Hello all, thank you so much for the reviews. I never imagined that my story would be this popular… honestly. I know I keep saying that, but really I didn't expect so many reviews. Enjoy the chapter!
Blackmail
Anzu stood on the curb in front of the hotel eagerly waiting for her parents to arrive. She had won the challenge from the previous photo shoot, and she decided that she would see her parents. She was slightly nervous, only because it has been a while since she has seen them and she missed both of them so much. She watched a few limos, and other expensive cars pull up to hotel driven by chuffers, but her parents occupied none of them.
Anzu ran her fingers through her hair and gazed up at the clear blue sky. The day was perfect so far, although she wasn't sure how the rest of the day would go. She and Kaiba had made a promise to not see each other anymore after-hours, and now they have to go back to how they acted when they were in school. She sighed, she enjoyed Kaiba flirting with her, and she especially enjoyed the kisses he gave her. She blushed at that thought.
A limo pulled up to the curb, and a certain spiky-haired friend of hers jumped out the limo. "Anzu!"
She blinked out of the slight trance she was in and then realized the person calling to her was none other than Yugi, and the person getting out of the limo with him was Jonouchi. "Guys! What are you doing here?" she asked happy to see two of her best friends.
"Your parents agreed it would be less embarrassing if we came in their place," Jonouchi snickered.
"But they made us promise that you would call them when you get a chance," Yugi added.
Anzu hugged both of them separately, almost in tears; she didn't realize how much she missed her friends. She led her friends into the hotel so she could show them her room.
Unknown to Anzu, a certain blond was watching her from an upper floor and was bent on ruining her day.
Anzu opened the door to her room; surprisingly none of her roommates were anywhere to be found. "Well this is it, the room I stay in, what do you guys think?"
"It's nice Anzu," Yugi said genuinely.
"Which bed is yours?"
She pointed. "The one over there, why?"
Jonouchi immediately jumped on the bed and became comfortable. "No reason," he smirked. Anzu rolled her eyes.
"So Anzu," Yugi said changing the subject. "What's it like living in a hotel?"
She shrugged, "It's ok." She sat down on her bed next to Jonouchi. "We have to get up early sometimes because of the photo shoots."
"Oh," Yugi nodded. "So you're feeling better?"
"Yes," Anzu replied with a smile. "Much better."
Rei walked into the room just then. "Hey guys!"
"Hi Rei," Jonouchi waved.
"Hello Rei."
"Rei what are you doing in here?" Anzu asked.
"I can't drop in on my best friends?" Anzu shook her head and smiled. "The photo shoot isn't until tonight, so I thought I'd come and see you. So you guys came instead of her parents?"
"Yep!" Yugi smiled.
Rei slumped down in the chair by the door. "So how's life in Domino?"
"Boring, nothing is ever on television," Jonouchi complained.
"Well if you were helping me run the game shop, then you wouldn't have to worry about TV," Yugi countered.
"Both of you work in the game shop now?" Anzu laughed. "I feel sorry for you Yugi."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jonouchi sneered.
"So Anzu," Yugi started, trying once again to change the subject. "Is everything ok between you and Kaiba?"
"Oh is it ever," Rei laughed.
"Rei!" Anzu tried to say calmly. She wasn't ready to tell her friends about how much she loved him.
"Is he treating you right?" Jonouchi asked as he sat up and rested against the headboard.
"Is he ever!" Rei giggled.
Yugi and Jonouchi stare at each other, and then at Rei, then over at Anzu.
"What's so funny?" Yugi asked.
"Nothing, you know how she is…" Anzu said giving her an evil glare.
"Hey, why don't I get some food for us?" Rei suggested after she calmed down.
"Good. Go," Anzu responded quickly.
"Come on Yugi."
"Why are you going to take him with you?"
"Because he won't eat all the food on the way up here like you will Jonouchi," Rei grinned.
"Ok," Yugi agreed.
Rei stood up and walked out the room with him. "I think you've gotten a little taller, you look almost five-two."
Anzu took a sigh of relief, for a second she thought Rei would actually tell them what happened between her and Kaiba. She stood up from the side of the bed but Jonouchi took a hold of her wrist.
"I'm glad they're gone," he teased.
"Funny." She snatched her arm back.
"Got that new school uniform yet?" he snickered referring to the incident on the last day of school.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did." She sat down on Ami's bed. "Although, if I win the competition, I won't be using it very much."
"How so?"
"Because Katsuya, I will be a model and probably be working most of the time. So I'll get a tutor to travel along with me so I can graduate."
"Katsuya? You never use my first name."
"I was emphasizing my point." 'Obviously the only part he heard was me saying his name,' she thought to herself.
He threw his legs over the side of the bed and leaned closer to her. "I think you have a thing for me Anzu."
Anzu leaned back and raised an eyebrow. "What?" She rolled her eyes. "I thought you liked Mai."
"I do." He rubbed his nose with the back of his index finger to hide the blush rising in his cheeks. "I was emphasizing my point."
"What point?"
"That we can't possibly be together." Anzu let out a sigh of annoyance. "I'm kidding Anzu, sheesh you're sensitive. While we're on the subject…"
"Yes?" she inquired.
"Do you know where Mai is?"
She shrugged. "Not sure, probably in her room."
"Ok," he nodded. "And if I were looking for her, then which room would I look in?" he asked with a shy smile.
Anzu laughed a little. It was obvious he had a crush on Mai, and she thought that was so cute. "She's on the next floor with the rest of the judges. I think her room number is…um… I don't remember, but it's the queen suite, and there is only one up there."
"Oh… ok," he nodded and then stood up.
"Anzu! Can you believe it, we couldn't get room service!" Rei said entering into the room.
"Really? Why not?"
"They said something about one of the chef's in the kitchen got hurt so they have to shut the kitchen down for an hour," she responded.
"Hey guys, I'll be right back," Jonouchi called as he left out the room.
"Where is he going?" Yugi asked.
"Probably going to see Mai," Rei answered. Anzu nodded.
"If you couldn't get food, why did it take so long for you guys to come back up here?" Anzu stood up and went into the kitchen and grabbed three glasses from the cabinet.
"I was showing Yugi around," Rei replied. She plopped down on Anzu's bed. "Make mine tea ok?"
"Yeah, ok." Anzu replaced one of the glasses with a mug.
"Oh and Anzu you know what I just thought of?"
"What's that?"
"We have the latest in virtual technology and we are taking pictures like old models used to do."
"I think that's the whole point Rei, to challenge you. You've done well so far," Yugi assured her.
Anzu finished up cutting the sandwiches she was making for her friends and placed them on a serving tray she found in one of the cabinets. She wondered how Kaiba was doing. Last night when she left him, she had seen so much sadness and regret in his eyes that she didn't want to leave him, but she was a little weary about getting caught. The last thing she wanted was for her to get disqualified and hurt his reputation, so she would just have to put up with the charade until the competition was over.
She walked out the kitchen and set the tray on the floor table. "It's not much, but it should hold you over until we order room service," she said with a smile. Anzu sat down on the floor cushions and then picked up one of the sandwich slices.
"Thanks Anzu," Yugi and Rei said together.
"Your welcome," she responded, happy to see her friends satisfied.
"Hey Yugi, do you want to come to the photo shoot with us?" Rei asked as she sipped her tea.
He nodded, "Yeah sure."
--:0:--
Later that night Anzu sat in the dressing room alone. All of the girls had hurried off to the rooftop where the photo shoot was to take place. She had stayed behind because the hair stylist wasn't quite done with her hair yet. Anzu herself couldn't figure out why it took so long to fix, she had a wig on, a blue wig. It matched the blue outfit she had on. She wore pastel blue top with long bell sleeves; it stopped just above her naval, which was covered in stick-on crystal tattoos. She wore a floor length flowing skirt that was the same pastel color as her top except the skirt had a layer of sparkle netting. The skirt even had a slit going up the sides of it; after she made sure everything was perfect, she stood up from the make-up chair and headed for the door. Tonight's photo shoot theme was fire and ice and was to be taken on the rooftop under the stars.
Mia stood in the doorway with her hands behind her back. She wore an outfit identical to hers except in red. "Hello Anna," she smiled. "Could you explain something to me?"
"What is it Mia? I'm late for the photo shoot."
"Oh it will only take a moment Anna." Her smiling faced turned to a serious frown. "How is it that a girl like you could steal Seto from me?"
"What are you—"
"Don't get cute with me! I saw you last night with your lips all over my Seto!" she yelled.
Anzu's stomach turned. She was caught? How did this happen? And why did it have to be Mia who caught her? "How…" she asked softly as she stared at the floor.
"I followed you." Mia stared at the pictures in her hand. "You are very bold Anna, first for meeting a judge after hours, then attempting to steal my Seto from me, very bold. Now I could show these pictures to everyone and get you disqualified."
"No Mia you can't! Please!" she begged with tears brimming in the corners of her eyes.
"I can, but I won't." Mia smiled then stared at Anzu. "Like I said before Anna, I like you, I truly do, but what I don't like is you trying to become between Seto and I. We were doing fine until you started seducing him."
"I didn't…" Anzu bit her lower lip and then let her continue.
"I also don't want to ruin Seto's reputation by getting him involved in a scandal. So Anna, what I want from you is simple: I want you to do terrible for the rest of the competition."
"What!"
"It's simple, you will eliminated instead of disqualified." Mia walked towards the door and stopped at the doorframe. "Either that, or I will show everyone your dirty little secret."
Anzu swallowed hard. "But you will exposing Kaiba too."
"Please, do you think Kaiba would risk his reputation over you out of all people. He'll find a way to get rid of you, trust me." Mia smiled at her then left the dressing room. "Remember what we talked about Anna!" she called from down the hall.
Anzu stared at the picture Mia had left on the makeup counter; it was of her and Kaiba last night. She had to purposely lose just so she didn't get disqualified? Either way she lost, and she couldn't have Kaiba in the end. This wasn't fair; she was being blackmailed because Mia was jealous of her. No, this was her own fault, she knew it was wrong to see a judge after hours but she went anyway; she let her feelings for Kaiba cloud her judgment. Now what could she do? She worked so hard to make it this far, and now she had to give it up because of her love for Kaiba. Tears of sadness started to roll down her face, partly smearing the blue eyeliner she had on. She picked up the picture and then ripped it to shreds, she was going to get eliminated tonight and she knew it.
Anzu opened the door to the roof. She noticed the photo shoot had already started, she just hoped she wasn't too late for her turn. She walked over to the crowd of contestants and stood with them.
"Anzu, where were you?" Ami whispered. She was also dressed in the pastel blue ice outfit. She tilted her head when she noticed Anzu's sad mood. "Have you been crying?"
Anzu wiped under her eyes and then shook her head. "I'm fine." She forced a smile and hoped Ami didn't see through her lie.
"Anzu you are late to your photo shoot," Charlene stated standing behind her.
She turned and faced her. "I know, I'm sorry."
"Everyone is allowed one late pass, you just used yours." Anzu nodded. "Now then, for this photo shoot, you will be sitting over there on that throne. You are supposed to be an ice queen, do you understand?"
"Yes, cold and heartless right?"
"Exactly." Charlene nodded. "I think you are after Kagome, let me ask Mai."
Charlene glanced around a bit until she saw her on the other side of the roof with Jonouchi. "Mai, when is it Anzu's turn?"
"No… Katsuya, we can't…" Mai giggled.
"Come on, let's get out of here…" he coaxed. He lifted her chin and tried to kiss her, but the sound of Charlene clearing her throat spoiled the moment.
"Oh, hello Charlene. Yeah, Anzu is after Kagome," Mai smiled, and then placed her arms around Jonouchi.
Charlene rolled her eyes and returned to Anzu. "You're up after Kagome."
"Alright," she nodded.
Charlene went back to helping Kagome with her photo shoot.
Yugi walked up to Anzu, happy to see her there. "Hey Anzu! How are you?"
"Fine Yugi," she responded without looking at him. She couldn't let any of her friends know what was bothering her, at least not yet. She forced a smile and glanced at her spiky-haired friend. "How are you?"
"Fine. I almost didn't recognize you." He glanced at her up and down. "You look like a queen."
"That's the illusion, an ice queen."
"Anzu!" Charlene called. "You're up!"
"Coming!" She glanced at Yugi, "Do you want to watch?"
He scratched the back of his head, "Uh… yeah, sure."
Anzu sat down on the throne. Charlene placed a silver tiara on her head. "Give us your best alright Anzu?"
"Yes, I will."
"Alright…" the photographer said as he looked through the lens of his camera. "Cue the snow machine, and blue confetti."
Anzu rested her arms on the armrests and gripped the ends tightly in her palms. This was it? She had to lose because she slipped up once. She smirked, Mia said she had to lose the competition, but she didn't say at what point. Anzu continued to pose, giving the camera what it wanted: an evil queen with an icy glare. This was easy for her to accomplish, only because Mia inspired her.
"Great Anzu, we're finished. We got some great shots." Charlene said as she walked over to her. She removed the tiara from her head and smiled. "Out of twenty-five there's about twenty or so good ones." She glanced at Yugi. "When I started modeling, I couldn't have any of my friends or family around watching me… I just couldn't," she laughed.
"Oh really?" Anzu giggled.
"Yes. Well anyway, you can go back to the dressing room and get changed. We'll notify you when it's time for the judging." Anzu nodded and stepped off the throne.
"So that's what a photo shoot is like?" Yugi asked as he walked beside Anzu.
"Yeah, about thirty minutes worth of makeup and three minutes in front of a camera." Anzu sighed, she wanted so bad to tell her friends what was bothering her, but that meant she would have to tell them about her feelings for Kaiba and she wasn't sure if she was ready for that. But then again, she had to tell them, not only because it wasn't healthy to keep things bottled up inside, but her friends would be the only ones to understand her. "Um… Yugi, can I tell you something?"
Yugi held the elevator door open so it wouldn't hit her. "Sure anything."
Anzu stepped onto the elevator and then leaned against the metal railing. "I think I… that is… I know I…"
"Yes? What is it?" he coaxed.
She stared at the numbers going down on the lights above the door. "I'm in love with…Kai… Kaiba," she confessed.
Yugi's eyes widened for a second. "Oh… the Pharaoh said that he…" he paused. "So when did you realize it?"
Anzu shrugged. "I just know that I do… and I think I have for a while."
He stepped off the elevator and she followed him. "I'm happy for you Anzu. So does Kaiba know?"
She glanced at him. 'He's happy for me?' she thought to herself. "He knows I like him, but that's not the problem."
"Oh? What's the problem?"
"Someone else loves him, and she'll do anything to be with him… and I mean anything."
"Well Anzu, I think you're a nice girl, and any man would be lucky to have you." He blushed a little. "So don't let Kaiba get you down or the other girl who likes him."
Anzu stopped in front of the dressing room door. "Thanks Yugi," she smiled. "I'll see you in a few minutes ok?"
The door opened before she could reach for it, and Rei poked her head out the door, dressed like a fire princess. "Hey Yugi! Wanna help me get undressed?" she tilted her head and winked. Anzu shook her head and walked past her. "I was kidding. Wait for us Yugi?" He nodded.
The judges sat in the ballroom with eight photographs in front of them. Four of the pictures contained Ice Queens, while the other four contained Fire Princesses. "We're getting closer to the final two. What do you think guys?" Mai asked.
"Yes," Pegasus nodded. "I believe so."
"So who's first?" Duke asked.
"Rei," Charlene replied. "She was a Fire Princess."
"She photographs so well. I think she really captured the essence of a Fire Princess," Mai nodded. "She's in."
Pegasus folded his hands on the table. "Yes, she's in."
"Yeah, she's in definitely," Duke agreed.
"Yes, I think so too." Charlene set her picture down and picked up another one. "What about Genie?"
"She's too curvy," Kaiba said harshly enough to make all the judges turn in his direction. He sat at the end of the table.
"I kind of thought the same thing, but I wasn't sure what you guys thought…" Duke said too quickly, it was obvious he was covering for him.
"I don't know what's wrong with you tonight Kaiba, but you haven't said one thing nice about anyone," Mai scolded.
"I need some air." Kaiba stood up and headed for the door. "If you want my vote, then cut Lara this week," he called as he left out the ballroom.
Kaiba leaned against the pillars in the courtyard with his arms folded. The contestants weren't out in the courtyard because they waited inside where it was warm. He never understood how come it took twice as long to figure out who would be cut with two extra judges. He rubbed his forehead slowly. He had been cruel to everyone tonight, especially Anzu, but she seemed to just shrug it off. What was wrong with him? Why was he acting like this? Was it because of her? Because he wanted to be with her so bad that it hurt? "Damn it! Does this mean that I… love her?" he asked himself out loud. "How can I? I couldn't stand her for the past four years, and now I find myself possibly loving her, not to mention the kisses we shared… that I started." He shook his head and cursed to himself.
Kaiba could hear the voice of his little brother in his head. "Opposites attract big brother… it sounds like to me that you like her. It's ok, I think I'll like Anzu as a sister."
He stood up and walked back into the hotel.
Mai smiled at him as soon as he walked back into the ballroom. "Cooled off now?"
Kaiba didn't respond he just took his seat behind the table.
"Well, we've made our decision Kaiba," Mai added. "And we have already asked the contestants to join us."
"Is something wrong Ki'? Coz you know you can talk to me about anything, especially women," Duke said in a low voice so none of the other judges would hear him.
Kaiba shook his head. How could he possibly understand? "I warned you about calling me that Devlin."
The contestants once again entered the ballroom. Mai and Charlene stood in front of the judge's table with photographs tightly in their hands. "Welcome back ladies," Mai smiled sincerely. "As you know this is a cut-throat business, one day you're in, the next you are out. So with that in mind, I would like to let you know the choice this time was very hard, but we do feel we made the right decision."
"Mai and I have eight, very beautiful ladies before us, however we only hold seven photos." Charlene took a deep breath. "Kagome, congratulations. You are still in the running to become the next top model."
"Rei, congratulations."
"Mia, congratulations. You are still in the running to become the next top model."
"Kikyo, congratulations."
"Anzu, congratulations. You are still in the running to become the next top model, however, I don't want to see you late for another photo shoot again," Charlene said firmly. Anzu nodded.
"Genie, congratulations. You are still in the running to become the next top model."
"Will Ami and Lara please step forward?" Charlene requested. "This was a very hard decision, we picked the model we thought could appeal to every age groups, and every person; the model we could see in magazines and commercials. So we picked…" She took a deep breath before she announced the winner. "Ami. Congratulations, you are still in the running to become the next top model."
"Lara, you must pack your belongings and return home."
"Huh-hun, thank you." Lara hugged Genie and left the ballroom.
"Well Genie, it looks like you will be moving once again. You will be rooming with Kikyo, Rei, and Kagome." Mai smiled at the contestants. "Congratulations to all of you, good night and sleep well."
--:0:--
Anzu sat in her room with Yugi sitting on the edge of her bed waiting for Jonouchi. Rei was sitting on Ami's bed trying to make her feel better.
"It's ok Ami, I'll bet they wanted to get rid of Lara and they just picked you so Lara wouldn't be standing alone," Rei said with a smile.
"Still," she responded softly. "I was in the bottom two, and that's not good no matter how you look at it."
Mia sat at her vanity mirror brushing her hair. "Well Ami, you made it this far and that's something I never thought would happen." She glanced at Yugi. "How long is your boyfriend going to be in here Anna? Because I would like to change and go to bed."
"So I guess you're feeling better Mia?" Ami said before anyone could respond.
"Yes, thanks to Anna. After our little chat, I feel so much better." Mia smiled devilishly at Anzu. "Every girl needs someone to confide in, and that's what Anna is here for."
Anzu couldn't take it anymore. She had to leave. She hated that Mia was trying to act so nice, yet was blackmailing her secretly. On top of that she was talking down to everyone like she was better than everyone. "Come on Yugi, let's go see if your ride is here yet." She stood up and walked out the room with Yugi behind her.
"Are you ok Anzu?"
"Yes Yugi, everything is peachy," she said through her teeth.
"I wonder what's taking Jonouchi so long?" Yugi asked changing the subject.
"I don't know, but if he doesn't hurry, then you guys will miss your flight, right?"
"Yeah. There's only one flight going to back to Domino tonight. If we don't make it, then we will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon." He explained. He held the door open for Anzu and then walked out the hotel.
The sudden rush of cold air made her shiver. "Maybe I should have brought a jacket."
"Do you want mine?" Yugi offered already taking it off.
Anzu shook her head. She knew he meant well but she didn't want him cold either, and besides, it wouldn't fit her. She fiddled with the loose strings on her jean skirt. For some reason Kaiba seemed different tonight, like something was bothering him. She tried to not let it worry her, but she loved him and—
Yugi interrupted her thoughts. "You ok Anzu?"
"Yes, Yugi," she responded with a smile.
"Were you thinking about Kaiba?" he asked softly. "You know the Pharaoh really—"
"Hey guys!" Jonouchi called walking out the hotel. Anzu and Yugi just stare at him. "What? I got lost, so sue me," he shrugged.
Anzu rolled her eyes. "Right… Do you always wear that shade of lip gloss?"
Jonouchi wiped his lips with the back of his hand and smiled shyly. "So you ready to go Yugi?"
"Yeah, we're going to miss our flight if we don't hurry."
Anzu hugged Yugi tightly. "Thank you for visiting me today. I love you guys." She turned to Jonouchi. "Even you Katsuya."
"Yeah, we miss you too Anzu. Kick butt in the competition alright?"
"Yeah, what he said. Bye Anzu," Yugi smiled, and then hopped into the limo followed by Jonouchi. She waved at the limo until it was out of sight.
Anzu smiled. She had at least admitted her feelings for Kaiba to one of her friends, and he didn't seem to mind, despite the fact that Kaiba is his rival. She frowned when she remembered Mia's threat. She worked so hard for this, and now it wasn't even in her hands anymore, she depended on this to study dance at Julliard. "What's stopping me? This is my dream." She shook her head. "I can't let Mia get in my way. If she wants to win this competition then she's going to work just as hard as I do. I'm not giving up, no matter what."
She walked back into the hotel with only one thing on her mind: If Mia wanted Kaiba's heart, she was going to have to fight her for it.
So what did you think? I put a little more drama into this chapter, after all, this fic is drama then romance. Mia is the blond that ruined Anzu's day… well sort of…
On a lighter note, I added a little Mai x Jonouchi. Just because I think it is the cutest couple next to Anzu x Kaiba. I even wrote two stories about them, but they didn't do as good as this fic… I guess coz Anzu x Kaiba are more popular. But how can you argue with that? Anzu x Kaiba are made for each other…
Anyway, leave me a review coz you know I love them.
Ok… I would love to respond to every review that I received, honestly I would, but it's almost three in the morning… so I'll reply to all of them in the next chapter, I promise. For now, I will just reply to the reviews that asked questions.
Inuyasha-xcgirl: Kurama is from Yu-Yu Hakusho… I know… I'm overly obsessed.
JerseyGirl: The answer is yes, he does have a reason to trust Mia, sorry that the answer wasn't clear.
Sapphire-Star-100: The reason Anzu keeps saying: "did you enjoy my picture?" is because the first time he saw her picture, he said it was beautiful, and she's trying to get him to say it again. But he responds by saying: "you're still in the competition." It's just something that I made up so that they are flirting with each other, that's all.