:Introduction:
First, I would like to personally thank those who have inspired me to return to Blue Streak (you know who you are). It really means a lot to me knowing there are people who read my stories and continue to find inspiration in them, so thank you.
Second, this chapter is a little longer, so I hope you enjoy, but I don't feel it's what everyone's been waiting for. My writing style keeps changing and after re-reading this story I feel like my use with the characters is changing as well. Do they seem out of character? Maybe it's just me, hopefully it doesn't bother anyone too much.

Enjoy!

D i s c l a i m e r : Yu-Gi-Oh! and its characters do not belong to me. The original story was created by Kazuki Takahashi and I am merely "borrowing" his characters for use in my own fanfiction. I would never be able to write that awesome of a plot anyway...

- x -
FIVE
The Morning After
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A dull throb beat in gentle rhythm as she slowly regained consciousness. It felt nice in darkness, clinging to that last fuzzy memory of her dream world, but the more she awakened, the heavier her head felt and tighter her stomach twisted. She managed to crack open a lid and winced as the burning sun reached her eyes. Two soft voices were heard in the distance.

"Sorry about that, I guess I couldn't help myself." The voice was rough, deep, and masculine. His sentence held an edge of humor.

"... No, don't worry. I'll try and explain to Anzu if she asks." A sweet and light forgiveness, no doubt belonging to Shizuka.

Seto looked over to the brunette laying on the futon, "Hmph, lightweight." Shizuka smiled with warm hazel-eyes and welcomed the chaste kiss he planted on her lips. She gently closed the door behind him and turned to the mess on the floor.

Turning over with a groan, Anzu wrapped the blankets tighter around herself and desperately tried to fall back asleep.

"Hey, are you still alive?"

She let out an aggravated groan as an imaginary sledgehammer fiercely pounded into her skull.

Shizuka rolled her eyes, "I'll take that as a 'no'." Looking down upon the brunette comatose on her floor clearly indicated a painful hangover. She proceeded on darkening the room as best she could and decided to return later before bombarding Anzu with the dozens of questions she had been dying to ask.

Anzu waited a short period after the door clicked shut to finally remove the covers and slowly sit upright. With the instant spinning of the room around her, she firmly placed two hands on the mattress while shutting her eyes tight. Why in God's name am I alive? She rubbed her temples before eyeing her clothes in the corner, I guess I need to get on with the day eventually...

Shizuka looked up from her tea as she heard the soft, uneven thumps of bare feet on the kitchen floor. Leaning- or more accurately- clinging to the wall for support was the disheveled, pale, nauseous, and sleep-deprived brunette she considered more straight edge than your Sunday morning youth group... So much for that theory.

With a quick pat on the chair next to her, Shizuka watched as Anzu slumped into it, reaching for the steaming tea just as slowly, "Who was that this morning?"

"Oh, no one." She countered, "Before I start drilling you about last night, I'll let you take a sip." A soft chuckle escaped her lips before taking a delicate swallow from the mug.

Anzu let the aroma of green tea and pomegranate fill her nose and flow through her sinuses. The flavor making her stomach turn with slight hunger. "I appreciate it..." she replied dryly.

"You were quite the entertainment last night." Shizuka began after a couple of minutes as a devilish smile graced her features.

"... What is that supposed to mean?"

Shizuka turned back to her tea and watched the steam evaporate, "Well, after your first couple of drinks you tend to get quite flirty."

Flirtatious?

"Then there were some shots,"

Shots?

"-which got you dancing on the bar in no time."

Dancing on bars!

"When that subsided you decided to go M.I.A. for quite some time- I could only assume where you ended up... Turns out I was right." She added with a wink.

What kind of insane girl was she when plastered?

"No wonder I can't remember a thing," a sigh of despair followed as she rested her head on the counter.

Shizuka's melodic laughter filled the air, "You're kidding? Not even while you were with Yami?"

Her head shot up instantly.

Hazel eyes widened, "Oh dear..."

Anzu grabbed her friend by the shoulders, "Is THAT what you meant by M.I.A.? What happened! Spill it now!"

"Okay! Okay!" She answered, frantically trying to pry the brunette's death grip off her arms. Anzu sat back and took a gulp of tea. "Well?" she asked, desperate to hear the story from someone not wasted out of their mind.

* 5 *

Strands of onyx, ruby and gold glinted in the sun as they fell graciously across the soft cloth underneath him. Two crimson orbs reflected the light, making them dazzle like a flame kissed by the wind. Yami stared at his ceiling, unsure of what to do. He sighed outwardly, watching the particles of dust glow in the morning rays as they floated about the room.

Too much happened to him in the past twelve hours, he concluded. Actually, the past week involved him in too many affairs. It bugged him. Irritated him. Why did he have anything to do with others? More importantly, with that girl?

His glare burned holes into the ceiling.

All he wanted was to be alone. To only look after himself, nobody else to bother him with insignificant nonsense. His way of life included nobody else- a solution that took him years to discover. So waking up like he had, with jumbled thoughts of the previous night dancing through his dreams, angered him.

Ever since that girl entered his life there's been nothing but drama.

The image of the shapely brunette suddenly appeared on the ceiling above him. Her brown hair gently caressing her cheeks. Her soft, unblemished skin radiating against the darkness of the garage she walked through. Her sapphire orbs danced with curiosity and childish wonder. He quickly shook his head and rubbed his temples, erasing the image before him. Never would he let himself picture her again, she was already present enough in his life- he did not need to be seeing her apart from that.

* 5 *

"I SAID WHAT?"

"Oh c'mon, it's nothing bad."

"YOU'RE JOKING RIGHT?"

"Anzu... It's not like you don't have the hots for him."

"How come you didn't- WHAT!"

Blood rushed to her face faster than the gasp escaping her lips. Anzu felt heat in her cheeks and instantly knew a ripe tomato would pale in comparison.

Nailed it. Shizuka thought. "I don't understand why this bothers you so much. He's strong, intelligent, exceedingly handsome- a type of guy that isn't bred. Seto is the only other one, in a league of his own I might add- that and he's mine," she sipped her tea; "the only thing he doesn't have is money. But don't worry girl- I've got you covered on that one."

Anzu shot her a glare, "I never said anything about having the hots for him!" The blank stare Anzu received was anything but convinced, "It's written all over your face."

She rubbed her temples in an attempt to ease the throbbing in her head. It was almost impossible for her to accept their conversation was actually happening. The one time she tried to enjoy herself was the one and only time she lost control. Better yet, her belligerent, wasted self, approached the one stuck up, rude, and ill-tempered male she never wished to meet in the first place. In a good mood they could hardly stand the sight of each other, a drunk mood on her behalf probably made no difference.

He did save me though... Anzu reminded herself. Twice, actually. The memories of Bakura kidnapping her and attempting to leave permanent scars brought chills and caused her stomach to twist. She put her face in her hands, trying to hide the tears which now brimmed her lashes. Shizuka's babbling cut short once she glanced over to Anzu.

"Hey, what's wrong?" A gentle hand settled comfortably upon Anzu's shoulder.

"I... I owe him so much," she began with, her voice a mere whisper behind two hands. Shizuka smiled softly, "I highly doubt he thinks you're indebted to him. As much of a jerk as he can be... I think we both know there's a good, warm, and caring side to him." Anzu peered out from behind her hands, watery eyes filled with pain and fear. Shizuka wrapped her friend in a tight hug as soft cries released into the quietness of the kitchen.

"He protected me Shizuka. I-I was so scared... And he saved me." Her soft whispers hung in the air among the sniffles and gentle sighs.

"And I'm so thankful he did." She replied while brushing the back of her head soothingly.

Anzu pulled away and stared with empty eyes at the dark mug before her, the steam long since faded as the hot liquid cooled. "It confuses me. The way he simply dismisses any questions I've had, or how he is perfectly content with ignoring me... I don't get how he can remain so evasive after the experiences we've shared."

Shizuka shrugged, "Sometimes people are hard to understand."

Anzu cast a downtrodden look to the side.

"Sometimes," she continued," there's a reason why someone has turned out the way they have."

That thought made Anzu curious, "Do you know what happened to him?"

"Just a lot," the red-head replied before standing up. "I've mentioned it before. Can't you tell when you look at him? He kinda looks like a guy who's been through a lot." Her thick chopper strands gently swayed behind her as she walked away, "Jounouchi never told me what happened exactly and, believe me, I've tried to pry him for information way before you became involved," she disappeared up the stairs before shouting about a shower.

Anzu took another sip of her tea. She was unsure of what to do.

I really hope I didn't embarrass myself too much. Her azure eyes looked out the window. It was a predicament that was for sure. The amount of guilt she felt for bothering him so much with her troubles- no wonder he couldn't stand her. She was a girl he never knew, who suddenly became this damsel in distress every time they were within half a mile of each other. Was there anything more she could do besides respond with a mere 'thank you'? He was stubborn, but so was she. Anzu may not have remembered the events from last night, but she was almost positive things were less embarrassing and crazy than she imagined. Hopefully.

A sigh left her mouth before it filled with incoherent grumbles and phrases while she mused over the idea of seeing him again; trying to decide if it was a bad idea, or a terrible one.

* 5 *

The screams of a pneumatic air gun vibrated against concrete walls while various other noises drowned into one another. He stared evenly over the roof of a car with his forearms crossed, chin resting on the muscular tissue. His cigarette burned slowly while balancing between two full and luscious lips.

She actually dared to return... again. Although his face was unreadable, only a fool could mistake it as an opportunity to approach. Red, vibrant spheres locked upon her with territorial invasion. Last night she encroached upon his personal life more than any other being, besides Jounouchi, and he vowed to never let it happen again. He thought about her stupor from the previous evening- the way she could barely stand upright and the tremendous self-confidence she acquired. Previous encounters between them made Yami realize just how strong the girl's spirit was, however that didn't prevent her from becoming nervous around him, a feat he took pride in.

Yami watched Jounouchi point in his direction and the two female heads that followed. Even with the distance her blue eyes glowed softly. He grunted before letting out a smoke and walking around to the other side of the car. Crossing his arms, Yami leaned back and let the smoke from his cigarette drift amongst the stagnant air.

"Well if it isn't Miss Oh-So-Confident..."

Shizuka bit her lip and stared uneasy at Anzu, "Well... I think I'll just go see if Seto's around." Her quick escape left Anzu under an extremely intimidating stare, and there was nothing comforting about it.

Swallowing lightly, Anzu brushed back her brown tresses and shifted under his gaze. "Miss Oh-So-Confident? Jeez, if I knew you were that intimidated by me I would have brought Jounouchi along. I'm sure he would be more than happy to hold your hand." She could do this. He obviously wanted to try and make her squirm, like hell she would go down without a fight.

"My apologies, I must be confusing you with another immature and bratty girl from last night."

"I guess when it's dark and your drunk, you easily fall prey to ugly women. It must have been awful waking up next to something like that."

A smirk graced his features as he made himself more comfortable, "It may have been dark, however, I do recall leaving Shizuka's house this morning."

Her jaw almost hit the floor on that one.

Anzu stood in front of him, speechless. There's no way. Impossible! Then she flashed back on the voices she heard while in a semi-coma on Shizuka's bedroom floor...

"Sorry about that, I guess I couldn't help myself." The voice was rough, deep, and masculine. The sentence held an edge of humor.

"... No, don't worry. I'll try and explain to Anzu if she asks."

The dread washed over her and she felt as if the pit of her stomach dropped to the floor. That voice sounded like Yami's.

So this morning Shizuka was talking to Yami? And she brushed it off as nothing important? Why didn't she want her to know? Because it certainly was important.

"It was you?" Came her bitter remark. Blue eyes became glossy as she frowned with disgust.

Yami quirked a brow, "What was me?"

Normally Anzu never raised her voice. Anger simply was not an emotion she felt necessary to carry, there were too many harsh side effects that she did not like exposing anyone to. However... She could make an exception.

"You're a pathetic lowlife, you know that?" she spat venomously.

Surprisingly Yami remained calm, although his aura grew thick and hung heavy in the air. "Care to repeat that?"

She stepped over to him and balled her fists, "After everything. All you wanted to do was save me for yourself right? I thought there might have been some decency in you. Turns out I was wrong. Who the hell do you think you are? What did you do to me!" Her fists launched towards him as a rage filled her being and lashed out. Two small hands tried to slam against his chest however her wrists were soon pinned against the car door as the sound of her back slamming against the metal followed.

"What in God's name has possessed you?" The harsh gaze Yami bore was threatening, but confused.

"You took advantage of me last night! How dare you do that when I was clearly drunk! I have no recollection of anything!"

Yami stepped back and released her wrists, "Wait..." He paused and held back a chuckle, "You actually think I slept with you?"

Anzu stared at him, appalled by his behavior, "Didn't you? I heard Shizuka talking with you this morning!"

He couldn't help but allow the grin to appear, "Did you ever take the time to think that the male Shizuka was speaking with, was possibly Kaiba?"

Once again, her stomach dropped. "K... K-Kaiba?"

"Yes. The man screwing your friend."

Her body slid to the floor and she quickly wrapped herself into a ball of humiliation.

Yami crossed his arms, "Impressive. You've managed to fool yourself into thinking we had sex. Were you actually convinced one night was enough time to win your stupid game?" Anzu looked up to him, confused, "... My game?" Both his brows rose with lack of surprise as he looked blankly down to her. "Never mind."

He walked away, but stopped short upon the touch he felt on his arm.

"I'm sorry. I'm sure I said and did things last night that were out of line. I've never drank before and I got a little carried away, I hope I didn't offend you at all last night. Shizuka hasn't fully explained anything yet..."

Her eyes were serious and lips an even line. Explaining their ridiculous encounter was belittling and it angered him to feel her touch on his skin. "Remove your hand." She did as told and watched silently until he disappeared from the garage. Anzu looked to the floor while dwelling in confusion.

I've been messing up routinely for the past few days... She felt close to the breaking point. Wouldn't it simply be easier to drop to her knees and cry? To simply scream and shout her frustrations into the loud mechanical sounds around her? Although she would like to blame Yami, it was easy for Anzu to accept her emotional instability was caused by the aftermath of Bakura's assault.

Right now she was hung over and exhausted, yet had the gall to accuse Yami of sleeping with her- in Shizuka's house no less! She was clearly insane. All that could have comforted her consisted of snuggling in her own bed while her mother whispered sweet, reassuring, and soothing words.

A sudden force into her stomach awoke her from daydreaming.

Anzu took hold of the hard plastic, "what's this?" She curiously examined the dazzling red paint.

"I can't have you killing yourself, now can I?"

She looked up to Yami and then back to the helmet in her hands. A tiny smile graced her lips. "... Thanks."

He broke off into a brisk pace which Anzu followed moments later.

Although most of the night remained a blur in her mind, she had a feeling that what happened between her and Yami resulted in their present situation. And it made her happy.

.
End