Author:Bradybuch4529
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:
Nightfall112525: You are too sweet! Then ending was fun.
Rain5101: Green Day in Buffalo! Very exciting. I'm honored I'm in the same class. There is an explosion. Don't you love it?
Cerridwene:I need someone to keep in on the straight and narrow. I fear for him too! Anzu is not going to be happy! I'm thrilled you think that they are staying in character. Thought I might be getting too OOC.
Sweet-Lia:I know! I know! I really am trying. I'll do better I promise! Glad you enjoyed!
Cutehelenjames:Don't you just feel for them? Thanks!
Suzieq2005:Does he? Oops! I fixed it here. He is in denial! As for the promise, wait and see!
Nightowl1123:Don't you just feel for her?
Ang31-blue:Thanks so much! You are way too kind!
Blue Rhapsody3: Thanks! You can never tell with Otogi! We'll have to wait and see.
April( ): Thanks so much. Wasn't it great!
Donamarine:I found you finally! You'll find out in this chapter. Thanks for the compliment. Did you get my review?
Swimmurgirl:Hope you enjoyed your trip. D.C. is great! They do don't they? Don't worry Seto has a plan!
Chapter 6: Seto's Plan
"She's going to kill us," Otogi muttered as he paced back and forth in front of the couch. His green eyes nervously flicked over Anzu's prone form before looking around the room.
"What do you mean us?" Seto demanded as he glared at him. "It was your gift that got us into this."
"Please," Otogi cried as he glared back. "Mokuba is the one that took her to a romantic setting to give her something in a ring case."
"It was a Mother's day gift!" Mokuba protested. "And they didn't have any necklace cases anymore!"
"Right." Otogi drawled and rolled his eyes.
"It was!" Mokuba pouted slightly and crossed his arms over his chest. "How was I supposed to know that someone would take it wrong."
"Oh I don't know," Otogi taunted. "Romantic setting, a quiet restaurant, candlelight, music in the background and you focused only on her. Why would anyone think that you could be getting engaged?"
"I wanted to give her something special!" Mokuba told them defensively. "What about your ring? 'Cause that didn't help the situation!"
"The ring was a'thank you' gift!" Otogi protested, his green eyes glinting with anger.
"What type of 'thank you' could it be?" Mokuba demanded. "You bought her a damn engagement ring!"
"It was perfect for her! I couldn't find a necklace or bracelet that suited her," Otogi told them huffily. "Besides she helped me with a project and had just gotten the lead in Swan Lake."
"I remember that," Mokuba admitted. "She was over the moon about it."
"But what project could Mazaki help you with?" Seto demanded. "She's not that intelligent."
"She gave me lots of useful hints when I was having trouble with it!" Otogi told them, beginning to pace again.
"You do need all the help you can get," Seto told him.
"Hey! I resent that! I own a company as big as yours!" Otogi protested, hands fisting at his sides.
"Oh please," Seto drawled, rolling his eyes at Otogi. "You wouldn't know how to run anything if your life depended on it."
"Why you," Otogi bit off as he charged up to Seto. His green eyes flashing fire as he me the condescending blue of Seto's.
"What? You don't like the truth?" Seto taunted as he faced down Otogi. "You pests have always had a problem with reality."
"You're the one with the problem with reality," Otogi shot back. "You and your belief that everything we've been through is nothing more a game."
"Don't tell me you're going to start spewing that 'destiny' crap," Seto scoffed.
A moan interrupted them and all of them turned to stare at Anzu as she moved restlessly on the couch. Her hand rose to her head and her eyes blinked open dazedly. Mokuba leaned over the couch, his blue eyes dark with worry. Anzu smiled at him sleepily, a hand rising to touch his cheek.
"Are you all right Anzu?" Mokuba asked as Anzu hand paused just before his cheek, her eyes trained on the ring glittering on her left hand. "Mom?" He repeated as he watched fire suddenly leap into her blue eyes.
"You," Aznu breathed as her eyes switched to Otogi. "You and your stupid present." "Now Anzu," Otogi cautioned as he began to back away from her, holding his hands in front of him. "It's not that bad."
"Not the bad?" Anzu repeated slowly as she swung her legs to the floor, narrowed eyes watching every move. "Not that bad? Compared to what?"
"Well when we were in school we had all those guys trying to kill us," Otogi tried to reason with her. His voice desperate as his eyes searched for a place to hide.
"No, that was preferable to this," Anzu told him. "The way the media is going the next announcement is going to be that we eloped."
"That's good. Look at the bright side," Otogi told her with a smile. But it disappeared when she growled, baring her teeth at him. "Come on Anzu. You've got to admit that there is humor in this."
"I'm not seeing it," Anzu told him as she rose off of the couch and began to stalk him. "Kaiba is charging around my living room, insulting me. Mokuba is constantly apologizing and the media is going to be camped on my doorstep, hoping to catch Mokuba coming out early one morning. Tell me what the humor is."
"Well you got to admit that the way the media is just running with it is funny," Otogi tried.
"Mom?" Mokuba tried to get Anzu attention, coming around the couch and catching her arm. "It's not that bad."
"Not now Mokie," Anzu told him and patted his hand. "Mommy has to kill Otogi right now."
"Anzu!" Otogi protested as he skirted around an end table. "We've been friends for years. You don't want to do anything rash."
"It's not rash," Anzu told him with a smile. Her blue eyes were glinting with an unholy light as they tracked his movements.
"Come on Anzu," Otogi tried again but it ended on a yelp as Anzu pounced. Her hands wrapping around his throat and her legs wrapping around his waist. Otogi's greens eyes bugged out in surprise, loosing his balance and crashing to the floor.
"Mom!" Mokuba yelled and ran over to them, trying to pull Anzu off of Otogi.
"I'm busy," Anzu told him as she shook him off and continued to pound Otogi's head into the floor.
"I've got a plan," Seto suddenly announced.
"What?" Anzu paused and looked up at him, Otogi's head slightly raised off of the floor. His green eyes dazed and swirly as Seto strode towards them.
"I said Mazaki, that I have a plan," Seto repeated as he stared down at her. "Not only are you stupid, you are going deaf as well."
"Why you," Anzu muttered and dropped Otogi to the floor. His head bounced as she climbed off of him, dress swirling around her bare legs. She stalked towards Kaiba, burning blue eyes meeting calm blue eyes.
"Finish getting dressed," Kaiba commanded. "I want you to look like a woman getting ready to marry a multi billionaire."
"What's wrong with my dress?" Anzu looked down at the emerald green silk sheath she was wearing. Tiny straps slipped off her shoulders, showing acres of creamy skin. "I look fine," Anzu snapped as she glared at Kaiba.
"You look like a two bit whore," Seto told her easily. "Now go change."
"Seto," Mokuba tried to caution, slipping between the two of them. "I think that Anzu looks perfect."
"See?" Anzu taunted as she peered around Mokuba. "Mokie thinks I look fine."
"It won't work for what I have planned," Seto told her with a sigh.
"Fine," Anzu gritted out and stepped around him to head for her bedroom.
"Think refined Mizaki. Nothing obvious," Seto called after her.
She didn't say anything, merely slammed her bedroom door behind her. Anzu couldn't believe how quickly everything went from bad to worse. She would never admit it, but hope was slowly growing with Kaiba's announcement. While he had always been something of an annoyance, he was always there to help in the end. The fact that he had a plan helped Anzu feel much better. Not that she would ever tell him, Anzu decided and glared through her door at him.
Anzu walked over to her closet with a sigh, wondering what dress she should use. Kaiba had been very specific about the requirements and Anzu was unsure as to whether she had something like that. Then out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a dress that she hadn't worn yet. As she pulled it out, her eyes traced the soft colors and a smile slowly crossed her face. If Kaiba wanted refined and lady-like, Anzu would give it to him.
She slowly stripped her dress off, hanging it up carefully. She padded into the bathroom, determined to take a quick shower. She needed a wet head to pull off the hairstyle she had in mind. Sitting in front of the vanity mirror minutes later, wrapped in her silk robe, Anzu began to twist her hair up and around. Her fingers carefully threading her thick hair into the shape that she wanted. A series of small silver dragons pins kept her hair in place as she secured the various strands into the upswept style.
She shook her head slightly, testing the pins and the style. Her curling iron was heated and ready when Anzu finally reached for it. With quick movements, she took the few strands she had left down and began to curl them. The stands lay against her bare neck, curling into her skin. Then she curled the few strands she had left loose around her forehead. Their slight curl and the fly away style highlighted her eyes and forehead.
She nodded slightly and spun away from the mirror. Her thigh high silk stockings were waiting on her bed and she carefully pulled them on. Enjoying the feel of the material against her smooth legs. After she had smoothed them on, she dropped the robe and reached for her lingerie. The light purple camisole and tap pants hugged her figure. Then Anzu was stepping into her dress.
As the dress settled into place, Anzu turned to face the mirror and considered her image. The dress was slightly off the shoulders, light purple fabric circling high on her shoulders before layering over her breasts. From there the fabric dropped straight down, layering down in darkening shades of purple. On her feet was a pair of white sandals with a high heel. Mokuba's necklace glimmered through the fabric and Anzu smiled in satisfaction.
She brushed a pale dusting of blush on her cheeks and gloss on her lips. She was ready.
"How long is this going to take?" Seto muttered under his breath.
"You told her you wanted refined Seto," Mokuba told him from his seated position on the couch. "Which meant that she had to take another shower."
"Why?"
"To give you the look you wanted," Mokuba informed him with a sigh. "Her hair dried in a casual fly away style, down around her shoulders. If she wants to do anything with it, she'll need it wet."
"How do you know all this?" Seto asked suspiciously.
"Cause he knows women," Otogi told him. "Even I know how long it takes a woman to get ready. That's why you always give her time to prepare."
"Hmm." Seto didn't say anything, merely went back to watching Anzu's door. He couldn't believe that Mazaki would take this long to get ready. Seto had been sure that she was one of those girls that didn't care about her appearance. He frowned slightly, but a lot of years had passed and she was famous in her own right. He nodded, content with his explanation.
Then Anzu's door opened and all thought drained from his mind. She's lovely, he decided with a sigh. Her hair was twisted back and up, small tendrils brushing against her face and neck. Her dress was layers of fabric in varying shades of purple that showcased her slim figure. She was innocence and elegance personified.
His blue eyes met hers, the gaze darkening and heating as it held. The rest of the room fell away as their gazes communicated without words. Seto could feel his heart pounding in his chest and a strange heat burning through his veins. In that instant he knew that he had to have her. That she would be his.
Mokuba and Otogi shared and amused glance, lips twitching as Anzu and Seto stared at each other. Finally Mokuba shrugged and moved between them. "You look great Mom," Mokuba told her as he bent to press a kiss to her cheek.
"What?" Anzu responded dazedly, pulling her eyes away from Seto's.
"You look great," Mokuba repeated easily, biting his tongue to keep from laughing.
"Oh! Thank you," Anzu told him with a smile before looking at Seto again. "Will this work?"
"Perfect," Seto breathed and took a step towards her before catching himself. "But you took too long. Now we are going to have to rush if we are going to make our reservations."
"Does anything ever satisfy you?" Anzu asked as she threw her hands up.
"Not dealing with people," Seto answered calmly.
"Why am I not surprised?" Anzu asked under her breath. She shook her head slightly, "let me get my purse and we can leave."
"Why do you need a purse?"
"So I can put my keys and cab fare into," Anzu answered absently as she collected her purse.
"What do you need cab fare for?" Seto asked with a roll of his eyes.
"In case I decide that I can't spend another moment with you," Anzu shot back as she finished putting keys, cash and aspirin in her purse.
"What's with the aspirin?"
"You give me a headache," Anzu told him and swept out of the room.
"Women," Seto muttered and followed her out.
"Men!" Anzu called back, her voice rising over the sound of her heels on the stairs.
Mokuba and Otogi shrugged before following them down the stairs. Seto had caught up with Anzu and the other two could hear them bickering as the door opened. Then muffled as the door closed behind them.
"Do you think they've realized that we're not with them?" Otogi asked as he descended the stairs with Mokuba.
"Probably not," Mokuba told him easily with a smile on his face. "It's great isn't it?"
"What do you have planned?" Otogi asked suspiciously, not liking the satisfaction apparent on Mokuba's face.
"Just fulfilling a promise I made," Mokuba answered cryptically.
"I don't want to know," Otogi told him. "If Anzu finds out I'm involved or I knew, she'd kill me."
"You know," Mokuba spoke as they opened the door. "You never did say what you are doing here."
"I have an employee whose little girl was just diagnosed with terminal cancer," Otogi told him as he stepped outside. "She's always want to be a ballet dancer and she recently saw a ballet with Anzu in it." He shrugged slightly "She would love to meet her idol."
"I see," Mokuba responded gently. "You know she'll help."
"Of course," Otogi nodded. "Anzu loves to help charities and stuff. Did you know that she started up a school for underprivileged kids? Provided the building, equipment and even instructs."
"She told me about it in passing. I didn't know that she was the founder," Mokuba admitted.
"She's an amazing woman," Otogi told him.
"That she is," Mokuba agreed and then slipped into the limousine.
The restaurant was well known for its star clientele. Lighting was muted and discreet, tables situated to simulate privacy. Anzu though that Seto would have asked for an out of the way booth, but the greeter escorted them to a table in the middle of the room. Several of the other guests nodded and smiled as the group made their way to the table. Anzu nodded at the few people she knew, content to let Otogi and Mokuba handle most of the greetings.
The greeter started to hold out the chair for her but Seto beat him to it, taking her hand and easing her into the chair. Anzu stared at him in confusion, trying to understand what was going on. Seto just smiled back at her, his head tilting to brush a kiss across her cheek.
"What are you doing?" Anzu demanded under her breath, still smiling at him as he sat down.
"Don't worry about it," Seto told her easily. "Just go along with me."
"You've lost it," Anzu told him as she turned to her menu. Mokuba smiled at her reassuringly and she returned it. Anzu was determined not to let Seto Kaiba upset her tonight. She had enough problems with the media. She could almost see the headlines if she dumped her plate over his head.
"Are you ready to order darling," Seto asked easily. Anzu didn't look up, convinced that he couldn't be talking to her. "Darling?" Seto asked again, his hand reaching out to cover hers.
"What?" Anzu asked as she looked up into Seto's gleaming eyes. She could feel her breath catching in her throat at the warmth and love shining from his normally cold blue eyes. She was tempted to press a hand to his head and see if he was running a fever.
"Are you ready to order, love?" Seto asked again.
"I think I'll have the Chicken and Broccoli alfredo," Anzu told him finally. She tried to ignore the warmth pooling in her stomach when he squeezed her hand again and brushed a kiss over the knuckles.
"And to drink precious?" Seto pressed.
"Water is fine," Anzu replied warily. She was starting to figure out what his plan and she wondered how far he would take it
"Of course love," Seto agreed and turned to give the waiter her order. He kept her hand grasped in his, answering the waiter easily about her preferences for salad or soup.
Anzu could feel reality slipping away as Seto answered everything as if he had known her for a long time and had committed all of her preferences to memory. She looked at Mokuba for help but found him studiously concentrating on his menu. Her blue eyes flashed towards Otogi only to find him fighting back a smile and hiding behind his menu.
The waiter gathered up the menus and left, but everyone avoided her gaze.
"Kaiba," a voice suddenly boomed out. "And Mokuba," a hand dropped onto Anzu's shoulder and she looked back to see a large man smiling down at her. "Been hearing a lot about you on the news lately," he continued easily.
"Granger," Seto gritted out. He glared at the man whose hand was still resting on Anzu shoulder.
"Otogi," Granger nodded a greeting at him. "Never though I'd see you sitting at a table with the Kaiba's."
"There's a first time for everything," Otogi told him tightly.
"So I see," Granger mused. "Makes me wonder if it's because of this little lady here," Granger continued. He bent down until his breath was caressing her cheek. "I see you get around."
"I resent the implication," Anzu gritted out and shrugging the man off. "I went to school with all of them," Anzu told him over her shoulder as she stood up and faced the man.
"I bet you did," Granger murmured, eyes tracing her figure before meeting hers again.
Anzu started towards him, not caring what type of scene she was getting ready to make, when a hand slid around her waist. She was drawn back against a solid figure and her head tilted to see Seto smiling down at her. His head dropped and pressed a kiss to her surprised lips. "What are you…?" Anzu started only to have Seto's voice overwhelm hers.
"You'll have to pardon my fiance," he told Granger smoothly. "It's been a rough couple of days."
A/N: Well there's another chapter. I hope that this one was quicker. I am actually having lots of inspiration. I have managed to update all of my stories this week! Anyway, hope that you all enjoyed it! Let me know what you think by reviewing. And if you don't review, well thanks for stopping by!