A/N: Okay, this is short, basically because it's half a chapter. Due to unforeseen circumstances- visiting grandparents on top of Church and youth group- I just couldn't write a full chapter before Church. But, since it was a reasonably good place to end a chapter, I figured I'd just post what I'd done for ya.
Review Responses:
Willowwind: Hey, I bet YOU don't know how to play cricket! And you never know when it'll come in useful? Are you trying to tell me that you don't fear the Krikket Robots! How will you ever assemble the Wikket key if you don't know how to hit them for 6! There. Now nothing I say will make sense (At least to you) Either.
Dragonlady222: Heh. Az feels very real to me... You wouldn't believe how much fun I have chronicling her adventures- or maybe you would, seeing as I write something every day even if I don't update- and Seto's human side is what I was aiming to bring out. Humans. Their cars break down... As for Az's life, well, you read IMM, which is set about 4 years after this, so let's assume that it's fairly obvious, ne?
Disclaimer: If it ever changes, you'll be the first to know.
And now, chapter 9 with the written-at-2-am-last-night opening, in witch Az faces a difficult question, and talks to a tree!
Nine: Love and Trees!
September
September was well under way, and by now Summer was officially over as the leaves changed to gold in a crude imitation of the sun that had once fell upon them, and fell to the ground, swirling around in the winds or skittering around people's ankles, crunching under foot. Not many people like Autumn, with not even snow to relieve the cold winds, but Azreal was not one of them.
Pulling her coat closer to her, she continued through all this beauty in the morning rush to school, until she saw something that made her stop dead.
Above her, there was a small hole in the grey clouds, only small, but sunlight was pouring through, highlighting all the peaks and swirls of the clouds around it. They weren't flat after all… they were thick, and full of shapes and patterns, hanging over the World, like God's answer to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Azreal smiled. There it was. Living proof of hope in darkness.
"You know," Someone said, almost conversationally. "If you keep standing there, you'll be even later then you were going to be already…" Seto moved aside, and let her into the car. "I have to admit, though, it is pretty…"
"Yes." Azreal agreed, greeting him and Mokuba. "It is."
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They pulled up at the school just before the bell rang, climbed out, and prepared to join the flow of students towards the door.
"We're going to cause a stir, walking in together." Azreal commented, pausing at the gates. People had already spotted her getting out of his car. Who knows what nasty rumours the meaner ones would spread?
"Since when have I cared what anyone else thinks?" Seto asked her, stopping to.
"I'm just worried about another run-in with your fan club." Azreal admitted, nervously. "I mean, they're always giving me dirty looks… this might just send them over the edge. They don't think that I'm good enough for you…"
Seto considered her. It sounded like she was beginning to believe them. He knew what he should do, but he also knew what it would do to his reputation. And then he realised something very surprising.
He cared for her, this odd, half-human, clumsy, foot-in-mouth girl, more then he did for his reputation. Which is something no-one else had ever done.
"Then let them think that." Seto replied, stubbornly. "You're more then good enough for me, Azreal, and don't forget it."
And to prove it, he took her by the hand, and they walked into school like that.
Azreal knew what he was doing, of course. He was showing her that not only was he not worried about walking into school with her, he'd walk in holding her hand and showing the world that they were together. Showing that he was proud to be seen with her. She could've stopped right there and kissed him, but that would attract even more looks and they'd be late for sure. So she restrained herself to squeezing his hand gratefully. Perhaps later.
Seto didn't drop her hand until they had almost reached the classroom. One of the girls from the class noticed them, and within seconds, it was silent. By that point, they had separated, Seto to his customary position leaning on the radiator and Azreal slinking down the queue to her friends. Grudgingly, the noise started again.
"'Morning!" Azreal said, just the same as normal. Though perhaps with even more 'bounce' then usual. "Phew, just made it."
"Good morning." Ryou replied easily, as though nothing had happened. As the others stammered out greetings, she smiled gratefully at him. At least he seemed to know how awkward it was to have friends and a boyfriend who despised each other.
"Where do you get off, walking in with him like that?" Joey demanded, not beating around the bush, as usual.
Azreal felt touches of annoyance eating at her elation. "Joey, if you think we've never held hands before…"
"You were in his car to!" Joey hissed.
"Yes, he gave me a ride…" Azreal spat back, adding 'To school' quickly for the benefit of the crude-minded USKFCs that were so blatantly eavesdropping. She turned her back to them. "What ever happened to laying off us, hey?"
Before Joey could answer, the form tutor arrived and there was no more talking.
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She and Joey had said no more on the subject that day. She found him so hard to understand, sometimes. What was his problem? Was it just because he didn't like Seto, and didn't like his friends being with him? Or was it just because he didn't trust Seto, and honestly thought that Seto was going to pull something?
Joey's thoughts were incomprehensible, even to him. He didn't know the answers to any of those questions, either. One more then one occasion that day, both of them had buried their heads in their hands, and wondered just what was going on.
These thoughts were, as they had been since that morning, buzzing around in Azreal's brain as she headed out of school. She was heading for a rarely used side exit that Seto had shown her. Useful in avoiding USKFCs, and it came out on the road that lead to Mokuba's school.
But today, the route was not deserted as usual. There was some people behind the bike sheds. Intending to, as always, walk right past whoever was making out, Azreal was surprised to hear Téa and Joey, arguing, and even more surprised when it seemed to be about her.
"What are you doing, Joey!" Téa was demanding. "I think you're really starting to upset her. If you don't watch out, you'll lose a good friend. What are you doing…?"
"I'm beginning to wonder that myself…" He replied, and, even hidden around the corner, she heard the clang as he leant up against the wall of the shed. "I don't know. I don't trust Kaiba."
"Yes," Téa said in exasperation "But Anna does, and we can't stop that."
"So you're happy about this?" Joey hissed. "Do you honestly think he could care about her, Téa?" He actually sounded like he was asking her opinion. "I mean, he's a jerk!"
"You know what?" Téa replied, leaning on the walls. "I agree. He is a jerk. But she's happy. And he's happy, I think. As happy as Kaiba gets, anyway. So stop interfering, okay? We'll be here when and if she needs us."
"Hmmph." Joey sighed. "I still don't like the guy."
"Yes, and you have every right not to like him, but don't let that get in the way of your friendships." Téa replied firmly. "Because Azreal likes him. In fact, seeing them this morning, I'm beginning to think she loves him."
Of course, by this point, Azreal was going very red and mentally swearing that she'd never eavesdrop again.
"That's what I'm afraid of." Joey sighed. "I mean, Yugi and I were talking about this the other day. What, are we supposed to just wait around and hope he doesn't break her heart?"
"Exactly." Téa said. "You have a Big Brother Complex, you know."
"What!"
"You treat everyone like you have to look after them." Téa giggled. "We're all big girls and boys now- we're big enough to make our own decisions. Except maybe Yugi, but he's old enough. Okay? You have to stop trying to protect people and learn to control your temper, or people will take it the wrong way."
"Hmmph. Whatever."
"Good." Téa said, smiling grimly. "Now you just need to- Huh?"
"What?" Joey asked, straightening up.
"I thought I heard…" Téa began, looking out at the now deserted playground. She must've been hearing things; there was no-one in sight, just the gate swinging gently open on the breeze.
If possible, Azreal was even more confused now. And Téa's words wouldn't get out of her head.
I'm beginning to think she loves him…
And did she? Was this just a relationship that would eventually, for whatever reason, end? Or was Seto the person she was going to spend her life with?
Love, for something so pure and supposedly wonderful, sure was a scary concept. Even if she did Love him, how was she supposed to know? How did you tell the difference between Like and Love anyway?
"Arrgh…" Azreal groaned, banging her head off a conveniently placed lamppost. "All I wanted to do was date the guy! Why is this so darned hard all of a sudden!"
"Sounds like you've had quite a day…" Someone behind her said, sounding baffled. "But the answer is chocolate. Preferably hot and in a cup."
Azreal turned round, smiling when she saw Kaho, who seemed to have a knack of showing up when she needed someone outside her immediate circle of friends.
"You don't know the half of it." She sighed.
"Go and get Mokuba, go home, have a shower, and meet me in an hour at the café on the corner." Kaho instructed, and, with that, walked off. Although, wandered off may be a better word. Kaho was the kind of girl who looked like everywhere she arrived at and everything she did was by accident. And, she was also rather to the point.
But Azreal followed her instructions.
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"She's going to kill us…"
"No she won't. She wouldn't dare."
"Well, if she did, there wouldn't be any come uppance. She's officially under the human courts. Our lot couldn't do anything about it."
"… Not literally…"
"Look, we're only doing our jobs. She can't really complain."
"It's Azreal. Are you willing to bet on it?"
"Hey, there he is! Bye, you two! Till tomorrow! Have fun!"
"And here's mine. Behave, you."
"Oh, I will…"
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Exactly an hour later, by some miracle, Azreal was in the café, sitting at a table with Kaho and just receiving a hot chocolate from the waiter. This was not an unusual sight. The Milk Bar was well known for doing the best milkshakes and hot chocolate in town, and there was never a day when it wasn't full of students. These two were not a rare sight, either. They would come in once every week or two, sit at the same table by the window, and talk quietly for an hour or so.
"You seem very pensive." Kaho commented, as Azreal sipped her drink, and, apparently thinking it was too bitter, started to put some sugar in. Still, at least she didn't seem so frustrated anymore… "What's on your mind?" She asked.
"It's just…" Azreal began, absently refilling the sugar spoon. "Something Téa said…"
"What?"
"She said she was beginning to think that I… loved Seto." Azreal said quietly, going red.
"She said that to you?" Kaho blinked.
"No, she said it Joey. I just overheard."
Kaho smiled. "Maybe that'll teach you to stop that nasty little habit of eavesdropping you seem to be developing."
Azreal groaned. "I know, but it made me wonder if I do… you know. And how can I tell if I do?"
"What difference does it honestly make?" Kaho replied easily. "For goodness sake, you're fifteen! You don't need to worry about this stuff! Just go with it and see how it turns out."
"… You're right." Azreal said, looking more thoughtful then ever. "You're right!" She repeated, more firmly.
"Yes, and I think that's quite enough sugar now." Kaho commented, giggling.
Azreal looked down at her drink in dismay. She had been absently dumping sugar in all this time, and now it was completely sodden; no more would dissolve. It would be far too sweet to drink now. Azreal pushed it away from her, laughing. "Oops."
"Now…" Kaho dropped her voice a little. "How's your… other problem coming?"
The laugh disappeared immediately, and Azreal pulled the mug back, wrapping her cold hands around it for the warmth. It was bitter outside, at this time of year.
"I still haven't figured out a way to stop my one half killing off the other, if that's what you mean." Azreal sighed. "I should never have promised Téa I'd try. Now I'm hoping to find a way out again…"
"Hope." Kaho said firmly. "Is never a bad thing."
"I guess." Azreal sighed again, smiling a little. "Heck, I know it's not! I don't want to die! But it's getting worse. I was in Muse Form for twenty minutes a few weeks back to break into Kaiba Corp., and I couldn't do it again for days. Today I went from the bike sheds to the school gates, and I was exhausted. But, on the bright side, it's slowing down. I mean, they're still getting weaker and weaker, but slower. They're not weakening as rapidly as they were. If it keeps slowing down like this, who knows how long I'll have?"
"That's the spirit!" Kaho enthused. "So, have you told anyone except Téa and I? Family? Friends?" She took a look at Azreal's face. "Seto?"
Azreal shook her head. "No. I only told Téa by accident. As for my family and friends… I don't think they'd understand. Besides, I couldn't do that to them. I don't want to make them miserable…"
"Stop avoiding it." Kaho instructed. "What about Seto?"
"Seto." Azreal smiled grimly. "Now, that's a harder one. I don't know what to do… I mean, I know if he feels the way I do, and then I die… I don't know what it would do to him. Especially when he's been through so much… I don't want to do that to him! I don't want to hurt him! I keep thinking I should end it with him… if he hates me, and then I do die, then it won't matter… But I can't do it! Every time I go to do it, I figure how much that would hurt him…" She growled in frustration. "If I go or if I don't, I'll still hurt him! And I don't want to do that!"
Kaho's eyes widened in surprise. "Don't you even consider dumping him!" She said. "Forget Seto for a moment, I know you don't want to end it- you've never been happier then with him and your friends, and neither has he! You mightn't even die yet, so don't you dare!"
Azreal was a bit taken aback. "Uh… okay… that's a load off my mind, anyway!" She finished cheerfully. "You're right, about everything! I'm just going to enjoy my time with Seto and not worry about whether it's love, or about the future! I'm just going to be happy and not worry! And hopefully Seto will be to!"
"Speaking of whom…" Kaho said, pointing over Azreal's shoulder out of the window, where Seto was walking along, not looking happy. "There he is. Why don't you go and find out why he looks so mad?"
"I…" Azreal began, then nodded. "Fine. But I'm drinking this first!" She downed the severely sweetened drink. "I need the sugar." She explained. "I've been too depressed lately. Well, see ya tomorrow!" She ran off, and Kaho saw her catching Seto up a few metres down the road, and shook her head.
Of course she loved him. But if it was going to worry her so much, she'd better be left to figure that out on her own.
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"Now you know why I'm always late."
"Oh, be quiet."
"Had to get up earlier, Seto? Or do you just not like walking with the common people."
"Ssh."
Azreal laughed. "I just can't believe that you only have one car."
"No, I only have one car that I'm willing to take to school." Seto replied.
"Oh, I see. A car for every occasion. Pity that they break down, then." Azreal giggled again at the mental image of Seto's car spluttering to a halt half way back from the office, and his walking home- leaving poor Redge to wait for who-knew-how long for the Roadside Rescue team. And now Seto was stuck walking to school like the rest of them. And Azreal found it endlessly amusing. "I'll see you later," She called, heading around to the side entrance, where the others usually hung out. Not that she was often there with enough spare time to know, but…
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"Morning guys…" Azreal said cheerfully. It was Friday after all. Only a matter of time till the weekend. "It's a new day! And I have-" Just then, she got a very funny look on her face. "Gah!"
"You have… Gah?" Joey repeated, confused.
"What's wrong?" Ryou asked, turning around to see what she was looking at, as it appeared to be behind him. But all that was there was the normal before-school rush that Anna was usually a part of.
"No, it's nothing." She replied. "I just… remembered something." She laughed. "…I'm going… over there now…" She wandered off to a lowly tree half way across the playground.
"She's arguing with the tree again…" Joey muttered, watching as she got the 'conversation' going.
"I know." Tristan replied. "But just pretend you don't notice…"
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"What are you doing here?" Azreal demanded of Opal, who was leaning up against the tree that Az so often used for confrontations with other Muses.
"My job." Opal replied, rolling her eyes. "Love the uniform, by the way."
"You're inspiring Ryou!" Azreal screeched. "Oh, great, now every time I try and talk to him you'll be hanging around…"
"It gets better." Opal commented. "Ruby and Emerald are on two of the other band members. It would seem they are in a rut."
"Oh, man…"
"And, you can't let on that we're here." Opal concluded.
"What!"
"We're trying a new theory. Not inspiring directly, not with on-site help, not through dreams… This is a more long-term thing. We're trying to find out if affecting their outlook makes any difference. But don't worry. We'll be out of your hair by Christmas."
"Christmas! How am I supposed to act normal around my friends till then!"
"Azreal, you're talking to a tree. I wouldn't worry about it."
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A/N: Wheee, her sisters are back! At any rate, join me next time to see why the original title of this chapter was going to be 'Otherworld'!
