Author's note: Ack! Azurite, what a great idea! I wish I'd thought of it myself before I planned out this chapter and couldn't find a way to fit something like that in. Curses! Dude, you'll have to make a one-shot out of that sometime, just so I can see it brought to fruition! Hehehe.
In other news, this chapter is long you guys. Love me.
……………………
Chapter Eight
The weather on Friday night, to put it simply, sucked. Dark clouds had rolled in early in the afternoon and settled for a long stay. It had been raining steadily for hours.
Anzu thought it was all rather appropriate and had thunder and lightening decided to accompany the downpour, all the better. Which wasn't to say she was having misgivings about her "date" with Kaiba. Oh no, of course not. Any misgivings she was experiencing involved her impending "little-brother-chaperoned outing" with Kaiba. Their non-date. The anti-date.
Because really, there was nothing even remotely romantic about the evening ahead of her; she certainly wasn't going for the older of the two brothers.
Even so… Anzu sighed. Why had she thought this was such a fantastic idea again? Okay, she knew what her motivation was; the day at the zoo when Mokuba had wistfully expressed his wishes to have Seto spend more time with him. She had taken it upon herself to make it happen.
So why exactly three tickets then? It had seemed logical at the time – Mokuba had clearly wanted her to go with him – but the more she thought about it, the less necessary it all seemed. Had she simply made Kaiba acquire two tickets there was no question that her young charge would find his older brother a more than suitable replacement for her.
Of course, there was no escaping the obligation now that she'd broken the news to a very excited Mokuba on Monday. He was such a good kid, so eager to spend time with his "two favorite people" and have them be friends. It would be selfish to back out just because the thought of hanging out with Seto made her uncomfortable for various reasons. Some more… scintillating than others.
Things had been very tense between the two of them since their little "moment" on Monday. Kaiba had been more obnoxious than ever on the ride home, undoubtedly overcompensating for his little 'lapse' earlier. Anzu for her part, retaliated with equal fervor, annoyed with him for being disdainful of the one time he'd actually acted like a human being. Suffice it to say, there was no love lost between them. Even if she couldn't shake the memory of his smile, or the way her heart had fluttered at his teasing.
Why did he do that anyway?
It was the millionth time she'd asked herself since it had happened and Anzu was no closer to coming up with a suitable answer.
Before she could ponder it further, however, a familiar voice called suddenly from the other side of the door, jerking her out of her reverie.
"Knock, knock! Are you decent, Anzu?"
"Jou?" Oh, she should have known…
She yanked her door open to regard her deceptively innocent looking friend with narrowed eyes. "Jounouchi."
"Hey buddy," his grin was easy and charming.
"And what might you be doing here?"
She knew exactly what he was doing here, of course. To witness with his own eyes that no "funny business" would occur when Kaiba arrived. And possibly to antagonize the CEO as an added bonus.
"I just came by to drop off… uh…" he made a very big show of searching his pockets, "Um… well what do you know? Looks like I left it at home."
Now that was just lame.
"Uh-huh." Anzu folded her arms over her chest, "You're unbelievable."
"What?"
"What?" she mockingly repeated, before peering over his shoulder into the empty hallway. "So where are Honda and Yugi hiding?"
"Now why would Honda and Yugi be…" Jou trailed off at her dubious stare, dropping his gaze to the floor.
Anzu had stepped into 'no bullshit' mode the second she heard his voice and it wouldn't take long for him to crack under the pressure. While Jou did have a history of holding out the longest of all her friends when met with her thousand yard stare, he was no stranger to the repercussions should he continue to be a dumbass.
"They're, uh waiting for me at Yugi's house," he sheepishly admitted, abandoning the innocent act sooner than she'd expected. Apparently certain people could learn from past mistakes.
"Of course they are," Anzu's tone mellowed slightly at the confession and she stepped aside, granting access to her room. "So let me guess, you drew the shortest straw?"
"Lost the sudden death round of rock, paper, scissors."
She rolled her eyes, but charitably left it at that. Jou may have caved in about his true reasons for being here, but only because he knew pretensions pissed her off. Now they were on equal ground and he'd stubbornly defend the rationale that he'd initially denied. Truth be told, it was easier to just let it go… for now, anyway.
Originally, all three of the guys had insisted on being present when her employer came to collect her. Since the tabloid incident they were convinced that while she herself was innocent, Kaiba's role in the photo was colored with intentions more questionable. So even though she'd made herself clear when she'd said none of them were to be there, the suspicious trio probably thought the presence of only one of them was some sort of compromise.
Typical.
"You're wasting your time, you know." She warily studied her friend as he made himself comfortable on her bed. "Kaiba finds me about as attractive as a hang-nail."
Jou responded by studying her outfit pointedly, "That's what you're wearing?"
"Uh, yes." Anzu glanced down at her outfit nervously.
She hadn't wanted to wear anything too dressy, but under the circumstances, she didn't want to embarrass Mokuba by looking too casual either. She'd finally chosen an informal navy blue jean skirt, but paired it with a soft white sweater and the tan-colored suede boots the guys had chipped in to buy her for Christmas.
"What's wrong with it?" she wanted to know.
"You're wearing a skirt," he explained. "Now that perve is going to spend the whole night checking out your legs. To say nothing of that sweater which happens to be a little low cut don't ya think?"
"What?" Anzu glared at him, indignantly. "Okay, A) my breasts are completely covered and B) I believe I officially declared moratorium on all discussion of my girl parts after you guys found my Victoria's Secret collection last month."
"And I maintain that chicks don't buy that stuff unless they want it to be seen," Jou shot back.
"That's ridiculous."
"Is it?" he leaned back on her pillows, lazily propping his shaggy head up with his hands. "Are you wearing any of it right now?"
"That is none of your business," she snapped, aggravated. "I am now extending the conversational ban to anything pertaining to said girl parts, including what happens to be covering them."
"Oh whatever," he made a very big show of rolling his eyes. "Man, if you can't discuss your undergarments with your closest friends, who can you discuss them with?"
Anzu chose to ignore the comment, eager as she was to drop the subject. This was one of the problems with having all guys for friends – they didn't understand the concept of taboo subjects especially when it involved certain 'girls only' topics not meant to be discussed with boys. Jou and Honda had this screwball idea that she, as their pal, was some sort of free pass to the secret world of women. And apparently now their underwear. And Kaiba was the pervert?
Hell, come to think of it she was a lot more perverted then the teenage CEO and that was truly disturbing.
"Look Jou," with a heavy sigh, she moved to take a seat on the bed next to him. "I want you to know that I appreciate your concern, in spite of your really awkward way of showing it. But I think you're missing one very important fact here."
"Oh yeah?" he looked skeptical, "And what's that?"
"Well even if we're to believe this insane idea of yours that Kaiba sees me as anything other than an unappealing nuisance," here she paused to make a face, "And even if we accept the completely absurd notion that this outing is a date of all things, you'd still have to take into consideration that Mokuba is coming along."
"And thank God for that," Jou noted.
"Right," she rolled her eyes. "But do you get it now? I mean, what the hell do you think is going to happen between my employer and me under the constant supervision of his 8 year old brother?"
"I guess I see your point," he relented, sulkily folding his arms across his chest. "But if it's all the same to you, I stand by my suspicions and, you know, all around dislike for your stupid boss."
"I not only respect that," Anzu said, "I will gladly join you in the dislike part."
"Atta girl," Jou grinned at that, patting her shoulder with approval. "So when is old Moneybags getting here anyway? He'd better not be late."
"He won't be," Anzu assured him, "If nothing else, the guy is terminally punctual."
"Except when he's oversleeping," Jou pointed out.
"Hah, yeah."
They shared a laugh at Kaiba's expense and for all the mean-spiritedness of the activity Anzu couldn't bring herself to feel too badly about it. It helped her relax, and more importantly reminded her that he was in fact the enemy. It would be good to remember that when he actually showed up and her baser instincts began to insist that he was desirable, which she knew from experience they would.
It was irritating to admit that her friends were more perceptive than they knew. The three of them were right to question certain intentions, but suspicious of the wrong person. It was her they needed to worry about.
……………………
"What are you so worried about?" Mokuba studied his brother from the passenger side of the Porsche. "We'll go to her door, she'll answer it, and then we'll all leave. It's not a big deal, Seto."
"I know that," Kaiba replied sourly. "I just don't know why you continue to insist that we get out of the car, into the rain when a simple phone call will have her meeting us out here in a matter of seconds."
"You don't know anything about… what did Anzu call it? Oh yeah, social etiquette," he unbuckled his seatbelt. "It's rude to wait in the car when you've invited somebody to go somewhere. You have to actually go to their door – it's the polite thing to do."
"Who cares about polite?" Seto shook his head, "It's just Mazaki."
Mokuba rolled his eyes, "You said you were going to be nice to her."
"I said I'd be civil."
"Well fine," the boy replied. "But that still means you have to go to her door, so come on. We don't have all night."
"Watch the smart mouth," Kaiba said automatically, even while he slipped out of his seatbelt and reached for the umbrella he'd brought along.
"But I've learned from the best, Seto," Mokuba pointed out with a tone of childlike innocence.
Seto scowled – his brother was becoming too smart for his own good. He may be a nice kid, but he still had that Kaiba intelligence.
"Yeah well, do as I say not as I do."
Mokuba laughed. "You sure are cranky tonight."
Kaiba grunted in response; of course he was cranky. Not only was he about to waste an evening watching some hack play cards with a room full of gullible losers, Mazaki was tagging along.
Of course she would no doubt look hot, smile a lot, get along famously with Mokuba and give him about a million other reasons not to hate her. And he would have to sit near her, trying not to think of how he'd almost genuinely liked her for a moment in his office when she'd said his smile was beautiful.
Not nice, not cute, not attractive. Beautiful. Nobody had ever, in his entire life, used that adjective to describe him. The connotations were too reverent, too kind. And coming from her, it was unfathomable. Because they didn't like each other – he made her angry contrary to her pleasant disposition and she provoked him like no other.
But for one moment, a split second, she had acknowledged something about him to be beautiful and he had felt something a little too close to gratitude for comfort. He'd also found himself briefly addressing her without a trace of hostility. Flirting, even. Truly appalling behavior.
And the worst part was that it wasn't even because she was a pretty girl; it was as simple as her easy sincerity. How the truth escaped her without any premeditation – it was natural for her. And it had made him want to be nice to her for that rare uninhibited instant. Which was enough to make him sick.
Luckily he'd recovered, easily slipping back into his adversarial role with Mazaki and as the week dragged on he noted with satisfaction that his dislike for her hadn't gone anywhere. Of course, annoyingly enough it had a new companion. Because those somewhat… less-than-hostile feelings towards her weren't about to leave either try as he might to push them away.
"Um, Seto?" Mokuba's confused voice pulled him out of his reflection and he was suddenly aware that he was staring blankly at Anzu's front door.
"What?"
"I don't think glaring at the door will make it spring open," now the boy's tone was amused, "I'm pretty sure you're supposed to ring the bell."
He gave his brother a rather unfriendly sideways glance, and Mokuba laughed, patting his arm.
"Don't worry, Seto, I'll keep this between us."
Kaiba forced himself to relax at his brother's good-natured teasing. It wouldn't do to take his foul mood out on Mokuba when the kid was so obviously excited about all of this. The last thing he wanted to do was spoil his fun. So he smiled wryly to show he wasn't mad and very deliberately reached out to ring the bell.
Seconds later the door opened to reveal Anzu, and Kaiba was annoyed to find that she looked better than he'd expected her to. She was wearing her hair down, and her sweater made her ivory skin appear luminous. Not to mention the fact that it fit her very well, and her legs looked particularly nice in those tights. And of course, she smelled nice – like vanilla and cinnamon and all things warm and inviting. How aggravating.
She stepped back, ushering them inside and out of the rain and they readily complied.
"Hello handsome," she greeted Mokuba happily with a hug once the door was closed. Then sparing Kaiba a glance, "And um, sub-par."
"Sub-what?" Mokuba appeared confused and Anzu blushed slightly.
"Sub-nothing," she cleared her throat and met Seto's eyes. "What I meant to say was, hello. You, uh, look nice Kaiba."
She looked him up and down, her flush deepening. From beautiful to sub-par to nice. But he could tell she meant the last sentiment, if the way her eyes remained affixed on his chest for a bit longer than was polite was any indication. He wanted to be smug in his reply, making sure she knew he'd caught her looking and found it amusing but Mokuba's presence beside him encouraged better behavior. Civility.
"You ready to go?" he asked, brusquely.
Close enough.
"What's the hurry, Kaibsy?" a masculine voice taunted from behind her, "The show doesn't start until seven."
Seto snapped his gaze over to meet the source and was rather vexed to find Anzu's idiot friend Jounouchi hovering over her shoulder. Of all the losers the young CEO knew from school, here was the one he held in the most contempt casually hanging out in Mazaki's home. Great.
He gave the halfwit a scathing once over, "I thought I smelled wet dog."
"Must be left over from your latest romantic conquest," Jounouchi returned, "You probably should have showered before you came over, huh?"
Seto was about to come back with a crack about Jou recognizing his sister's perfume, when Anzu cut in.
"Eww!" she slapped her hands over Mokuba's ears and glared at her friend. "Kids in the room, Jou!"
"Ah come on, sweetheart you're not that young," a middle aged woman who looked like Anzu in a very disconcerting way, suddenly appeared followed by a tall man with salt and pepper hair.
Seto rolled his eyes. Now it was a party. He wondered who'd be the next to make a smooth entrance. Mouto? Honda? He was growing increasingly uncomfortable with the situation as various loved ones of this girl he was determined to despise paraded into the room eyeing him with interest. Was it time to leave yet?
"Manners Anzu," Mrs. Mazaki addressed her daughter and Kaiba noticed that the woman had possibly the nicest voice he'd ever heard in his life. It was dulcet and serene, resonating placidly. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"
"If I must," Anzu responded with a measure of annoyance which Seto found interesting. "Kaiba, Mokuba, I present my parents, and vice versa. You all know Jou."
"It's Eri," Anzu's mother took his hand and shook it firmly, "I have to say Mr. Kaiba, our household hasn't been the same since my daughter's come to work for you."
He really didn't know how to respond to that, although he was certain some semblance of manners were required considering the very significant look his brother was currently shooting him. He was working up to a probably more bored than would be considered courteous, 'I see' when Mrs. Mazaki took it upon herself to spare him the trouble.
"I've got freshly made Hot Chocolate in the kitchen," she fluidly turned her attention to Mokuba, "Would you like some before you leave?"
No, thought Seto, Say no so we can get the hell out of here.
"Sure!" Mokuba beamed up at the woman and took her offered hand while she led him towards the kitchen.
She stopped briefly on the way to hand the cheesy 'World's Greatest Dad' mug she's been carrying to her husband. He smiled fondly, kissing her quickly.
And Kaiba had officially had about enough of the whole scene. Everything was so… picturesque. An attractive couple with their cozy home and contentment, drinking Hot Chocolate on a rainy day and being all affectionate. It was difficult to be around for reasons both cynical and… well, hard to explain. Painful to recall. Pointless to dwell on.
"Kaiba?"
He looked over to find Anzu watching him closely.
"What?"
"I'm just going to run upstairs to grab my jacket and then we can get out of here, okay?"
There was something in her tone that suggested she was concerned, though he was certain it wasn't for his benefit. She was obviously uncomfortable having him around her family.
"Fine."
"I'll be right back," she smiled faintly and then left him with Jounouchi and her father, the latter of which seized the opportunity.
Mr. Mazaki cast a stern look in his direction and Kaiba was surprised to note that he was looking directly into his eyes; the man matched his own height almost exactly, which was no small feat considering the way he towered over most of the people in his acquaintance.
"So…" he followed the look with an authoritative tone, "What are your intentions towards my daughter?"
Intentions?
Kaiba narrowed his eyes; he couldn't believe this man was actually trying to intimidate him. Well, in a sense, he supposed he could. Because this type of thing was apparently common - fathers being very protective of their teenaged daughters. But he'd never actually been in a situation where he was confronted with it. For one, he was Kaiba Seto and secondly, he was Kaiba Seto. He commanded respect from people twice his age and more. He was the boss. Also, he didn't make a habit of meeting girls' fathers.
All things considered, this was rather ridiculous, especially since he didn't even have any intentions towards Mazaki. Oh sure, he had thoughts that were admittedly less-than-appropriate and ideas he would never actually act on, but intentions? How insulting.
But before he could open his mouth to deliver an appropriately snide response, Mr. Mazaki cracked a grin.
"I'm joking of course," he informed Kaiba. "I've always wanted to say that."
Joking?
"Aw, Mr. Mazaki, you should have given him the chance to answer." Jounouchi shook his head, "Now we'll never know if he actually intends to do away with our Anzu and wear her skin as a trench coat."
"What are you even doing here?" Kaiba's tone was lazy, but his gaze was hard, "Somewhere a game of Duck, Duck, Goose is missing its star player."
"Right, and somewhere a puppy isn't being kicked."
"I could rectify the situation," Seto assured him with a pointed look.
"Rectify this," Jou made a rude gesture, apparently out of fresh material.
"Gentlemen, please," Mr. Mazaki cut in calmly, "A little dignity. Let's save the bloodshed for somewhere my carpets aren't at risk."
"No," Anzu suddenly appeared on the stairwell, beige jacket in hand. "I did not just hear talk of bloodshed mere seconds after I left the room."
Kaiba watched her descend the rest of the steps, relieved of all things to see her. It was obviously the company.
"I think," Jou piped up unnecessarily, "That it was actually closer to a minute."
"Semantics," Anzu rolled her eyes as she shrugged into the jacket, "You ready to get the hell out of here, Kaiba?"
"Ready would be a severe understatement," he assured her in low tones.
She smiled at that, and turned to give their audience a pointed look. "You see that? The two of you have served to make our guest uncomfortable – kudos."
"And I didn't even have to bring out the shotgun," Mr. Mazaki joked. Or at least… Seto thought he was joking. The man was perfectly deadpan.
"Your ride's leaving Mokuba," Anzu called to the kitchen, "Get on board or miss the boat."
"Coming!" the boy rushed exuberantly into the room with bright eyes and a Hot Chocolate mustache which made the corner of Seto's lips twitch in spite of himself.
A glance to the right unfortunately revealed that Mazaki hadn't missed his reaction, judging by the way her eyes suddenly became really soft and how her smile adopted a somewhat sentimental quality.
Damnit!
Seto responded by coolly withdrawing his gaze only to find it accidentally refocused on Anzu's covered chest. He quickly looked away but Jou, who'd been observing him resolutely since he arrived, had noticed and jumped on the opportunity to be provoking.
"Whoa, whoa!" he cried, "Eyes above the neckline, Kaiba!"
The reaction was immediate in the room – Anzu blushed, her father's easy countenance became reproachful, her mother smiled with amusement and Mokuba just looked confused.
If it wasn't for his unfailing self-restraint and the fact he never hit anybody who didn't attack him first, Seto would have punched Jounouchi right there. His other impulse was to calmly turn around and leave without a backward glance, but under the circumstances it wouldn't be appropriate. Instead, he did the mental equivalent of sitting on his hands, and glared scornfully at his opponent.
"Believe me," he said disdainfully, "I'm happy to leave the ogling of hapless girls to you and the other hormone-drenched bricks you call friends."
"Hey, I saw you looking," Jou defended his prior observation.
"I was always aware that you're the mental equivalent of a particularly inept block of wood, but now I see your eyesight is defective as well." Kaiba sneered, "Now let me rephrase that in idiot speak so you can understand too; you're as dumb as a sack of hammers, and blind."
He didn't wait for a reaction; giving into his impulse to turn around and leave he grabbed Anzu's arm, steering her along with him, "Let's go Mazaki."
"Um bye mom, dad, Jou," she called over her shoulder while she was dragged outside, "Don't wait up!"
"It was very nice meeting you," Mokuba said politely as Kaiba grabbed his hand, "Thanks for the Hot Chocolate!"
They left the warmth of the house for the coolness of the rain outside, and Seto despite his anger did have the sense to stop briefly on the porch to open his umbrella. After all, he had no desire to arrive at the theatre looking like a drowned rat.
Anzu drew closer to him, slender hand slipping through his arm to keep steady with his brisk pace. And Kaiba tried very hard to ignore her presence next to him and the warmth spreading through his body from where she gripped the inside of his elbow.
Why did she have to touch him? And why the hell did she have to smell so good?
He glared down at her and she turned to meet his gaze unabashedly.
"You're getting soft, Kaiba."
Uh, not really.
"What makes you say that?" he tried to keep the acidity out of his tone for Mokuba's benefit.
"Hapless?" she raised an eyebrow, "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever called me."
His brother looked up sharply from beneath his own umbrella and Seto bit back the snide remark he'd been prepared to deliver. He'd promised to be civil towards Anzu and Mokuba had sensed the moment he'd been ready to step out of the role. The kid really knew him far too well.
He sighed instead, opening the passenger side door of the Porsche they'd arrived at. "Just get in the car, Mazaki."
"And now he's opening doors for me," she turned to look at Mokuba in exaggerated shock, "Did you put him up to this?"
"Nope," the younger boy shook his head, and then deftly snapping his umbrella closed dived into the backseat, leaving the front for Anzu.
She easily slid into her seat, despite the somewhat restrictive skirt she was wearing and Kaiba was once again reminded of that natural grace she possessed. Even if her mouth ran away from her, or her manner was somewhat less than refined, she always seemed to have perfect control of her body…
He slammed the door shut behind her with more force than necessary and pushed his mind out of the gutter as he briskly moved to the driver's side of the vehicle. He was becoming almost perpetually annoyed with himself where she was concerned. It was officially beyond ridiculous.
Luckily, there was a respectable amount of distance between them inside the car and her skirt reached her knees, so he was spared the distracting sight of her thighs.
"I have an explanation for your brother's behavior," Anzu looked over the seat at Mokuba once they were on the road, mischief in her tone.
Mokuba, Seto was grudgingly satisfied to note, looked pleased.
"Yeah?"
"Yes," she seriously confirmed. "You see, in preparation for tonight, I did a little research into the dubious world of magic and wouldn't you know it, I came across the perfect spell."
"Really?" the boy grinned, "What kind of spell?"
She paused for dramatic effect and Seto rolled his eyes. No doubt something suitably ridiculous would follow. (He was right.)
"A personality transplant," she declared ominously, and Mokuba laughed.
"So who was the donor?"
"Well," Anzu grinned, "Put it to you this way: Somewhere a known proper gentleman is viciously insulting his beloved wife."
"He must have suddenly gained the brain capacity to realize how insipid she is," Seto curtly cut in.
"Right about the same time you got his manners, right big brother?"
"That was the punch line, yes."
"Which would mean you're joking now too!" Anzu pointed out, happily. "I take it back. The spell was a total failure. The body snatchers got to him first!"
The traitorous youngster and his babysitter laughed heartily at his expense, and Seto could tell it was going to be a very long night.
……………………
"Is that… gold lamé?" Anzu looked closely at the stage where their entertainer for the evening, on his third change of outfit, returned from behind the curtain.
"Ohmigod, it is gold lamé!" she noted with some horror, "Ew! Tacky!"
"A guy who pulls rabbits out of a top hat for a living is wearing something tacky," Kaiba commented dryly, "Shocking."
Anzu found herself actually smiling appreciatively at his sarcasm, probably because he'd been behaving tolerably for the duration of the evening. They were currently two hours into their "outing" and he had yet to act like a total asshole. Which was obviously due to Mokuba's presence, if the way he looked at his little brother every time it appeared he was going to say something obnoxious was any indication.
Even so, in many respects things weren't going as poorly as she'd anticipated. There was the way he'd refrained from being rude to her parents, for one. He'd been stiff and rather silent, of course, but not rude. Plus, the two of them hadn't exchanged a single vitriolic word for the entirety of their time together. Seto had been stoic and he refused to join Mokuba and herself in their lighthearted banter, but again, he wasn't awful either. And, speaking of the younger Kaiba - he was having a great time which in itself made the whole deal worthwhile.
But in other ways, things were as terrible as she'd imagined they'd be. Because Kaiba had never looked hotter than he did tonight. Seriously, she had almost collapsed when he'd arrived at her doorstep earlier and for one insane lust-filled second she'd wished it was a real date.
He'd brought his presence with him, and the gray of his sweater highlighted the smoky tones in his eyes, and his lashes were so ridiculously thick and heavy and he smelled like rain and expensive cologne. It was all too much on it's own without having to deal with the way his hair fell across his forehead so perfectly, or how broad his shoulders looked in her doorway.
She wasn't doing too well now either since he'd discarded his trench coat shortly after they arrived at the theatre. Now she could see all of the gray cashmere sweater he was wearing and the material was so soft-looking it was an exercise in self-restraint to resist touching it. Plus, it fit him so well she could see the outline of his chest beneath it – a chest she knew from experience had absolutely no give to it. The contrast of his firm muscles against the soft material would no doubt feel very nice should she reach out and…
Anzu cut the thought off before she could finish it, determined to get control of her raging hormones. Really, she was almost a grown-up. She could handle sharing space with an unspeakably hot, rich, priggish jerk without getting all hot and bothered. She could ignore his blatant sex appeal and remain impervious to it. She wasn't so hard up she couldn't get through an evening with the gorgeous older brother of the sweet kid she was paid to look after without dying of repressed attraction, right?
Right!
"He does a little more than retrieve rabbits from his hat," Anzu told Kaiba. "I mean, he walked through a wall."
"A simple matter of strategically placed mirrors and diversion," he assured her. "With the right materials I could do it myself."
She rolled her eyes, "You buy that Mokuba?"
The boy, sitting between them cheerfully munching on licorice, nodded earnestly. "Of course. Seto can do anything."
Kaiba smirked and Anzu gave him an appraising look, "Anything?"
Oh God, that sounded way too suggestive. Smite me!
Raising his eyebrow at the innuendo, he returned her searching look. "Of course."
She swallowed hard, and quickly returned her gaze to the stage where the scantily clad assistant was stepping into a large basket. The magician was armed with an array of large swords and sliced easily through a watermelon with one of them to prove its sharpness.
Mokuba sucked in his breath, "Cool!"
"You ain't seen nothing yet, sweetness," she drawled and he chuckled softly.
On stage, the assistant was now completely tucked inside the container and intense music started playing as the magician began stabbing the swords through it. Mokuba watched, riveted and to Anzu's eagle eye, worried. She patted his arm gently.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Kaiba leaning back in the seat, making himself comfortable. He folded his arms across his chest and stared at the unfolding scene with disinterest.
"Trapdoor," he muttered, unmoved.
"Actually," she watched another sword smoothly slice into the basket, "I think the woman inside is guiding the swords to the other side. The basket seems a little too small for the trapdoor trick to work smoothly."
"An interesting theory," he said evenly, stretching his legs out in front of him. "I'm willing to test it out if you'd like to wear a slutty costume and crawl inside a box. It would be a rather simple matter to acquire a collection of swords."
"Nice try, but you're not getting rid of me that easily." Then as an afterthought, "And you'll have to do a lot better than that to get me into a slutty costume."
"Oh I don't know," he examined his fingernails, "I doubt it would take much coaxing. A certain skirt comes to mind…"
Anzu ducked her head in a futile attempt to hide her blush. Ah yes, the skirt that had turned out to make for rather poor kindling. She couldn't believe he'd brought that up. And was she crazy or were they kind of, sort of… flirting? No, no couldn't be. Well, okay she was flirting, but Kaiba? Never.
She scolded herself for her own behavior, but couldn't really blame herself. He was being… decent. And sexy. And she had an inherently playful nature which always wanted to flirt with cute boys – she couldn't help it, she'd inherited it from her mother. It was genetic.
So there.
"That skirt was perfectly classy," she informed him. "Except for when I was sitting down."
Kaiba snickered in response, not rudely, but certainly not kindly either.
"Seto," Mokuba looked up at him reproachfully, "You're kind of ruining an intense moment."
Anzu bit back her own laughter as she returned her attention to the stage to find all of the swords sticking into the basket from every which direction, a veritable pincushion. The magician was very slowly beginning to remove them.
"Relax Mokuba," Kaiba advised. "We already know that the woman's unharmed."
"How can you be certain?" the boy wanted to know, "What if something went wrong?"
"Look at the swords," he replied, "Do you see any blood?"
"No," Mokuba admitted, "They're clean."
"Huh." Kaiba leaned back in his seat, "You don't say."
"Looks like your big brother knows everything too," Anzu commented drolly, in response to his smug demeanor.
"Of course," the CEO replied without a trace of irony.
The lovely assistant chose that exact second to smilingly step out of the basket unharmed, and as the crowd cheered, Kaiba smirked arrogantly as though the applause was for his benefit.
What a jerk.
Anzu watched him until she caught his eye before withdrawing her own with a deliberate air of disgust and he snickered again. Since when did she amuse him so much?
She shook her head; it was pointless to ponder these things, just like it was pointless to wonder about the way he'd teased her that split second. He was too hard to read, didn't wear his heart on his sleeve the way she did. Besides, the more she thought about him, the more his torso in that sweater would sneak into her mind. And that was the last thing she needed to be thinking about right now. Or ever.
She made a point to pay attention to the show, and didn't even look in his direction until the magician had wrapped things up. He performed a levitation as encore (which Mokuba found very exciting, but Kaiba skeptically noted how the assistant had changed into a long flowing dress for the number to cover the rising platform which was what was really lifting her into the air) and then, after gracious thanks, took his gold lamé-ed self and his equally tacky assistant backstage. The host came out moments later to thank everybody again for coming and as the night's dramatic theme music cued up again, the house lights came on and people slowly began to leave.
"That was awesome!" Mokuba exclaimed, jumping from his seat and looking happily at his brother and babysitter.
Anzu smiled, and stretched as she rose, "It was pretty cool."
She found herself joining Mokuba in watching Seto expectantly for his input, but he said nothing as he smoothly stood up. His pants, she noticed, were miraculously unwrinkled after being seated for so long, and he didn't bother stretching as he reached for his trench coat and slid into it. He looked perfect. Stylish and sexy and uncaring. She wanted to touch him.
His eyes fixed on her with an expression notably deeper than their trademark blue intensity and for a panicked moment she had the insane notion that he could read her thoughts. Then he blinked and looked away and she allowed her shoulders to slump with relief.
"Let's go," he announced moving towards the exit and she followed without resistance.
She told herself the weakness in her knees was from sitting for so long, but of course knew better. If he'd looked at her that way and asked her to put on a slutty outfit and slip into a box so he could stick swords through it, she was alarmed to admit she would have done it. She would have done anything.
……………………
"So Kaiba," Anzu said in a hushed voice as they drove home, "That wasn't completely unbearable was it?"
He glanced in the rearview mirror at his brother, asleep in the backseat, faint smile playing about his lips. He'd fallen asleep shortly after they'd gotten into the car, tired out from all the excitement and lulled to sleep by the quiet. Plus, it was two hours past his normal bedtime.
Mokuba had fun though, and it had been obvious to Kaiba how pleased he was to have him there. That alone, made the evening a success. He was glad he'd done it, truthfully. Not that he'd admit ever admit it, of course.
"Not completely," he said, "In spite of your presence."
"Oh right back atcha sweetheart," she returned and Kaiba was caught by the playfulness of the moment.
She'd been doing that all night, flirting lightheartedly and teasing good-naturedly. He'd realized shortly into the evening that this was Mazaki Anzu in her most natural state. Cheerful, pleasant, charmingly mischievous and very outgoing. She energetically joked around with Mokuba and made an effort to include Seto when she could. She enjoyed herself and tried to make sure everybody else did too.
Kaiba was used to her defensive, annoyed, and on edge but he knew now that was just one side of her. Specifically, the side he was so good at drawing out.
"Anyway about tonight," she glanced at him nervously, "I was thinking that we should do it again."
"What?" he took his eyes off the road long enough to shoot her a dubious look. "I don't-,"
"Well hear me out before you shoot it down," she interrupted him, "I mean Mokuba needs to get out and do more fun things like a normal kid. And I think it would be good for him, and you, if you spent a little less time at the office and had fun with him."
"Mazaki, need I remind you that I'm very busy and -,"
"Very busy and don't have time for frivolous pursuits," she cut in, rolling her eyes. "But what about Mokuba? Don't you have time for him?"
He narrowed his eyes. He didn't like what she was implying here, nor did he care for her suggestions that she knew what Mokuba needed. And he especially resented the way it appeared she was using his little brother to manipulate him. Because Kaiba knew what was good for him, and he simply would not allow the boy to become a bargaining chip. The two of them had been doing fine for years and long before she came around. They were a team.
"I take care of my brother," he said in a very firm, warning tone.
"I know you do," her own tone softened considerably, "I didn't mean to suggest otherwise."
Kaiba nodded, unable to retort cruelly to the statement and taken aback by the gentleness in her voice. She turned her gaze to the window, he continued to watch the road and they fell into silence once more.
What was happening here? Since when did the two of them occupy this vehicle without the steady company of their ever-present hostility?
It had to be Mokuba's presence, asleep or otherwise, he had to be responsible for their unspoken cease fire. The boy was after all the only thing they really shared in common. And their typical behavior would hurt him and neither wished for that. It was a suitable explanation and the only one that didn't vex him.
"Would you at least entertain the possibility?" she asked, disrupting the stillness again.
Kaiba thought about it. He had to admit, she had a point about spending more time with his brother, and he knew the kid liked Anzu a lot. But, he was busy and he did have more important things to do. He'd hired Mazaki for that exact reason, so Mokuba could still do fun things and he could focus on work.
Mokuba stirred slightly in the back seat and Seto glanced in the rearview mirror again to find him still with that smile on his face… an unconscious guilt trip. Great.
"We'll see." he finally agreed, pulling into her driveway.
"Good enough," she decided, unfastening her seatbelt without a hitch. Then she turned to face him with an almost… shy expression. "Um, Kaiba?"
"What is it now?"
"Could you… I mean, would you walk me to my door?"
What?
Okay, things were officially getting a little too cozy in here. He'd endured her parents, and a stupid magician, and her increasing attractiveness. He had been forced to deal with Jounouchi of all things. He'd even refrained from putting her in her place numerous times throughout the course of the evening.
But to be expected to walk her to her door? Was she kidding him? How pedestrian.
He felt his usual scornful glare slipping back into place, "No."
She narrowed her eyes, "Then at least give me your umbrella. It's pouring rain out there."
"No."
"Huh," she shook her head. "I knew we were getting along too well. I was wondering when Kaiba-the-prick would make his triumphant return. Welcome back, asshat."
He looked down his nose at her, "You're still inside my car."
"Observant."
"Get out."
Yeah, he was starting to get sick of her too.
"Not until you provide me a way of getting inside without getting soaking wet," she defied him and Kaiba sighed.
He looked back at his brother who was stirring again, gritted his teeth, and seizing his umbrella with one hand reached for the door with the other. He noticed Anzu's somewhat smug smile as he circled the vehicle and seethed inwardly.
That's it.
There was no way he was going to let her win this round. It would be unforgivable, particularly considering all the victories she'd been stealing lately.
When he came around to her side, Mazaki let herself out of the Porsche and into the protection provided by the parasol. Seto held it over her for a few brief moments, allowing her to remain dry for an instant. Then without warning he abruptly wrenched it away, leaving her exposed to the elements. The downpour had become so heavy she was drenched in a matter of seconds. Payback.
Anzu shrieked the instant she was bombarded by rain, startled by the action. She stood dumbly for a moment, staring regretfully at her sopping clothing, pushing wet bangs out of her eyes. But she recovered remarkably well once she realized she was soaked through and very calmly stepped back under the umbrella.
"I cannot believe you," she snapped, with a menacing glare.
He smirked, "Can't you?"
"You're right, I can believe you; you're evil." Then a certain look entered her eyes, "But I can be evil too."
She proved it by lunging at him suddenly, throwing her arms around his waist and knocking the umbrella to the side. Kaiba fell back slightly, temporarily immobile from both the shocking sensation of her arms around him and the coolness of the sudden splash of rain.
Absently, he was indignant at the abuse his designer wardrobe was currently enduring, but he couldn't quite focus on that under the circumstances. Not when there was a very wet, very curvy girl pressed flush against him, with no apparent inclination to let go in the near future.
He looked down to find her grinning up at him, hair plastered to her face, cheeks flushed, eyes impossibly bright. Little droplets of water clung to her eyelashes like tiny crystals and he was unexpectedly struck by the fact that she was beautiful.
Yes, he'd previously acknowledged her pulchritude in many ways before this; attractive, pretty, hot, etc. But her beauty had never been more vivid than this moment, and he was surprised by his sudden inability to obey his mind and push her away from him. He was even more alarmed to find himself slipping his arms around her waist, an automatic, thoughtless reaction.
"Now we're both soaked," she spoke finally, a little breathless, bringing him back to earth.
"You'll pay for this, Mazaki," he was pleased to find he could still sound intimidating.
"Maybe I'm paying for it right now," she cryptically replied and Seto noticed she was looking at his lips.
Was she considering kissing him?
"Not nearly enough," he told her, eyes drifting to her lips.
They were soft and red with little traces of glitter peaking through the raindrops from her fading lip-gloss. Was he considering kissing her? He was horrified to find that he was past the consideration stage; his head was moving of its own accord towards hers.
Stop! He ordered himself, don't be a fool!
But her arms were sliding up from his waist to the back of his neck, pulling him closer and his hands were sliding towards the small of her back. His brain was very sternly issuing commands for him to retreat but his rebelling body refused to listen. The distance was rapidly disappearing between them, the heat of her skin cutting through the cold rain to warm his face, her breath on his cheek, her lips mere inches from his own and -
His eyes were assaulted by a beam of light seconds before they drifted closed and she blinked in time with him. Then their eyes met and they sprung apart instantaneously.
Shit!
Kaiba looked towards the light source – the porch lamp – and found Anzu's front door opening to reveal her mother in plaid pajama pants and a sweater.
"I thought that was you out here, sweetie," she called from the doorway, "What are you maniacs doing standing out in the rain?"
"Uh," Anzu glanced guiltily at Seto and quickly looked away, a violent blush darkening her wet cheeks, "We were… well, uh Kaiba was walking me to the door when a… a gust of wind knocked the umbrella out of his hands."
"A gust of wind?" Eri's tone was skeptically amused.
"Yes," Anzu nodded several times, "A gust of wind – it was very strong and unexpected, and really… uh freakish. It took us completely by surprise, you know, we uh, didn't really know what was happening and it… it was just one of those fluky forces of nature. Yep. Total coincidence. Accidental. A mistake."
He caught the double meaning.
Her mother crossed her arms, "I see."
Kaiba looked away, irritated with himself, Mrs. Mazaki, her daughter, the whole situation really. He'd almost kissed her. She'd almost kissed him. They'd almost kissed. What had he been thinking? From intense dislike, to grudging tolerance, to beautiful, to an almost kiss. It was a disaster.
"Right, Okay then." Anzu turned to pick up the umbrella from the ground and thrust it into Seto's hands. "Well, okay. Thanks for tonight Kaiba, drive safe, I'll uh, see you Monday, bye!"
And before he could even think of responding she'd already sprinted up the driveway, past her mother and into the safety of her house.
Which left Kaiba in the very uncomfortable position of being soaking wet, annoyed, and wondering just where the hell his logical, tactical, sane mind had wandered off to.
Whatever the case, it was high time he got it back. Now.
……………………
A/N: Next chapter, more tabloid fun and Kaiba and Anzu have a… competition of sorts. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Mazaki are amused. Again. Some more. I'll see you there!