Arlie was trying discreetly to take a peek at the scoring cards, earning herself a sharp look from the panel. She smiled brightly before shifting further around. Anu watched his wife with interest.
"I thought you said you weren't worried?" his mouth carried a half smile
Arlie gave him a look of exasperation. "I'm not, I'm just."
"Nosy!" He answered. His smile faded when he saw the red bombshell enter the scene. He turned to look at the CEO, who consequently held his daughters affections. The young man seemed quite absorbed in his own thoughts. He was also staring quite intently at something. Anu let his eyes follow the line of Seto's gaze. Anzu! He brought a hand to his chin, and rubbed it thoughtfully, punctuating the thought every so often with a raise of his eyebrow.
"Anu!"
With a look of pure innocence he walked to his wife. She had managed to find a place within range of the judges hushed tones.
Anu's eyes grew wide. His little girl was going to Julliard.
"Don't get too excited." Whispered his wife, "They have to balance the scores against the other schools."
Anu wasn't listening, the only thing he heard over and over again was how much they loved his girl. In his mind the deal was done.
"Thanks for your support Mai."
"Well we girls have gotta stick together, now don't we." She watched Jou parading around. "No doubt the little Judas is doing it for her benefit."
"Mai, are you ok?" Anzu was concerned by the sudden change in her friends demeanour.
Mai flashed a reassuring smile.
"I know, I know….You're absolutely stellar."
"Got it in one honey."
"Now if I could only convince myself, we'll be in business. Who needs Katsuya anyway?"
"You do!" said her heart
"Agreed." She said quietly
Anzu drifted away into her own thoughts. He had actually come, and more than that he gave her a standing ovation. A small feeling of lightness began to fill her. A small feeling that resembled. HOPE!
She watched Rose's brother come practically running through the door, obviously something important had happened. Looking on that small feeling of lightness started to fade as she began to decipher the emotions emanating from the younger of the two brothers. The exchange between Seto and Oswald obviously giving rise to something that the boy did not like. Her eyes followed Seto's movements as he crossed the floor to Rose. That cherry lipped smile was beginning to chip away the very thing that made Anzu what she was. Her friendliness.
Looking past Rose she saw her fathers narrowed eyes as he too watched the little gathering. She could hear the tinkle of Rose' laugh, her insides tightened as she saw her suddenly embrace Seto and kiss him on the cheek. Declaring loudly.
"You're coming back with us, why that's just the best news I've heard all day."
She was about to pull the pins out of hair, and join her parents. At this moment she couldn't care less if she made it to Julliard or not.
"Leave them in."
"Huh!"
Mai gave her a pointed look. "I said leave them in. In fact." Mai looked her up and down critically. "go put that costume of yours back on, and I'll lend you the shoes I'm wearing, they'll match it perfectly."
Anzu was confused.
"Hurry up and do as I say." Mai hissed.
Anzu went backstage, casting confused looks at Mai over her shoulder.
Mai looked at Mokuba. She was relieved to find that Yugi was with him, the kid looked as though he could do with a friend. "Don't you worry kid, Auntie Mai has it all worked out."
"Hey Mai, I just want'd to …"
"Yes Katsuya?"
"I ah, um…"
"Good let's see you squirm you rat." Mai smiled sweetly as Jou scratched his head and concentrated his gaze to the spot his toe was kicking.
"I jus' want'd ta know….are ya comin' to the arcade?"
Mai scowled. "Apology Katsuya, where's the bloody apology."
Jou pulled his head back frightened by the sudden change. "Sheesh women, one minute sweetness and the next a whole lotta sour. It's not like I was gonna make 'er pay or nothin'."
"Sorry Katsuya, I'm busy. Catch me next lifetime." She stormed off to find what was keeping Anzu so long.
Jou stared after the retreating figure. He felt a heavy hand fall on his shoulder. Jumping from the shock of the contact, he turned a questioning look to Honda.
"Ya didn' say sorry, did ya?"
"Wha' for?"
"I swear Jou, ya worse than a goldfish. Let's go and let 'er cool down."
They made their way towards the exit. "Hey we didn't talk ta Anzu."
Jou started to back track to the stage area. Grabbing his arm, Honda steered him back the other way. "Later, Jou, later."
Looking doubtfully over his shoulder Jou let Honda lead him out of the auditorium.
Yugi's concern for Mokuba reached crisis point as he watched the boy just standing, not following Kaiba as he normally did. It obviously had something to do with the stranger being there.
"Must be a business associate, I've never seen him around here before."
Yugi walked down the steps to Mokuba.
"Hey, you look like you need a friend."
Mokuba just stared ahead.
"What's wrong Mokuba?"
Silence.
"Would you like to join me and the others at the arcade."
Still no answer.
"C'mon let's tell Kaiba your coming with us."
Yugi gently touched Mokuba's arm to try and move him towards his brother.
"NO!"
To say Yugi was shocked would be an understatement. Looking up he saw Jou and Honda were already on their way out.
Mokuba turned tail and walked quickly to join them.
"Let's go Yugi." He called back.
"But Mokuba, we can't go without telling Kaiba, he'll be worried."
"Who cares?" Came the angry reply.
Yugi walked uncertainly towards his friends. He stopped.
"I'll catch you up, I just need to speak to someone."
Jou waved in acknowledgement, slapping a hand on Mokuba's back he led the youngest of the group away with animated conversation about what they would do when they reached the arcade.
Stepping up beside Kaiba, Yugi excused himself.
"Why, I've never met so many gentlemen in one place before." Smiled Rose. "I can only hope Seto, that y'r good manners will brush off on the boys at home."
It took a moment to process, but Yugi caught on and found the pieces of the puzzle slowly fitting together. Kaiba was going to America. With them!
"Will Mokuba be going too?"
"Well he can't stay here on his own." Kaiba frowned. "But somehow I think he's going to fight me on this one."
"I'm sure we'll find somethin' ta keep him happy, now don't you worry, I'll have it all arranged."
Yugi gave Rose a doubtful look.
"Well if it isn't the beautiful lady I drove home last, and looking more stunning than ever I might add." Oswald walked forward and reached for Anzu's hands. He was about to kiss them, when he felt a presence at his shoulder. Casting a sidelong glance, he expected to find Seto, but was surprised by the appearance of someone much older.
"Anzu, your mother and I are leaving now, did you want a lift home.
"So the man with the evil glare his her father." Mused Seto.
"No, I'm right for the moment. I was thinking of joining the guys for a while."
Her father nodded. Casting a look around the group, his eyes alighted on Yugi.
"She was somethin' else today, hey Yugi."
Yugi smiled at her proud father. "Yep, she sure was Mr Mazaki. I don't know about you, but I think she's a cinch for it."
"Well, I shouldn't really say anything." Said Rose conspiratorially, "but from what I've heard you've made it to the next stage. Isn't that just marvellous."
Anzu's father frowned. "Next stage. What next stage? I thought this was it."
"Oh no Mr Mazaki, this is just the beginning. Anzu will have to travel and live in the US for a month."
"And then what?"
Anzu could feel the tension pouring off her father.
"Well if she's good enough, then she gets a place at Julliard."
"And if she isn't?" His voice came through like low menacing growl.
"Well," Rose' eyes flicked around and she gave a small quick smile. "There are options."
"Such as?"
"Depending on her potential, she could take a paying place, or try another dance school."
Anu stared coldly at the woman who shattered all his earlier visions of grandeur. How on earth were they going to afford for Anzu to travel and live in America for that month. Let alone paying for a position at the University. He'd seen the cost, he and Arlie had sat down and dissected it every little which way trying to find paths around the financial issues of their daughters dream. It was he who found the scholarship program. In reality this was just as much his dream as it was Anzu's. Only now, the foundation had become unstable and threatened to fall.
Anzu knew the root of her fathers worries, money was tight. She was certain that if she didn't get him away from here soon though, he'd explode. His body language showing pure hostility. She placed a gentle hand on his arm.
"Dad, why don't you take mum to dinner tonight. My shout. As a thank you for all you guys have done. We can talk tactics later."
He finally tore is eye's away from Rose. Cupping Anzu's cheek with one hand, he kissed the other.
"You're a good girl Anzu."
"The money's in my bag behind the door." She whispered.
Her father frowned. "But that means you haven't got any on you now."
"Yes I have." She lifted her small purse to show him. "The one behind the doors my rainy day bag."
"Wow! Do you have a spare one to give me," Laughed Mai "I could do with one of those."