Oh hey, look at that, I think this is the quickest I've ever updated :D Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, they make me so happy!

I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If I did you can bet the Mokuba fans would hate me for this chapter.

"You'll need a deck" Kaiba said suddenly, pushing himself off the front of his desk and opening the top drawer. Anzu blinked in realisation. Right, she didn't have any cards. Something dropped in the pit of her stomach when it dawned to her that she barely knew how to duel either. Another tingle in her mind; did Malik already think of this and have a plan? God she hoped so.

Kaiba finished rummaging through the drawer, pulling out an old white card key that was yellowed at the edges from time. Wordlessly he brushed past her and walked over to an empty bookcase pushed up against the wall. Putting the card between his lips, he gripped the side of the bookcase and began dragging it out with jerks of his arm. Anzu approached to help, but a quick glare from him told her that Kaiba still had his pride. 'Men' Anzu thought rolling her eyes.

When Kaiba finally got the bookcase sufficiently away from the wall Anzu could see the dull metal door that was hidden behind it. Taking the card from his mouth, he slid it into the slot. The door made some very unpleasant sounds of strain before sliding open smoothly. Kaiba stepped through the door and Anzu followed, casting a worried look at the younger Kaiba asleep on the couch. Turning back to the new room her eyes widened in awe at the amount of duel monster cards lining the walls and neatly displayed in cabinets.

"Take which ever ones you need"

Wide blue eyes widened further at Kaiba's words, who was watching her with his usual blank stare. Gulping, Anzu scanned over the cards; looking for something she recognised. As her eyes roamed over the card's images and descriptions, she felt a familiar tingle. She looked away from the cards and the tingling stopped. Was Malik going to pick the cards? Looking back at the cards she felt the tingling grow stronger when she looked at certain ones. Carefully, she selected the ones Malik picked, hoping he knew what he was doing.

Kaiba watched in mild curiosity. The way she chose her cards was uncertain and while he could see the kind of deck she was putting together, the theme didn't really match her personality. He took a moment to note the changes in her appearance. The hair was of course the biggest change but it suited her, making her look more feminine and framing her soft features nicely. Her bangs had grown so long she had to push them behind her ears to stop them covering her eyes and even though it was tangled and split at the ends, the hair that reached her waist was thick and shiny. She was prettier...

Kaiba looked away, berating himself for such foolish thoughts. He sighed through his nose 'Damn hormones'

Anzu crouched down to select cards from the lower cabinets. So far from what Malik had chosen she guessed he was re-building the deck he had used in Battle City. She recognised most from the duels she watched but she was hazy on what each one did or what special effects they possessed. 'I suppose I'll just have to look over them all again and learn their ability's before I leave' A frown tugged at her lips. She had been so relieved and happy to have found Kaiba and Mokuba but the longer she stayed with them, the harder it would be to leave. It was sad but true.

Suddenly a large gurgling noise erupted in the room, startling both occupants. Anzu blinked once before rolling her eyes down to where the deep rumbling noise erupted from her stomach. Having been so distracted with the day's chain of events she had completely neglected the fact she was starving. Blushing embarrassedly, the brunet ducked her head down to hide her face from the only other person in the room; believing there was no way he hadn't heard the deep rumblings. To her surprise and further embarrassment she heard him snort. Then she heard him make a deep sound in his throat, and another sound that sounded suspiciously like a giggle. Curiously Anzu peeked up and felt her jaw drop at what she saw.

Seto Kaiba was trying not to laugh. THE stone faced Seto Kaiba was covering his mouth with his only hand to hide the amused smile and laughter threatening to come out. Anzu stared at him in shock and embarrassment 'Kaiba's smiling and laughing? Oh wonderful, first Marik takes over and turns the world in to something out of an apocalypse movie and now Kaiba's laughing and frozen over Hell. Just what we need'

The CEO noticed her gaze and quickly schooled his features back to his normal stoic expression, coughing to cover up a chuckle that slipped out.

"I'll be back in a minute" Anzu watched him walk out of the room, still not really believing what she just witnessed. Another gurgle sounded and the poor girl felt a sharp cramping pain in her gut reminding her of her need for food. 'Is there even any food left?' the thought worried her but she supposed if Kaiba and Mokuba had survived this long there must be something edible left right? Her question was answered when Kaiba re-entered with a steaming Styrofoam cup and held it out for her to take. Anzu carefully put her deck down on top of the cabinet and stared into the cup

"Noodles?" she mumbled in confusion, staring at the thick flat noodles floating in the boiling water.

"It's pretty much the staple food now since there's no more vegetation or meat being produced" Kaiba explained, motioning her to follow him out of the room. When they re-entered the office, Mokuba was sitting up rubbing his eyes. The boy looked up at his brother dazed until his gaze travelled to Anzu, eyes widening and suddenly wide awake he leaped up and threw his arms around her. Anzu yelped slightly, trying to make sure the water didn't spill from the cup as Mokuba hugged tighter.

"You're really here" he sighed in relief "It wasn't a dream" Anzu blinked at his words before smiling softly and handing the cup to Kaiba. The older brother took it and watched in an odd sense of comfort as the girl he had barely acknowledged in the past gently wrapped her arms around his younger brother and held him like he was her own.

For Anzu, hugging Mokuba was both heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. Heart warming because she really did love him like he was her own brother and heart breaking because she knew soon she would have to face Marik and leave him behind. She knew it was selfish to wish Mokuba and Kaiba would come with her but she was so scared about what was to come, all she wanted was someone to stand by her side and support her. She would have Malik to help her but it didn't even compare to the comfort she would feel with the Kaiba brothers by her side.

Mokuba pulled back, smiling softly as he looked up at her face. Anzu smiled back sadly wishing now more than ever that Malik had chosen someone else to help him. The touching moment was ruined however when Anzu's stomach grew fed up of being ignored and released a mighty grumble that would make a thunder storm jealous. Anzu flushed and shut her eyes, wanting to scream at her traitorous organ for the embarrassment it seemed to delight in causing her. Her eyes opened when she felt something warm gently nudge her face and saw Kaiba lightly tapping the cup against her cheek. With a mumbled thank you Anzu took the cup and frowned at her lack of utensils.

"Um do you guys have a fork or chopsticks or something?" she asked shyly, already feeling awkward for eating their food.

"Oh right! Yeah just give me a second" Anzu and Kaiba watched as Mokuba dashed out of the room through the door Anzu had first walked through. When the door shut again Kaiba turned to her and regarded her with a serious expression

"Would you prefer I tell him?" Anzu looked up, caught off guard by the question. Realising what he was offering she slowly shook her head

"No. I think it would be better if I did it" she replied softly, unconsciously gripping the cup in her hands harder. Kaiba nodded. He briefly considered trying to convince her to stay with them but dismissed the thought after remembering the look in her eyes from before. She was determined to face Marik, why he wasn't sure but he was sure nothing he could say would change her mind.

The door slid open again and Mokuba jogged in with a fork in his hand.

"For the lady" he announced giving a mock bow. Anzu giggled and took the fork with a quiet thank you. Mokuba beamed and led her to the couch to sit and eat, Kaiba following his lead and sitting as well. Anzu was sitting opposite to the Kaiba brothers, feeling a tad self conscious as they watched her eat.

As she took her first mouthful of the soggy noodles, Anzu felt herself hate Marik even more than she already did. The noodles were bland and felt like chewing strings of wet cardboard but it was edible and without many other choices she quickly ravished it all leaving behind only a few dregs of water.

"Wow you must have been seriously hungry" Mokuba observed as he eyed the empty cup in awe "Seto can barely finish half a cup before he starts trying to eat the cup itself" Anzu laughed and Kaiba harrumphed in response. Mokuba chuckled slipping his arms behind his head "I guess with you around now we won't have to worry about them going to waste!" Anzu and Kaiba exchanged a nervous look. When the only response he got was silence Mokuba looked between the two in confusion. It felt like they weren't telling him something.

"Mokuba ...I'm not staying"

A tense silence filled the room. Mokuba blinked, not seeming to understand what had just been said.

"W, what?" he stuttered

"I'm not staying here" Anzu repeated clearly "I'm going to confront Marik for his crimes" Mokuba stared at her like she was crazy. He turned and looked at his brother expecting him to be just as shocked but the instead Kaiba was looking as calm and composed as always. He looked back to Anzu and gave an un-comfortable smile

"This is a joke right?" He asked hopefully, looking between the two in hopes they would suddenly start laughing for fooling him. To his horror Anzu continued to stare at him with apologetic eyes and Kaiba just stared straight ahead of him, almost ignoring the conversation. As the seconds past and neither of them showed any signs of this just being a harmless prank, Mokuba's heart sank deeper and deeper.

"N, No ..." he began, trembling lightly as he spoke "You can't you just ...you can't" Anzu steeled herself, she had hoped it wouldn't hurt so much

"I have to do this" she began softly but Mokuba cut her off, standing up abruptly and looking on the verge of tears

"Why?! Why do you have to?!" Anzu clenched her jaw, the pained look on Mokuba's face made her heart ache. Kaiba looked to his brother.

"She's made her decision Mokuba; nothing we say will stop her"

"But why does she have to?!" Mokuba shouted growing hysterical "Why can't someone else fight Marik? Why does it always have to be the people I love who suffer because of that bastard?!" Kaiba's eyes narrowed at Mokuba's cracking voice and swearing, he never cursed unless he was extremely upset.

"This isn't about you Mokuba." Kaiba began coolly" The whole world has suffered because of that maniac and frankly I think Mazaki's decision is idiotic and suicidal"

"Then-"

"But" Kaiba cut him off "She obviously didn't disappear and reappear after all these years just to sit around and do nothing. I don't know what she's got planned but it's not something we should or can get in the way of"

Anzu stared at Kaiba in gratitude, thankful for his support. Mokuba bowed his head, his messy black bangs obscuring his expression but it was clear from his stiff form and clenched fists exactly how he felt about Anzu leaving. Taking a deep breath Anzu tensed her shoulders keeping her voice steady as she spoke

"I know it doesn't make much sense but" she hesitated, deciding trying to explain the situation with Malik would be too difficult "just thrust me when I say this is something I have to do" When Mokuba's demeanour didn't change Kaiba stood and put his hand on the younger boy's shoulder

" This is her choice Mokuba, we should just-" Anzu gasped as Mokuba slapped Kaiba's hand from his shoulder, glaring at the other male with tears rimming his cloudy grey eyes

"Just what? Just stand back and let Marik tear her limb from limb? Just watch as someone I thought was dead walks away so they can really be killed ? Just what Seto?! Just what the fuck am I meant to do?! Accept it? Let her put her life in danger like you did? Challenge Marik and get mutilated like you? No! I won't let that happen again, I won't go through that again!" Mokuba looked down again, his breathing irregular in heavy panting. Anzu stared wide eyed at him, shocked at the truth for Kaiba's missing arm. Kaiba said nothing, his face a twisted mix of guilt and shame .

"I thought you were dead" Mokuba sobbed. Anzu opened her mouth to speak but shut it again when she realised she wasn't the one Mokuba was addressing. "When he cut off your arm, you just passed out, but I thought that you were, there was so much blood, so, so much and I didn't know what to do and him, that monster was laughing and saying something but I couldn't hear him because I was too busy panicking about all the blood and how much was coming out and why the wound wasn't closing and what I was supposed to do and I, I " the young boy's voice cracked, straining and slurred through his tears as his fingernails stabbed into his palm "I put you over my shoulder and I, I dragged you and your blood soaked into my shirt and I kept tripping because you were heavy and the blood was slippery and I couldn't think straight because the tower was going to implode and you weren't moving and I couldn't, I couldn't, I didn't know if you were even- Fuck!" Mokuba turned and ran out of the room. Anzu stood to chase after him but Kaiba stopped her.

"I'll handle this" was all he said before he calmly walked out the door after the sobbing teen. Anzu stared at the door as it slid shut. The room fell into silence once again. A tingle moved in her mind but she ignored it. Right now Malik was the last person she wanted to deal with. She almost wished he had left her in the Shadow realm.

It probably would have hurt less than this

So Much Angst! D:

Really I feel evil for putting Mokuba through this. I know there's been a lot of emotional dialogue going on but I assure you it is necessary. If you want to know why you'll have to review :P