Chapter Nine, Illicit temptations
Otogi moved forward, pressing a hand to the door and then leaning his forehead against it. Anzu's face softened sympathetically and she placed a hand on his back comfortingly. He raised a bunched fist, as though to throw it against the door, but only sighed and dropped it helplessly.
"Come on," Anzu soothed, drawing Otogi away from the door. She looked to Honda and he nodded. "Are you staying here?"
"I'll have a better chance at getting through the door alone than with you two here. Go on and take care of Ryuuji, Anzu. I'm sorry Jounouchi yelled at you, but...Well, you understand." She only nodded to show that she did before guiding Otogi's limp form away from the Katsuya residence and down the stairs to the parking garage. When she found his car, Otogi let out a shuddering breath and handed her his phone. She gave him a puzzled look.
"Would you mind...driving me to Yami's if it's alright with him?" Otogi asked, raising his head to meet her gaze. "I'd rather..." He didn't finish his thought as he slumped against the car and closed his eyes. Anzu went through Otogi's contacts, and finding Yami's number, called him.
"Otogi," Yami's smooth, deep voice answered pleasantly.
"Yami, hi," Anzu awkwardly responded, "this is Anzu. Otogi is...in some bad sorts right now – "
"Bad sorts?" Yami repeated, a slightly dark tone entering his voice. "Did the fool do something? Is it his injury?"
"No, no, it's nothing like that. He had a bad encounter with Jounouchi and needs some company. He wanted me to call and see if he could bunk at your house. He could really use some friendly male company right about now."
"Of course I don't mind!" He was hasty to assure. "Will you be driving him over?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. Well, I'll see you both soon, then."
"See you later."
"Bye."
She hung up and sighed, looking to Otogi who handed her his keys mutely. She took them and unlocked the driver's door, unlocking the others. Her mild companion stumbled around to the other side of the car to the passenger seat. "You'll have to give me directions, Otogi," she reminded him and he nodded. She started the car and after buckling her seatbelt, pulled out of the parking garage and following Otogi's quiet instructions. She almost considered going through his phone and calling Mai to tell her about this. However, she reasoned with herself that it would be better not. The woman had a child and a job to handle. A minor thing like this could be cured by some regular, boisterous male company; as it happened, the company had a name and it was Yami Mutou.
Anzu pulled into the driveway of the house Otogi had indicated, her mouth forming a small 'o' of amazement. Clearly, Yami Mutou was as famous of a pianist as she had assumed. The house was nothing short of impressive. She handed Otogi his keys and cell phone after she had cut the engine and after locking the doors, followed him up to the door. I wonder how I'm getting home, she thought idly. I've only been home for a couple hours throughout this whole day! I was hoping to relax at Jou's house, but I guess today just isn't a lucky day... Otogi rang the doorbell and the door was opened almost immediately, Yami greeting them with a warm smile. Anzu's eyes popped open a bit at his unbuttoned, long-sleeved shirt that exposed his toned chest. Look away, look away! She obeyed her mind, choosing to stare at a rather fascinating white wall.
"Come in," Yami bade them warmly. When Anzu had shut the door, Otogi sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Let's go sit down and you can tell me what happened," he suggested to his friend. Otogi nodded, glancing at Anzu.
"Sorry, Anzu," he mumbled, finally realizing she was still in her work uniform. "You haven't even gotten home yet, have you?" She blinked and gave a quick smile, waving a hand.
"It's fine, Otogi. My friends are more important."
"Friends..." was his vague response.
Yami slowly eyed Otogi and then guided him towards the den, gesturing Anzu to stay where she was. She frowned, but obeyed his wishes, turning towards the room across the den. She spotted the gleaming concert Steinway laid out beautifully in the near-to-empty room and let her eyes moved over the rest of the room. The floor was hardwood and the only other object other than the piano was an ornamental plant in the corner. She glanced behind her and, seeing that Yami would be awhile, went to the piano and sat at it, sliding her fingers over the keys. Thoughtfully, she closed her eyes and positioned her fingers in the way Yami had once taught her to do. A smile played at the edges of her mouth as she imagined her being the pianist and Yami being the dancer. Giggling, she brought her hands to her mouth.
"What thoughts are so laughable?" Yami's dryly amused voice questioned. Startled, her eyes flew open and she saw that he was only a foot from her, leaning against the piano. She didn't need a nearly shirtless man that close to her. She carefully drew to her feet and moved to the other side of the piano.
"None at all," she hastily told him. "I was just being stupid." One of his eyebrows glided upward and he took her previous spot, tilting his head back to look at her.
"You had your fingers positioned right. Would you like to learn a song?"
"Not today, I don't think. Is Otogi alright?"
"I took him to the guest room to sleep. He didn't want to wake up in a lonely house, that's all. He's having trouble coping with the reality that because of Mai and Jou's divorce, there isn't any chance of him getting to Shizuka. Or, at least, that's how he sees it." Yami glided his fingers over the keys, a quiet, soothing tune erupting from the piano. "If I know Jounouchi – and mind you, I have known a few men like him – Shizuka's statement will sink in and his better instincts will come over. Everyone has family problems, especially siblings, but they will get over it."
"But Otogi is alright?" She persisted.
"He reacted irrationally tonight," Yami brazenly said. "I told him so and he seems to realize that." Pausing in his playing, he opened his eyes and peered up at her through his strangely long lashes. "Today's today and tomorrow's tomorrow, Anzu. Once everyone has a better grip on their mood, things will settle themselves. They always do." She nodded slightly, sliding beside him on the bench and watching him as he continued to play. They remained like that for a long while without any change until her phone rang. Yami once again paused so that she could hear.
"Hello?" She mumbled into the phone.
"Hi, Anzu," Honda's weary voice replied.
"Hi, Honda," she echoed. "Did Jounouchi let you in?" Yami tried to pretend that he wasn't listening, but even he could hear what Honda was saying since the volume was up so high.
"Yeah...He's pretty upset. He's a wreck, really. He doesn't have a clue what he wants to do, Anzu, and...Well, you know how these kinds of things are. In any case, Shizuka has been in her room ever since she left the door and Jou is sulking in the living room. He keeps asking me whether Otogi would take good care of his sister and when the baby will be coming. I don't know what the hell that means, but it seems like Jou is getting a little less crazy." Yami turned his head to stare at the piano keys.
Protective brothers are the hardest to deal with, even more so than fathers, Yami mused as Anzu responded to Honda. I imagine it's hardest on them, too, seeing this tiny girl that they used to carry on their shoulders being changed before their very eyes. It's worse for Jounouchi. He's been divorced and knows what love can do to a person. Perhaps that's why he's reacting so violently. I can't imagine he would blow up on Anzu like Otogi had mentioned. He shifted his gaze to her as she hung up and let out a breath. Something happened in Jou's marriage that has caused him to be this way. "How are you?" He asked gently.
She shook her head helplessly. "I don't really know, Yami." He patiently waited for her to continue. A small, helpless smile tilted her lips upward. "Today had started out decent. I mean, practice went well and Mai apologized to me...And then it was all shot to hell. People kept arguing at the café, and then my father called and ended up hanging up because I wouldn't talk to him and now this. I just..." She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, pushing her hands through her hair, yanking at the strands in distress. Yami reached over and gently removed her fingers. She turned a startled gaze to him and he dragged his own over her face.
"Now." He wiped the tear that escaped. "Don't get upset over a bad day. Everything will be better by tomorrow." She dropped her head, but he only brought it back up with his hand cupping her chin. "Alright?" She didn't answer for a moment and then nodded, a reluctant smile spreading her mouth outward. He nodded and tentatively brought her to his side, his arm around her shoulders. It wasn't wise for him to touch her, as he very well knew, but it seemed to him that the best thing she needed right then was physical comfort and although it was a danger to his good senses, he would risk it to see her usual, beatific smile.
Laughing slightly, Anzu drew away a few moments later, her cheeks a bit pink. "I need to get home, Yami. If it wouldn't be any trouble, could you maybe give me a ride?" He rose to his feet as she did, gesturing towards the hallway.
"Not at all," he assured, taking note of the colour in her cheeks. Yami had been aware of his attraction to her from the start, but knew better than to get involved with a partner. He had seen pianists do it, especially those involved in duets and had seen, more than once, one or both people falling apart. The relationship, and often enough, career, never lasted long when that happened. It wasn't the career part that bothered Yami. He had grown bored with the same routine.
And it isn't exactly the relationship part, either, he reflected as he took his jacket from his closet and grabbed his car keys from the den. I suppose it's just Anzu. She's still so young. I couldn't ruin her career and make her hate men because of anything between us. No, even though it's true that we have a mutual interest in each other, I am a better man, knowing the consequences, and will not let myself get involved with her. It's better for us altogether. Even as he made the promise, some deep part of him contradicted it, knowing him too well, and knowing that the promise could be easily broken.
The ride to Anzu's apartment was generally silent besides his occasional question of which way he should turn and her response. Yami was struggling with his inner battle and Anzu, being the more naïve and innocent of the two, was wondering whether what she had earlier considered as simply friendly actions were more than thus. It was a boggling question and one that she didn't particularly enjoy dwelling over. As much as she found Yami handsome and enjoyed his companionable criticism of her dancing, she didn't want to look too much into things and ruin what she already had with the pianist.
I am being ridiculous, she concluded as he pulled into the parking lot. I'm going to dismiss it all as being friendly, pretend that I didn't want to stay in his arms when he hugged me and... Okay, Anzu, now you're just being stupid. You can pretend what he feels is something else, but you can't deny what you feel. Ugh. Whatever. "Thank you, Yami," Anzu presently said, turning to smile at him. "Should I...come to the opera house tomorrow?" He rubbed a hand over his forehead speculatively and glanced at the digital readings on his stereo.
"Yes, we better. The auditions are getting closer. We have to get in as much practice as possible."
"Alright. Then I'll see you tomorrow morning?"
"I suppose you will." He smiled and reached over, smoothing her hair from her face. He dropped his eyes and took her hand, kissing her fingers lightly. "Goodnight, Anzu."
"...Goodnight, Yami." She slowly drew her fingers from him, as though she loathed to do so. When she exited the car, shutting the door quietly behind her, he let out a sigh and watched her dash towards the doors of the lobby of the apartment with a rueful expression. As that deeper part of him had suspected, he had broken his promise in less than an hour.
"...Damn," he mumbled, pulling the car of out 'Park' and into 'Drive.' He was growing more and more uncertain of his actions. He had never acted so foolishly out of hand with a woman before and wished he could change it. He had known Anzu for a small amount of time and even though it was true he had gone to bed with a woman almost as soon as he'd met her, it didn't change the fact that Anzu had hired him as her accomplice and that was all he should act as. Forget it, he decided. Let her make the decision. She won't be as likely as to break the same promise over and over again ever hour she makes it. He smiled at that and pulled from the parking lot into the street, satisfied.
X
The brisk, morning air that drove through Sakura's hair was pleasant, but the coolness of it was different to her. She had decided yesterday after settling on the house she would move into that she would pay a visit to her old family. She imagined that her husband wouldn't want to talk to her and not wishing to invoke him into cardiac arrest, Sakura had resolved on speaking with her daughter so that Anzu could at least give him fair warning. As she stepped into the opera house, she felt a heavy melancholy fall on her. Although after coming to Domino she had assured herself that she regretted nothing, Sakura wondered if she actually did. The pianist she had run off with had died a few years after they were together, leaving her with a broken heart and a lost conscience. She had considered returning to her husband and daughter, but knew that was not possible. The only reason for her search for them now was that she had learned they had left the house Anzu had been raised in, the house that her husband had struggled to remain in for so long.
I suppose it came as a shock, Sakura reflected as she followed the soft music of Tchaikovsky's, moving ever closer towards the auditorium. I suppose...it finally meant that they – that he – was moving on. She came upon the doors and then let her gaze move to the doors that opposed the doors she was facing. She knew that they led to the balconies, but chose not to spy on her daughter. Quietly opening the doors, Sakura slipped into the auditorium and closed the doors just as quietly, glad for the lack of light, excepting the stage lights.
My daughter... She watched the graceful movements of the female on the stage, so like a swan. Her face was relaxed and she seemed to almost be in a dream-like state. Sakura moved her gaze to the man that stood near the piano watching, his arms crossed. Yami Mutou, she recognized instantly. He is Anzu's accompanist? I'm amazed she could get such a man to play for her. He, like many pianists, is rumored to abhor dancers. Sakura tore her gaze from him to return to Anzu and felt her eyes tear up.
"Mommy, I'm going to be a dancer someday."
"And you'll be a beautiful dancer, Anzu."
You are a beautiful dancer, Anzu, Sakura thought, closing her eyes briefly. I never knew that you would take it this far, never knew you had been so serious when you told me that you would be a dancer... I had disregarded it, as many adults do, since you were only a child. The music cut off and she opened her eyes to see Anzu stopping, stretching her arms upward.
"You've been practicing," Yami remarked with a smile as he strolled towards her. "They want you to move like a swan." He gestured with a hand, almost touching her, adding, "You've accomplished that perfectly. You need to stay in time with the music, though."
"It would be better if I could dance when you are playing instead of that damned recording," Anzu pointed out, swiping at some hair. Yami smiled and Sakura did as well. She knew that she would have to reveal herself soon, but for the time being, she would enjoy this amusing banter between pianist and dancer.
"But how will I know if you keep with the music?" Anzu had no answer and perhaps he did, but as he turned towards the piano, he spotted Sakura and knitted his brows, calling out, "Hello. May I help you?" Sakura started a bit and Anzu looked to where Yami was as well. No recognition came into her eyes, likely because of the dimness.
"Maybe you can," Sakura answered, starting up towards the stage. Yami watched her with a puzzled frown on his lips as she started up the steps of the stage. Keeping her head down, Sakura hesitated on the last step that would bring her into the full, glaring beam of the stage lights. At last, she came into the light and raised her head. This time, Anzu did react. Her hands shot up to her mouth and she stumbled back, into Yami. "I am Anzu's mother."
X
Jou rubbed his thumb and index finger together as he stared out into the city of Domino. He hadn't spoken to his sister since last night and knew that her anger was justified. He also hadn't attempted to get her out of her room to eat or do anything. He had stepped out so that she would be given the chance to do at least that. He would let her sulk and throw a fit in her room for as long as she wanted. He didn't deny that it was his fault that she was in there and after a long night of thinking, he decided that he had most definitely been a brainless jackass towards Otogi.
I thought it was just a crush, he thought sullenly. I mean, for Christ's sake, this is Otogi Ryuuji, the pretty boy with girls sucking on him every night. How could I have known that he hasn't been with a girl ever since he met Shizuka? How could I have known that he had fallen in love with her? Shit, how could I KNOW that Shizuka was in love with him? If Honda had told me this sooner than yesterday, I wouldn't have cared if he had taken sides with Mai or not, I wouldn't have reacted like I did to him last night... He sighed and rubbed his drooping face, having not gotten any sleep last night. Fuckin' aye, man... Why did all this have to blow up in my face now of all times?
X
DIS: Eek, yes, I know, you guys are probably thinking, "Screw Jounouchi! We want to know what happens between Anzu and her mother!" Well, too bad, so sad, and I know I suck, hehehe. Please leave a review to tell me how you liked this chapter! Ciao!
