Stepping into the revolving doors, Anzu hurriedly wiped the tears from her face. Crying would get her nowhere in this situation. Nervously she watched the upward climb of the arrow, cursing silently at each stop, wishing people would take another lift. It seemed that everyone wanted to reach the CEO's office that day. Maybe she should just let them go and press the down arrow. The longer the trip up took the more just running away became attractive. The journey finally ended, any thought of escape wiped as she was pushed through the doors with the rest of the throng. She looked anxiously at those about her, twisting her fingers, those that had surrounded her peeled off to different desks and doors, leaving her standing alone in the middle of the room. Ironically it seemed she would be the only one holding conference with the CEO. Not having noticed her before, people began to stare as she remained rooted to the spot uncertain of her next move. It would be foolish to turn around now and get back in the lift so steeling herself she moved forward to Seto's office. Tanaka looked up.
"I'm sorry you can't go in at present, there's already someone in there."
Anzu didn't hear, her mind was too busy working over the things she wanted to say.
"Miss, I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait or come back, there's…"
The rest of the sentence was lost as Anzu opened the door and walked in.
Pulling up short Anzu's eyes widened as she was met by the frosty hazel gaze of Rose. Recovering quickly Rose plastered a wide smile.
"Anzu, darling how simply wonderful to see you again." Rose rushed forward to hug her.
"You didn't tell me that Anzu would be joining us Seto!" Rose admonished playfully. "But y're simply full of surprises today, aren't you?"
Anzu met the steady unreadable blue eyes of Seto. She hadn't seen him when she'd first entered, her attention immediately taken by Rose seated in front of his desk.
"Joining you?" She queried, shifting her gaze back to Rose. "I only came to ask Seto something before going to Mokuba." She said slowly, confusion etched through the small frown that furrowed her forehead.
"Oh yes, the dear little thing, where is he?"
"Home."
"So definite, that's what I like about you Anzu, you never mince words, you are simply, you."
Anzu's eyes narrowed as she comprehended the barb behind the compliment. A sly smile, completely uncharacteristic to her features tugged the corner of mouth. A slight sapphire glint shone from her narrowed orbs. Rose' smile faltered a little as she tried to interpret the message behind the look. As though it had never been, Anzu's expression returned to its normal pleasant self.
"What did you want Anzu?"
It took a second for the question to register, Seto having been momentarily forgotten in her battle of wills with Rose.
"It's not important." She answered.
"To come all the way into the city to speak with him, my dear girl there must have been some urgency to the question." The purr had returned to its full strength. "A certain young lady vying for our man's affections here, wouldn't have anything to do with it now?"
Anzu was completely thrown, she had no words to answer Rose at that moment. At least none that she could utter without crying again.
Seto's harsh voice cut the tension like a knife. "Enough."
"But don't you think that Anzu has a right to know what she's up against?" continued Rose. "I mean after all, she is living with you now."
"I ..I..I'm only there until I leave for New York." Anzu stammered. "Seto offered me a place to stay since my parents had to sell our house and leave."
It was Rose' turn to offer a sly smile.
"Yes, quite a quick sale wasn't it? After all a week ago you had no idea where y'd get the money to travel and hey presto someone waves a magic wand and y're on your way."
"Why Mazaki is staying with me is none of your business, neither is how she's getting to New York." Seto growled.
Rose looked every bit the cat that caught the canary. "Tsk, Tsk. I expected more from you Seto. You forget that my father is one of the, sorry, the main Patron of Julliard. And incidentally the main backer of your's and Oswald's little project. Play nice, or else you may find you don't play at all."
Rose gathered up her purse from the chair and smiling glided towards the door. Placing a finger under Anzu's chin, she held the girl's eyes with her own. She then offered the most honest sentence she would possibly ever give.
"He's played you and I to perfection my dear, but I intend to win."
Moving her head to the side, she smiled at Seto and proceeded through the door, only to stop.
"Oh and Seto, give my regards to Angela, I'm sure you'll be able to help her settle in nicely to her new home. She's such a charming little thing Anzu, I hope you get to meet her."
Closing the door behind her Rose held her head high, and smiled for the entire world to see, only letting the façade fall when the lift doors slid shut. There were things she could do and things she would do to right this wrong in her life.
Anzu looked down at the floor. The rushed conversation with her mother rang through head. Anger began to grow, but at what exactly or why she was uncertain. All she knew was that right now she had to leave, and fast. The will to hurt something of someone was too strong.
Seto watched and waited for some sign to know what she would do; when none came he started towards her. She moved backwards to get away from him, reaching behind for the doorknob. Shaking her head for him to stay where he was she pull the door open with such abruptness that the metal catch caught the small of her back, causing her to wince from the cut it inflicted through her thin top.
"Anzu wait."
She shook her head. He reached for her, but she was gone before he could grasp her hand.
"Damn it!" he growled
Tanaka appeared at the door.
"Is there something I can do sir?" She asked timidly.
Seto kept his back to her. His eyes glaring angrily at the wall in front of him.
"Book me a flight to New York, same airline as last time."
"Ah yes Mr Kaiba. Um what day?
"Eight days from now."
Mokuba's pensive gaze followed Anzu as she moved about the kitchen. She'd not long returned home. It had been five hours since she'd placed him in the car, and she hadn't said more than 'I'm sorry' since walking through the door.
"Whatchya making Anzu?"
"Your dinner."
"But Cook can do that, Seto might get angry if she doesn't."
Anzu fixed a steady eye on the boy. "Well Mokuba, he can build a bridge like the rest of us."
Mokuba's eyes shifted nervously to anywhere but the angry girl before him.
"Anzu what's wrong? Are you sad, because your parents are gone?"
She looked at him. He had no idea what was going on, and she had no right to vent her dislike for his brother at him.
"Yes Mokuba, I'm sad because they're gone, and I no longer have a place that belongs to me." She added the last part quietly.
Mokuba's head shot up. "You have here. You live here now, so this belongs to you."
"I'm a guest here, nothing more." She answered sadly.
"You're wrong," came the hot reply.
"Am I? I think you'll find it's your brother's own guilty conscience that's allowed me to stay."
"That's not true, Seto doesn't have to feel guilty. You're here because we want you."
"Mokuba!"
The startled boy turned to face his brother.
"Yes Seto?"
"Why don't you go to the games room, I have something I need to talk to Anzu about."
Mokuba, could feel the tension between the two, walking slowly to Seto he whispered. "I am right, aren't I?"
Seto did not answer.
Looking over his shoulder at Anzu, Mokuba left and took out his own frustrations in the games room as he had been directed to.
a/n - a huge note of gratitude to you all. Thanks for reading and thank you for the well wishes. My grandmother, though still in hospital, is recovering nicely.
I also hope that my individual replies have been coming through, as for some reason your reviews are not being emailed to me. I only know that you've posted when I check the stats on the site.
I hope the recent Easter break was a happy and safe one to all, regardless of personal beliefs.