(Included in this chapter is a twist that I doubt anyone had foreseen, even me. And the song "Friend or Foe" by tATu. I thought the song really fits into the happenings of this chapter and also, I just think it's a really good song. Copyright and license for the song goes to the tATu girls and Interscope Records. Thank you. Now read on)


Chapter Nine

In downtown Domino City there was a small teashop that Anzu was very fond of. There were several reasons for this. First, it was almost always empty, not many people came to it so it was usually quiet. Second, it was peaceful, calm, and soothing. Third, the environment it was set up in, like a little cottage from two hundred years ago. The kind of thing she pictured if Snow White's cottage had become real. It felt very cozy and homey. The surrounding walls looked like they were built up with tree logs, piled on top of each other as cabins had been done in the days of the pioneers, Oregon Trails, and gold rushes. The furniture was polished to a rich brown with golden streaks running through here and there to make the theme seem more alive.

Most of the time, she went here alone. To get away and relax, get some peace to herself. Before she had moved to America she had gone there often, at least once a week for a cup of Earl Grey and maybe snag up a sweet roll or cookie. So when she had seen that her favorite getaway was still open she nearly squeaked for joy. Normally, she would have, but today she had some company. Namely, her fiancé who wanted to know where she had been the previous night, why she had ignored his calls, and why she had been seeming to avoid him the past several days.

The moment the two of them had sat down in the teashop Yugi had started the questioning. She told him that she had been with a friend (in a way), that her phone had been turned off (which it had), and that she had been very busy the past few days and unable to spend anytime with anyone (yeah, that wasn't so honest.)

Yugi listened to her, not interrupting in the least way. He probably believed everything she said. "Which friend would this be?"

Words got caught in her throat and she choked on her tea, trying to buy some time to come up with an answer. "Ummm... No one that you know... Just an old... uh... friend from the... high school days... I used to work with her... I wanted to see her and... catch up." God, was she screwed. There would be no way he bought that excuse.

"Well I hope you had fun."

Nodding she looked down to her lap. She felt so guilty, lying to Yugi. He would never, ever, ever, ever think about being disloyal or unfaithful to her and she was cheating on him and then double-dealing straight to his face in order to hide it. He and Kaiba were always rivals, competing for the same thing. Now she felt like she was the new prize to be achieved. Not that either of them realized this.

He reached out across the small table and took her hands in his, holding them with their fingers laced. "I love you Anzu. I'm so glad we're getting married."

She couldn't look him in the eyes. She was so horrible. If Yugi ever found out... No, she did not want to think about that. "I-... I love you too." She did love him. That was why it was difficult. If she had felt any less for Yugi she would have held no hesitation in calling off the engagement. She was so confused, unsure of what she truly wanted.

Yugi was satisfied with it and he raised her hands, softly kissing her fingertips. "That's all I wanted to know, my darling."

Their lunch together went peacefully and by the end of it Anzu was almost sad to be leaving. Her hand caught in his as they walked out, she laid her head on his shoulder. There were so many reasons that she should forget about Seto and devote herself to her sweet Yugi. His love for her never faltered, she could practically see it radiating off him every time he was near her. Whenever she needed him he was there for her, ready to ease her pain, worries, or whatever it might be. To Yugi, she was the most important thing. Anything else could wait. With Seto... it was the exact opposite. What she felt and had with Seto, she was not sure if it was even love. The best word to describe what their affairs had always been was lust. The lust for excitement, risk, unsustainable desires. No true relationships could be built on that. It was an affair. A constant, ongoing affair. One that would be best to stop.

"Anzu... why won't you move in with me? Our marriage is not at all far off. Many couples do so even before engagements. It'll be more comfortable than to have you living in that hotel. We can be together far more often. I feel like I haven't seen my beautiful angel forever."

Don't call me angel. He is the only one who can do that... That is what I call him, and he does it to me in return. Please Yugi, just don't call me angel. She wanted to speak the words out loud to him, request that he keep that particular sweet name to himself. There would be no explanation for it and she did not want to get herself into any unwanted situations. "I don't know Yugi. Soon, I promise. We don't have to hurry. I'm still adjusting to my old culture. I do not want to have too many things thrown at me all at once."

"All right, that is fine. If you want to wait, I can do that." Just like that, he accepted it. The perfect gentleman. They walked back together. Anzu enjoyed their quiet strolls, leaning against him with one of his strong arms around her waist to pull her close.

"Call me later, promise? No need to vanish again." He leaned down and kissed her lips, softly, a hand on her cheek. Yugi had gotten his growth spurt. She could barely remember that little thing he used to be. Now he was about half a head taller than her.

Nodding her head, she smiled as she gazed upon his handsome face and into his enthralling amethyst eyes. "I will."


Is it too late?

Nothing to salvage

You look away

Clear of the damage

The meaning to

Ours words of love

Has disappeared

It felt like a game. A sick, twisted game that was meant to play with and torment her mind. Since her morning with Seto, it had been just short of a month. She continued to see him when she could and each time more and more guilt and confusion piled onto her. He still seemed slightly rejecting toward her and she had yet to figure out what was wrong. After hours of thinking, pondering, and trying to determine the right course, Anzu got a call. From one specific CEO. He wanted another one of their secret dates. He had not brought up the subject of her engagement, acting as though he had no idea what the band around her finger meant.

They could not go many places out in public. This did not matter, not any more. Anzu had set her mind. She was going to break off all her ties with Seto.

We used to love one another

Give to each other

Lie undercover so

Are you friend or foe?

Love one another

Live for each other

So are you friend or foe?

Cause I used to know

In the backyard on Seto's estate there was a small garden. Well, not really small. Rather big to be precise. Here she found herself under a cherry blossom tree, sitting on Seto's lap as he moved his lips up her neck, nipping softly at her skin. She better tell him soon, before she got a chance to change her mind about it.

The second his skilled fingers had began to creep up her front and under her short she snapped out of her trance. "No... Seto, stop..."

The promises

Hollow concessions

An innocent

Show of affection

I touch your hand

A hologram

Are you still there?

"Why should I do that, angel?" he murmured into her ear and she had to grab his hand and pull it way from her.

"Please, don't... We can't do this..." Oh God, she was actually going to do this. She was going to break up with one of the most dangerous men in Japan. "You said so yourself... I'm engaged. This isn't right. I should have never let this begin again."

Her words did not seem to faze him. "Engaged to Yugi? That little annoying runt? Don't make me laugh."

Instantly, Anzu scooted away from him. "Don't call him that. You don't have any idea..."

Still he pressed on, grabbing a fistful of her skirt and leaning over to press his lips roughly to hers. "Fine, I won't him that if it's that important. Just stop this nonsense Anzu. Do you want something, is that it? What is it then? What do you want?" His breath was hot and sweet and the smell of his intoxicating cologne was affecting her mind. The way his fingers were trailing up and down her thighs did not help, nor did his mouth on her collarbone.

We used to love one another

Give to each other

Lie undercover so

Are you friend or foe?

Love one another

Live for each other

So are you friend or foe?

Cause I used to know

"Y-... yes Seto. I want you to STOP! Don't you understand? I'm engaged! To be married! To someone else!"

He took her hand and kissed her left ring finger then slid the gold diamond band from her finger and set it down next to them. "So you stop. Call it off. I don't want you to marry him. I want you with me... It disgusts me to think of his hands on your body, his mouth on yours. You're mine Anzu. You belong to me."

We used to

We used to

We used to, used to

Is it too late?

Nothing to salvage

You look away

Clear of the damage

The meaning to

Ours words of love

Has disappeared

Anzu choked and tore herself away from him. "No! I do not and I will not. The only thing I'm going to stop is what we have. Please, Seto, understand me. I can't be with you. I'm sorry." She moved to get up, snatching up her engagement ring and sliding it back on but he caught her wrist and tugged her back down, pressing her down onto the grass below.

"Why? What makes him so god damn better than me?" he demanded and she flinched, able to see anger clearly in his eyes. "What does he have to give you that I don't? Tell me!"

Her visions blurred, eyes rimming with tears as she struggled to get away from him. "Love! He loves me! You don't." She gasped and turned her face away from him. The words had slipped out before she even thought of what she was saying.

We used to love one another

Give to each other

Lie undercover so

Are you friend or foe?

Love one another

Live for each other

So are you friend or foe?

Cause I used to know

"What gave you that idea? Of course I love you."

"Don't lie to me. Think about it. What you've been doing. Is that love? Just a few minutes of psychical contact and then you push me away like some rag. You've never said it before. You've never told me that you loved me!"

"That's not true." He snapped instantly, ready to defend himself.

"When? When was the last time you actually said those words to me? Let me remind you... Never!" Yes, he had written things along those lines occasionally in his notes. But you can write anything and it would mean nothing. He'd done and suggested things a few times that might hint it but never had he spoken those three, little, simple words to her. And you know how it made her feel? Worthless. "Please, let go of me. If you really do love me then just let go of me Seto, I beg you."

"I'm not letting you go anywhere."

Love one another

Give to each other

Lie undercover so

Are you friend or foe?

Love one another

Live for each other

So are you friend or foe?

Cause I used to know

A cry left her as the tears streaked freely down her cheeks. "Let me go... I don't want to be here. Not like this, not with you."

She felt his grip loosen and for a second she thought he was really going to let her go. Instead, he wiped the tears from her face and kissed her cheeks. "Don't cry, angel. I love you... Now don't do this."

"Don't call me angel... I'm not." Anzu murmured quietly and relaxed, falling limp and stifling her sobs. "Let me go Seto. Don't make this any harder."

As she relaxed, so did he, although his hands remained on her. "Why should I let you go?"

Cause I used to know

Are you friend or foe?

Lie undercover so

Are you friend or foe?

Love one another

Live for each other

So

Are you friend or foe?

"Because I don't love you."

(Ohhh... Yes, yes, yes. I know. Twisted chapter, eh? Don't look at me. I'm not a good planner. I write this stuff as it comes along. Honestly, I have no more of a clue where this is going than you do. Isn't that interesting? Kind of frightening, if you ask me. Well, okay, busted. I DO have SOME idea where this is going. Key word "some". I still make it up as it comes along. Review and... well... review some more. There's never enough. Compliments are loved. Comments are welcome. Critics are fine. Criticisms are not that favored. Flames are... Pointless. They need to be written down on paper than burned. Not submitted. They hurt my feelings. As they do to everyone else)