"Well that's settled then." Beamed Oswald, rubbing his hands together, "We'll all go."
Seto's eyes flashed briefly. Anzu was slipping past him to get through the door.
"I'll take you home."
"No, you've got guests. I'm just going to see Mokuba."
She started up the stairs, only to be stopped by Seto's hand round her wrist. Her gaze flicked up and then down to her arm, finally resting on his face.
"Sorry, I guess I'll see him tomorrow."
"What! No go up and see him, I just wanted to thank you."
Her footing slipped under the weight of the event. He steadied her, preventing both of the descending the last few stairs in an ungainly manner.
"Why isn't he just the most? Charming, handsome, clever and a hero to boot." Rose once more captured the moment. "Now Anzu you go home and make sure you wrap that ankle, even the tiniest of sprains can damage a performance, and we don't want that when there's such a lot at stake. Now do we?"
Anzu resumed her walk upstairs. She could here the purr of Rose's voice telling Seto that her brother was ready to leave. Opening the door to Mokuba's room a fraction, she could hear the soft snores. "Goodnight Mokuba! Don't be too angry with him."
She made her way back downstairs. Everyone was gathered in the hall.
"I tell ya, it's no trouble. I'll drop the little lady off, save you coming out again."
Anzu's gaze floated between Oswald and Seto.
"Neither of you need to worry, I'm okay to get home. But thanks anyway."
"Are ya sure? Cos I didn't see no car out there when we pulled up." Oswald cut in jerking his thumb towards the door.
Anzu nodded.
"Well maybe she doesn't feel comfortable with us yet Oswald. After all the girl's only just met us. I know I wouldn't go jumping into some brash American's car five seconds after meeting him."
And there it was, right on the tip of her tongue. A comment so saucy and sarcastic that Mai would have been congratulating herself with how well she'd taught her.
"Get a grip Mazaki, you're not in the same league. Why bring your ultimate demise any sooner than you have to."
"No, it's not that at all. I don't see the need to put anyone out. You and your brother have had an extremely busy day, and must be ready to drop. No you two go, and Seto can stay home too. I'm right to get home my own way."
"Oh, you thought I was going, how sweet. No, it's just Oswald."
Anzu was visibly flustered now. She began to apologise profusely for her presumption, and was nearly in tears before the end.
"Why don't you stay, it's late, and it is my fault you were dragged out here." Deep blue eyes searched her own. Only hers were no longer the bright one's he knew, they had dulled considerably.
She shook her head. "The recital, I have to be there early."
"Well then my beautiful lady your chariot awaits." Smiled Oswald with a sweeping arm to the door.
He caught Seto's gaze and his smile faltered. He'd heard tell of how hard the young CEO could be, and the size of the tirades. This he took as a given, because business was business. He'd also heard tales of the coldness in those eyes and thought it all tosh. Until now.
"Call me when you get there." It wasn't a request.
Closing the costume bag, she grabbed her coat and walked downstairs. The ride home last night had been quiet. Spectacularly quiet, neither spoke a word except for directions. The menace behind Seto's words had sealed that. He'd practically jumped down her throat when she finally rang, demanding to know why it had taken so long for her to get home. Her answer. Not everyone drives like you.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she looked at her mother.
"Where's Dad?"
"He'll be there, just a little later."
She went over in her head all the numbers she was to perform. There would be a group performance, a pas de deux, and her solo. Her insides began to knot. She suddenly gripped the door of the car, struggling for breath.
"I can't … I can't do this." She gasped
Ever calm her mother pulled to the side. Cutting the engine she placed a hand on Anzu's nape and the other on her diaphragm.
"Big breath in, small one out. That a girl." She repeated this over and over.
Anzu's spasming hands began to relax and slowly she was able to bend them again.
"You can do this, and you're going to. You've worked too hard to quit now."
"But he's going to be there."
"Oh Anzu, that's wonderful. Isn't it?" her mothers questioning eyes waited for further enlightenment.
Anzu just looked at her fingers as she flexed them.
"Anzu?"
"He's coming for her."
"Who?"
"Rose."
"I don't recall there ever being a Rose in your dance class honey."
"She's not. She's from Julliard. And her brother is doing business with Seto."
"Oh!"
In 30 minutes she was dressed, make-up applied, and her hair was simply beyond words. Anzu kept looking in the mirror at the miracle her mother had performed.
"Narcissus be thy name." Laughed her mother. "It'll match your Peplos."
Anzu hugged her mother tightly.
"Put your coat on so you don't get cold, I'll go out front now. All right?"
She continued to warm up, when that soft purr caught her ears again.
"Why Anzu, I didn't recognise you there. Are ya all ready for today?"
Her jaw clenched, but she manage a yes thank you in the end.
Turning to address everyone there, Rose lifted her arm and let her wrist drop delicately.
"Now if you need any help y'all just let me know, and I'll be right there." She gave a dazzling smile and headed out front.
Anzu looked out from the wings and saw her mum. It looked like her dad too had arrived, as his favourite jumper occupied his space. Peeking further round she saw Yugi and the gang up in the bleacher seats.
"Anzu, I found you at last."
Taking a deep breath she spun round and wrapped Mokuba up in a big hug. At least the boy was smiling today. Well at least he had been until two seconds ago. She didn't even need to look to know what had put the scowl on his face.
"What…Is…She…Doing…Here?"
"She has to be here, she's with Julliard."
The boy looked stricken. His brother had told him they were coming to see Anzu. Now he knew the truth of it. His brother had lied, something that he had never done before.
"Mokuba?"
He wiped an angry tear away.
"It's nearly time for my performance, you'll need to go out front." She tried not to think of the older Kaiba, who was already in his seat.
Taking her coat off, she laughed at Mokuba's goggling expression. The smile and a rather mischievous twinkle returned to their full glory. He literally skipped away whistling something eerily akin to "Ding dong the witch is dead."
Ms Timu came rushing backstage, nearly knocking him over.
"We've had to make a change to the program, Mia's hurt her knee, your solo is up first. Sorry!"
"Look, I'm not going to do anything. I just want to talk to him."
"But Anu, it's about to begin."
"I'll be five minutes, that's all." He nodded to emphasise his point
Standing up, Anu excused himself through the row. He was nearly halfway to his desired end, when he froze. His eyes became slits as he watched the very ravishing redhead, that he'd noticed floating around earlier, sit and link her arm with none other than the CEO he was about to shake hands with.
"Anu." His wife hissed in his ear. "Sit down it's started."
"You couldn't be more wrong Arlie." "just you wait, you…"
He was stopped mid thought by the beautiful image that was his daughter. His chest swelled with immense pride for both his girls. Her mother had stitched, pulled apart, and restitched that dress until it was just right. And on his daughter it was. Her obsession with the Ancient lands of the Mediterranean was no surprise considering he worked as a geologist, and these were also his passion. He would have liked just once to do some site exploration in Egypt, but stability was the key to children.
He wasn't the only one casting an admiring eye.
Mokuba scrunched down in his seat, quietly whistling. Seto glared at him. The whistling stopped. So did the music.
Two men rose instantly for a standing ovation. One slightly disconcerted by the evil glare being directed at him by the other.
"Who the hell's that?"
"My, my, my…and it's only the first performance." Murmured Rose.
Seto sat down again. He fixed his sternest look on Mokuba as he saw the boys lips start to pucker, from the corner of his eye.