Authoress Notes: (peeks above a desk) Hello, fellow readers! I'm sorry for being so late in updating this—ACK! (dodges knives) Hey, look, I'm sorry, okay! I've been swamped with my current fandom, and now, I have to complete my summer reading that my oh-so-great literature teacher assigned before I left school. Aghh… And now my school is coming soon. Makes me feel like shit, while the summer sun is having fun trying to burn me. Anyway, as cliché-ridden as it is to say this, please enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! I would create a sequel like this (Damn YGO GX!) instead, well, for my viewing pleasure!
Pairings: AtemxAnzu and mostly everyone have moved on with one another.
Warnings: OOC-ness, mature themes, strong language… must I say more?
Plot:
A strange encounter while visiting Egypt again, erotic dreams of a certain once King of Games plague her nights, but how will she cope with it when those dreams will soon become reality? And why has he changed? How will a certain ex-pharaoh, gain the heart of the woman he has denied before? Especially if she won't give her heart back to him? Well, the once pharaoh always gets what he wants, and thanks to those dreams that will soon crumble her defenses, he will get it.
Dreams Made Flesh
By: xKuroSeraphimx
((start chapter))
Chapter 7After sliding out of the taxicab and paying the driver a certain amount of money, Mazaki Anzu looked up at the old, traditional Japanese house that loomed before her. The wooden slate that hung on one side of the doorframe had the family name, "Mikagami" written on the surface. Scratching the side of her head, Anzu pulled one of the doors opened and looked inside.
Indeed, the Mikagami family was a wealthy clan in the higher ranks of business industry. Of course, they weren't overly rich like the great Kaiba Corporation, but still very wealthy. Maybe it was because of this fact that she felt slightly embarrassed and small to be in the main house of the Mikagamis.
Looking around, Anzu's sapphire-colored orbs scanned the area before her. The main house was huge, owning much land surrounding the outskirts of Domino City. Which was why Anzu had to pay the cabbie a hefty amount for her trip. But in actuality, Anzu was slightly awed at the traditional style that the main house pertained, adding a rather calm atmosphere besides houses in the city.
Proceeding to the entrance, Anzu continued to stop and stare at the fountains and the large, pinecone trees whose branches tickled some parts of the roof surrounding the house. It was then, when the brunette placed her shoes where they were supposed to be placed (she noticed some other pairs of shoes as well), that Anzu noticed the place was eerily… quiet. Blinking confusedly, Anzu started to meander inside the house.
When she was had managed to find the courtyard (she still didn't see any signs of life in the halls), the brunette stared at the equally huge dojo that situated itself at the corner of the fortress-like walls. Gulping noisily, she walked to the dojo.
"Dammit, Shiro! I'll wring your head off for that!" screamed an unfamiliar voice from the dojo and startling Anzu at the ferocity that was put into the scream. Before Anzu had any chance to know what was going on, a whirlwind came from the entrance of the dojo and zoomed past her, pushing her slightly off balance.
When Anzu caught her bearings and looked up to come face-to-face with a tall young man that had a very handsome, slightly boyish, face. His hair was white, slightly spiky, and dyed black at the very tips while he had a very small ponytail tied closely to the roots of his hair at his neck. The young man had several earrings on his left ear, and his ebony-colored orbs gleamed in the sun. Clad in nothing but a white karate gi and pants, he finally set his eyes on her form.
"Hey, did you see a little kid about this height?" he asked, leveling his hand a few inches above his torso. Hm, even his voice was slightly deep, masculine even.
"Umm… You mean that whirlwind that just passed by?" Anzu asked. He nodded. "Well… You just missed him."
"Damn! Just wait till I get my hands around his scrawny neck…" He muttered darkly and ran past her, leaving Anzu confused as to what just happened.
Scratching the side of her head, Anzu peered inside the dojo. All that was left were two bamboo kendo swords that lay alone on the highly polished, mahogany floor. Nope, her friend wasn't in here.
"What'cha lookin' for?" someone asked directly behind Anzu.
"Ah!" Anzu let out a small squeak as she visibly jumped to face a small boy, maybe four foot nine in height, whose hair was completely white, spiked up in all possible direction, and his eyes were large, sort of cat-like. But for some reason—maybe the summer sun was playing tricks on her--they were even gold!
The boy tilted his head slightly in a manner of puzzlement. Now that she got a good look at the boy, he was clad in black karate attire as well. But the way his apparel shined in the sun, she suspected his clothes to be made of silk as well. Maybe very expensive silk.
Realizing that she was staring, Anzu straightened herself. "Oh! Well… You see… I'm here to meet with, umm… Mikagami Hikaru." She replied awkwardly.
Instantly, the boy perked up. "Really? So you want to meet my big bro, eh? Well, come on! I'll show you around! But you have to be quiet; Tatsuya's still lookin' for me!" And without another word, the boy began to drag her around by her wrist.
"… Wha?" Anzu began as the white-haired boy continued to drag her around like some doll. Though, the brunette wondered what she should be surprised at: Being dragged by a young boy who looked to be seven or ten years of age, or that she heard that he was Hikaru's brother. Walking down the halls, Anzu didn't know if the man called 'Tatsuya' would really find them if the boy pulling her wouldn't stop with stomping his way down.
"Umm… Excuse me…?" Anzu called.
"Yup?"
"Err… Who are you?"
"Oh yeah! Didn't tell ya my name yet. Mikagami Shiro. 'Course, you can just call me Shiro, or Shi, pretty lady!" He chirped innocently.
Anzu blushed at the comment and clearly sweat dropped. "Oh. Okay, Shiro. My name's Mazaki Anzu. Pleased to meet you?" Anzu asked, feeling all the more weird at the moment.
Shiro nodded vigorously. "Pleasure's mine, Anzu-sama!"
Her eyes widened at the honorific he used beside her name. "Hey wait, you don't need to—"
But Shiro didn't give her time to finish. He let go of her wrist and pulled aside two sliding doors and shouted, "Hey, Big Bro! Pretty lady named Mazaki Anzu-sama is here to see you!"
Anzu turned her attention to the man who stood in a wide garden, pausing in his motion to swing his katana at a passing leaf. Mikagami Hikaru slowly swerved to her, his long, ivory-colored hair pulled up in a high ponytail, letting some milky strands accentuate the sides of his stoic and handsome face. Donned in a silky black gi and white hakama, he indeed looked like a samurai of ancient times.
"Anzu… What an unexpected surprise," he greeted her calmly, sheathing his sword back in its scabbard. His voice was still that same, deep monotone that had that slightly seductive edge if it weren't for his cold demeanor. Standing at a full height of six foot two, the opening of his ebony gi clearly showed the chiseled muscles underneath. His ice blue eyes bore into hers as they gazed at each other, the silent intensity in his eyes nearly breathtaking. Shaking her head after noticing that she was staring yet again, Anzu spoke,
"Yeah… Sorry for dropping by on such short notice—"
Hikaru waved a hand to dismiss her apology. "Think nothing of it. Somehow, I knew that something unexpected would show up at my doorstep." He slowly withdrew his left hand into his gi while the other shouldered his katana. "Though, I have to admit, you could have contacted me. I would have sent an escort to pick you up where you live. I assume you paid a large amount in taking a cab."
Anzu dropped her head in shame. "Uhh… Yeah. But you see… I couldn't contact you on your cell phone, and I didn't know exactly what your home phone number was, so I…"
"I see you've met my brother," Hikaru cut in, sparing her the excuses. "I hope that he hasn't drove you over the brink already."
"Hey!" Shiro protested, but clearly got the hint that the older man was joking.
"Oh no! He's been helpful, as you can see." Gingerly, she patted Shiro's ivory mane and noticed the rather satisfied look he had on his face as she did that. Anzu giggled at his expression. "He's a good kid. I know."
"Hear that? Pretty lady complimented me—Ack!"
Before Shiro could finish his sentence, an arm wound around his neck from behind and drew him into a hard noogie. Anzu noticed it was the young man she had met earlier, and assuming previous events, the man's name was Tatsuya.
"Oh ho! Trying to weasel your way out of your punishment, eh Shiro?" Tatsuya hissed as he pressed his knuckles harder into his younger brother's skull.
"Hey! Ah! Lemme go! You deserved it—Ow!" Shiro growled and elbowed his brother in the gut, effectively causing Tatsuya to let go of him before running behind Anzu for cover.
"You two…" Hikaru muttered, rubbing his temples while Shiro hissed at Tatsuya who was busy massaging his stomach and throwing colorful phrases at the boy. "Can you not stop your childish games and act maturely in front of our guest? You're acting like idiots."
"Hey, he started it!" Tatsuya pointed an accusing finger at Shiro's face.
"I don't care who started it. Take note that we have a guest, you buffoon." He narrowed his eyes at his brother before setting his gaze at Anzu. He slightly smiled at the perplexed look she had on her face at the current situation. "And if you would please leave us be for a while. I would like to speak with her for a moment."
"Sure thing, big bro!" Shiro chirped happily. "C'mon, ya lummox! Ya heard him!" With that, the boy proceeded to drag Tatsuya away, just like he did with Anzu. After they were gone, and the sounds of curse words and death threats were absent, the brunette knew they were finally alone.
"Those brothers of mine…" Hikaru muttered sardonically before taking a seat on the porch, laying his weapon at his side.
Anzu giggled at the stressed look on his face. "I don't think that they're that bad. Shiro's… rather eccentric, but I don't think he's overly." She replied and taking a seat near Hikaru.
"Hmph. Then you should exchange places with me and see how long you'll last with them. I don't think it'd be a week." He said, shooting Anzu a mischievous side glance and earned a flash of her tongue. The ivory-haired man stretched before he spoke, "So, what brings you here to my home?"
Anzu paused for a moment, seemingly frozen on the spot. What could she say? That the great, almighty Duel King had come back from the Dead? That Atem had returned to claim what should have been his? When everything had settled down after seeing Atem off at the Door to the Dead, Anzu had contemplated on calling her old friend, Hikaru and tell him of how her life had changed, all because of a seemingly harmless game of cards. She had eventually called him after several years of separation and told him of all the things that had transpired over a year or so.
Hikaru was merely three years older than she, and yet he didn't think her story was farfetched; that her stories of a Pharaoh sealing himself inside a magical puzzle came out of a fantasized dream. It was actually quite relieving, having to talk to a friend who literally believed her tale. Then again, Hikaru wasn't one to put her off like that. But the fact that he took her story without question was kind of unnerving in the beginning…
The brunette rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "How should I put this?" she asked out loud. "Well…"
"Take your time," Hikaru offered gently. "I suspect that whatever is troubling you is not to be taken lightly, hmm?"
She nodded. "Yeah…" she paused for a moment, then, "It's just… I would have never expected to have him turn out… like that."
Hikaru's ice blue eyes stared out their peripheral vision. Noting the sadness and anxiety in her voice, he asked, "Whom?"
Anzu was silent for a while. She began to recall her encounter with the Game King, remembering his words, the feel of his lips on her skin… At the time, it looked like the dreams that were plaguing her really were going to come true. Thankfully, Atem hadn't advanced too far.
But…
"Do you want me?" he asked as he nipped her skin lightly. "Or, do you want me stop?"
The sapphire-eyed girl shivered at the memory. His words, his actions, his body language… It was wrong! That man wasn't Atem, it couldn't have been! A frown creased her brow. Yet, he was there, in front of her. Same voice, same appearance, and the same presence that had her melt in an instant he was around, only stronger.
"Hey,"
Anzu looked up, only to have Hikaru wipe the tears that were threatening to fall down her cheeks. Even if his face was stoic and impassive, his hard, narrowed eyes held a glint of genuine concern.
"Don't do that. You know I can't handle you crying." He said before he affectionately ruffled her hair.
Hikaru's words and action brought a smile on her lips, and instantly, her negative feelings were washed away. Swiping his hand away, she laughed. "Oh, Hikaru… Stop doing that! I'm not a child!"
He promptly poked her on the forehead, pushing her back slightly. "Really?" He shrugged, his signature gesture he usually did that meant he didn't care, or waved something off. "Could've fooled me."
"Hey!"
A small smile graced his lips before he turned his attention to the garden. "Anzu…" he began, "Whatever it is that's bothering you, you have to deal with it on your own. If you continue to go to others for help, then your problem will think of you weak and incapable of handling sticky situations and will continue to go after you." He turned his gaze back to her, his face taut and stern. "Not that seeking help is bad, mind you. I'm just giving you some advice."
Anzu stared at him, a look of awe plastered on her face. She shook her head. He was right in a way, he always seemed to be. The brunette was about to face him again before Hikaru broke her off.
"Besides… I know you're strong, Anzu. You can handle anything that's thrown at you," The small curve of his lips stretched wider. "After all, you were there to help your friends whenever they needed help, right? You may probably think yourself weak at time, but remember you're not. You held your friends together through thick and thin. I'd be disappointed if you lost sight of that, little one."
Anzu, once again, had that look of awe on her face. Soon, she began to smile as well before nodding her thanks. Afterwards, she turned to him and said, "You should do that more often."
He arched a brow in a form of questioning. "Hmm? Do what?"
"Smile,"
Hikaru simply stared at her.
"What? You smiling makes you more comfortable to be around with, other than your stoic, impassive mask all the time," Anzu said, using her hands to make her eyes narrower and chin more defined.
The ivory-haired man was silent for a few moments before he shook his head, letting out a sound that could have been mistaken for laughter. "Whatever," Was all he said before standing up from his seat on the porch. "Stay the night, Anzu. I'll drop you off back at Domino tomorrow so you won't have to pay a ridiculous amount of money to get back. Besides, you should get more acquainted with my brothers." He added slyly, earning a light punch from the brunette.
Hikaru stared at the crescent moon floating in the star-lit sky. Standing out on his porch to the garden, he felt at ease with the cool, midnight breeze ruffling past him. A few minutes ago, he had tucked his little brother, Shiro, with Anzu, who was beginning to grow overly fancy with the female. Anzu didn't mind, of course, humoring the boy further into thinking that she liked him. That was the truth as she was beginning to think of him as a cute, little brother and even commented on how Shiro reminded her of Mokuba, Kaiba's little brother when he was younger.
And now, they slept, Shiro, Tatsuya, and Anzu, dozing off into the land of dreams without a care. Hikaru opened his eyes as he felt a familiar presence coming towards him, and immediately, the white-haired man looked up.
"And what do I owe the honor of this visit, hmm?" Hikaru asked, his voice flat without emotion. "You come all this way to greet me, or are you here for her?"
Atem smirked, his crimson eyes glinting through the shadows the trees around the garden provided. "I'm just here to see if she's doing well, dear Hikaru. I hope you haven't been doing anything behind my back," he sneered, the smirk on his face widening slightly.
Hikaru feigned mock hurt. "Oh, how hurtful that you think of such a thing." Then he threw of the small façade and narrowed his ice blue eyes at the tri-haired man. "More importantly, you should just drop the act, it's getting annoying."
Atem arched a thin brow in interest. "So you know…"
The white-haired man nodded. "Of course. It didn't take me long to figure out, anyway." He closed his eyes. "My grandmother spent the last of her energy reviving you, but she wasted it, and revived the wrong person."
Hikaru glared at Atem as he continued, "So, if you don't mind, and spare the others the misery, why don't you relinquish your hold on Atem's body, Bakura?"
Well, there goes this chapter. Hope you like! Ack! (dodges more knives) Whoops! Now I'm gone! See you in the next chapter!