Fox-san: Again, yep, Anzu likes Malik. Bakura's just a charmer. He likes all female kind. Except for maybe...Naw, he likes 'em all.
Lathayan: Aw, really? You love this story? (pause) Awesome!
Monkeyluv4646: Of course I update! If I didn't, then the terrible Storm of Writer's Block would appear! (le gaspe!)
TeaG: (grins happily) My story is so very happy that you hugged it, that it is.
KawaiiLil-InuGurl: Of course I'll get Jean-Claude (le cat). (OO) Wow, did ya really feel like you were there? (thinks to herself) I feel that when I'm reading one of John Saul's awesome horror books. (day dreams for about an hour, before she snaps out of it) Ahem, I'm glad that Malik's IC. That's what I was aimin' for! And thank you, I love my laptop! (hugs laptop) Hehehe
Cataracta: Jean-Claude is an exotic name! (grins) Like that actor, Jean-Claude. Never seen him, but my mom and my step-sister say he's hot. (shrug) What the devil does Parlez-vous francais and Moi Aussi mean? (X.X) I only know so much French! Lol.
Note to those who know French: The French that I'm using isn't modern-day kind. It's the Olden kind. I'm pretty sure, at least. Anyway, yeah.
Chapter Four, DinnerAnzu entered the room, knocking on the door lightly. Isis turned, smiling ruefully.
"Is anything the matter?" Anzu asked in concern.
"Malik disapproves of Seto, so..."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Isis." Anzu clutched her hands to her bosom tightly.
"Seto will be coming to dinner tonight, along with Malik, Marik and Bakura." Isis raised her eyes. "Do you know who he is?"
"Who?"
"Bakura, dear."
"No," Anzu shook her head. "Who is he?" Isis smiled lightly.
"A French rogue. He came to England to get away from everyone. I don't blame him, really."
"Isis..." Anzu hesitated. "I know I shouldn't be asking this, but why don't you invite Lucifer, too?" Isis' face lit up as she smirked.
"Anzu, you just know how to make me happy!" Isis chuckled. "I shall invite Lucifer!" Isis hurried out of the drawing room, her face bright. Anzu sighed, rubbing the blush that had rose onto her cheeks.
X
Marik gave a sharp knock to the wooden doors and crossed the threshold. Bakura raised his eyebrows at the two blondes.
"What are you two doing here so early?" The rogue asked curiously, leaned back into his chair, intertwining his fingers on his stomach. Marik snorted, tossing himself into a seat, not replying.
Malik rolled his eyes at his elder brother and replied, "Isis has invited you to dinner. Bizarre, but true."
"I'm intrigued." Bakura grinned at them, his sharp canine teeth glinting. "Your sister rarely invites me to anything."
"Don't play any of your games tonight, Bakura." Malik warned. "Isis has a guest at her house and I don't think she'd appreciate if you frighten her."
"Moi? I wouldn't dream of doing nothing to her guest. Who is it, anyway?"
"Anzu Mazaki," Marik grunted from the couch.
"Mazaki?" Bakura blinked. "She's the only one left, oui?"
"Yes," Malik nodded.
"Mon Dieu," he grinned after a pause. "The ton is saying that the murderer ate the other Mazaki's. Am I right in believing that we have a cannibal on our hands?"
"It appears so," Malik shrugged. Bakura smirked.
"Well," Bakura brushed an invisible piece of dust off his arm. "I suppose I shall be at Isis' tonight. I won't play any games, promise."
"Good. Now, we have to go see Lucifer." Bakura chuckled.
"Adieu and bon heur" was Bakura's murmur.
X
Lucifer sighed, watching across the table as Anzu ate quietly. She wasn't depressed, he reflected, watching her. The color that hadn't been in her cheeks the last time he saw her was sprinkled on her face. When he thought about it, Anzu was indeed a very attractive woman. But he simply could not see himself with her. She was a young woman and she deserved much better than him.
At that consideration, his gaze traveled along the table. These men were particularly the type he could see with Anzu. Bakura, definitely not. Bakura was the manager of a casino, a French lord – and English too – and what's more, a rogue. Bakura one of the most disreputable rakes in England and France. He's only play with Anzu until he got bored with her. That was something Lucifer did not fancy thinking.
His eyes landed on Marik, who was drinking his wine leisurely. This certain Ishtar puzzled Lucifer the most. He couldn't really put a title on Marik Ishtar, second most notorious scoundrel. He was young, calm, and seemed like he would make a good husband, but he also liked to play games. Dangerous games too. Lucifer had seen Marik toying with a man's mind before and it didn't end up pleasantly. Because of his rank, Marik wasn't put in the Tower. Lucky him. Lucifer wanted to shoot his so-called companion. Lucifer glanced at Anzu and wondered if Marik might make a fine husband for her. He doubted it.
At last, Lucifer's stare turned to Malik, the youngest male. Lucifer smiled to himself, thinking of how conversational Anzu had been with him before the food came in. Lucifer was sure that Malik would be a good man for Anzu. Once or twice, Isis started a conversation between her brother and Anzu. Lucifer had the feeling that Isis was trying to hook them up. Which was odd, because Isis wasn't the match-making type of person.
"...Do you suppose so?" Lucifer snapped out of his thoughts, hearing Seto Kaiba's voice.
"I don't think that's the problem. I'm sure the King will pay off the debts. In good time, no doubt."
"Non," Bakura spoke up, twirling his glass of brandy, "those American's are going to pay the price for us. The taxes now and days..." He ended with a shake of his head.
"But isn't France siding with America, Bakura?" Anzu asked, wiping her fingers on her napkin.
"Oui," Bakura replied, "Not that I like it." Lucifer was surprised that the Frenchman was actually solemn for once.
"I doubt King George will allow such a rebellion to start," Isis assured Anzu. "Those fools in the New World call it "taxation without representation". They must be blind not to see why the monarch is taxing us."
"That's because their dumbasses," Marik grunted, glowering slightly.
"Oui," Bakura grinned in agreement.
X
As they said their farewells, Bakura came up to Anzu, taking her hands in his and kissing her fingers softly.
"Adieu, ma petite. It was a pleasure meeting you, truly. Bon huer with everything." He glanced behind him as his coach arrived. "After all, that fiend is after you." He patted her cheek as he left, a small smirk hovering on his lips.
"Isis?" Anzu turned to Isis, who had just kissed Seto goodbye.
"Yes?"
"What does ma petite mean in French?" Isis gave a puzzled look.
"My darling. Why do you ask?"
"No reason, I just read it in a book." Isis cast her a skeptical glance, but said nothing.
"I'm going to wait for the day when you ask me what je t'aime means in French," Isis told her with an enigmatic smile. Anzu blinked in perplexity.
"What does je t'aime mean?" Anzu inquired. The elder female put a finger to her soft lips, smiling.
"In good time, dear, in good time." Isis turned from the confused brunette.
"Anzu," Lucifer came up to her. Anzu looked up at him, literally. She thought about the word Bakura had used quite a bit during the dinner and decided to try it out.
"Oui?" She didn't have the same accent to her voice, but she like the word, nonetheless. Lucifer laughed.
"Picking up the language?"
"It rubs off on you, yes." Anzu smiled charmingly at him, causing him to sigh.
"Anzu, I need to talk to you."
"Okay." She watched him, silent.
"I...I want you to know that I love you. I love you as a sister," he added the last part quickly and she blinked.
"I don't understand."
"I know that you...Feel for me in an...Intimate way, but I think of you as a sister. I always have. I hope you understand."
"I...Understand." She murmured, furrowing her eyebrows.
"But you're upset."
"Yes," she tightened her fists. "Just...Go. Please." Lucifer nodded, turning and leaving outside. When she heard the click of the lock, Anzu broke down into tears.
"Anzu?" Malik peered in the hallway and flinched. "What's wrong?" He bent down, his hand soft on her shoulder. She hiccupped, before throwing herself on him. Malik enveloped her and she sobbed in his chest. He wasn't all too sure what she was crying for, but decided not to ask questions.
X
DIS: Well, there's the 4th chapter. I like Bakura's personality in this fic. I also LOVE the language of French. (hugs English to French book) Please review and I'll see y'all next chapter!