"Let's say we skip the arcade and show these people the highlights of our city to celebrate." Mai presented her most endearing smile.
"Well ya got my vote, what'd ya say Rose?" Oswald turned to his sister.
"Will you be joining us Seto?"
"Seto? Oh you mean Mr Serious over there, heavens no, he's much to busy for frivolity." Laughed Mai breathily.
"Of course I can join you." Came a low reply, his look to Mai spelt murder.
"And here I was thinking that there couldn't possibly be anymore than what you showed me last night." Gushed Rose.
Mai's smile faltered slightly, but was soon as big and bright as before.
"They were together last night?""And of course Mr?"
Yugi, realising that Rose was talking to him, moved his attention from Mai. Though he kept giving quick glances back, trying to work out what game his friend was playing.
"Yugi, just call me Yugi."
"Well now, such an unusual name. I don't s'pose you and your friends would care to come? It'd be nice to get ta know y'all better. Any friend of Seto's is a friend of mine."
Mai's smile remained but her eyes flashed dangerously. "You'd like that wouldn't you, all the men fawning over you. Well not this time Missy!"
"I'd love to, but I promised Mokuba I'd see him at the arcade so I'd better get going." With a small nod he was gone. Something within told him that soon this would not be the place to be.
"Oh, of course that poor boy, how could I be so heartless? Why don't we all go to the arcade first and then back to your place Seto." Rose' face was the picture of total remorse and concern.
Seto said nothing. His mouth twitched slightly thinking the effect the meeting would have on his brother, and consequently on him.
"I don't think that would be a very good idea." Said Anzu bluntly.
"An' why d'ya say that." The cat starting to show it's claws.
Anzu kept her face devoid of emotion. "He doesn't like you."
Rose looked genuinely shocked. Her eye's narrowed slightly, and her top lip lifted near to curling, before joining the bottom one with a tremble.
"He just doesn't know me yet." She lowered her eyes, when she looked up again they were brimming with tears, one or two drops slid down her cheek. "If he'd just let me get closer then he'd understand that all I want is to be his friend too."
Rose fled from the hall. Her brother, stunned by what happened, ran to catch her.
"Nice one Mazaki, got any more cracker jokes to share."
Seto stalked away.
"Oh she's good," muttered Mai. "She's very good."
"You know what Mai, I don't really feel like celebrating now."
Mai reached over and rubbed her back. "Don't you worry, it'll all work out I promise."
"How? How is it going to work out? Everything I wanted is being pushed further away from me, and I can't seem to do a damn thing to stop it."
"C'mon let's say you and me blow this joint and go somewhere and have some fun?"
Anzu shook her head slowly. "I think I'll just go home."
She fingered the dress she was wearing and slipped Mai's shoes off.
"Thanks again Mai," She said handing over the shoes. Taking her own back she began to leave. Spinning around she threw arms about her friend.
Mai stood shocked not knowing what to do. Slowly she returned the hug.
"Why does love have to hurt so much?" Sobbed Anzu.
"That's a million dollar question." Replied Mai.
Seto's mouth was set and his eyes flashed angrily. He was caught and he knew it. What he didn't know was how to release the trap. Tonight though, he had the luxury of time. Something he very seldom had. Mokuba was occupied and the office in order. "Pity my mind isn't"
He'd found Rose and Oswald and made his apologies for the unseemly event.
"You owe me big time Mazaki."
"But she only spoke the truth." Put in his conscience.
"Mokuba's my concern, not hers."
"So why didn't you say something then?"
"Because!"
"You know he trusts her, and so do you."
"NO!"
"He likes her, and if you were honest, you do to."
"NO!"
"But you said last night you cared."
"I lied."
"Mokuba loves her. And…."
"SHUT UP!"He'd started walking an age ago letting his legs carry him where they would. Taking in his surroundings he found that where they would, was the playground of his old school. And in that playground was the last thing he wanted to see at that moment. It was as though Old man time had shifted them back a few years without changing their age.
"You just can't help yourself, can you?" He spat.
Anzu kept her face hidden in the shadows and remained quiet. She didn't trust her own voice not to betray her emotions.
"You always were the stupidest one." He continued. "And do you know why?"
He was near to the safe pressure zone being exceeded.
"Because you actually have a brain, but let that stupid mouth of yours do the thinking."
She stepped out from the shadows. Tear tracks were evident on her cheeks but he didn't care he was too angry. She'd nearly lost him something he wanted. He would punish her. It was his right.
"Is it?""Yes it IS." He screamed.
Anzu was frightened, extremely frightened. It wasn't as though she hadn't seen him angry before, she had. Just not this angry.
"Seto I'm sorry." Her voice quivered through the flood of fresh tears.
"Oh you will be."