To say all were concerned with the state of the Dragon Lover's mind would be the grossest of understatements. His mood upon return to his great glass empire was anything but sullen or angry. In fact it was the most distressingly cheerful façade they had ever witnessed, and as such none moved from within the confines of their own little empire within the empire, but with swiftness of a click all were aware of his return and mental state. A project assistant about to cross the hall to an opposite room baulked at the door as her owlish eyes took in the form of her lord and master exiting the lift, like a frightened mouse she scurried back in and nearly slammed the door in his face.

Seto stood to his greatest height and peered down his nose at the terrified girl. Looking to her immediate supervisor for support, she realised quickly there would be none. Mentally she tallied her personal items that would require packing and the people she would need to address to hand over her contribution in the current project of interest to Kaiba Corp. As Kaiba continued to scrutinise her, Oshii-sans heart nearly pounded out of her chest as she awoke to the fact he was making his way toward her. With an idle glance at her monitor, the revelation the company staff now considered him deranged earned a haughty eyebrow and Oshii-sans face took on a ghastly colour.

Placing himself on the corner of her desk, her lord and master leant forward resting one arm across his bent leg and proceeded to consider his nails in silence. The poor girl could see no route by which to escape and so sat with baited breath for her demise. She mentally prepared herself for the renowned roasting that all who upset Kaiba received so as not to leave the room a blubbering mess. A girl has pride she told herself. Which is why she wished the earth had swallowed her with the events of the minutes that followed her mental note to self. Gathering her handbag Oshii-san made her way to the ladies toilet and splashed her puffy eyes. A good deal of make-up could be the only solution to the wreck she saw before her in the mirror. Satisfied she proceeded to the Lobby and those that had deemed it safe to exit their cubicle watched as yet another from their ranks was dispersed. She could hear them whispering as she passed, so raised her head a little higher as she walked toward her destination. A strained face greeted her cheerful façade.

"I'm here to relieve you of your duties," she stated simply, and took control of the headset. "Kaiba Corporation, can you please hold."

Having filled one vacancy, Kaiba now brought his attention solely to the one, which affected him directly. Satisfying himself that his slate was clean for the day, Kaiba had given Oshii-san strict instructions that he was not to be disturbed, he had a matter of importance to consider and any interruption would break his chain of thought.

"Spies within." He mused.

Mokuba he had deduced was one, was Mazaki another? Or was she an unwitting accomplice in this stupid prank of Kajaku's. Mentally he moved the pawns about the board into their respective positions. Weighing up each of the possible players and how they might benefit proved exhausting and irritating. With a look at the dusky sky he decided it was time to sleep on the matter and spend what was left of the day with his Brutus.

"Hn, I will win this Kajaku," his fist hit the desk with a loud retort.

Pulling into the driveway of the mansion, he was surprised to find an excited Mokuba waiting for him.

Well that's a change from the last few days, I must say.

"You're in a good mood."

"Yep." Was all that followed

"Do I dare ask the reason why, or would ignorance be the better part of valour?"

"Nope."

"Do they only speak Monosyllabically at your school these days, because if that's the case you're changing. I'm not paying good money for little result." There was something afoot and uneasiness was settling into the elder's stomach.

"I've got a special dinner planned tonight." Came back Mokuba, his face beamed with this impart.

"Oh." Wariness laced the reply.

The boy nodded enthusiastically. "Anzu's taking me to the arcade and then we're heading to that new burger place and then…"

It was difficult to take it all in as the kid sounded like he was a high dub recording on speed. Seto gave a quick twitch and stretched his eye muscles in an attempt to stay with the plot, but conceded soon after he was lost. Only with the final question was he able to focus again. He swallowed visibly and considered the options.

"Not tonight Mokie, but I tell you what, I've nothing scheduled for tomorrow and following today I don't think even the idiots I employ would dare to put a foot out of place. Let's all of us have breakfast together."

Mokuba's eyes were out on stalks. "You mean it? Really can we?"

Tousling the unruly hair, Seto stepped toward the door, pausing only to offer one last piece of sanguine advice to his younger sibling.

"Let's make it a surprise, okay? Don't tell Anzu I'm coming tomorrow."

Mokuba's brow furrowed a little at this. "Has something happened Seto, why can't I tell her."

Seto turned to face him squarely on. "Yes Mokuba things have happened as well you know. I fired her on Saturday, remember?"

He watched the smile disappear and the bob of the young boys throat on swallowing.

"Don't worry Mokuba, tomorrow is about making things right. Mazaki will get her job back, and as for the mutt's girlfriend…"

The swift return of happiness in Mokuba's face disappeared just as swiftly at the mention of his blackmailer. He tried to present a blank canvas but knew instinctively that his brother had already discovered his treason. He wondered when the punishment would be dealt, but was pulled from this thought by the appearance of his chauffeur.

"You'd better go, it's rude to keep your date waiting." A smirk pulled at the corner of the Dragon's mouth. The deep flush that crept its way up Mokuba's features confirmed his earlier suspicions. The child was in love.

"She's not my date," He stammered.

"Sure," Elder threw back as he crossed the threshold. "Just remember not a word."

And with that the door closed, preventing said elder from hearing the mutterings about embarrassments and microphones, as the sullen child closed the door of the Limo behind him.

In his ignorance of earlier events he had hoped to bring the two together as a matter of self-preservation. Now he would be vulnerable to Anzu's probing over the events of the past few days. Maybe he should post pone their arrangement tonight and use the bluff of breakfast to forestall the inquisition. In truth he had no idea on how to tell Anzu about the challenge without some element of awkwardness appearing in their friendship. Unlike Seto, she would realise instantly his motives. To his mind his brother had a brilliant mind in everything except personal relationships. How could he have spent so much time in her company without knowing how she felt about him? To think Seto thought that he, he Mokuba, was in love with Anzu just cemented his conviction that his brother was an emotional moron. Sighing he watched the trees whiz by as they approached the city. Of course he was, he pinched his thumb and index finger together to emphasise the point, a smidgeon in love with her; just a smidgeon. What he felt was more than romantic though. She had proved to be everything he had been without his whole life. A compatriot, a sister, his mind paused with the impact of the final thought. A mother! She knew him inside out. Understood all his angst of his birth and life in Gozaburo's house. His fears and nightmares he could share with her without fear of laughter. He wanted her to stay in his life so badly, and knew that if she were to leave he would not only wither and die; but so too his brother. Mokuba wanted nothing but the best for Anzu, and knew of her dreams to dance; but a selfish part of him gripped the knowledge that if she truly with all her heart wanted this she would have taken the offered scholarship on the completion of high school. Instead she stayed with them. Them, not Yugi or Jou or Honda, but them the Kaiba's, she tramped on her friends disappoint and concerns and took the job he'd wheedled his brother to give her without hesitation. And with the advent of Mai's grand plan he was easily persuaded, because he held that knowledge and desire, but how close had he come to losing it all on Saturday and what would she say tonight when he would be forced to confess all. Easy enough for Seto to say keep breakfast a secret. What if she didn't want to see him either after tonight?

It took a moment to realise the cause of this dilemma was now seated across from him.

"Are you okay Mokuba?" Came his angel's voice. A true vision in a soft cerulean blouse and navy denim pants.

And with that the child burst into tears.

There was a spark within the blue orbs as they landed on a certain blonde bombshell and her partner in crime. As said bombshell turned about there could be no doubting that the fountain of youth had runneth over and it was time for her and her beau to beat a hasty retreat.

"Katsuya." She hissed in his ear

Frowning, he looked over his shoulder at her. "Mai, I'm about ta trounce dis guy, wait a minute will ya?"

Grasping his earlobe firmly between two fingers she yanked his head towards her.

His eyes widened with the pressure exerted on the sensitive skin, while his stomach dropped with the vicious look she was sending him.

"Unless you want this to be your one and only victory, " she hissed again through gritted teeth "I would suggest you MOVE IT!"

"Woah man, lets call it a draw," His opponent raised his hands in a bid to show peace. "I've learnt the hard way to never argue with PMT."

The look once directed at her beloved fell across the table.

"Yep, next time man." The occupants scattered from the other side of the table.

"Well, well, well," Came a silky voice.

Jou lost all colour, and with a final dirty look Mai switched from devil to angel as she spun about to face the one she'd been trying to escape.

"How are we all tonight?" Battle always required bushido.

Caught between a look of sickness and constipation, Jou tried to laugh but only achieved a croak. Mai however understood the game afoot and moved into action.

"Stellar, absolutely stellar darling. Oh and you've got little Mokie with you, does the Iceman pay extra for baby sitting."

Mokuba stood shocked but steadied at the weight of Anzu's hand.

"Actually Mai, I no longer work for the Iceman as you call him. Don't you recall our conversation the other day? He sacked me because of the transfer error I made."

Mai crossed her arms in feigned boredom, and sniffed delicately. "Did you really give him the money back?" Cat continued, smoothing the cuticles of her nails.

"Well seeing as the money can't be transferred at all from the company to his account, I felt obliged to make recompense for such a stupid mistake."

An eyebrow rose discreetly with this disclosure. "Not even one cent hey, what a shame."

"Yes isn't it. Come on Mokuba let's get this over with, I've suddenly developed an appetite."

Jou, who had wisely remained silent throughout gulped at this admission. His brain skimmed over the possible morsels Anzu was planning to eat, and more than a few held his name.

As Anzu and Mokuba made their way to the counter for tokens, a casual question wafted to her ears. "Did the Iceman accept your money?"

Anzu's lips twitched and her eyes glittered. "No."

Only the shimmer in Mai's eyes betrayed the glee she felt within, and inwardly the cat began to lick her paws clean.

a/n - thank you to all reviewers, I hope this is still to your satisfaction, though different to its original form.