Disclaimers: I don't own them in any way shape or form. So don't sue.
Summary:Mokuba's trip to New York takes on a new meaning when the newspapers makes certain assumptions.
Pairings:Anzu/Seto Yugi/Rebecca Jonouchi/Mai Shizuka/Honda
Rating:PG-13; mostly for language and maybe a few sexual situations
A/N:This takes about 10 years after Battle city. The gang has graduated from College; Anzu became a world famous dancer and is currently living in America.
Reviewers:
Dark:I'm glad that you enjoyed it despite hating Tea. She's my favorite, though.I loved the evil laugh thing.
Nightfall2525:That would have been a cute statement, but Seto isn't that in touch with his feelings. But Seto never really understood the whole 'son' thing.
Kenshinlover2002:You do get around don't you? I think you've reviewed all ofmy stories. Jealous doesn't begin to cover it!
Shiningstar( ): Definitely short first chapter. I am working on it. This one is as short but it seemed the perfect place to stop. I hope you found and enjoyed the second chapter and this chapter.
Night-Owl123:So glad it lived up to your expectations. I am hoping that it is as good as my others. This chapter is kinda short though.
Avataria:You were right! She is the ultimate mother figure for the group. And Mokuba's need was great. Me too! You do get around don't you? I think I've had you review all of my stories at least once. So nice to know that the other stories were good enough you were willing to take a chance on this one.
Rain5101:Grammar? I'm sorry for any problems. I read the chapters so many times and check everything three or four times. I guess I see what is supposed to be instead of what is. Slaps self silly. I'm glad that you think the story is original though. I hope that this chapter is good, I know that it is shorter.
Catlh Kimoto: I'm glad that you enjoyed the story despite it being in English. I know how hard that it can be read to read a story in a language that isn't your primary language. They are one of my favorites too!
Sweet-Lia: Definitely didn't know what happened. You could almost feel sorry for him. It'll get worse before it gets better, though.
Anime-AngelWings:You do get around don't you? I think you've reviewed all of my stories. So glad that you are enjoying them. I'm thrilled that I managed to convey the character depth so obviously. It's hard when you writing about a favorite anime; you assume that everyone knows what you are talking about. Ending was a kick in the pants. I'll have to see if I can keep it up!
Chapter 3: The Gift
Silence met Kaiba's statement and he could feel the sweat slowly beginning to trickle down his spine. Anzu and Mokuba were staring at him as if he had lost his mind. And Seto was starting to believe that he had. What had he been thinking to rush over here and confront Mokuba? After all he knew that if Mokuba was planning on getting married then Mokuba would have told him. Instead he was standing in the solarium in their LA house confronting Mokuba about this whore and finding out that it was Anzu Mazaki.
"And what gives you the right to decide who Mokuba get married to?" Anzu demanded as she poked Kaiba in the chest again. She ignored the butterflies in her stomach and poked him again. There was no give whatsoever and Anzu couldn't help the shiver of delight at that thought. Seto Kaiba had definitely grown up. But she wasn't about to let him get away with saying stuff like that.
"I have more right than you do," Kaiba shot back darkly. He grabbed her hand when she went to poke him again. "Now quit touching me!" He commanded as he glared into her bright blue eyes. An unfamiliar sensation was building and he couldn't prevent the warmth that moved through him. Being this near her reminded him of his crush on her. It wasn't too surprising really, she was the only female that didn't simper or chase after him.
"Says who?" Anzu demanded and jerked her hand from his hold. "I'll have you know that I am just as much a part of his family as you are!"
"A nobody like you could never be a part of our family," Kaiba shot back coolly. Even as the words left his mouth he knew that he had gone to far. The fire in her eyes suddenly flared up, and her mouth opened to deliver a scathing response. But it never came or if it did Seto didn't hear it.
A fist slammed into his cheek and he went flying. As he hit the ground, he bit back a groan and blinked his eyes. He shook his head roughly, trying to get his thoughts in order. He braced himself on his hands and pushed upwards and looked over at Mokuba. Mokuba was standing with his hands clenched at his sides, his lips tight and his eyes blazing a challenge at him. For a moment Seto couldn't hold back the grin of pride at the thought that Mokuba was willing to fight for something. For too long Mokuba had coasted along, playing up the playboy image.
"I wouldn't smile if I were you, Seto," Mokuba gritted out. He could still fill the rage pumping through his blood stream. "I will not allow you to insult my mother."
"Mokie," Anzu cautioned. She stepped forward and put a restraining hand on his arm. "Your brother has always called me that. I don't even think he realizes it anymore. Besides he's your brother and you shouldn't fight."
"He is my brother but you are my mother," Mokuba shot back and took another step forward. "You may not have given birth to me, but you've been there for me in every way that counts."
"Kaiba loves you Mokuba," Anzu told him. She stepped in front of Mokuba and put her hands on his chest, shoving him back slightly. "You know he does. You are the most important thing in the world to him. You always have been," Anzu reminded him. Her tone was soft and compassionate. "He's just worried that you would make a mistake." She waited but Mokuba didn't say anything, just continued to glare over her shoulder at Seto. She sighed and looked at Kaiba, who was still sitting on the floor.
Their eyes met and something inside her shifted and softened. In that gaze she could see the worry that he was trying to hide. She could also see the love that he never expressed. Anzu couldn't prevent the smile that crossed her face as those blue eyes remained locked on hers. Both of them were way too stubborn but she had known what she was going to be getting into when she had taken up with the Kaiba brothers.
Anzu turned away from Mokuba and moved towards Kaiba. A bruise was beginning to form on his cheek and his eye was beginning to swell. He watched her with wary blue eyes, obviously expecting her to strike out. Anzu ignored the expression and crouched down in front of him. Her hand reached out and wiped the blood from his face, her touch gentle.
"Mokuba I'll need ice and a damp towel," Anzu tossed over her shoulder without looking away from Kaiba. "You've managed to land quite a punch and I do believe Kaiba is going to have a lovely black eye."
"He deserves it!" Mokuba bit out but turned to do as Anzu requested.
"Maybe, but what do you think the media is going to do when they find out?" Anzu questioned calmly, her hand now cupping his cheek.
"Ohh," Mokuba paused and looked over his shoulder at her. "Whoops."
"Yes, whoops," Anzu agreed with a laugh. "Now go get me medical supplies."
"Yes mom," Mokuba tossed her a salute and then hurried from the room.
"That boy," Anzu sighed and shook her head. Her eyes met Kaiba's again and the two of them fell silent.
Seto could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath to calm down and instead found himself breathing her in. The scent of vanilla wafted over him and his eyes dropped to half-mast and he took another deep breath. Just under the vanilla was the scent of soap and of her. Seto suddenly realized that he had missed her, missed the arguments, missed the way she was constantly standing up to him. She had always been a breath of fresh air to him, Kaiba decided.
Anzu could feel herself drowning in Kaiba dark blue eyes. There was a fire burning in them that seemed to wrap around her and pull her in. Distantly she wondered what was happening to her. After all she had put her crush on Kaiba to bed a very long time ago. He was always putting her down and trashing her. At the same time, there had always been something in his expression when he looked at Mokuba that had tugged at her. Her finger traced his cheekbone, delighting in the feel of his skin under her finger.
The flames in those blue eyes leapt higher and Anzu took a deep breath. Kaiba's eye dropped to her chest and Anzu tried to control the desire that was suddenly racing through her. Kaiba's eyes suddenly sharpened and Anzu caught her breath at the look that entered them. She looked down wondering what he had seen.
She watched in amazement as his finger dipped under her tank top and hooked on the chain she was wearing. He slowly drew his finger towards him and the chain slowly emerged from under her tank top. She watched the jewels glitter in the sun and winced at Kaiba's curse.
"This is what he gave you?" Kaiba's question was a low roar and Anzu instinctively jerked away from him.
"Yes," Anzu replied defensively and got to her feet. "What's it to you?"
Kaiba released the necklace as Anzu stood up and watched as the necklace swung between her breasts. He had to admit that it was beautiful and perfectly suited for her but he didn't like it. She offered her hand but he ignored it as he got to his feet. His blue eyes remained locked on the flowing script that was her present.
"Mom," Kaiba read out loud before looking up at her. "He got you a necklace that says 'Mom'."
"For Mother's Day," Anzu agreed and crossed her arms over her chest. "What's your point?"
"How does a necklace look like a ring?" Kaiba asked wearily.
"Mokuba had them put into a ring case because he wanted to surprise me," Anzu told him, her blue eyes shooting flames at him. "You know easier to hide a ring case rather than a long necklace case."
"How stupid can you get?" Kaiba scrubbed at his face.
"Obviously very or you wouldn't have rushed across an ocean to stop him," Anzu replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "You should know him better than that Kaiba. Mokuba would never get engaged without telling you first."
"I know," Kaiba replied quietly and sat heavily in a chair at the set table.
"Besides that Mokuba isn't stupid enough…" Anzu's voice trailed off. "Did you just agree with me?" Anzu asked incredulously as she walked towards him.
"Yes."
Anzu's narrowed eyes watched him for a long moment. She notice for the first time the lines of tension in his face and the fatigue in his eyes, his shoulders were slumped slightly and his clothes seemed rumpled. Her expression softened and she walked over towards him. Her hands settled onto his shoulders and began to dig her fingers into the tense muscles.
"What are you doing?" Kaiba asked crossly, tossing a glare over his shoulder at her.
"I'm working the tension out of these muscles," Anzu replied calmly. Her fingers dug into a knotted muscle and began to work it out. Kaiba groaned and let his head hang forward. She smiled at his moan of pleasure as slowly his muscles began to relax and his breathing slowed.
Anzu worked her hands up his neck, gently rotating his head on his shoulders, and digging her fingers into his neck muscles. The tension slowly disappeared from his muscles and Kaiba groaned again, his body beginning to slump forward. Anzu smiled but said nothing as his head lowered to the table and his eyes fluttered closed. In seconds he was asleep but Anzu kept rubbing at his neck and back, luring him deeper into sleep.
When Anzu was convinced he was asleep, she pulled away. Ignoring the faint sense of loss that flooded her and moved around the table. Her blue eyes were soft as they traced Kaiba's sleeping features. In sleep he reminded her of an innocent child. The anger and the arrogance wiped away, features softer and a smile touching those lips. She settled into the chair across from him and reached for the orange juice on the table.
Her hands were slightly unsteady as she poured her juice and then slowly lifted the glass to her lips. Anzu was determined to deal with this new rush of emotion. It was simply because it had been too long since she had seen him last, Anzu tried to convince herself. There wasn't anything actually there. It was nothing more than a reaction to an attractive male.
He had become a handsome man, Anzu admitted to herself. His brown hair had darkened over the years, almost a deep chestnut now and streaked with lighter shades of brown. In the bright sun streaming through the window, Anzu could easily identify at least 6 shades of brown. His features were sharper, his lips fuller and his face had last the soft boyhood roundness. His dark blue eyes were more troubled, Anzu decided. While Kaiba's appearance had changed in the 10 years since she had seen him last, his eyes remained the same tortured feature that she remembered.
Anzu took another sip of her juice, her blue eyes becoming distant and vague as she focused on what Mokuba had told her over the years. Anzu knew that Gozubara had not been an easy father; demanding more of Kaiba than a child could give. Mokuba had explained that his loving brother had slowly died, to be replaced by this cold stranger. Mokuba had seemed so sad that Anzu had drew him close and rocked him back and forth. He went on that while he knew that his brother still loved him, Kaiba had quit showing him.
They had been hurt so many times, Anzu decided. And she really didn't want to add to that. With a soft sigh, Anzu got to her feet. She pulled a pen and a piece of paper from her purse. Quickly she scrawled a message to both of them and left it propped up on the table. Anzu paused and pressed a kiss to Kaiba head before hurrying from the room. In the distance she could hear Mokuba hollering about the first aid kit, but Anzu didn't let that slow her down.
Moments later she was pulling her car into the late morning traffic. Her sunglasses shaded her blue eyes as she headed out of town. She knew Mokuba well enough that he would come looking for her and she didn't want to be found right away. Too much to process and she wasn't going to face either of the Kaiba brothers until she had her head screwed on straight. She swung her car towards the shopping district; it would be nice to spend the day shopping. Anzu never noticed the car that pulled out of a side street and move behind her.
Mokuba returned to the solarium 10 minutes after he left it. His hands were full of ice and gauze, his face was determined as he pushed open the door. His mouth opened and then closed when the only person he saw was Seto sleeping on the table. His blue eyes narrowed as he contemplated his brother and the way he was snoring on the table. Mokuba glanced around the room but there was no sign of Anzu, though a half finished glass of juice was on the table opposite of Seto.
A piece of paper caught his eyes and he hurried forward. His supplies got dumped onto the table as he snatched at the paper. His blue eyes widened in disbelief as he read the familiar writing.
Mokuba and Seto,
You two need to work this out and I am not going to get in the way. Remember that you are all the other has in this world. Nothing is more important than that. Don't worry about me; I'll talk to you later.
Anzu
Mokuba shook his head. Some things never changed and Anzu would always try and fix everything. It was one of the things that Mokuba loved about her. He stared at Seto and slowly a smile spread across his face; it had been too long since his brother had admitted that he still cared. The frantic rush across the ocean was the ultimate expression of caring. He settled into the seat across from Seto and reached for the coffee. When Seto woke up they were going to have a very long talk. A maid appeared in the doorway with breakfast and Mokuba waved her in. There was no harm in eating while he waited.
A/N:Well there is another chapter. I know that it is really short but I wanted to get it out as soon as possible. Let me know what you think. Thanks so much!