Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 16: Visits and Arrivals

Part One

Anzu walked into Seto's office to deliver some papers. She slipped right in and was about to slip right out, when Seto stopped her.

"Mazaki? May we talk for a second?"

She stopped, with her hand right on the door, gritted her teeth, but said, "Of course. You're the boss."

Seto tensed up. She sounded quite cross. Although the old Seto Kaiba would not admit it, the new one would. He rather liked the friendly relationship he and Anzu had had.

Maybe even the "more than friendly" relationship….

Anzu turned around and walked forward a few steps, then stopped.

"Anzu," Seto almost laughed at her childish antics. Anzu jumped slightly. Anzu? "Come on, don't be like this," he stood up and walked stiffly over to her.

She considered backing up, but stayed where she was.

"How do you want me to be, then?" she replied, icily.

Seto stepped in front of her and she took in a sharp intake of breath. Did he have to be so close? Why were all of the Kaibas so…attractive!

"I want you to be talkative," he answered, "for once. I know I unintentionally caused a rift between you and your parents," he said, then paused. Wow. That sounded worse than when he had thought it over just in his head.

"Yeah…you caused a rift, but it's not that I'm concerned about," Anzu turned around and crossed her arms.

"What then?" he interrogated.

She turned her head around sharply, "Since when did you become so interested in other people's business? What happened to me being "Yugi's dumb cheerleader?"

"Anzu, were you not the one who came to me asking for help changing?"

"Yeah…I guess," she replied softly, turning away again. "I just didn't know you had changed this much…."

Seto raised his eyebrows, "And taking you away at nights on the back of a motorcycle for months hasn't proven that yet?"

Okay, Anzu knew she had sounded stupid now. "Alright, alright, you win. You have really changed, but-"

"But that's not the point of this conversation," Seto replied, "What's it going to take for me to get your forgiveness?"

Anzu looked down and sighed. She slowly started talking, "…Nothing, I guess. Yeah. Nothing. I've been really stupid lately: not forgiving you for something so infantile! Just because you caused the truth to spill out….in fact, I should be thanking you, not hating you!" she threw up her hands and walked in a circle. "Otherwise, I might never have found out I was adopted. In fact," she stopped in front of Seto again, "It should be me asking for clemency from you."

He smirked, "Alright. You're forgiven," he nodded and turned back to his desk.

Anzu practically gasped, "What? That's it? "You're forgiven?" There's nothing you want me to do?"

"Heh," Seto huffed from his desk, "At one time, you wouldn't have gotten off so easily. But now, it's not necessary."

Anzu blinked. Had she been…expecting something?

She turned away and walked out the door.

Being with boys for friends for so long had really gone to her head. Okay, so maybe not every guy wanted to be repaired with some sort of intimate action: a kiss or whatnot.

But what surprised her the most was…had she really been expecting him to ask for such a thing? Heck…had she been anticipating it?

Still…. Anzu stopped by her desk and felt a small blush come to her cheeks.

He really had changed…. And all for the better….

"Hey, Anzu!" Anzu jumped slightly and turned around to find Mokuba walking towards her.

"Oh, hey there," she replied, waving.

He walked up to her, "So, how are you today?"

"Fine," she smiled and looked away and down at the floor, "Actually, today's going…rather well."

"That's good," he replied. He started looking off to the side, "So…. Um…are you…free tonight?" he inquired. He started spilling rather quickly, "Because if you were, I thought we could go to-"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Anzu bit her lip, apologizing, "I already have plans with someone tonight. Sorry…. Maybe another night?" she asked.

"Sure! That's…that's fine," Mokuba put on a smile, although it was rather forced. "I'll…catch you later then," he took her hand, gave it a small squeeze; smiled and walked away to go back to work.

As he let go of her hand, Anzu bit her lip and looked down at the carpet floor. She felt sort of guilty that she could not go with Mokuba tonight: he had seemed disappointed. What really made her feel guilty though was how…she seemed to practically be dating two or three guys at once! Most likely two…but something inside of her "hoped" it was three….

What was she saying! She hoped to date three guys!

Anzu collapsed into her chair. Okay, so it was a complicated emotion! And really, she wasn't exactly dating Mokuba and Noa (and possibly Seto? …She hoped? What! NO!), but all of these constant nights with them, going out somewhere? Or even that weekend with Mokuba! Okay, he had needed help…but they still ended up making out….

Anzu placed her head in her hands. What was her life coming to? It used to be just fine – almost perfect before she came back to Domino! Now everything was going awry! Two or three guys in her life; finding out she was adopted – what else was going to go wrong!

Mokuba sighed dejectedly as he walked down the hallway. Oh well. There was always next time.

He passed a large office with its mahogany doors opened.

"You'll have to be quicker than that if you want a date with her," a voice stated as he passed.

Mokuba froze and backtracked a couple steps. He looked into the office and saw Noa organizing some files in his cabinet.

Mokuba blinked, "So it's you she's going out with tonight!"

Noa looked to his stepbrother, "Is that a problem?"

"You just got back yesterday from that stupid trip! When did you have time-"

"When she came in this morning," Noa walked to the threshold of his office. He patted the top of Mokuba's head and gave him a "that's life" look, while reciting, "All's fair in love and war, little bro. All's fair…." He walked off.

Mokuba rolled his eyes and stalked off in the other direction. Oh well: so Noa had scored a date with her! It would be nothing compared to the night he, Mokuba, had had with her when Seto and Noa were on that business trip.

Anzu was busy putting on a sweet smelling cherry-blossom perfume when her doorbell rang. She checked the time. "Oh…he's early." She exited her bathroom and walked over to her front door, opening it and expecting Noa Kaiba to stand there.

"Hey, Anz!"

Anzu blinked, "Hiroto Honda? What are you doing here?"

Honda was about to speak when he noticed Anzu's rather fancy attire. He lowered the index finger he had raised to make a point and blinked. "Are you…going somewhere?"

Anzu checked the time again, "In about ten minutes, yes."

"I'll make this quick then," Hiroto was about to speak when Anzu pulled him.

"Come inside though! Geez, don't stand outside and make me look rude. But you had best make it quick. I have a date in-"

Honda raised an eyebrow, "Our little Anzu is finally going on a date?"

Anzu stopped. She gave a fake giggle, "Did I say date? I meant…I just have to be somewhere-"

"Sure…" Honda rolled his eyes. "Okay, let me make this quick then so that you can go out with your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend!" Anzu protested. "He just…never mind! Get on with it!"

"Alright, alright," Hiroto waved his hands in front of him. "Alright." He sighed and looked around, rubbing the back of his head, "Well…you see…I'm in a bit of financial trouble-"

"Do you need some money?" Anzu inquired, concerned.

"No! No, that's not what I'm asking for!" Hiroto sweated and panicked. "Listen…I just got laid off from my job. And I know it wasn't a very good one at that, but…it paid the rent. Well, it's not paying anymore…and I'm getting kicked out of my apartment tomorrow. So…I was wondering if you had enough room to put me up here…for a while…. Just until I find a job!" he added, looking at her pleadingly, "Please Anzu? Nobody else has room, and Miho's off on this wild vacation – oh Anzu, you must help me," he fell to his knees and begged.

Anzu shook her head, laughing, "Honda, I've known you far too long. Get up off your knees. Of course you can stay here! I have more than enough room! I'm not about to abandon my friend and leave him to the streets!"

"Oh, thank God for you, Anzu!" Honda jumped up and hugged her. He jumped back suddenly, "Sorry…. I don't want to mess you up for your date."

Anzu reddened in anger and embarrassment, "Keep up that attitude and I just might change my mind!"

"Sorry!" Honda panicked.

Anzu laughed, "I'm kidding! Geez, you always were easy to scare. So…when can I expect you tomorrow?"

"Actually…I kinda figured you would say yes, so…" Honda put his hands behind his back, "I already brought all my stuff in my car!"

Anzu rolled her eyes. Typical Honda! "Okay, I get it. You want to come up now then?"

"If you'll allow it!" he beamed.

Anzu jerked her thumb towards the door, "Go get your stuff. I'll get the spare bedroom ready-"

"That's okay! I can take care of everything myself," Hiroto nodded his head, "You just keep getting ready for your…outing, and I'll be as invisible as a ghost!" Honda rushed out the front door to run down and grab the few things he owned.

Anzu shook her head and looked at the time again. She yelped. He would be here in five minutes! She rushed to the bathroom to finish up. The Kaibas were always right-on-the-dot punctual. Especially Noa and Seto, who had both been raised directly by Gozaburo Kaiba in order to run the company one day. Mokuba himself was usually on time…give or take a few minutes.

She was finished with two minutes to spare. She walked out of her bathroom just in time to see Honda rushing off past her and down the hallway to the spare room. His arms where filled to the brim with as many belongings as he could carry.

"Are you sure you can handle everything?" Anzu called out to him.

"Yeah! I've only got one more load to bring up! I'll be fine!"

"I'll get you a card key tomorrow, okay? Once I leave, don't step out of this house unless you want to be locked out here till Kingdom Come!"

"You'll be back that late?" Honda poked his head out of the door, smirked.

"Maybe even longer," Anzu stared at him pointedly. "You can never tell with-" She was interrupted when the doorbell rang. "Ah!" she jumped, "He's here!"

Hiroto Honda smirked and pulled back into his new room for a second. He would peek out soon and see just who she was all excited about.

He heard the door open. "Good evening, Anzu."

Honda froze. He knew that voice…. Quickly, he crawled on the floor, out of his room and down the corridor and to the kitchen, where the walls were half open. He slowly stood on his knees and peeked over the edge, where he had a clear shot of the front door.

Honda felt his jaw hit something hard. Oh yes, that's right: the floor. He wouldn't be surprised if her resembled a hungry bug at the moment, the way his eyes were popping out.

She was going out with Noa Kaiba!

"Good evening, Mr. Kaiba," Anzu feigned respect, though she had a devilish smirk on her lips as she let him. "On time, as always."

"Never a moment later for you, Anzu," Noa smirked, leaning in closer, perhaps looking for something along the lines of a kiss.

Anzu stepped back with a small pout, "What? And not a moment earlier?"

Noa looked as if he was about to laugh. "I merely wished to not be rude, that's all."

Honda almost snorted. And some thought he flirted too much! These two easily over passed him! Wait a second…. Hadn't Yugi said something about this? A while back?

"So, Yug," Jou said as he, Yugi, Honda and Ryou sat together at an outside café. They were just hanging out as they used to, while they all had the time to do so, "What's Anzu been up to? Has she told you anything yet?"

"Has she got any boyfriends?" Honda laughed.

Yugi started laughing, for some odd reason.

"My, my, Yugi," Ryou sipped his drink, "What seems to be so humorous?"

"Well…" Yugi tried to calm himself down, "I wouldn't say she had a boyfriend…yet. But with the way she flirts…especially with a certain someone, it shouldn't be all too long…."

"WHO!" the other three suddenly shot up, almost knocking the table over, "WHO'S SHE FLIRTING WITH!" People were beginning to stare.

"I don't know if I should tell…" Yugi mused.

"COME ON, YUGI!" Honda grabbed the boy's collar.

"Alright, alright! Get off and I'll tell! And sit down, too. You're causing a scene." The three readily obliged. "Okay, not too long ago, Anzu came into the shop and-"

"Katsuya Jounouchi, you said we'd leave in five minutes, and it's already been ten extra!"

Jounouchi sighed and hung his head. "Here comes da Hindenburg…here to crash our party."

The boys' eyes widened. How could Jou even dare to make fun of Mai's size like that! Boy, was he in for it….

"KATSUYA!" Mai, fuming, suddenly jerked him up by the back of his collar. "For your information, half of the Hindenburg just happens to be yours, so I'd shut my flap if I were you!"

"Shutting up…" Kat bit his lip.

"Good," Mai glowered, "Now get a move on," she started dragging him away from the table.

"Who says I have to? With you doing all the dragging?"

The rest of the group winced when Mai dropped him and he crashed into the concrete.

"So who was he!" Honda suddenly spun on Yugi, trying to make him tell. Jou suddenly didn't interest him anymore.

"Mai's got a point," Yugi's fiancé suddenly came up behind him and yanked the boy out of his seat.

"WAIT!" Ryou and Honda stood up, tipping over their chairs, "Rebekah! He was just about to tell us something important!"

Rebekah looked behind her at the two, "He can tell you when we get back from our vacation in three days."

"THREE DAYS!" Honda sighed, collapsing into the chair.

And they had never found out the answer, even after those three days.

So Noa must be who he was talking about… Hiroto thought out. 'Cause those two sure are doing quite the flirting number on each other.

"Always so considerate," Anzu smiled, reached up to finger his soft, green hair. "Oh, I'm sorry," she took her hand away, "am I messing up your hair?"

"Mess it up all you want," Noa finally found his chance to lock lips with hers.

If Honda thought it hadn't been possible for his eyes to get any bigger, and his mouth to hang any lower; goodness, was he wrong!

The minute the two had left, Honda had made a beeline for the phone. He dialed Ryou's number. While it rang, he tapped his foot impatiently on the floor and tapped his arm as well.

"What's taking him so long!" he hissed.

The phone suddenly picked up, "Ryou Bakura speaking."

"Ryou! Finally! Boy, have I got something to tell you!"

"So…where are we going?" Anzu inquired as Noa opened the limousine door for her. They both slid in and as the chauffeur drove off, Noa replied.

"Well, first I thought we would eat at Rowada's-"

"First?" Anzu inquired. "You mean…that's not all?"

"If dinner is all you want-" Noa started, looking at her, worried.

"No, no! By all means, continue!"

"Alright," he relaxed, "After that, I got us a couple tickets to that choir-orchestra group you like so much. They're in town-"

"You're kidding!" Anzu perked up, "I've been wanting to go see them so badly! And tonight's their opening night! How ever did you get tickets! I tried two months ago and couldn't get any!"

Noa took her hand and squeezed it, "Where there's a will, there's a way. And boy, did I have the will to please you tonight."

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Anzu looked at him skeptically.

Noa raised his eyebrows, "Do you not trust me or something?"

"I trust you…I'm just curious."

"Very well," Noa turned in his seat to face her, "Two reasons. One, I felt you needed to unwind a little bit. You've been frazzled these past couple of weeks, and I thought a soothing night of dinner and music would do you well. Secondly, I like to treat you to these types of things. I like to make you happy. I care about you, Anzu; very much so," he confessed, still holding her hand.

"You…care about me?" she inquired.

"Of course. You're a very dear friend, Anzu," he replied. Maybe even more….

Anzu looked at him slyly, pulling him closer via his tie, "You're just begging for another kiss, aren't you?"

"Perhaps…."

Anzu smirked and let go, turning away, "I knew it. I knew there was some ulterior motive to all this niceness."

Noa sighed, smiling slightly, "Anzu, I'm hurt. You think I would do all this for you just for a measly kiss?"

Anzu jerked her head up at that one, "Measly kiss? Are you trying to imply something?" There was a joking hint in her voice.

"Of course not-"

"You just want something more, don't you?" Anzu turned towards him and began playing with his tie. "Admit it."

"Why should I?" he looked at her. This was beginning to get a bit…strange. Anzu had never acted like this before. She had never asked these rather personal questions. Was she trying to hint at something?

Noa and Anzu sat in some comfortable seats at the Domino Civic Center, where the choir was playing and singing.

Anzu was relaxed in her chair, with her eyes closed, letting the music fill her soul. She was used to hearing this music not only to relax herself at home, but also to dance with back in New York.

Ah, New York….. It was amazing that she had been away from it for almost five months already…. Time was flying….

She felt a hand on top of hers. She looked over and saw Noa glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. She gave him a sweet smile and winked at him.

As the sweet voices of the choir sang and the beautiful orchestra played, Anzu felt herself slip back into her sense of semi-consciousness, where her whole mind was filled with the soul-defining music.

No worries…no stress…no emotions…nothing.

Anzu laid against Noa's arm in the limo ride back to her apartment. She was resting her eyes once more. It was late, and she was getting tired.

But she still had just enough energy left. "Thank you so much, Noa. That was a wonderful night…. I really needed it."

"I thought as much," he replied, rubbing her arm.

"You're just what the doctor ordered."

"I'm glad to be of help," Noa replied, looking down at her resting head.

She suddenly looked up, not knowing he was looking down. The tips of their noses skimmed each other. Anzu blinked and blushed slightly. How close they were right now…. Anzu had just noticed she was in his arms….

"You know Anzu," he whispered, "I'll admit it. You were right…. I do want more than just one little kiss."

"And you deserve it too," she replied, closing her eyes and laying her lips on his.

She turned around to fully face him, and snaked her arm up around his neck. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, also arching her back slightly. The rest of the ride back was a very pleasant one indeed….

"I'll go up myself, Noa," Anzu smiled and stepped out of the limousine. Noa stepped out behind her.

"Are you sure? I really feel that I should come up with you-"

"No, no, it's alright. I have to do something in the lobby anyway: I would be keeping you from getting home. Trust me: I'll be fine, alright?" she gave him a peck on the cheek and turned away, softly saying, "Thanks again for tonight. I really appreciated and needed it."

"Anytime," he smiled back at her, watching her disappear into the apartment home.

Anzu walked up to the front desk and to the receptionist. She was just about to leave for the night, but Anzu's voice halted her retrieval of her belongings. "Excuse me?"

"Oh?" she turned around, "Yes miss? Can I help you?"

"I was wondering if you had an extra key to the penthouse up top? I have a friend staying with me for a while and he needs a key to it."

"Of course Ms. Mazaki," the receptionist went digging for the key. Anzu winced. She was still sensitive about "her" last name. After all, if wasn't really her last name, was it?

"Here you are, miss," she handed over a card key to Anzu.

"Thank you," she smiled and headed towards the elevator. Once Anzu had gotten to her front door, she opened it to see Honda asleep on the couch with a bag of potato chips resting against the sofa. The television was still flashing.

Anzu rolled her eyes. Obviously, Hiroto didn't need to be told twice to make himself at home.

That next morning, as Anzu was getting ready to go to work, Honda emerged from his guest room, yawning and stretching.

"Good morning, Anzu-" he froze on seeing her attire. "Whoa. Anzu, where are you going?" He checked the clock in the kitchen, "It's almost seven!"

"I know: I'm running a bit late this morning," Anzu rushed to fix herself up. She had discarded the fake glasses long ago, and just went with the heavy make up and let-down hair. She turned to Honda, "How recognizable am I?"

"Not very…. I can still tell it's you, but only because I've known you since…forever."

"Good," Anzu replied, "No one else needs to know that Anzu Ma…that's I'm working as a lowly secretary."

"You're working! You! Don't you already have a job as a professional dancer?"

"In New York, yes. But I got bored here, so I got this job."

"How long have you been at it!"

Anzu bit her lip and put a finger to her chin, "Umm, I don't know…. About…three or four months?"

"So that's why we can't ever find you in the daytime!" Honda crossed his arms.

Anzu looked over at him, "And why are you up so early?"

"Job interview in a little over an hour."

"I see."

"Say…where do you work?"

"You think that's a little too much eye shadow?" Anzu examined herself in the mirror.

"Anzu…" Hiroto growled. He knew she was trying to change the subject.

Anzu sighed, "Alright, I'm a secretary for-" but at that moment, her doorbell rang. "Who would ring this early in the morning!" She huffed and walked over to her door and opened it up, while tossing the card key to Honda on the way. "There, for you."

"Thanks," he said, fumbling for it while Anzu greeted the newcomer.

Anzu's eyes widened, "Mokuba! Shouldn't you be at work?"

Hiroto jumped and looked to the door. Indeed, there was Mokuba Kaiba himself, in a nicely pressed work outfit.

"Well, I was running a bit late this morning, and on the way, I noticed your car still here. Do you need a ride?"

Anzu gave him "that look," "I don't need a ride, thank you," she started. Mokuba's face seemed to fall slightly. She smirked, "But that doesn't mean I won't accept." Mokuba laughed.

"You had me going there for a second."

"Let me just grab some stuff and I'll be right there," Anzu ran to her room to grab her purse. Mokuba waited in the doorway. It was then that he noticed Tristan in his sleepwear. Mokuba raised an eyebrow, obviously confused.

Honda understood what was going through the guy's mind then. "I'm rooming with Anzu for a while. I kinda got…ejected from my apartment," Hiroto blushed. "And…no one else could lend me some room until I get another job so…here I am."

"Ah," Mokuba nodded, "Okay."

"Ready?" Anzu suddenly came forth from her room, "See you later, Honda! Keep that key safe! Bye!" she left with Mokuba out the door.

Once in the car, Anzu relaxed. For once, she didn't have to drive this early….

"So," Mokuba started trying for some conversation, "How was your night last night?"

"Oh, very lovely," Anzu sighed, closing her eyes, "Noa sure knows how to relax someone. It was exactly was the doctor ordered. A stress-free mind…."

"Uh huh," Mokuba forced out. Maybe he forced it out a little too hard….

For Anzu's head suddenly snapped up and she looked at him weirdly. She paused for a moment and then laughed and shook her head, "No! No, no, no, it just isn't possible."

"What's not possible?" Mokuba jumped, afraid she was talking about something to do with their relationship.

Anzu peered at him, "You're not…jealous are you? Because that just doesn't suit you!"

Normally, a man would flat out deny this fact.

But Mokuba realized her was no ordinary man...

He took her hands in his and suddenly burst forth with all emotion, narrowing the gap between then, "And why shouldn't I be jealous!"

"Wha-?" Anzu stuttered, not expecting this reaction.

"Why does Noa get to be with a beautiful woman like you all the time. Why does he always get to be with you? Don't I have a right to be jealous that it's not me you're with, instead of him?"

"M-Mokuba-" Anzu was stuttering again.

"Tell me the truth Anzu," Mokuba was coming closer to her, "Does he have something I don't? Is there something you like better about him?"

"I honestly don't kno-"

"Because Anzu," Mokuba was just letting words roll, "I don't really think that Noa can love you like I do!"

Sorry! I was going to add a TON more to this chapter but…when I thought up that ending, I just HAD to leave it there! Sorry! I know you all must hate me for that! I mean…Mokuba just told her that he loves her! WHOO! But how will Anzu react? I hope to get another update out before the end of my vacation. I'll try! PLEASE REVIEW! (Sorry for the long delay. Delay vacation!)