The situation was slowly deteriorating.

"Pregnant! My father thought I was pregnant!" Could, it possibly get any worse.

"Why?" Anzu's mother asked with bewilderment. "What on earth gave you the idea that Anzu was pregnant?"

A relieved but still equally anxious man sat at the table, hands splayed face down on the cool hard surface.

"You used that tone," he defended.

"What, tone?"

There was that word again. The thing that started this whole roller coaster ride, why couldn't someone just rip it from the dictionary. Then it wouldn't exist anymore. It wouldn't be real, and if it wasn't real it couldn't hurt her.

"You know Arlie, it's the same one you used when you taught her, you know about becoming a woman."

"Oh God. Open the ground and swallow me now."

The last thing either Anzu, or her father, expected was the uncontrolled mirth that issued from her mother.

"Oh dear, you silly wonderful man."

Yes sir, confusion ruled supreme now.

"Never again will I let my mother say that you don't listen to me."

Anu sensed a compliment, but wasn't sure if he should take it yet.

"You know what?" Cut in Anzu, "I think I'll go see Yugi."

Racing upstairs she changed quickly and bolted out the door, before her father came to his senses and called her back.

"It's one of those layabout card players isn't it."

"They're duel monsters Anu."

A sharp glare through knitted brows ceased her explanation.

"Bet he doesn't have two yen in his pockets to rub together."

Arlie sighed. "No, I don't think that he does have any money on him."

"Well he needn't think we're going to pay for their little outings all the time."

Anu's blood pressure began to rise. Arlie watched carefully for signs of an overload as he ventured back towards the kitchen.

"I think he uses a credit card." She offered uncertainly.

"Oh, yes even better. Our little girl is going to throw her dreams away on a guy who play cards and runs up credit. How does he propose to pay it off, hmm, with those bloody duel card monster thingy's?"

Seeing Arlie open her mouth, he raised a hand, a cup full of fresh hot tea in the other, he headed back for the dining room. "No I won't have it. You know maybe if it was that Kaiba guy, arrogant little son of a, well you understand what I mean, at least he's stable. Financially I mean…"

"It is dear."

The sound of breaking china reverberated through the kitchen.

"Exactly dear," she said, patting his arm, retrieving the mop and bucket from the laundry.

Yugi pushed the can of drink to the other side of the table.

"Why'd you do that?" Anzu asked. The puzzlement in her eyes visible despite the sunglasses she wore.

"Just a precaution. Now, you were about to say."

Looking curiously at the can, Anzu gave a slight shake of the head, trying to pull her incoherent thoughts together.

"Pregnant" unfortunately was the only word that made it past her lips.

Yugi slid sideways on his stool. Gripping the bench he pulled himself back straight.

"Heya Yug, ya back here ….Man you likeya seen one of 'em freaky mummy things."

"Hey Jou!" Anzu gave a small wave at their close friend..

"What's with 'im?" Whispered Jou opening the can.

"Pregnant." Murmured Yugi.

"Sorry Yug, I didn' catch ya. Say again." Requested Jou taking a swig from the can.

"Pregnant," Yugi said, pointing at Anzu.

Drink sprayed everywhere, Jou thumped his chest like a madman, while Anzu hit his back.

"God help me you guys are as bad as my father."

Yugi stared in disbelief. "But you just said…"

"Yugi I'm ….oh for heavens sake Jou keep it down will you, can't you see I've got a killer head."

"Scuse me while I choke to death."

"Well do it more quietly."

Jou scowled.

"I'm not pregnant, I just couldn't get this stupid brain to string a sentence together."

"I don't think your stupid," came a small voice behind.

"Please God no more, just let him be on his own."

Turning about, she was greeted with the charming smile of Mokuba, matched only by the sizeable smirk of Seto.

A loud thump ensued as Anzu's head hit the bench.

Jou smirked. "That'll do yar killer 'ead a world a good."

"Do me a favour!" came a mumbled reply

"Anything."

"Shut … the…hell….UP."