Title: The Past Reborn
Author: BradyBunch4529
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Atemu and Seto finally see what their past was like. Now they must fight to protect the one they both love.
Pairings: Atemu/Anzu/ Seto
Disclaimers: Really not mine. So I won't claim to own them.
Reviewers:
Peeps: My very first reviewer for this story. I'm glad that you liked the first chapter. Please review again.
MirokuLover: I was very worried about the first chapter of this story. I wondered if I let too many things vague or hanging, but you convinced me that I didn't. Thank you!
YamiAnzu4ever: Cute screen name. I hope that it is Yami/Anzu too. But I am just the writer, sometimes the chapters do not go the way that I plan. Though, I have to admit that Seto/Anzu is one of my favorites. Decisions, decisions. Thank you for reviewing.
Serenity-432: Thanks so much for taking the time to review. I was hoping that the beginning would be interesting and catch peoples attention.
Rain51: Apostrophes? ? I didn't realize there was a problem. I'll double check and hopefully that won't be a problem this chapter. I'm sorry that it was hard to read but thank you for muddling through it. I hope that you enjoyed the chapter though!
Norestar-angel: I'm glad that you enjoyed it enough to let me know. I hope that you like this chapter too.
Yingacherryblossom: First I hope that I spelled the user name right. I will try my best. I'm glad that you liked the beginning. I hope that this chapter lives up to expectation.
Avataria13: I'm glad that the plot was noticeable. I worried that I was leaving things a little to vague, but you settled that fear. I hope I manage to keep the plot steady through the story. Let me know what you think.
Amy: You thought it was cute? You are so sweet. Thanks so much for reviewing. I will do my best to keep current and interesting. Let me know what you think of this chapter.
ThefutureMrs.Kaiba: I'm glad that you like my style of writing. It's nice to be elegant at something. Thanks for reading the story and letting me know. Anyway, I hope you find this chapter as enjoyable.
OooO Chapter 2: The BeginningAnzu Mazaki tilted her face up to the sun and delighted in the warmth. She paid no attention to the steady flow of traffic in front of her as she waited for the signal to cross the street. Her light brown hair was starting to get longer and was just brushing her shoulders and curling towards her chin, with her bangs lightly covering her forehead. Anzu clutched her school case in both hand in front of her body, using the weight to hold down her skirt.
After her run this morning, Anzu had decided that the dream was nothing more than stress related to this past year. Ever since Yugi Motuo, her best friend, had completed the Millennium Puzzle and released the spirit within it, they had been thrown into a world full of ancient Egypt and threats. So it wasn't such a great stretch to think that her subconscious had tried to come up with an answer. Especially since the figures had slightly resembled people that she knew.
What bothered her the most was how vivid everything had been. She could still feel the heat of the day and the coolness of the marble under the thin sandals she had worn. Could still hear the fountain splashing and see the brilliant colors from the flowers. With a mental shake of her head, Anzu shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind. The walk light turned green and Anzu crossed with the other pedestrians, not noticing the glances she received.
Anzu glanced down at her watch as she reached the sidewalk and turned to her left. She still had plenty of time to get to the Kame game shop and pick up Yugi for school. The two of them had been walking to school together for as long as Anzu could remember. For the longest time, it had only been the two of them. Yugi strangely blond, red and black hair had set him as an outcast, along with his small stature and his fascination with games. But Anzu had always found Yugi to be fiercely loyal and a great friend.
A sudden breeze whipped around her legs and her skirt flared up. Anzu flattened her hands against the front and back of her skirt with muffled exclamation. For the first time she became aware of the glances of the men on the sidewalk. The gleam of lust in their eyes and the way they stared at her chest or legs made her nervous. She glared at them and felt a flare of satisfaction when they blushed and hastily averted their eyes. With the breeze gone she once again began her trek towards Yugi's. As Anzu continued on her way, she considered her clothes and how tight they seemed in the mornings recently. At the beginning of the year Anzu knew that her clothes had fit but in the recent months they had seemed tighter and shorter.
Her blue jacket was tighter around the shoulders and it was harder to get the buttons to snap. Her white button up blouse seemed to strain around her breast and with her jacket on, her breasts seemed to be pushed together and up. Her short blue skirt had reached mid thigh at the beginning of the year and now reached to be just below her upper thighs. But the waist was a bit loser and she had had to take it in to make sure that it would stay up.
Anzu had always been fit, thanks to the dancing and the running, but it seemed that she was more toned and her muscles were clearly defined. She had gotten taller and her legs seemed longer with her steps more being graceful in the past couple of months. Even her teacher had commented on her height during jumps and her ability to hold the spins.
As she continued to stroll down the street, Anzu was struck by all the changes this year had brought. Yugi was starting to come into his own, both as the King of Games and a friend. He was starting to get a very large group of friends, Jonouchi, Honda, Otogi, Rebecca, Ishizu, Malik, Odion, the Pharaoh, Bakura and Jonouchi's sister. Such an odd group and yet the friendships were solid and unquestioning. Even Seto and Mokuba could be counted in that group.
The thought of Seto Kaiba had her frowning. Her blue eyes grew harder and seemed to freeze slightly. He was the most infuriating man alive. He was constantly challenging Yugi to duels and spouting off about how he was going to regain his title. Then Jonouchi would jump in and the two of them would start trading insults. Yugi would try to calm them down while Honda would yell at Jonouchi, Kaiba would make some more scathing remarks about the mutt and the little wanna be group; suddenly everybody was fighting and people would start to give the four of them a wide berth. The only two not in the middle of it was her and Mokuba.
Anzu had to smile at the thought of Kaiba's younger brother. He was a breath of fresh air and sunlight compared to Kaiba's cool breeze and iceberg chill. Even their appearances seemed to differ. Mokuba was short with long dark brown hair that spiked around his face. Kaiba was long, lean lines and a sharply chiseled face, his hair was lighter and kept short except for his bangs, which spiked around his face.
Anzu couldn't understand why after everything the group had gone through together, the shadow games and soul stealers; Kaiba would never accept the idea of past lives. Of course he was always saying that 'you make your own future, the past is nothing.' Anzu heaved a sigh, her blue eyes pensive as she continued down the sidewalk. Kaiba was either the most obtuse man she had ever met or he was in denial. He obviously wasn't obtuse or he couldn't run a multi-million dollar corporation. So, Anzu was convinced that Kaiba was in denial; there was no other explanation. While she could understand his philosophy she had been taught that you must learn from the past or you were doomed to make the same mistakes.
From the first moment that Ishizu had explained Yami's origins and called him Pharaoh, Anzu had known that the battle between the Pharaoh and the High Priest had been personal. It had been a flash of gut instinct that had told her that once the two of them had been the greatest of friends before something had ripped them apart. And yet, there was never any mention made of what had caused the two of them to fight, and no hint had been given as to their own relationship.
"Anzu!"
Anzu glanced up and realized that she had made it to the Kame game shop without even being aware of it. Yugi was waving at her from the steps before turning and calling something to his grandpa. He hurried down the steps and waited for her to reach him.
"Good morning Yugi," Anzu offered as she finally reached her friend.
"Good morning," Yugi replied with a smile, his violet eyes warm in his face.
"Did you get your homework done?" She asked as they both turned to continue onto school.
"Ughhh," Yugi groaned and pressed a hand to his head, scratching at his hair. "I hate homework."
"You had problems?" Anzu asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you call?" Anzu looked down at her friend and realized with a start that she didn't have to look down too far. Yugi was almost to her shoulder and he seemed to be a bit broader in the shoulders now.
"I didn't want to bother you," Yugi replied with a sheepish smile. "I know that you had work last night and you basically live alone."
"Yugi," Anzu began, her tone gently chiding. "We're friends and that means that we help out. Even if we are really busy." She struck the back of his head gently and returned the smile.
"I know. I know." Yugi replies ruefully. "I just didn't think I guess."
"Hmm." She replied and let the matter drop.
They continued to head for school and by this time there were crowds of other teenagers on their way to school. Anzu stepped closer to Yugi to avoid being run down by a group of guys playing tag through the crowd. She sighed softly and tucked her hand into Yugi's arm unconsciously aligning her body with his.
Yugi flushed slightly as Anzu stepped closer, her body rubbing against his. Her hand was tucked into his arm and she seemed to be unaware how close they were. Yugi couldn't help but be reminded of the crush that he used to have on her. She had always been there for him. Running interference whenever the bullies came on too strong, or to just listen to him talk about puzzles and games. Anzu had never made him feel stupid or belittled him, even when she knew of his crush. Yugi couldn't help but smile when he thought of how she always made sure he was included and often dragged him to various events. She had proven herself time and time again. But she really came through when it came to Yami and never treating him like a freak. Jonouchi and Honda were always uneasy around the spirit in the puzzle but Anzu was always there with a smile and a helping hand. Anzu was a true friend, especially with everything that had been going on this year.
Yugi could see the changes the past year had wrought on her. Her blue eyes seemed to be lit from within and she was the first to step into the battle if she thought any of them had gone to far. Anzu had always been fiercely protective of him but was more willing to let him take some chances. She was always right behind him though, or if she wasn't there physically he could hear her lecturing him on friendship. Even Yami admired Anzu for her undying belief that as long as you had friends you were never alone.
"Yug! Anzu!" A voice yelled from up ahead of them and an arm waved high in the crowd.
Anzu pulled Yugi into the crowd and burrowed her way to where Jonouchi and Honda were waiting on them. The two ex bullies were standing close to the brick wall surrounding the school, munching on something when Anzu and Yugi finally reached them. Yugi immediately tugged his arm free of Anzu and hurried over to join the other two boys.
Anzu couldn't help but smile at the picture the three of them made. Honda with his dark hair and withdrawn expression, Jonouchi with his blond hair and in your face attitude beside the smiling Yugi. This was her family now. And she would protect them with her dying breath.
Suddenly something seemed to stir inside her and Anzu swayed slightly on her feet. The images of her friends wavered and instead she saw sand and the palace in the distance. Three figures stood a couple of feet away from her, shaded by a tree and Anzu couldn't see their faces. Then with a blink of her eyes, the images were gone, leaving her back in front of the school.
Anzu pressed a hand to her head. Her body still a little unsteady and she took several deep breaths. Slowly the roaring in her ears was gone and the ground didn't seem to say under her feet. "What in the hell is going on?" Anzu whispered to herself.
OoOo
Seto Kaiba stared over at the group next to the wall, for a moment he swore he saw Mazaki sway before catching herself. It was all he could do not to immediately rush over and demand an explanation. Instead, he tightened his grip on his briefcase and stalked towards his locker. There was no way he was concerned about Mizaki, he assured himself. She was nothing more than a loud-mouthed cheerleader that never let Yugi think for himself. She had been nothing more than an annoyance and a hindrance since the day he had met her.
He ignored the little voice in the back of his head that reminded him that Mazaki was always there for Mokuba; had in fact saved Mokuba numerous times. His boots made a loud click on the tile as he strode down the hall before stopping at his locker. Kaiba's movements were precise as he spun the dial and jerked the door open. He quickly exchanged books from his briefcase to his locker. He snorted at the thought of his math book resting on top of the latest figures from his accounting department.
It really wasn't worth his time to come to school, Kaiba reflected darkly. He was already smarter than most people here. He slammed the door shut and spun away; his trench coat flaring out around his legs. He ignored the girls lined up in the hallway whispering to each other. They weren't worth his time. None of them wanted Seto, they wanted Kaiba Corp and the money. And, with the exception of Mizaki, none of them were worth looking at twice anyway.
What?! Since when did I decide that? Kaiba wondered dazedly, automatically entering his classroom and collapsing into his desk chair. I've been spending too much time with the little nobodies, Kaiba assured himself. It wasn't actually emotions or friendship. He was after all a normal guy and he wasn't dead. Anybody would notice how well built Mazaki was. With that settled and his mind once again under his control, he turned to his paperwork. The more work he got done here meant the less time he had to spend in the office and the more time he got to spend with Mokuba.
He ignored the sounds of the rest of the class filing in. His eyes focused on the figures in front of him. A part of him began to tingle though and with a quick glance out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Yugi and the gang had arrived. All of them were clustered around Mazaki, laughing at something she had said. Everything seemed to still; the sun caught her brown hair, making it glow with blond highlights. Her blues eyes seemed brighter and lit from within.
Kaiba blinked and forced his concentration back to his spreadsheets. What is wrong with me? He couldn't help but wonder as he felt a light sweat break out over his body and his heart began to pound in his chest. Kaiba began to gasp for breath and jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder. He looked up into familiar blue eyes and everything spun around him.
"Are you okay?" Anzu asked anxiously, staring into his blue eyes. There was no reply and Anzu shook him slightly. "Seto? Seto?"
"Seth! Seth!" The woman's' voice was frantic in his ears and her hand was rough as it shook him slightly. "Are you all right? Answer me Seth!"
Slowly he swam upwards towards consciousness and he struggled to open his eyes, feeling as if they were weighted down. His blue eyes blinked open, still slightly blurred with weariness and were met by dark blue eyes filled with worry. Her face was bent towards him, her breath warming his skin as her hands reached to cup his face.
Seth smiled and placed a kiss on one of the palms and tried to smile up at her. "It is all right Anasandra. I am fine."
"Hmph," she snorted at him and took a step back, eyes still watching him as he slowly straightened on the couch. "You shouldn't lie to your queen," she told him as she returned to her seat beside her husband.
" I would never lie to you," Seth assured her with a smile, warmth slowly filling him as she smiled back and shook her head at him. "Would I my Pharaoh?" Seth directed his question to the young man seating by his sister.
The mans' violet eyes met his for a long moment; an unspoken message passing between them before the man turned to his wife. The violet eyes warmed and as Seth watched he pressed a kiss to Anasandras' cheek. "I am sure Seth is all right. It was nothing more than a long journey."
The Pharaoh traced a finger down her cheek and under her chin; tilting her face up to his. Her blue eyes stared into his and she slowly smiled back, her own hand coming to cup his cheek. The two seemed to become lost in each others eyes; the rest of the room fading away.
Seth couldn't help but smile at the image the two made. Both of them so strong and stubborn; determined to never give an inch or show any weakness. Yet the moment the two of them met, each of them seemed to know how to make the other yield.
The Pharaoh's face seemed to soften even more, his free hand coming up to press the hand against his cheek. His gold crown seemed to highlight the unusual high style with the spikes of red, black and blond hair. On his arms gold bracelets and bands went almost up to his elbows, around his neck the Millennium Puzzle gleamed in the bright sun light.
Seth coughed to remind them that he was still in the room, hiding a smile when they both jumped and blushed before turning to face him. "It was a long trip," he told them with a weary smile and rubbed a hand across his face. " I would like…." He started only to stop when Anasandra held up her hand.
"You're report can wait," she told him firmly. Seth opened his mouth to protest and shut it again when she glared at him. "If it was anything serious you would have sought my husband rather than coming with me." She glanced over the Pharoah and received a smile in return. "So go and take a bath and get some sleep. In the morning you can come and give us your report."
Seth smiled at his sister and nodded. It would be good to get some rest before discussing his fears with the Pharaoh.
"Good." Anasandra smiled up at him before rising and giving him another hug. "I have already instructed the servants to prepare a hot bath and have food waiting in your quarters." When he flicked and eyebrow upwards, she blushed slightly. "I decided that it would be easier for you to remain here in the palace then to try and return to the temple today," she replied haughtily with her chin tilted upwards.
"Of course my Queen," he replied softly and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Then I will retire to my quarters and rest with your permission my Pharoah."
"Given Seth," the Pharaoh's quiet voice responded. "Be sure to find us in the morning and we will eat together." He stepped closer to his wife and his High-Priest. "Come my dear. We have other duties to attend to today."
"As you wish my Pharaoh," she replied with an inclination of her head and took his hand, letting him guide her out of the room.
"Seto?"
The voice was loud in Kaiba's ear and he jerked backwards. His hands were already reaching out to shove the person away from him as he tried to understand what had happened to him. Was it a dream? He wondered. Or perhaps a hallucination? Brought on by Yugi and his crew about past lives and ancient Egypt. Kaiba didn't know but he was determined to ignore the implications.
A crash brought him back to reality and he realized with stunned dismay that it had been Mizaki's voice in his ear. She was currently sprawled on the other side of the room, with desks and chairs scattered around her. Blood was beginning to trickle down the side of her head and a bruise was beginning to form on her cheek, her head was tilted against the wall her eyes closed. It was obvious that he hadn't just shoved her; he had thrown her across the room.
He swallowed thickly as he realized everyone in the room was staring at him speechless. Even the teacher was gaping at him, eyes wide and stunned. Jonouchi and Honda were all crowded around Anzu, trying to rouse her. Their hands shifting the wreckage away from her and lowering her gently to her back. There was no sign of consciousness as her head rolled limply away from Honda's hand as he tried to wipe the blood off of her face.
Seto was torn from his contemplation of Anzu by the hand slamming down on his desk. He looked up into the cold violet eyes of Yami and suddenly understood the phrase 'if looks could kill'. For the first time he could feel the chill of fear snake down his spine. There was no mercy in those violet eyes and none of the warmth that the Pharaoh normally had when dueling him. Instead he could only see the need to punish and for blood. His mouth opened but nothing came out as he stared up into those eyes.
"A new strategy Kaiba?" Yami questioned darkly as he looked into Kaiba's stunned blue eyes. "Instead of slapping them down with words, you've decided to resort to physical violence against women?" Yami let the smile on his face grow, knowing that it wasn't a nice smile.
"I..I.." Kaiba tried to speak and stuttered to a stop when Yami leaned closer.
"What Kaiba?" Yami purred, his face almost touching Kaiba's, his hands boxing in the CEO. "Can't think of anything to say?"
Yami could feel the rage slowly beginning to take over. It was lapping against his control like a river being churned up by a storm. He could almost feel the electricity in the air and the explosiveness of Mother Nature's rage. The sight of Anzu flying through the air was a sight he never wanted to repeat. He hadn't even realized he had taken over until that first step towards Kaiba.
Yami could still hear the sound of Kaiba's hands hitting Anzu and her hitting the desks and chairs. The stunned disbelief on her face before losing consciousness and the blood slowly beginning to flow down her face. It had happened in a second; too quickly for anyone to prevent it. Yami had made a promise to himself a very long time ago, no one would ever get hurt by anything he had done. Especially not Anzu, the one person who had shown nothing but kindness to him.
The fact that anyone in the group even bothered to speak to the CEO was his fault. The battles with Kaiba always started with him. Yami ignored the fact that Anzu also stepped forward first and was already friends with the CEO's brother. Instead he concentrated on what he wanted to do to Kaiba and knew by the whitening of Kaiba's face that some of what he was feeling must have shown in his eyes. Yami couldn't help but take a perverse satisfaction in that knowledge.
"She shouldn't have bothered me," Kaiba finally responded, trying to sound unconcerned as Yami continued to hover over him. "Mazaki should know that I can't bear to have a little nobody touch me."
"I would be careful of what you say Kaiba," Yami whispered in his ear. "You keep pushing me and I'll make sure that you spend a very long time in the Shadow realm."
Whatever Kaiba might have replied became lost in the sound of a groan from the floor. Yami and Kaiba's heads whipped towards the noise where Anzu's head was moving and her hand was rising to clutch at the hand touching her head. Her eyes fluttered once and then opened with a groan. Anzu's blue eyes were dazed and glazed, her hand rising to her head. Yami abandoned Kaiba and hurried to catch her hand, not wanting her to start the bleeding again.
"What hit me?" She groaned.
"Kaiba," Yami replied as he tried to keep her still. "You need to stay still for a minute."
"Kaiba?" She questioned as she stared up at Yugi. "Why would he hit me?" Anzu couldn't quite get her mind to work or her thoughts to make sense. All she could remember was Kaiba looking flushed and being concerned. Then he had spaced out and the next thing she knew she was waking up on the floor. "Doesn't he normally just yell at me?"
Anzu tried to get up and fell back with a groan. Her ankle was throbbing and putting weight on it caused a fresh wave of pain to roll over her. Her head was pounding to the rhythm of her heart and the noise and light made it worse, making the room spin around her. So she closed her eyes and relaxed against the wall. The floor seemed to be spin faster with her eyes closed and the nausea threatened to overwhelm her.
Instead she took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Anzu was surprised to find Kaiba staring at her in horror. He seemed so shocked by his own actions that Anzu almost laughed. She quickly looked away and focused on the Millennium puzzled hanging around Yami neck. But the motion as it swayed back and forth around his neck with the sun glinting off it caused her stomach to roll and her eyes closed again.
"We need to get you to the nurse," Yami decided. "Here let me carry you," he offered, his arms strong as they slid under her and gently lifted.
A moan broke free despite his gentleness and Yami winced in sympathy. He didn't understand why Kaiba had to be so violent with Anzu and now wasn't the time to get answers. He moved quickly to the door of the classroom with Jonouchi and Honda following him.
He glanced back once at Kaiba and met his stunned blue gaze. "This isn't over Kaiba."
With that they were gone, leaving everyone in the room stunned into silence. Their eyes carefully avoiding looking at Kaiba as he sat in stunned silence at his desk.
OooO
A/N: Well there's another chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. It didn't quite go the way I planned it. I know I left it hanging a bit but Ishizu and Malik should be making an appearance soon. Let me know what you think. (Bows deeply towards reader) Thanks for stopping by.