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:
QueenofHearts40:Tears? Now I'm amazed and shocked. I'm glad that you thought the chapter went perfectly. I try to get as much detail as possible in the chapter and the story. After all, it is the author's job to paint a picture with words.
Peeps(): So glad you enjoyed it! And you've been faithful enough to come back and read my new chapters. Keep reviewing!
Kayuy:I hope I got the username right. I can't read my own writing:P Now that was a compliment and I want to thank you so much. Shocked, amazed and blushing I am. I'm glad that I am bring the characters to life and showing off their personalities. Review again.
Apathetic Empath: You do get around don't you? I'm glad that you were willing to take a chance on the second of my stories. The fact that I made you scream, brought a blush and grin to my face. You are way too sweet to me. Kisses! I hope that this chapter meets your expectations and standards.
Healing Spirit: I'm glad that you like the suspense in the story. I wasn't sure if it would work out in the story. But I guess it did. I'll keep your vote in mind but I am just the writer. I really don't have much control.
Veronica( ):Suspense killing you huh? I'm glad that it worked. Hopefully this chapter just wets your appetite for more. Let me know what you think.
Nagome: Tea? I slipped? Opps me. Thanks for letting me know. I'm sorry if I upset you. As for grade, believe it or not, I've graduated for college. Does that make me pathetic? I do this to relax and clear my mind.
Avataria:Edge of your seat huh? I'm simply amazed that my gamble worked out so well. I wasn't sure if introducing a bad guy was going to work but it seems it has. Ishizu will definitely have some more surprises. But so will Anzu! I hope that this chapter works for you!
Sweet Temptations: I'm glad that you do. It is kinda unique and I hope it works out. Let me know what you think. And I hope it was fast enough.
Candor: Edge of your seat huh? It amazes me that the story was able to keep you in suspense. I do love to be cruel. :P Me too! On the pairings I mean. Actually the tension always seemed mutual to me in the series. With both of these guys I mean. But I do love looking for the hidden subtext. You are right, there are not enough of these triangles out there. We can only pray for more. Thanks for reading my fic and letting me know what you think. I hope that this chapter adds to that tension.
Zoe(): I'm glad that ou loved it and was willing to let me know what you thought about it. I'm hopeful that this chapter will be as good.
Healing Spirit: So sorry about the wait. I was afraid that this chapter just wasn't working out the way I wanted. I had to keep starting over. I'll definitely check out your story. Thanks for letting me know. And review and let me know what you think of this chapter.
Chapter 4: Who am I?
The room was cold and dark; the air was musty and so still. There was no fresh air here, no breeze that told her that the surface was near. Just darkness and the coolness of the stones against her skin. The silence was deafening. No hint of movement, only the sound of her own heart
Anasandra had no idea how long it had been since the attack. Hours, days or weeks. There was no passage of time down here. No way to tell how long she had been in this complete darkness. But she refused to break, refused to beg for mercy,refused to cry. That would give them more power. In the darkness her eyes closed and her fingers flexed against her thighs, clenching against the naked flesh. Her captors had stripped her of her clothing and of the markings of her station, but she refused to give them the satisfaction of covering herself.
Anasandra refused to show the pain or the discomfort she was feeling. They had not been gentle and she could still feel the aches and pains of her flesh. While she knew she was perfectly alone, there was the sense of being watched. She was a priestess and a keeper of the magic, she knew there were ways to watch a person without actually being there. A small smile crossed her face. There was a light of satisfaction in her brilliant blue eyes that she knew her captors wouldn't be able to understand.
Anasandra had been preparing for this moment for months. She had known that when she went on her yearly trip to the other temples that there would be an attack. The Millennium Necklace had shown her what would occur and what she must do. There was no way to prevent the attack, if Atemu or Seth had accompanied her they would have been taken or killed to obtain their items.
While it would be painful for both of them, Anasandra had decided that this was the best way. And she had left her Millennium Necklace at home; instead she had been wearing a copy of it. The real one had been left in a locked box and placed upon Atemu's pillow. She knew that when he saw it, he would assume that she had left him a gift. For a moment her blue eyes clouded as she considered what his reaction had been when he opened the box.
He would have known instantly what it meant. Atemu would have understood that she knew she wasn't going to be coming back from this trip. Even if he had managed to set out after her immediately, there would have been no chance for him to make it. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. There was no going back now. She had willingly taken the first steps down this path and she would not falter now.
"Are you well my queen?" The voice was cool and mocking.
"I am fine," Ansandra replied calmly. Her heart was beating fast in her chest, but she kept her breathing calm and her face serene. He would not get the satisfaction of her fear.
"Such a strong woman. I can see why the Pharaoh is so taken with you," the voice continued, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"I've been told that I am too stubborn for my own good," Anasandra allowed. Her blue eyes staring into the darkness and her lips curving into a smile.
"We'll see if you can remain so stubborn with death staring you in the face," the man told her, laughing cruelly.
"I knew of my death when I started out on this trip," Anasandra replied confidently. "That is why I left my necklace at home. You don't actually think that you took me by surprise do you?" Anasandra paused and when silence met her question, she laughed. It rang through the cell, echoing back to her. "I've known for months what you were planning. My goddess told me and I accepted my death."
"You are lying!"
"Am I?"
Silence met her taunt and the feeling of being watched disappeared, but not before Anasandra could feel the anger suddenly permeating the air. She smiled, a cool twisting of her lips and her blue eyes hardened. It would be the last time he underestimated her. She had prepared for death and was ready for its embrace. She couldn't help but wonder if her captor was ready for his.
The sound of raised voice slowly registered on her ears. Her head tilted slowly as the argument grew louder and the sound of something smashing into the wall drifted up to her. The bed was soft and warm, the sheets silky against her skin and she was loath to leave its comfort. Another crash from downstairs took the decision out of her hands.
She rose slowly, her body protesting and muscles straining as she slid from the bed. She shivered slightly as the cool air brushed against her bare skin. Her grasping hand found a robe at the foot of the bed and she slid it over her skin. The fabric was silky and warm against her skin as she tied the ends together.
She moved towards the door and then down the stairs. Everything seemed slightly faded and out of focus as she moved towards the raised voices. It was as if she was seeing the world through two different sets of eyes. Her hand reached for the handle and with a quick twist, she pushed the door open.
"Enough!" Her voice was low and yet instantly the room fell silent. "I don't know what you are arguing about now, but I have had enough." She took another step into the room, her eyes locked on the two men in the center of the room. "It amazes me that the two of you are best friends and yet you spend half of your time arguing."
She shook her head slightly and headed for the taller of the two. Her hand reached out and curled around his jacket, with a quick tug she pulled his head down and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Really Seth, you need to quit arguing with Atemu." She pressed another kiss to his lips and turned to face the other boy. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing a quick kiss against his lips. "And you need to quit antagonizing him. You are both going to drive me insane with your constant fighting."
She took a step away from them both and moved back towards the door. The white robe swirled around her legs and her bare feet were silent on the tiled floor, "I think I'm going to lay back down. I don't think I'm quite awake yet." She was half way out the door when she suddenly stopped, her blue eyes going wide. A hand flew to cover her mouth and she turned around slowly.
Anzu's astonished blue eyes met the shocked gazes of her friends and realized that she had actually kissed the two boys; it was not a dream. Seto and Yami looked like someone had smacked them upside the head. Both of them were staring at her, mouths hanging open and eyes wide with shock.
"Oh my God!" Anzu screamed, her finger hand pointing shakily at first Kaiba and then Yami. "I just….and you….Kisses!" She swayed slightly on her feet and would have collapsed if Malik hadn't wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her to the sofa.
Her gaze was still locked on the two boys as she collapsed onto the sofa cushions, her blue eyes wide and disbelieving. While she could see Yami and Kaiba as they were, it was like there was another image over top. With the boys in their traditional Egyptian garb and standing in an Egyptian pyramid rather than in a study. What in the hell is going on?
"What's going on?" Anzu finally asked, breaking the tension filled silence.
"That's what we wanted to ask you," Yami finally replied, his violet gaze holding hers.
"Yea Anzu. You've been actin' funny," Jonouchi jumped in, his arms crossed over his chest and his blue eyes glaring at Kaiba.
"Shut up, Mutt." Kaiba ordered his blue eyes fixed on Anzu's figure on his couch.
Kaiba wasn't sure why he had brought them to his house. After Anzu had started glowing and her shocking statement, he hadn't been able to walk away. Deep inside was this need to keep her near and safe. Every time one of Yugi's friends had wandered closer to her, Kaiba had had to fight to remain still and not strike out. Everything in him was screaming that she was his. And that it was his duty to protect her. Though, Kaiba wasn't sure why it was so important.
When Ishizu had refused to say anything further without Anzu being awake, everyone had decided to remain together. So Kaiba had offered to take everyone back to the mansion with him. Jonouchi had argued but Mokuba had pointed out that they had doctors on retainer and Anzu would get the best medical care. And they would have a comfortable setting to wait for her to wake up. Kaiba had immediately begun to make arrangements to transfer Anzu and in minutes the entire group was headed for the mansion.
Mokuba had been thrilled at the thought of Anzu and everyone coming over to the house. He didn't have many friends that felt comfortable being around his big brother or around the wealth that surround him. Anzu was the only one who didn't care about any of that and had always treated him like a friend. Now he could repay her for that and help her out at the same time.
"My queen," Malik's voice was low and calm as he bowed to Anzu. "We would like to explain now."
"Um…What?" Anzu's tone was hesitant and her blue eyes wide in her pale face as she stared at the white haired Egyptian kneeling on the carpet in front of her. "But really I don't see how I can be anyone's queen," she protested.
"But you are, Anzu." Ishizu glided out of the shadows, her long white dress swirled around her. The gold at her wrists and neck flashing in the fading sunlight as she came closer to Anzu.
"Explain," Yami ordered, his arms crossed over his chest and his violet eyes flashing darkly.
Yami could feel the tension in him coiling tighter. Emotions were swirling around him, images and memories flashing through his mind, as he struggled to understand what was going on. In the back of his mind he could sense Yugi watching and listening, but he hadn't said anything since Anzu's statement.
In Yami's mind, he could still see Anzu suddenly collapsing backwards onto the cot. Her body arching upwards and jerking as she attempted to draw air into lungs that didn't work. Her hand had tightened around his, her blue eyes wide as they stared up at the ceiling. Yami could still taste the fear that had risen in his throat as he leaned over her, his free hand shaking her shoulder as he called her name.
Then without warning the symbol of Ra had suddenly appeared on her forehead and she had spoke. He still didn't understand what it had meant. All he knew was that the moment the symbol had appeared on her forehead, his item had reacted and the symbol had appeared on his and Kaiba's forehead.
All Yami could do was wait and see what was going to happen. The tomb guardians had been remarkably closed mouth since that moment. Ishizu had refused to say anything and Malik had followed his sister's example. Now that Anzu was awake and had kissed both of them, even more emotions were awakened. Most of those emotions were in a jumble and Yami couldn't quite figure all of them out. But there was one emotions he could readily identify.
Possessive, Yami decided, he was definitely possessive of her. He stared at her slim figure on the couch and knew that she was his. Something stirred in his memory as he had watched her glide towards him with the white robe swirling around her bare legs. He could almost see her long brown hair swirling in the hot breeze, her golden skin shimmering in the hot sun and her blue eyes sparkling with love for him, her white shift caressing her curves and gold circling her wrists and waist. Her arms reaching out for him, a smile on her lips and the feeling of coming home.
"Your bands are wrong," Anzu said suddenly. "You are not wearing the markings of a tomb guardian. You are wearing the bands of a high priestess of Isis." Anzu's voice became colder, stronger and her blue eyes bore into Ishizu's. "Why?"
"You see much my queen," Ishizu dropped to her knees before Anzu and bowed her head. "After your death, the Pharaoh ordered the his guardians and yours to wear your symbol of station." Ishizu paused and looked up into Anzu's blue gaze, in them she could see the girl she meet at the museum all those months ago and the queen whom she served.
Anzu remained silent as she stared down at Ishizu. There was a part of her that didn't understand what was going on and couldn't understand why the guardian was bowing down to her. And yet deep inside there was a part of her that accepted it as her due and expected it. In fact as Anzu sat there in silence, that part wondered why Ishizu had taken so long to bow down to her.
"Anzu?" Yami asked worriedly, not liking the look in her blue eyes.
"My queen?" Ishizu ventured softly, her eyes locked on the growing confusion in Anzu's.
"I'm sorry," Anzu smiled at both of them and waved a dismissing hand in the air. "Everything is kinda fuzzy."
"What do you remember?" Ishizu asked quietly.
"I'm not sure," Anzu finally replied. Her eyes moving from Kaiba to Yami, warmth, affection and confusion evident in the blue depths.
"Why don't you start at the beginning," Yami suggested and moved closer to Anzu. He could feel his heart beating in chest as her blue eyes met his violet eyes.
Suddenly he was drowning in those blue depths, his feet moving him closer to her. He stopped and dropped to his knees in front of her, his hand reaching for hers. A smile touched his lips when her hands instantly wrapped around his and a smile lit up her face. She laughed and leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his. Time seemed to stand still and Yami could feel all of his tension disappearing. Suddenly, he knew that everything was going to be alright.
"How touching," Kaiba sneered and crossed his arms over his chest. His blue eyes were hard and cold as they stared at the pair in front of him. Anger was beginning to burn in his chest and Kaiba fought back the urge to pull Yugi away from Anzu. He wasn't sure why but he couldn't stand to see other people touching her. Deep inside him, the need to protect her was growing stronger.
"You just shut it!" Jonouchi yelled and pointed a finger at Kaiba. "This is all your fault anyway!"
"I don't see how," Kaiba tossed back, his blue eyes blazing at the other boy.
"You're the one who threw her across the room!"
"Jonouchi just shut up," Honda commanded as he slapped his friend across the back of his head.
"Hey!" Jonouchi protested and threw his hands up to protect his head. "Whacha do that for!"
"You're bein an idiot," Honda told him with a sigh.
Kaiba sighed and closed his eyes, trying to ignore the argument. A pounding was beginning to take up residence in the back of his head. He was starting to doubt his sanity on being so involved with Yugi and his friends when a cool hand on his cheek startled him.
He opened his eyes and looked down, prepared to blast whoever was touching him. Instead he found himself looking into familiar blue eyes that were lit with warmth and love. His mouth opened but no sound came out, as the hand began to gently stroke his cheek. A gentle smile touched her lips and Kaiba could actually feel his headache receding.
"You push too hard," Anzu whispered, her hand stroking down his neck and resting over his heart. "And then you hurt."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Kaiba scoffed, wanting his voice to be hard and the tone was soft and confused.
"You were always so stubborn when it came to accepting others, my heart," Anzu continued on as if Kaiba hadn't spoken.
The room had fallen silent, staring at the two in stunned amazement. Yami couldn't help but smile at them, not worried about Anzu standing so close to Kaiba. For some reason this seemed familiar to him and expected. He moved to stand behind Anzu, his hand resting easily on her waist and he smiled at Kaiba.
"We should listen to what she has to say," Yami told him. Kaiba met his eyes and nodded before focusing on Anzu again.
"Uhh….Okay," Anzu smiled nervously, her hand plucking at Kaiba's shirt. Trying to remember why she felt the need to come over here and comfort him.
All of her emotions were in a jumble and it was like there was someone else controlling her actions. Not like when Marik was in control, completely overwhelming her own personality and wants. This presence was like an extension of herself and awakened long forgotten emotions. Her blue eyes become thoughtful and turned inward, trying to understand what was going on.
"I'm just so confused," she finally whispered, her eyes flickering nervously from Yami's to Kaiba's. "Everything kinda jumbled."
"Start at the beginning," Yami urged. His hand tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
"Dreams," Anzu smiled slightly. "It all started with a dream. I don't remember all of it but most of it seemed to be Egyptian in nature. I just figured," she paused and shrugged, "that it was stress or my subconscious coming up with an explanation for everything we had been through the past year."
"Just shows how weak you are," Kaiba growled, desperate to distance himself from his growing emotions.
Anzu hand moved of its own violation and the slap resounded through the room. Kaiba's head jerked sideways, a hand imprint glowing brightly against his pale skin. Anzu's eyes were narrowed in rage and boring into Kaiba's. His head jerked back around and his hand suddenly shot out to grab her upper arm. He dragged her closer and up onto her toes as they glared into each other's eyes. Their faces were darkened with rage and the sound of their breathing was loud in the sudden silence.
"You do not have the right to speak to me like that," Anzu hissed as she stared into Kaiba's burning blue eyes. She could feel the rage pounding through her veins and her heart pounding widely in her chest.
"I will speak to you in anyway I choose," Kaiba responded as he bent his head towards her. His hands tightened around her arms and he dragged her closer to him, until he could feel her brushing against him. A new warmth was slowly filling him, each breath filled with her scent, her eyes filling his vision and Kaiba could feel a new tension building in his blood. "You are nothing but a nobody Mazaki. Noticeable only because of your connection to Yugi and that's only because you spread your…"
A second slap cut off the rest of Kaiba's statement. Anzu shoved Kaiba backwards, ripping her arm from his and following him backwards. Her hands shoved at his chest, forcing him to take another step back. Her rage was boiling over and her blood pounded faster through her chest.
"Do not even think you can begin to judge my relationship with Yugi!" Anzu gritted out between clenched teeth. "You wouldn't understand true friendship if it came up and bit you on your ass." Her hands grabbed at his coat and pulled his face down to hers. "Especially not when Yugi had been nothing but polite to you. How you managed to raise someone as sweet as Mokuba I will never understand!" Her hands clenched on the fabric.
"Let me go," Kaiba replied calmly, trying to ignore the emotions suddenly coursing through him. He had never seen her this mad before, her eyes were glowing brightly with rage, color high in her cheeks and her chest heaving under the robe. His hands reached up to grasp hers, his long fingers wrapping around her skin. His fingers flexed and tightened but made no attempt to pull her hands away. "You really don't know who you are dealing with." His mouth tipped upwards into that familiar sneer.
Anzu's hand tightened and she pulled him closer to her," yes I do. I know very well whom I am dealing with. The question is do you?"
"Oh I think I do," Kaiba sneered. One hand released her wrist and cupped her chin, tipping her head up. With that his mouth slammed down on hers.
A/N: Well there it is. Hopefully it was worth the wait. I know that I took awhile but I was having a problem with the writer's block. But I think I finally smashed it into little pieces. Well let me know what you think, was it good or bad?