurant. Kaiba had strained to hear what Mokuba had whispered to the driver, but it was pointless. He just hoped the place wasn't packed.

He hated crowded places.

" We're here, Kaiba sir," The driver announced after pressing down on the break and stopping the limousine.

Mokuba wasted to time and leapt out of the backseat with Kaiba in suite. The moment Kaiba got out and looked up at the place, well, it wasn't pretty.

" Of all the places," Kaiba hissed, glaring at the building.

" Come on, Seto! Before it gets packed!" Mokuba dragged him inside.

Mokuba, thankfully, found them a booth at the far back corner of the place. It was small and quaint, but already Kaiba hated it.

For two good reasons: It was packed and Anzu was their waitress.

" Just what I need, one of the dweebs to bother me," Kaiba snarled, already in a foul mood.

" Look, Seto! It's Anzu!" Mokuba cheered, rather glad their waitress was Anzu of all people. Anzu froze halfway to the table, visibly paling, before gaining her wits and stalking up the rest of the way.

" Ready to take your order?" She smiled at them, remembering the first rule of working as a waitress: Respect customers at all costs; be polite.

Kaiba snorted, letting Mokuba order for them. " Didn't know you worked here, Mazaki," He muttered, glaring at her from under his bangs. He, in fact, was well aware she worked here.

He was amused by her reaction: stiff shoulders, eyes murky, and ready to kill. " Tell anyone about this-"

" Why would I?" Kaiba snapped, interrupting her. " I could care less; I have better things to do than go around telling people that a dweeb like you works,"

She held back a retort, cheeks puffing in enragement. " I'll go get your orders now,"

Mokuba, who had completely bypassed the exchange between his brother and Anzu, looked at Kaiba with a smile.

" Isn't it great Seto?"

" What?" Kaiba snapped, wanting to get up and leave.

" Anzu's our waitress, didn't you see?" Mokuba was flabbergasted that he hadn't seen her.

" Your point?"

" Well I just figured…….aren't you guys friends?"

Kaiba held back a cackle. Absurd! Him friends with one of 'them'? Not in a million years, he'd rather be burned at the stake.

" Here you go," Anzu had returned shortly after, carrying a tray in her hands that she proceeded to glide onto their table.

" Anything else I can get you?" She asked.

Kaiba smirked, but his eyes remained ice-cold. " You can get lost for starters. Seeing your face is just reminding me of that pathetic friend of yours,"

" Don't talk about Yuugi like that!" She defended, immediately guessing who Kaiba was talking about.

" The bunch of you are nothing but losers with no lives," He eyed her. " Poor one's no less,"

Anzu was shocked. Kaiba had called her poor? Because she was working? She held back a bitter retort, settling for the next step.

" Working doesn't make me poor, Kaiba. You would know with all that money you throw around like graffiti,"

Kaiba laughed, the cruel sound making her tense. " If you plan on getting a tip from me, you're out of luck. I don't give tips to people like you who don't know the meaning of respect,"

Anzu's skin flared up. " I wouldn't want one from a person like you anyway!" With that she stormed off, disappearing into the kitchen behind the counter.

Kaiba smirked; he felt much better. " Let's go Mokuba; I'm not hungry,"

" But Seto,"

Kaiba glared down at him. " I said let's go. Besides, I can't stand the people here," He replied thickly, shooting his eyes in the direction Anzu was in.

" Can we at least take the food home with us?" Mokuba asked.

Kaiba nodded, before getting up from their table and exiting after slapping down the amount of money for the meal. Mokuba stayed behind to ask for two doggie bags.

" Sorry about that, Anzu. Big brother's really tired; he works non-stop," Mokuba explained apologetically, grabbing the two bags from Anzu.

" It's okay." She replied. But Mokuba could tell his brother's insults had internally wounded her.

Sighing, he left, meeting Kaiba up at the limousine.

Kaiba stirred from the memory when a car horn honked nearby. With a shake of his head, he looked away from the window, staring blankly ahead in afterthought.

He'd forgotten how cruel he'd been to her, even when she'd done nothing to begin with.

She was there doing her job and he'd flat out insulted her and her friends.

It's not important. Kaiba confided himself, not wanting to feel guilty. He insulted them all the time, how was now any different?

Besides, Kaiba consoled. I have more important things to worry about. Like how and why Marik's back.

A smirk settled on his lips. " If Marik's back, so is that Egyptian God card of his."


Marik smirked. " What's the matter, Pharaoh? Losing your touch?"

Yami nervously eyed him, a thin line of sweat beading down the side of his face.

" Tell me where she is, Marik!"

" You mean, Anzu?" Marik drawled, eyes twinkling in amusement. " She's here, I assure you. But don't get your hopes up,"

" What have you done to her!" Yami demanded.

" See for yourself," Marik replied, looking to the left. Yami followed his gaze, before gasping when he watched the feminine silhouette approach.

" Anzu!" She ignored him, walking up to Marik and taking her place beside him, her hands still carrying his Millennium Puzzle.

Oh no! Yami thought frantically. If Marik gets his hands on it, who knows what will happen!

Marik smirked, noting Yami's discomfort. " Looks like your good friend here has done all my work for me."

" She has obediently retrieved the Millennium Puzzle as I asked, and now nothing can stop me from becoming Pharaoh!"

Yami shakily walked forward. He'd forgotten about the departure between himself and Yuugi if ever the Puzzle were to be taken off or far way from the body's owner. But suddenly he was reminded of it the minute he saw the puzzle.

" Y-You're wrong, Marik! I-I won't give them up so easily," Yami staggered, feeling lightheaded and weak.

" Is that so?" Marik laughed. " Feeling tired, Pharaoh?" he taunted.

Yami felt his mind slipping. Soon he'd return to the puzzle and out of Yuugi's body. He couldn't let that happen.

" Not only will this duel determine who is rightful Pharaoh, but whether or not you will keep that body." Marik murmured.

Anzu clutched the puzzle close to her chest, her hazy eyes settling on Yami. Yami ignored him, concentrating on Anzu.

" Anzu! You must try! Don't allow Marik to control you!"

Marik chuckled. " It's useless, Pharaoh. She'll never hear you; she obeys me as of now,"

Yami gritted his teeth at the comment, readying himself to lunge at Marik when he was suddenly restrained by Bakura who was now behind him.

" You may have my puzzle, Marik, but you'll never become Pharaoh!"

" What do you mean by that?" Marik hissed, brows slanting down.

Before Yami could reply, the door to the warehouse burst open.

" Well, look what we have here," Marik sneered, looking at the two boys rushing into the building in soaked clothes after seemingly running through the rain to get there.

" Jou! Honda! What are you two doing here?" Yami asked, shocked by their presence.

" At first I thought I was dreamin', but now I know it was you dat I saw run in here, Yug," Jou explained.

Honda eyed the situation. " What the heck's going on here?"

Marik's eyes narrowed. If they intervene, my plans will be ruined! He hissed a curse under his breath. I won't allow them to destroy my chance at becoming Pharaoh!

" Rare Hunters! Take our little visitors elsewhere where they won't be a nuisance," Marik ordered the cloaked men standing in the distance.


" We're here, Kaiba sir," The driver announced, stepping on the brakes and stopping the limousine in front of the warehouse.

" It's about time," Kaiba smirked, unraveling his arms from across his chest.

Very soon I will have all three Egyptian God cards. Then nothing can stop me from becoming the greatest duelist!

He stepped out, unfazed as the rain pelted him, his eyes lifting up to regard the warehouse.

Both Marik and Yuugi won't know what hit them; those cards are as good as mine. With that, he set his slow pace in the direction of the entrance.

He pushed the door open with a loud slam, announcing his arrival. He was Seto Kaiba after all; making grand entrances was his job.

Well, isn't this an interesting predicament. He noted Jou and Honda to his left, preparing to fight the rare hunters, while Marik, Yuugi and Anzu stood toward his right.

Walking forward, trench coat flaring behind him to an invisible wind, he stiffly made his presence known to the group.

" Kaiba? What are you doing here?" Yami demanded, staring up at Kaiba's towering height.

" What else?" Kaiba snapped. " I'm here to witness the duel of a lifetime,"

And get yours and Marik's Egyptian God cards. He added in thought.

Marik chuckled. " Trying to get my Egyptian God card, Kaiba? You'll have to duel me to get it,"

" Then enough of this foolish chit-chat," Kaiba spat, lifting his left arm to reveal a duel disk. " I've come prepared to win, Marik,"

" This has nothing to do with you Kaiba!" Yami spat. How did Kaiba even know they were here?

Jou and Honda, on the sidelines, had managed to beat the Rare Hunters unconscious with minor cuts and bruises on their behalf.

" Your hunters ain't as bad as ya put 'em up ta be, Marik," Jou announced, walking toward the group with Honda in tow.

" Yeah, what's up with that?" Honda added.

Marik growled. How dare they insult him and his rare hunters!

Jou cracked his knuckles. " Nuthin's stopping us from beatin ya up too, Marik,"

Before either boys could touch him, Anzu stepped in the way, blocking their path.

" Outta da way, Anz!" Jou said, riled up. " I'm gonna show dis punk whose boss!"

Marik chuckled. " It seems Anzu here objects,"

" Yeah? Well your mind-controlling her to do it!" Honda shot back.

Kaiba sneered, his attention on Anzu. " Can't you put up a fight and break Marik's control? Or are you really that weak and pathetic?"

He knew he was insulting her, like always, but he knew it would get to her.

" Insulting her isn't going to help, Kaiba!" Yami snapped. Boy, Kaiba had the worst timing to be a jerk!

Anzu bit her lower lip. Why does he always have to put me down? He doesn't know what'll happen if I don't do as Marik asks…..

" You don't know what your saying, Kaiba," Anzu whispered, avoiding his eyes boring down into her.

Marik growled; he was losing control over the girl.

Kaiba scoffed. " Don't I? It's plain and simple, Mazaki. You're betraying your friends,"

And to further anger her, he added. " How very ladylike,"

" I'm not betraying them! I'd never betray them!" Her voice was returning, as Marik was no longer speaking for her or controlling her actions.

" I'm not you Kaiba. I don't just do things. I'm doing this because-because I have to!"

" Don't make me laugh," Kaiba spat. " You don't have to do anything. If you're going to let yourself become one of his stupid mind-control slaves, then be my guest, but not on my time,"

" On your time?" She exploded. " Not everything revolves around you, just because you have money!" Unlike some of us who have to lie to get a job!

" If you plan on arguing, then do it with someone who cares. If you want to talk, do it when you're your own person,"

Anzu sucked in a breath. For some reason Kaiba's words hit her hard. No matter how harsh his tone was, it almost felt like he was trying to get through to her on his own level.

Almost as if he……..wants to help me? But why would Kaiba care? Why would he-

" Besides," Kaiba said, interrupting her thoughts. " I still have a few things to settle with you."

" Wh-what things?" Why was she blushing? How could she get bad thoughts at a time like this! But what did Kaiba mean? Settle what? A feud?

" Must I explain myself?" He muttered, annoyed, but his tone was awkwardly low and soft.

Marik cursed. Who needed the girl anyway? She'd already done enough by getting him the puzzle. He would just have to do the rest himself.

Anzu squealed when Marik suddenly grabbed her with his right arm, his other grabbing the puzzle from her hands.

She tried desperately to get it back, but Marik was far stronger than her.

Damn. Kaiba thought. Well, at least I was able to reach her.

Yami suddenly didn't feel so good. With a sway he fell toward the ground, where ,thankfully, Jou and Honda had caught him just in time.

" Yug! Yug! Hey, man! Come on! Wake up!" Honda shouted, shaking the small duelist.

" Aww crud, he's out like a light," Jou muttered. " Dis ain't lookin' good guys,"

Anzu stared wide-eyed at the sight. " Yuugi? What's wrong with him? Is he okay?"

Jou barely nodded. " He just unconscious…….but I dun know. I got a bad feelin 'bout dis,"

Kaiba glared at Marik. Great, now Yuugi's out. Just what I need. That mean's I'll have to duel Marik on my own.

He smirked. No matter. This way I can get what I want and leave.

" The puzzle!" Anzu cried. " He can't be away from it too long! I don't know why, but you guys have to get it from Marik!"

Jou and Honda both looked up from Yuugi, to Anzu, then to Marik who had the puzzle.

Marik laughed. " I don't think so. This is a win or lose game. You take the puzzle, I take the girl. I take the girl, then you can have the puzzle, and your little friend Yuugi will be fine,"

Jou cursed. " Like we'll believe you!"

He knew for a fact Marik was out for the puzzle. But Anzu? He didn't know about that. But could he really risk it?

Honda looked back to Yuugi, then to Jou. " What are we gonna do, man? We have to help Yuugi, but we can't let that creep get Anzu."

Kaiba glared. " You're pathetic, Marik; resorting to this to get what you want,"

Oh yes, it all disgusted Kaiba how Marik used other people to get what he wanted. And since when did Marik have this sudden fascination with Anzu?

" Oh? And what do you plan to do about it, Kaiba?" Marik said in a laughing tone.

Anzu stared wide-eyed at Kaiba. What would he do? Leave them here? Forget the Egyptian God Card and flee? Or would he help her? Help Yuugi? Could he do it? Would he do it?

This is Kaiba……..he wouldn't waste his time on us!

No! Anzu thought. We're doomed! I've got to do something!

" I'll tell you what I'm going to do," Kaiba said…..


A/N: OMG. I think that was the worst cliffhanger I have ever left! Lol! Sorry my readers, I ran out of ideas, and I'm kind of in the 'writer block' zone. But hey, if anyone has ideas, I'm open to suggestions! And who knows, I might use your ideas in the next chap, which hopefully will come quicker. Lol.

Once again, thanks for being patient, I know its been long since I last updated. But I have school! o FORGIVE ME! And hey, this chap wasn't short! But kind of boring because there was no Anzu/ Kaiba lovin. But hey! Give me a break! They're a tough one to work with. -