I must say that I really appreciate reviews. They encourage and inspire. I also enjoy constructive criticism. So if you are going to say something about my story please elaborate so I can make it better. Yes Sam, I do realize that Malik is OOC, but life happens. If it helps the story along than I say so be it. And by the way, I really don't know Malik's 'character'. Sadly I don't get to watch the show that much. Damn Saturday morning classes! (Sniff Cry Tear) From what I see Malik is a psychopath, a cute psychopath, but a psychopath none the less. But oh well, a review is a review so thanks to those who have reviewed both my stories. (Frankly I am surprised that I haven't been flamed or attacked by an Anzu hater! Think I'm testing fate?) I'm so happy lately, so many nice encouraging reviews. But I've also been sooooo busy lately. All I want to do is write but college has got me sooo busy. But I try! I really am! Enjoy, that's all I have to say!
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She fell out of bed. Of all things for one of the most sought after women in the underbelly of the world could do, she fell out of bed. Rory blinked as she stared into the tangle of blankets she was wrapped in, curious on how she came to be on the floor wrapped in the stiff hotel coverings. And as soon as she closed her eyes to resume her sleep the noise that had chased her from her slumber chorused again. Rory gave a tiny growl of frustration and pulled the tangled mess of sheets from her. Standing Rory pulled her tank top, which had risen up uncomfortably, and crossed the tiny room to her cell phone. Yanking the contraption from its charger Rory growled into the receiver.
"What," she snapped.
"That is the question on everyone's mind over here. What is Rory think?" a female voice responded. Rory scowled at the woman unseen.
"So you got my message then?" she asked.
"Obviously," came the simple response.
"Do you have any idea what time it is here?" Rory asked looking at the nasty numbers 4:30am on the digital clock by her bedside.
"Do you really think that I care?" the other person answered. "You called me asking for a favor. Do you honestly think that I care about your convenience?" There was a silence between them for a moment before Rory spoke again.
"Has anyone every told you that you are a heartless bitch Jeri?"
"I've learned to deal. So what are you thinking Rory? You do realize that half of the Syndication is preparing to go get the bounty that Fredrick is just itching to put on you. The only thing that is restraining him is cause that DC job is underway." Rory smiled at the tiny silver phone.
"That Senator is going to be in for the surprise of his life," Rory mused.
"Not necessarily," Jeri said. Rory's interest peaked.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Rory had been out of the Syndication's loop for only a few days now but a few hours could be a life time at the pace the earth's secret world worked at.
"You know how serious this job is," Jeri said, "I've never seen Fredrick so spun over something before. And not have his prodigy around isn't helping much either."
"He's learned to deal without me for the past couple of years, I think he can deal now. Besides," Rory said, "I bet for a cut the Syndication would supply him with a nice team."
"Yeah, but Fredrick wants you. And anyways," she continued in a low voice, "something else is going on. But I have no idea what? I was hoping you might tip me off," Jeri said hopefully. Rory laughed at her softly.
"If I knew, I'd tell you. Believe me. So you going to do me a favor or what?"
"Depends, what you have you got in mind?"
"I quick DNA and fingerprint job."
"Well you know that the fingerprint thing would take like two seconds, and I'm pretty sure you could do that on your own. And depending on the DNA sample I could get it for you pretty quick. But if you broke into lab I bet you could do that to. So why do you need me?" Jeri asked curiosity in her voice.
"Cause you are the best out there and I need it done to the best possible standard. And that means you. Besides, the DNA is pretty old and so are the fingerprints."
"How old?" Jeri asked.
"About 12 years." Rory said and Jeri gave a whistle from the other end of the phone.
"Nice, when do you need the results."
"ASAP, I'll send you the samples as soon as I have them. I'll have someone send over the samples that I need you to compare."
"This isn't what I think it is, is it?" Jeri asked.
"And that would be?" Rory wondered.
"Gardner?" Jeri asked.
"Just how much have you been talking to Fredrick lately?" Rory asked.
"Enough," Jeri said, "I'll get the results to you as soon as possible."
"Thanks Jeri," Rory said getting ready to say goodbye.
"Now, about payment," Jeri said before Rory had a chance to end the conversation.
"Why don't we do it this way," Rory said. "I don't let it slip to the government about the genetic testing that you have been doing."
"That's very bad of you Rory. I've got just as much about you as you have on me." Jeri countered, though Rory could tell she was nervous.
"You wish Jeri," Rory paused before she continued, "I like you Jeri. Forget what I just said. Remember that work I did for your cousin? We can call it even."
"That's not the way it works Rory, and you know it. A life for a life." Jeri said.
"I'm calling it Jeri. You're the best out there and I would like to keep on your good side. So we'll call it even for now and I'll save my government blackmail for another day," Rory said with a grin.
"They don't say you're the best for nothing," Jeri said from the other line.
"You know what Jeri," Rory said, "you are possibly one of the few people in the world that I actually trust."
"Ditto," Jeri agreed.
"I'll talk to you when I need you," Rory told her.
"Good," there was a click as a goodbye and Rory did the same. Looking up at the clock Rory gave a tiny grown. 'No reason to waste the night,' Rory though as she pulled her laptop open. 'Time to work'.
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"Young lady, I am talking to you here," Anzu's father Kenji snapped trying to regain the girl's wandering attention. Arms folded over her chest Anzu had been staring moodily out of the window while her father lectured her. Not only was he angry over her 'outlandish behavior over the past few days' but Anzu hadn't been home when he arrived from work. She had actually been at Ryou's with Rory who had stealthily disappeared as soon as Ryou was in the house. It was easy to say that when Anzu walked into the house just after dusk that her father was far from pleased. Kenji blew out a frustrated breath and ran his hair through his hair. "Just what is going on in your head lately?"
"Nothing," Anzu mumbled under her breath while looking out the window again. Kenji bent over and placed his hands on the kitchen table he stood by and his daughter sat at and closed his eyes, blowing another frustrated breath.
"This attitude needs to leave right now Anzu. You may be a young woman now but I am still your father and deserve your respect." On the edge of his hearing Kenji heard Anzu say something in scarcely a whisper. He could barely catch it but he was almost sure she said 'are you sure you're my father?' Kenji felt his face go pale as all the blood rushed from his face. "What did you say?" he asked almost panicked.
"Nothing," Anzu said louder this time. She stood suddenly catching her still surprised father off guard. "I know that I've been acting weird lately and I'm sorry for worrying you but like you said, I'm a young woman now and need to be left on my own sometimes. And whatever is going on now I need to deal with it on my own and you need to back off of me!" Anzu was slightly yelling as she finished but the pent up emotion she was feeling were fighting to get out of her and she fought to keep them to a dull roar.
"Don't take that type of tone with me Anzu. I, I, I don't know what to say you. What do you want me to say to you?" he asked. She didn't answer but wrapped her arms around her and turned to the window again. "Anzu, I know you skipped dancing the other day. And I know that you've been avoiding your friends," as he spoke, head to the table Anzu watched him in the mirror-like window and wondered what she was doing to her loved ones. They remained silent before Kenji left and said he was going to bed.
Later that night rain lashed at the windows of Anzu dimly lit room. The room's owner sat cross-legged on her bed in deep thought. Her mind was whirling with thoughts of the past few days. Rory said she would give her two weeks to decide, whatever there was to decide. Now her mind was whirling with possibilities of things she might not have even half dreamed. She felt as if she had been struck with some sense of adventure and need for discovery that she had never known before. And it thrilled her to no end. Perhaps it was the nature of the night or the talk she had had with her father. Or maybe, though she didn't want to admit it, Rory had actually gotten to her. But whatever the reason Anzu got up, locked the door, and shut off all the lights, save the reading lamp by her bed. When she was successful in bed Anzu reached into her nightstand door and pulled out her flashlight. Before turning off the desk lamp on her nightstand Anzu reached over the edge of bed and slightly lift the mattress, pulling a brown envelope from its depths. Having successfully retrieving the parcel Anzu turned off the desk lamp and turn her flashlight on, brightening up the dark room. Making sure she could hear no noise from her father's room or the hall Anzu opened the envelope with shaking fingers. Reading the first line Anzu was swept into a world that, maybe, could have once been hers.
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Meredith Carwell and Anthony Gardner had had one of the great American romances that many dreamed about. The two had grown up on opposite sides of a sleepy suburb in Northern California. Anthony was one year older than Meredith and attended the public school system while Meredith was enrolled in Bernard's Prep School for Young Ladies. He was the football star of the Marcus Pentmoore High School Fighting Trojans and she was the head cheerleader of the Bernard Lionesses. Yet the two never met or even heard of one another despite there close contact to one another. That was until Meredith was accepted as a freshman to RoseHill University the year that Anthony was returning as a sophomore and football star. They met on the playing field one day. As the cheerleaders practiced on the sidelines the football players warmed up with some offensive drills. A drill went wrong and Anthony was knocked unconscious.
As fate would have it Meredith's father had been a doctor and Meredith had picked up a few things which was fortunate since the athletic trainer was currently with the swim team. When Anthony woke up the first thing he saw was "Meredith framed by the sun, looking like and angel, trying to bring me around with smelling salts." Anthony, enthralled by the cheerleader turned doctor, was able to return the favor. In the three weeks since Anthony's accident the quarterback had been trying to get the girl's attention in vain. She said, "that he was like some annoying puppy dog and I wanted nothing to do with him." Toward the end of the third week Anthony and a few fellow football players were walking past the cheerleaders who were finishing their practice when it went wrong. Meredith, at the top would have been doomed, the other spotters catching the other top girls, had Anthony been walking past. It was either fate, or very good luck, because Anthony caught the girl with ease and from that day forth the affection Anthony had for her was returned.
The two were married the summer before Meredith's junior year. Anthony graduated with a degree in business. He moved to the east coast to attend St. Paul University to get his Bachelor Degree and go into a stock company however he became enthralled with the arts while at St. Paul's. Moved so by it Anthony changed his goals from stock exchange to a career and fine art management, particularly the art of ballet. Meredith followed him and finished her last year of college at St. Paul's as well and getting a job as a local TV meteorologist. They later moved to New York City where Anthony worked as a business manager for Julliard and Meredith as a meteorologist for a local weather station which ran 24 hour weather. She wasn't at this job for long though when she became pregnant with her and Anthony's first child. Baby Ronald however lost in miscarriage saddening the two and nearly destroying Meredith. So distraught by this that Meredith developed sever depression straining the marriage but Anthony stayed by Meredith's side and the two worked through it.
Then they found out that Meredith was pregnant again, this time with Tea. The pregnancy went by uneventfully until Meredith's water broke only into the second week of her eighth month. Although slightly premature baby Tea was fine and so was her mother and the young family grew together. Meredith and Anthony would try to have more children but it wasn't until after Tea's abduction that either would achieve that goal. When Tea was three Anthony got a promotion at Julliard and the three moved to a house in Connecticut. Meredith left her job to be a full time mother for Tea and work on an instructional book for young aspiring female athletes. All in all life couldn't be much better for the young family until the fateful spring afternoon that changed so many. It had been a long hard winter and Meredith decided to take Tea to the local park for the first real warm spell in months. While the young girl, now four, observed the puddles with interest her mother watched on making notes in her notebook for the follow up book she was planning. Tea announced to her mother that she wanted to swing, upon correcting her daughter on the use of please Meredith rose to follow her daughter, that was when the first stages of the initial kidnapping took place. A seemingly lost tourist and his wife approached Meredith who called to Tea to wait for her. While Meredith directed the couple to Walnut Street Tea watched on impatiently a few feet away. She could clearly see the swings and wanted to get the best one which was currently open. Why would her mother be talking other people and taking so long? Deciding not to wait for her mother Tea turned back in the direction of the swings and came face to face with a young blonde man who was smiling at her sweetly.
"Where are you going sweetheart?" he asked.
"No where," the little girl mumbled thinking that only her dad called her sweetheart. The man crouched down on his knees so that they really were face to face.
"You looked like you were going to swing. Were you?" he asked. Tea nodded.
"But I have to wait for mommy," she said a little bolder.
"Well your mom looks pretty busy," as he spoke Tea turned to look at her mother who was indeed still talking with the two adults. "I was going to go on the swings too. Would you like to come with me?" he asked.
Meanwhile Meredith was repeating for the third time where Walnut Street was with annoyance in her voice. She was trying to catch Tea in her eyesight and saw the man talking to her, extending his hand. Meredith felt panic rise up in her throat. She tried to call out to her daughter but the words seemed to be stuck in her throat and the annoying couple was trying to distract her once more. Then as Tea accepted the man's hand Meredith found her voice and screamed Tea's name. She made to run to the girl who was currently being picked up off the ground but ran into a wall formed by the couple. Meredith screamed her daughter's name again, along with pleas for help or the police and finally got away from the two who would disappear after that moment. Meredith ran with all her might after her child and the abductor continuing to scream for someone, anyone to help her but the park was close to empty. Ahead of her she saw a few people looking in her direction and after the man who was fleeing with her daughter. Meredith could not comprehend why no one was doing anything. Finally someone did and took off after the man that had reached his car.
Meredith ran harder as Tea was thrown in the back and the man jumped in the passenger seat, the waiting driver already starting the car. The teenager that had run after them, who had obviously skipped school, had grabbed the handle of the back door and was trying to wretch it open to no avail. Meredith was almost there when she slipped in some of the left over slush and went down nearly breaking her ankle. She tried to stand to fight but was helpless and could only watch the teen's last valiant efforts to save her daughter before he had to let go or be dragged to his death. One of his companions was on the phone with the police while another frantically copied the license plate. Two others came over to consol her and make sure she was ok.
The next few days went by in a blur for the once happy, now broken family. Both the police and the FBI were involved and the media was having a field day. A little girl abducted in broad daylight in her mother's plain sight was not an everyday occurrence. The community's sympathy was overflowing as well as the country's as those investigating tried to make heads or tails over what had happened. But no sign of the girl ever turned up and interest in the case eventually fell from the public. However the search continued through the media frenzy faded and the overflow of support slowed to a trickle. The stress of the situation took its toll on the two parents; Meredith was in and out of the hospital due to stress related ailments and Anthony became enthralled in his work. Soon the very foundation of their marriage was shaken and the two separated for a trail period in hopes of saving their marriage. It didn't work and the divorced was finalized. However the search continued as the two tried to move on with their lives remarrying, and starting families. Just a little after the sixth anniversary of Tea's disappearance was when Anthony learned about Rory. Anthony had moved back to the city from Connecticut with his second wife Gloria and his two stepsons and newest baby girl Hope and was enjoying his job as assistant director of the American Ballet Company/Academy when a coworker brought up the subject of Tea and her search. Not wanting to hear about it Anthony prepared to leave but the coworker persuaded him to stay and hear his testimony on a woman, no more of a girl, who could help.
He had not had any direct contact with the agent, he told Anthony but the girl agent had supposedly stopped an assassination attempt on the president. When Anthony said that he had never heard of it the coworker informed him that she had covered it up personally as a favor to a friend. And here is where it gets interesting, the coworker said, my uncle has a favor due from her and would be will to help him out. The truth of the matter was the Rory had heard about Tea's case through the grape vine but was too proud to approach Anthony or his wife on the situation. It was true that Rory could be a heartless killer or destroy whole factories without blinking but she was generally a good-hearted person. And for her sins she always tried to even the score some how and her current Good Samaritan act was to be the Gardners. However, what Rory anticipated as an open and shut case turned into a four yearlong search and international manhunt. Sheer fascination with the case and sympathy for Anthony who she had come to respect was what kept her going.
Meredith, who had remarried and was currently living back in California with a large family, was of course informed as to the progress of case. Rory had met with her only briefly on a few occasions and only with Anthony there. Rory was certain she wouldn't have like Meredith if it weren't for Anthony. Time passed and Rory was forced to push the case off of her priority list but she never stopped looking for leads or perusing possibilities of the girl's existence. In the processes Rory had anonymously returned dozens of children to their rightful homes and put their captors behind bars. But rarely did she find anything pertaining to Tea Gardner. Until that is until Rory came to Domino on a badly booked flight and stumbled upon her in a tiny diner in a tiny city that Rory would never have even considered before.
The newest information had about the case was that after being stolen from her parents Tea was driven to Pennsylvania, presumably in a different care because the vehicle that was reported to take her was sold to a teen in New Jersey the next day. From there the next known whereabouts of the girl was Moscow and from their unknown until she turned back up in Domino at the age of 16.
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Anzu rubbed the tears away from her eyes as she finished the story. Not having the heart to look at the rest of the paperwork Anzu set to put it away neatly back under her bed and then suddenly furious with herself and the situation Anzu threw the paper across the room where they exploded against her desk chair. She waited a moment to hear if her father had heard her but no notice came except for her sudden rapid breaths. Still angry at something Anzu turned off her flashlight with much frustration and lied down on her bed moodily but she already knew that no sleep would come to her. Tears feel from Anzu's eyes for no real reason as she wrapped her blankets around her tightly. Sometimes Anzu just felt so full of emotion that her only option was just to let tears flow from her eyes. She felt herself shaking slightly and tried to draw warmth into her suddenly chilled body.
"This isn't happening," Anzu said speaking her thoughts aloud, "get out of my heard Rory." Anzu felt herself beginning to shake with a cold that was completely internal. The tears continued to fall and Anzu saw no other choice to fix her problems. She rose out of bed, taking a few of the blankets with her and wandered out of her room. Her feet padded down the hall silently before she reached the last door on the left. Her parents room had original been the last room on the right but after the death of her mother her father had switched rooms. Anzu now looked to the room, hoping against all hope that somehow her mother would appear and make her life all better. After a moment of waiting and nothing happening Anzu again focused on the door in front of her. She raised her hand to knock on the soft wood but thought against it. Instead she let her hand travel to the metal knob and let it turn slowly listening to the gears clink in the still night. She was certain that the noise the knob made would be enough to wake her father but when she pushed the door open with a creak there was no movement in the room.
A crack in the window drapes blinded her slightly for a moment before she blinked and focused on the double bed where her father slept. He didn't stir at her intrusion so she ventured in, the soft carpeting muffling her footsteps.
"Daddy?" she asked tentatively into the night air. Her father stirred and turned over, sitting up. "Daddy," Anzu said again her voice shaking.
"Anzu? Honey what's wrong?" her father asked sitting getting up quickly. He moved over to his daughter who was now sobbing quietly. "Oh Anzu, don't cry. Shh" he commanded taking her in a hug and rubbing her back. "Its ok baby, what ever it is we can fix. Come on baby girl." Anzu only continued to sob.
"Dad, I'm so sorry. I've been so awful lately. To you and Yugi and the others. But you the most. I'm so sorry. I don't deserve to have a dad like you." She said this as she continued to cry, unable to contain herself any longer.
"Honey, never say that. I love you so much. You are so wonderful and I couldn't imagine my life without you in it." He was silent after he finished. Anzu calmed after many moments of silence as her father rubbed her back soothingly. After she calmed down sufficiently Kenji sat down on his bed with his daughter. It only took him a moment to realize that she had fallen asleep in his arms. He smiled down at her remembering the last time that she had fallen asleep like this was in the months after her mother's death. 'No reason why she can't sleep in my bed like she did when the monsters came out of the closet,' he thought as he picked her up and laid her on the unoccupied side of the bed. He made no move to sleep himself though, he merely stayed awake and watched his daughter sleep through the night.
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Anzu walked to school the next morning in a slower than normal pace. She was frowning at the sidewalk as if it were the cause for her discomfort. Anzu had no real desire to go to school today other than the fact that it was her responsibility and she couldn't afford to fall behind in work. Anzu was also very anxious because she didn't want to confront Yugi, Jou, or Honda and be forced to explain things to them. Anzu bit back a yawn as she stretched her arms over her head, avoiding her swinging bag in the process. She had awoken in her father's bed the morning and it only took moments for her to get past her confusion and remember all that had happened the day before and all that she had learned the day before. The Gardners' story was fresh in her mind as she rounded the corner of the street that held her school. Taking a deep breath Anzu waked through the gateway and found a near empty schoolyard. She glanced at her watched and realized that she must have left much earlier than she intended.
She had a slight sense of relief at not having to she Jou and the others when Yugi's light voice carried across the yard. She looked up and was tempted to hide behind a tree or something but stole her courage and waited, watching. Yugi hadn't noticed her yet, he was across the yard talking to a teacher who finished there conversation with a bow and the two parted ways. Yugi still hadn't noticed her when he went to sit a picnic table and pulled open a book to read. Yami however had noticed Anzu but didn't say anything to his light, he simply watched her with his crimson eyes blazing. But as if sensing his darker half's attention Yugi turned and looked at Anzu. He smiled and waved at her before looking back at his book. Anzu felt her heart pang and she walked over to her best friend. She stopped at his shoulder and taking a breath put her hand on his shoulder saying, "Yugi?"
The response would have been quite comical if not for the seriousness of the situation. Yugi had jumped under her touch and with a yelp threw the book in the air where it landed rather unceremoniously on top of his head. Anzu withdrew her had and fought back a laugh. Yugi turned to her.
"Yes, yes, so funny. Next time don't sneak up like that Anzu. I can't afford a heart attack at such a young age," he said this all in a scolding voice but his laughing eyes gave him away. Anzu smiled in return, forgetting all her apprehension.
"Well excuse me King of Games. I just thought you could handle a friend tapping you on the shoulder." In the back of his mind, unbeknownst to Anzu, Yugi felt Yami flinch at the comment. Technically the title was Yami's and although she didn't intend to Anzu had just severely hurt Yami by using his title on Yugi. Yugi was about to say something to Yami when he felt their mind link snap with a terrible thundering in his ears. He shook it off physically and looked up to Anzu's questioning eyes.
"You ok?" she asked noting his odd behavior. He nodded and said,
"I'm fine, but I think the question should be if you are all right Anzu? You gave us quite a scare, we've all been really worried about you." As Yugi told her this he watched Anzu's eyes go dark with what he could best determine as shame and she suddenly became very interested in her toe which dug into the dirt in tiny patterns.
"About that," Anzu started but Yugi cut her off.
"But, I was thinking about it and I talked to Jou and Honda and they agree with me. You were right," Anzu's head snapped up as he spoke. "What's your business is your business and how you live your life and," he paused for a moment and considered, "what secret's you keep are your choices. I think that the four of us have just grown so close so fast that we made some unhealthy assumptions. Among these is that you need our protection. Anzu you and I have been friends for a long time. Longer than anyone I know and yet sometimes you are such a mystery to me."
"But I don't want to be," Anzu protested. "I want for you to all know me. I don't want secrets between us. I want…I want," Anzu wanted to continue but just could not find the words. What did she want? Yugi seemed to catch this.
"Its alright Anzu. Things will work out in time and until then know that I'm here for you 100% as a friend." When he finished Yugi went to put his book in his bag but was nearly knocked over by the force of Anzu throwing her arms around him in a giant hug.
"Oh my God Yugi! You have got to be the greatest person in the world" she exclaimed burying her face into his shoulder. He was very surprised by all of this and when she picked her head up again there were tears in her eyes and on her face. He was surprised to see this and rushed to consol her.
"Oh Anzu, Anzu please don't cry. Its ok really," he trailed off as he watch Anzu laugh through her tears. In was plain to see that Yugi was extremely confused. Anzu laughed for another moment or two before rubbing her face with the sleeve of her jacket.
"Oh Yugi, you are just so wonderful. I'm crying cause I am so happy. I really do not deserve such a great friend." Anzu said this all while smiling at him with tear sparkled eyes. During her laughing fit she had sunk down next to Yugi who now had to look down at her. Yugi blushed at the way she looked at him and tried to shrug his shoulders indifferently.
"Well then it goes both ways." See her questioning look he continued. "I don't deserve a friend like you either." Anzu opened her mouth to protest but she was suddenly lifted from the ground with such force the she could only manage a strangled cry. Jou was holding her practically upset down and Anzu was fighting both him and the forces of gravity to keep her skirt from flipping up. Yugi blushed even deeper.
"Jou would you please put me down. This is a very uncomfortable position." She had to turn to see him grin.
"Just a sec, I have to make you're in one piece." As he spoke he took his free hand and poked it to her most ticklish spot just under her ribs. Anzu laughed in spite of herself and did her best to keep her skirt down as Jou poked her in various places causing her to jerk reflectively. When he finally put her down she was laughing so hard that she was crying again. She had to admit that it felt good to laugh so much after such a dry spell the past couple of days. Honda wrapped an arm around her from behind hugging her to him.
"You all right?" he questioned looking down at her. She smiled up him.
"Hmmm, much better now" she assured him.
"So you wanna talk about it?" Jou asked and Anzu honestly considered the request.
"No," she said shaking her head still in Honda's hug, "not really." She noted his disappointed face. "But don't worry, I will. Just not right now." She moved out of Honda's embrace and turned so she could look at all of them. "Really, its just I really can't right now because I really don't understand what is going on myself. But give it a week, maybe two and I bet things will go back to normal, I promise" she said sealing her promise with a smile. The three boys smiled in spite of the seriousness of Anzu's predicament. They didn't know what was going on but they all knew that they would be there no matter what. It was at that point that the warning bell rang for classes the quartet gathered their books and moved toward the building. Just before she entered the building Anzu stopped suddenly feeling a chill run down her back. Her friends noticed her absence after a few steps.
"Anzu?" Jou called after her snapping her to the present.
"Go ahead," she called back, "I forgot a book." All three nodded but Yugi, or more appropriately Yami, hung back and followed her. Anzu had meanwhile gone back to the table that they were at moments before and looked about as if expecting to find something. She felt the eyes on her but only find Yami watching her. "So…" she trailed off. She had wanted to avoid this meeting but knew she would have to face him eventually, it was destiny.
"I've been worried about you Anzu," he stated simply. "But I knew in my hearts of heart that you were in no mortal danger. If that were the case I would have been stuck to your side whether you like it or not." He grinned at her and she shivered at it severity. "The case being," he continued looking away from her across the now empty yard, "I wanted to be with you since that Rory woman was talking with you outside your dance studio. But Yugi wouldn't let me and he can be very persuasive when he wants to be." Anzu giggled slightly though it was forced. Yami smiled at her and closed the distance between them. Anzu sucked her breath in as she looked up into his eyes. "The truth is Anzu that whatever you are going through, this changes nothing between us." He put his hands on her waist and pulled her the remaining inches to him. Anzu didn't even try to protest. "I still don't know what is entirely what is going on between us but I'd still like to try Anzu." She wanted to say something but saw what was about to happen in his eyes and chose not to interrupt.
This kiss was different than the one on the street just days before. Yami was gentler this time and there wasn't the urgency that their had been before. This kiss seemed perfect and planned as Anzu had the sensation of velvet on velvet. He moved the kiss to the corners of her mouth and then back to fully take in her lips though he didn't push further. Anzu almost wanted to and felt a spike of disappointment when he withdrew. He smiled his same dark smile that he used when he dueled however there was something in his eyes which Anzu could not mistake.
"This is neither the time nor the place," Yami told her bringing a hand to run through her hair. He allowed himself the pleasure of watching the chocolate locks fall through his fingers. "As much as would like it to be," he said letting his lips fall across her jaw line feather light causing Anzu to shudder deeply, "we can't." Unbeknownst to Anzu Yami had broken their moment due to the eyes he felt upon them, the same that Anzu had first felt and now felt alive with anger. It frightened her slightly and she almost buried herself deeper in Yami's arms for protection. But she had an idea of who was watching them and wanted to face him.
"You're right," she agreed. "Just give me a moment while I find that book," she said hoping to fool him.
"Alright, I'll wait for you inside" he told her and moved out of sight. She watched the direction he went for a moment before turning to face Malik. He was standing behind her, his anger obvious, but she stood calmly waiting for him to speech. She wasn't ready to talk to him after the way he had acted toward her the day before, she was also slightly afraid though she refused to show him. He was watching her with the glint in his eyes that he had at Battle City and sporting the bruise the Rory had administered the day
before.
"That looks likes it hurts," Anzu said neutrally, " sore?"
"Don't bullshit with me Anzu," he said sternly and moved so that he was right in front of her. He grabbed her wrists and pulled her closer to him sharply. "What the hell were you doing with the Pharaoh?" Anzu pulled her wrists down breaking his grip on her.
"What does it matter? Its not like you have anything to do with my choices in life. I talk with who I want to and when I want to. I do not appreciate the way you think that you can just order and push me around." She paused before turning to walk away. "You know, I thought you could change. I thought you could be the person that your sister said you once were. I believed her and so resolved to give you a chance if the opportunity ever came. But I'm starting to think I'm wrong. I'm sorry Malik but until you start treating me like a human being and not something that you can just use and throw away I don't think that I can be friends with you. You controlled me once before against my will," Anzu said recalling her memories of Battle City, "and it didn't work out to well. Please don't try it again in any way shape or form." She moved to walk away from him, " Goodbye Malik." She could hear him move behind her as he said,
"Don't you dare walk away from me Anzu" and it was Yami who answered him.
"Or what Malik?" he asked coming to stand with Anzu. She automatically moved closer to him and he gladly put his arm around her waist. Malik's fury/jealously was obvious and even Anzu could feel the air crack with his power.
"This doesn't concern you Pharaoh and I'd like to ask you take her hands off her now," it was a demand and not a question. Yami's only response was to tighten his grip on her.
"It is unfortunately out of my control who Anzu chooses to have associations with. And if she chooses to befriend you I cannot stop her. But know this," the air seemed to bubble with his own power, "if you harm her in anyway I will make you in ways that will make the Shadow Realm look like a vacation. Do you understand?"
"You said it yourself Pharaoh, you have no control over her so get your filthy hands off of her. We were having a talk." In response Anzu stepped back a bit from Yami but not out of his hold, it felt too secure.
"No Malik, I have to go. I have class and a life to lead." Anzu looked up at Yami meaningfully, hoping that he would catch her meaning and he seemed to. They turned, Yami's hand slipping from her waist to catch her hand in secured warmth, and walked back to the school.
"You are lucky she is here Pharaoh. I wouldn't turn my back so easily next time," Malik called out the warning. Anzu let Yami's hand drop hers and place it instead around her shoulder. She felt Malik's eyes on them until they were completely out of sight and even then the feel lingered on her. She was thankful for Yami's arm wrapped her. It kept her from running back to Malik and a part of her, a part that frightened her, did.
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Woooh! Long time no see right? I'm really sorry about that. I'll get the next chapter done faster and will have the next chapter of 'You Wish' out very soon I hope. Please read and review. Love you all for the support and keep your votes on who you want Anzu with coming! Lets make it a race people!!!