AN: sorry i noticed in chapter 1 I had said that the pairing was SetoxShizuka. I didn't mean that. I meant that as past SetoxShizuka. I don't want to give the impression that they were going to be a couple or hook up in anyway. In fact I had the thought of making Seto be in a relationship with someone else entirely! But I'm still milling over the thought. And before people ask NO it's not Yuugi. or Joey (my friend wanted Joey but come on people how gross is it to think he would date the brother of the mother of his child or that jou would date his sister's baby daddy. yuck!)

oh and i call them the english names in my head but i stuck to japanese for the fic because it takes place in japan so it's kind of weird to be like "Ms Gardner" or "Gardner-sensei-" and what not.

ok that's it. had to get those off my chest.

Chapter 3

"Kawai-kun, you must have all the best games and toys."

"Yeah but most of it's gotta stay at Papa's house."

"No fair! I bet you wish you could live there instead, huh?"

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Frying up croquettes in the kitchen, Anzu couldn't help but think of the conversation she'd overheard between Seto and some of his classmates. She didn't know why, but she found it disconcerting. How did Seto feel about his mother and father, their relationship, and even the living situation. Maybe the boy had come to regard it as normal, but he must have noticed that a home with both mother and father. Anzu herself came from such a home. However, Shizuka hadn't. Her parents got divorced when she was very young and even Kaiba had grown up an orphan for a time before being adopted by the cruel, rich Gozoboro.

Anzu tried to steer her thoughts away on the private affairs of the Kawai family and returned her attention to the boy in the other room, who was more than likely famished. Anzu fished out the last croquette from the frying pan and placed in the paper towel lined bowl so it can sop of the grease. She then turned off the stove and went to the living room.

Seto was just as she had left him, sitting in front of the television set with his homework book open before him but left mostly untouched.

"How are you coming along on your homework?" Anzu asked.

"I'm good," Seto replied, not taking his eyes away from the screen.

Anzu shook her head, "This is exactly why children aren't allowed to do their homework in front of the tv."

She knew that letting him watch it while working would produce nothing, but she figured since he wasn't at home he should be allowed some slack. His mother would be on his case later she was sure.

"Are you hungry?"

Seto looked towards her as the keyword 'hungry' left her mouth.

"Figures," Anzu half laughed. She wouldn't expect anything else from the nephew of Jou. The resemblance was only growing more and more each day despite his absence.

Anzu went back into the kitchen to fix a sandwich of the just fried croquettes and upon setting it before the boy he eagerly began to partake of it.

This was the way most evenings with the boy was spent. He watched tv and she fed him, and eventually Shizuka would come, pick him up, and apologize for being a burden. Anzu would then proceed to say it wasn't any problem at all, and that she really loved watching over the boy. She'd continue to convince herself and Shizuka of the fact as she accompanied the pair to the station down the street and waited for them to board their appropriate train.

This night was different though.

It was already nearing 10pm by the time Shizuka arrived at the apartment.

"Sorry I'm late," the girl apologized, stepping out of her shoes.

"Okaasan!" Seto ran up to her and gave her a hug around the waist.

"You're hungry?" Anzu asked.

"A little," Shizuka admitted. She turned her attention to Seto. "Seto-kun, you've been good?"

"Of course," Seto replied.

They went into the kitchen and sat around the small table while Anzu set a croquette sandwich before the famished woman.

"It's late though," Anzu said. "Do you think it's safe for you to ride home with him?"

"I can take care of us!" Seto beamed.

Shizuka smiled at her son but merely shook her head.

"If it's ok with you Anzu, Kaiba's sending his driver to pick us up and take us home."

"Papa's coming?"

"No, honey. Just the driver is coming to get us."

The boy looked crestfallen to hear that but didn't seem too surprised. Shizuka picked up her sandwich and took a bite. It was cold, but Anzu knew that the other woman was too tired and worn out from her long day to care.

Anzu turned back towards the dishes she had just started before her friend's arrival. As she watched the room was silent and Seto returned to the living room to whatever program he had been watching before.

"I'm sorry," Shizuka apologized again, breaking the rhythm of clinking dishes and running water. "The nurse supposed to come in after me decided not to show up until 2 hours after her shift started. I wouldn't normally want to leave him on you like this, you know."

"I understand things come up," Anzu replied.

"Like I said before, you could just drop him at the Manor. That'd be no problem either. At least I know there he's not in anyone's way. They're paid for that--"

"Shizuka!" Anzu whipped her head around, but kept her hands in the sink. She didn't want to get the floor unnecessarily wet. "It's no problem. If I didn't like having Seto here I wouldn't bring him."

"I understand that too. But I also know that you're so nice that you'll do anything you think would help others, but you have to help yourself too."

Anzu smiled at Shizuka's thoughts, and returned to washign the dishes, still smiling. It was true that it did make her go out of the way to bring Seto home with her so often, but it had become nice to have someone else in the apartment with her. It felt good to not have it so empty and not be lonely. It felt good to have someone to fret over other than herself. Anzu felt selfish for having such thoughts.

"So, Kaiba's sending a driver by, huh?" Anzu said, changing the subject.

"Yeah," Shizuka sighed. "Sometimes I feel bad. It's like I'm using him, but I know it'd be so much harder without his help."

Anzu set the last plate on the rack and dried her hands.

"I know he's only doing it out of obligation because if it's out of love he's doing a great job at showing it." There was sarcasm in Shizuka's voice. "He rarely sees Seto and it makes me angry. But then again wasn't he the same way with Mokuba too?"

"He paid attention to Mokuba. They're brothers," Anzu said.

"What are you saying? That doesn't make up for the fact that he neglects--"

Anzu interrupted, "I wouldn't say neglect--"

"Then what would you say?"

Anzu finished wiping down the sink and turn to her friend. She met Shizuka's narrowing eyes with her own blue ones.

"I haven't talked to Kaiba in a long time. I'm pretty sure you know him more than I do," Anzu began. "So I'm sure you know that he just has his priorities all screwed. He doesn't realize what's going on because he's so focused on one thing."

"That's no excuse."

Anzu sat down across from Shizuka, who grew silent. Anzu knew she didn't tell Shizuka something that she didn't know. Everyone knew that Kaiba Corp occupied, no monopolized, Kaiba's time and anyone who became close to him would either end up put to the side or like Yuugi, engulfed right along side him. It was a corporate passion, and it was blinding.

Shizuka's pensive expression soon became light as she met Anzu's face again.

"Oh my god! I just remembered what I came here to tell you!"

"Oh, so you didn't just come to pick up your kid and wait for a ride?" Anzu asked with false surprise.

Shizuka rolled her eyes and exclaimed, "My big brother called today! He's getting married!"

Anzu's eyes bugged.

"Are you serious!? Get out! No!"

"Yes! I'm telling the truth. He popped the question to Mai. Can you believe it?"

"A,actually I can't!" Anzu blinked. "This is very unexpected."

"Yeah seriously. Who would have thought that Nii-san would have been the first one to get married out of all of us… well technically Honda got married first but you know what I mean!"

"Yeah I do."

"I mean everyone practically had bets that you and Yuugi would be married with kids by the time you hit 25!"

"Yeah right," Anzu retorted, fighting the twist in her stomach at the mention of her and Yuugi.

"Can you believe it though? Look at us. Me and you growing up to be old biddy and Nii-san getting married!"

"Yeah, early on they had a slow start, what with Mai being 8 years older than him."

Shizuka shook her head. "It was only a matter of time, surely. You know they had been dancing around the issue forever. You know it was already a big thing when she finally got over herself and admitted she was totally into a younger guy."

"Must be weird dating someone that much younger than you," Anzu mused.

"Oh come on," Shizuka laughed. "We're all adults here. I think we should be able to choose anyone we want within reason."

"So what? Are you dating?"

"Are you seriously asking a single mom that question?" Shizuka asked. "It's harder for a single mom to get a date than a nun."

"Well yeah, guys are all over the nun thing," Anzu joked.

"Anyway, what about you?"

Anzu shook her head.

"You still not holding out for Yuugi are you?" Shizuka asked.

"Not at all," Anzu grimaced. "I just don't see myself in a relationship at the moment. I'm in a transitional period. I've just gotten out of a long engagement and relocated."

Anzu folded her arms and leaned against the table.

"I can completely respect that," Shizuka replied. "I feel the same way. Besides, I'd hate to be dating and meeting new men and having them meet Seto and all. It's just strange. I never liked the thought of my own mother dating either."

"What about Kaiba?" Anzu asked, though she suddenly regretting it.

"What about him? I don't consider him an option at all. Been there done that," Shizuka flicked her wrist as if throwing garbage over her shoulder.

"Well, that's how I feel about Yuugi too."

"It is?"

"Well, that's how I feel I should feel about Yuugi," Anzu amended. "But I can't help but linger. I have so many unsaid words and regrets and--"

"You're complicating matters," Shizuka sighed.

"What do you mean?" Anzu asked.

"Yuugi was your first boyfriend and it was a very long and meaningful relationship while it lasted. But listen every girl has her first and we just have to learn from it."

Anzu blinked, "Since when have you become so wise?"

"Let's just say I've been around the block," Shizuka elaborated vaguely. "I'm way past the first break up thing."

"Oh geez, Shizuka!" Anzu groaned.

"I'm just telling you how it is. Just be glad you two don't have any kids."

"Sometimes I think maybe if we did, it would have worked out."

For the second time that evening she regretted the words as soon as they came from her mouth. Anzu's face dropped to the table, burning with secret shame.

"It wouldn't."

Anzu lifted her head to gauge Shizuka's reaction. Her answer was in a soft and passive tone, that revealed nothing of her feelings, though her eyes were staring down at the table, mimicking Anzu's earlier position.

"Shizuka…"

"You know it's kind of strange," Shizuka's glance once again trained upon Anzu. "The way things turned out now. But I'm glad that you're back in Domino even if you've changed a bit."

"What do you mean?" Anzu asked. "Haven't we all changed?"

"Yes. I can't argue with that, but back then you used to always be bright and cheerful. What happened to that Anzu huh?"

"We can't expect to stop time," Anzu said.

"See, like that. You would have never said that."

"You're right," Anzu giggled. "That's what Mokuba said when I saw him."

"Ugh don't listen to him. He's an idiot!" Shizuka rubbed her head. "Anyway, I know some of that girl I knew is in there. I think you think too much and it's getting to your head."

"No way!"

"Yes! That's it. It's final. We're going out tomorrow night."

Anzu's eyes bugged.

"I was happy when you said you were moving back to Domino. You know why? Because I thought finally my life is going to have some color in it, dammit! But now you're just as sulky as everyone else bored out of their skulls. I won't stand for it. We're going out and you're going to like it."

With that Shizuka's phone rang.

"Hello?" she said. "Oh thank you. We'll be right out."

She hung up the phone.

"The driver?" Anzu asked.

"Yes. Finally I can go home and soak in a long bath," Shizuka said with much happiness.

"I'll walk you to the door," Anzu said, standing.

They went into the living room.

"Seto-kun, let's go."

"Ok," quipped the boy who was up far too late for his own good.

He went to the door and forced his feet into his shoes. Shizuka did the same.

"Remember what I said. We're going out tomorrow," Shizuka said.

"Yeah, yeah…" Anzu waved her friend off with mock annoyance, though in reality she was regretting seeing them leave. She ushered them out the door and watched from the step as they made their way down the stairs and to the waiting black car.

-to be continued-

AN: THANKS SO MUCH FOR REVIWERS AND READERS BOTH. I would like to hear again from you. criticism etc is very much loved. i also think i helped clear some of the seto x shizuka question in this chapter but there's still a more about them in the future. I'm having troubles with the pacing of this and I find it's moving rather slowly. oh dear. let's hope i can speed it up!