DIS: Yikes, it's been awhile again. That seems to happen a lot with me...I can't help it, though. Where my free time was, I have occupied myself with Uncharted, Assassins Creed, and Zelda. Bahh. I am such a terrible updater! In any case, here is the next chapter. Thanks to every single person who has reviewed, I adore all of your feedback, it really helps me know where I need to go with the story!
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Chapter Twenty-Seven, Distance from Another World
Practicing thus far had gone well. The last days had concluded with little to no mistakes. Ryou and Malik often accompanied Anzu home so that they could continue to practice, to her insistence. Yami rarely saw Anzu during night anymore, mostly due to the fact that she and the other two dancers seemed to be glued at the hip to ensure her success. While this made him feel somewhat lonely and more than a bit like he was being rejected from some sort of "Secret Circle," he had his own things for which he needed to prepare. He and Kaiba had been taking dinner together lately in Kaiba's office or sometimes, rarely, at Yami's own house to get Yami's finances together.
"You're losing profit," Kaiba told him the night before the auditions. He and Yami were in the pianist's living room. Yami was lounging against the couch, drinking a glass of wine while Kaiba was sitting in a chair across from him, papers spread out on the coffee table, and a large calculator on Kaiba's knee. He had been punching in numbers for the past fifteen minutes, numbers that Yami had not been keeping track of nor had he been paying any attention to lately. It was clear, though, that there was some sort of hidden problem within those numbers if that was the conclusion that Kaiba's deductive skills had procured.
"Come again?"
"That shouldn't be a surprise," Kaiba told him mildly, taking a drink of his own wine and then loosening his collar a bit. "You haven't been performing lately, haven't been bringing in any money. You've been stagnant for quite a few months. Granted, some of your albums in Europe have been bringing in a bit of money, but not nearly enough given how much you spend and how much they take out of the profit from those albums, anyway. It doesn't help that you ended up getting pulled out of the concert series a short while ago, and now you haven't even attempted to get into another other concerts, here or in Europe. You're not making any money off of Anzu and I'm not so sure that you'll be making much off of her as her accompanist, either."
Yami frowned, considering this. It was true that his lifestyle was not at all a cheap one to maintain. He had several different residences that he had to pay on. Granted, most were not nearly as grand as his house in Domino, but that did not stop the fact that all of those expenses tended to add up. He had never worried about money before because he had always been working, getting paid well through contracts and there had always been money being pumped into his bank account. "How much have I lost?"
"I'd say...close to five percent of your usual income during these months. It's not much, but that percentage tends to jump up if you continue to spend."
"I can't do anything about the housing expenses," Yami said mildly, spreading his hands out. "I use every single one of those every year and not just for a few weeks, usually months at a time."
"Do you have any idea how much they'll offer Anzu for this contract with Swan Lake if she gets it?"
"No numbers have been mentioned...I don't think she even cares how much it is, but it's with a prestigious company, so I assume they'll offer a decent amount."
"Then you need to ask for fifty percent," Kaiba told him.
"I can't possibly ask for that much!" Yami replied, outraged. "She's doing the majority of the work, why should I ask for half of the profits?"
"Let's be honest, Yami. She wouldn't even have gotten this far without you as her accompanist. You introduced her to both Malik and Ryou, both of whom are two of the best dancers, and without them, she wouldn't have been able to adjust as well as she has. And besides that, do you really think that the judges aren't going to be impressed that one of the most infamous pianists is her accompanist? Your name alone will help her get the part of Odette."
"That's not how I want her to get the part, Kaiba."
"But that's how it works," his companion told him coolly. "Throw a few names around and those judges will be bowing to her and her connections. Anzu obviously is ignorant of this or she just doesn't care. I'm surprised you're acting so naïve, as if you didn't realize something like that would happen." Yami continued to frown, bothered by this revelation. Kaiba drummed his fingers on the coffee table, impatient with his client's stubborn nature. "Listen, I don't give a damn what you think about this, but the fact is that you deserve as much of the profit as Anzu does. See what she's willing to offer and don't say no to her just because you have this stupid sense of nobility when it comes to women and taking their money. She's still technically your employer. It's time you accept that and get the money that you're due. Either that, or start cutting some expenses." He tapped where the pile of papers where to indicate what he meant.
I can't cut many of the housing expenses I have, Yami thought, attempting to find some way to avoid obtaining money from Anzu. Admittedly, at first he had every intention of getting money from Anzu, but now that he had developed feelings for her, he was uncomfortable with the possibility. It's not as if we are dating or anything...not officially...or at all, really...Yet still it bothers me.
The doorbell rang abruptly, startling Yami out of his thoughts. He sighed, setting his wine glass aside and rising to his feet. Kaiba dug in his pocket and withdrew a pack of cigarettes and his lighter. "Open the window if you're going to start that," Yami told him, leaving the room towards the front door. Kaiba sent him a withering stare as he exited, which Yami pointedly ignored. At the front door, Yami raised his eyebrows upon seeing the two guests on his steps. "I thought you two were training with Anzu?"
"She still has work to go to," Ryou told him, smiling slightly. "And besides, we've exhausted every scene in Swan Lake. I'm confident of Anzu's ability to get the part by now."
"And you?" Yami questioned to Malik, stepping aside to allow them entry.
"I never thought she couldn't," he said snidely, smirking at Ryou, who rolled his eyes. Yami shook his head and shut the door behind them, following them as they entered the living room. Kaiba was lounging out the window, looking not too pleased. "Oh-ho! Look at the whipped dog, smoking out of a fuckin' window. What are you, Yami, a woman? Can't handle a bit of cigarette smoke in your house?"
"It stains the walls, Malik," Ryou told him, sighing, "and besides, cigarette smoke damages pianos, you know that."
"Where is this piano, pray tell? Across the house, that's where!"
Ignoring their bickering, Yami gathered the papers from the table and straightened them out. Yami wasn't all too worried about the audition himself, as he knew that he would do fantastically, having been accustomed to large audiences, but he wondered how Anzu would do in front of a panel that would immediately determine where she was to place as far as the part of Odette. He knew that Anzu was confident of her skills, but was she so confident that she would not stumble in her dancing? He wished that they had time to perform in front of strangers before she went in front of the judges, but he could do nothing about that.
"...has nothing to do with it, Kaiba, and you know it," Ryou was saying when Yami snapped out of his thoughts. He frowned, glancing at the usually benign dancer and then gave Malik a quizzical look. The blonde shrugged and then went into the kitchen. Yami heard him digging around for something, but rather than discovering what is was that Malik was searching for, he attended to the current conversation.
"I think that it would have to or else they wouldn't have gotten involved. You should have left it alone. I don't appreciate busy bodies getting into my business."
"I was simply giving them advice."
"Advice that fucked my clients out of a good chunk of their money," Kaiba replied, smashing his cigarette on the window sill and flicking it out. "I don't care what your intentions were, but my clients were furious and if my name gets connected to yours, I have to listen to them bitch and moan and then their attorney will bitch and moan and I'd rather not deal with their idiocy."
"Oh, yes, what an inconvenience that would be," was the sarcastic quip. Kaiba's eyes narrowed dangerously, but Yami quickly intervened.
"Alright, enough. Let's just settle down. We don't need to discuss business right now, anyway. We have enough on our hands. Did you ever get to booking my ticket for me, Kaiba, or were you not able to do that?"
"Yes, of course," Kaiba said, giving Yami a look as though to say, 'Just who do you think I am?' "And the date on that ticket had better not change. Your flight into Paris is going to stay that way and you'll have a week, if not more. I didn't buy a round trip ticket, so you'll have to figure that out on your own." Yami nodded, seeming to think on it for a long moment.
"You're doing the right thing, Yami," Ryou assured him as Malik entered the room with vodka-crans for everyone. "She'll be safe here with us. Malik and I will look after her and her friends will keep a close eye on her, too. I actually suggested to her..." He hesitated and then glanced at Malik, as though asking a question. Yami paused in drinking from his cup, looking from one male to the other.
"What? You suggested what?" Yami demanded.
"Well, I suggested that perhaps she should ask her mother to use her influence to keep her safe. Anzu was not all that inclined towards the idea, but I think given her mother's position and last position, for that matter, she would do well to suggest it. I'm sure that Sakura would very much like to do that for her. But I ran into the problem of explaining why Anzu would want these protections and I eventually just gave up on the idea altogether."
"It would be nice...," Yami slowly said, "but those people can be bought. I would not trust them to know who Anzu is, let alone have them watching her every move. You never know what might happen to her."
"True...very true," Ryou admitted, appearing slightly crestfallen, although more ashamed than anything. "How stupid of me. I never even thought of that."
"That's because you always want to help people," Kaiba sneered.
"Enough," Yami cut in before Ryou could respond. "I appreciate the thought, Ryou, but for now, I want only you two watching over her. Kaiba will be going out of town for a few days during that week, as well, just as a precaution. I don't want anyone passing through here and notice so many...well, so many conspicuous people being clustered together. It wouldn't do well. I think it might do well for you two to try and remain on the low if you could, too."
"I have no reason to stay low," Malik cockily stated. "And neither does Ryou. We're dancers. We've always attended these auditions together, especially if they are in an arts hotspot, which Domino most certainly is. As far as I am concerned, we are safe as we are."
"You'd best be," was all Yami said.
"Cheers! Bottoms up, boys," Malik brightly said and as one, the men finished their drinks.
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Anzu had been lying in bed for some time after her alarm had gone off. She knew that she had set it as early as she had in case she had a fit of nerves. She simply did not know that they would be this bad. It's not as though I haven't performed in front of people before, she told herself. I always dance in front of Malik and Ryou and Yami and I've danced in front of papa and teachers, so why am I so nervous about dancing in front of judges? They're basically the same, right? Anzu was finding it hard to find that argument believable.
Her cell rang abruptly, startling her from her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she rolled over and answered, "Hello?"
"Good morning, Anzu," Yami pleasantly replied. "I'm on my way with Ryou and Malik, I'm just making sure that you're ready."
"Yami, I...I don't think I can do this."
"It's natural to feel a little nervous before a big audition," he told her reassuringly. "You know this dance by heart, Anzu. You have no reason to be nervous. Your family and friends will be there and you can't let Ryou and Malik down, either, you know. They'd feel like they practiced with you for nothing. You can't simply give up." Anzu knew his words were true, but still she hesitated. "Listen, you're going to be amazing. Don't worry about it. We'll be there soon, so get ready."
"Alright...see you soon." Anzu hung up, despondent and anxious. She got out of bed and released a long sigh. After giving herself a mental pep talk to simply make herself get out of her bedroom, she took a quick shower and her hair was still wet by the time the doorbell rang. She was shoving her pointe shoes on alternately as she ran to the door and she unlocked it, smiling at the men standing in the doorway. "I just have to blow dry my hair and grab my paperwork and I'll be ready."
"Well, hurry it up!" Malik called after her, tossing himself on the couch. When the other three men scowled at him, he gave them a blank look. "What?" he queried. When only Ryou continued to look at him, he spread his hands out. "Did I say something wrong?" Ryou merely shook his head with an exasperated look. As Anzu came back through with a loose tunic sweater over her leotard, she slapped Malik upside the head. "OW! What the hell was that for?"
"For rushing me," she stated plainly. "Alright, let's go!" She gave a bright smile to Yami, who returned it. As Malik followed behind them, Otogi snickered at him, to which he glared at him.
The car ride was silent for the most part, with only the light sound of music coming from the radio. Anzu was jiggling her legs anxiously. Yami glanced at her, smiling slightly, but said nothing. When they arrived at the theater where the auditions would take place, they headed inside and Anzu gave the woman her paperwork. The woman smiled and looked over it and then handed her a number. "You'll be more towards the end, dear," she told her. "Go ahead and take a seat inside." Anzu nodded and gave a tremulous smile.
"Good luck!" Ryou whispered as he and Malik parted from the other three. Anzu clutched the number in her hand and followed Yami and Otogi inside to where the other dancers were sitting. She paled when she saw how many other women were auditioning. As she moved to leave, Yami and Otogi both took an arm and hauled her back to where she would be sitting.
"Many of these girls' accompanists don't look nearly as professional as I would have thought," Otogi muttered to Yami, who nodded slowly.
"I would have to agree," he said. "That'll give us an advantage, at least, won't it?" He smiled at Anzu, who was seated between them. "Anzu, stop worrying so much." He put an arm around her and pulled her to him in a brief hug. "You'll be fine."
"But there are so many other people auditioning..."
"Yes, there usually is. And when you get this part, you'll likely be able to secure a contract with the company, which could be very advantageous for you. You'll be able to begin your career immediately."
Anzu was not all that interested in thinking of where her career was going at the moment and as they waited, she continued to jiggle her legs, listening to numbers called out and then listening to the accompaniment for each dancer's part. She could tell that Yami's piano skills were far superior to any of the other accompanists. And, she noted, no one else had two accompanists. Regardless of that fact, however, she still was nervous with the entire situation. When her number, "146!" was called, she froze. In addition to her number, two other numbers were called, but she did not hear it over the rush in her ears that seemed to be deafening her. Yami gently took her hand and squeezed it, standing. She followed him and took a deep, calming breath before stepping onto the stage. There were five judges, including Malik, and the others were reading through her paperwork, it appeared. Malik smirked at her and gave a subtle little wave with his fingers. The one in the center, whose nameplate read Andre Corbier, looked at her beneath his heavy brow with a critical stare. "Good afternoon," he greeted. "Perform act two, scene three, if you will. Accompaniment." He gestured his hand to Yami and Otogi, who inclined their heads.
"Focus on me," Yami whispered and gave her a quick smile. She nodded and he settled at the piano while Otogi removed his violin. Anzu took a deep breath and smiled at the man who appeared to be the other number, auditioning for Siegfried. The man on the other side of him appeared to be auditioning for the part of Rothbart. They positioned themselves, with her in front of him and her hands in the male's and waited patiently for a moment before the music began. One thing that Anzu noticed immediately was how different it was to dance with someone else after having danced with Ryou and Malik for such a long period of time. As she leapt, her legs splayed apart, she felt a slight discomfort, having no trust for her partner and therefore uncomfortable with the thought of him being in control of holding her weight. However, as the scene continued, she grew more comfortable and even though she was fearful of what the judges thought, she always looked to Yami to become reassured. His face, peaceful and serene, was enough to calm her own rapid heartbeat. As she spun from her partner, envisioning an invisible Rothbart, she felt the music and the ballet smother her anxieties.
It was easy, she found, to become engrossed in her dancing and to forget that she was competing for this part. She slipped onto her toes easily, her arms arcing elegantly and her steps light as she and her partner joined again. She kept her body relaxed, her legs and arms floating upward, seeming to have no weight. She was unbothered by the blunders he made, as most times it did not cause her to make problems. If his poor dancing affected her own, she was certain that she would end up tripping all over the stage; so, instead she ignored it and hoped he did not make more mistakes. She spun around, his hands on her waist, and then she dipped down towards the floor, his hand her only means of support. Anzu had only had a few experiences with the man playing Rothbart, but when he lifted her up and drifted backward, as he was to do, she forced herself to relax, even though she did not much trust his handling of her, either.
All too soon, the scene ended and the three dancers returned to their earlier position, where they bowed and then left the stage. Yami was waiting for her with a bright smile. She bit her lip to contain her own smile. "Did I do okay?" she whispered.
"You did beautifully," Otogi assured her, having been the one with his eyes open.
They exited the stage and only after the other dancers had finished were they allowed back into the lobby. They had another hour or so to wait until the judges would give their decision. As soon as Anzu entered the lobby, there was an explosion of noise around her. Startled, Anzu looked up and was surprised to find all of her friends there. Mai, Miho, Shizuka, Jounouchi, Honda, Ryou, her father, and even Kaiba were all there. Anzu laughed, putting her hands to her face and tearing up.
"You looked wonderful, Anzu!" Miho said and she hugged her and then handed her over to Mai and Shizuka, who surrounded her in their arms.
"It was fantastic!" Mai told her, pulling back and grinning.
Her father handed her a bouquet of flowers that she pushed her face in and breathed in. As her friends continued their exclamations, Anzu could not help but look towards Yami, who was talking with Kaiba, who had given a cordial congratulations to her. Kaiba said something that caused Yami to chuckle and shake his head. His eyes met hers and she blushed, looking away, embarrassed.
After the initial commotion, Anzu settled into some seats with the girls and waited for the results, just as the other dancers were. Others were with their family and friends, with the lobby becoming nearly stifling to be in. Anzu clutched to her flowers, knowing that she would need them when they announced the results and she was not given the part as Odette. I wouldn't mind a different part, she admitted, just so long as I get something. She sniffed at her flowers again and listened as her three girlfriends chattered about the dancers and the men, Mai remarking rather candidly about the leotards the men were wearing. The hour seemed to drag for Anzu as she worried about the results, but for her friends it seemed to zip by.
"Attention! Please, attention, everyone!" a voice was calling over the commotion. There was a pause in which the noise slowly died away. Anzu held her flowers harder, sending a prayer up just for luck. "We have made a decision. Please listen for your number, followed by your name, and the part received." Anzu listened as numbers and names were listed from the lowest dancing position in the ballet, slowly growing to larger parts. She felt her nails biting into her hand as the voice called out the number for Rothbart, and then Seigfried. "And, finally, for the part of Princess Odette," the caller said and Anzu felt her friends press up against her, holding her shoulder, "we have number...146, Anzu Mazaki."
Anzu had become frozen, staring ahead of her in shock.
"Anzu! You got the part!" Miho said, shaking her.
"Anzu Mazaki?" the man called again. Her friends shoved her to her feet and Anzu shook herself awake, handing the flowers to Shizuka and pushing her way through the people to the front. She was surprised to find that it was the judge, Andre Corbier, who was standing, calling out the names. When he saw her, he gave a crooked smile and handed her a stack of papers. "Congratulations, Miss Mazaki," he said. She took the papers, dazed. "Wonderful dancing. We truly were impressed."
"Oh...thank you, sir," she murmured, bowing, snapping out of her thoughts.
"We'll see you here next week on Monday." He winked at her with the same crooked grin and she allowed herself a small, silly smile. She turned as he was sending his apologies to all other dancers, remarking on the large amount of talent, and other such things. Anzu, however, pushed her way through the people again and soon as she saw Yami, her face lit up with a smile.
"Great jo – " He wasn't given a chance to finish as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Startled, but not at all displeased, he pulled her close, returning the kiss and when she withdrew, he gave her a puzzled look, his eyes flicking to the surprised and mischievous expressions on the crowd around them.
"Thank you," Anzu told him simply, smiling as happy tears gathered in her eyes. "I couldn't have gotten this far without you."
"No," he said quietly, "thank you, Anzu." He kissed her briefly, a sweet kiss, and then hugged her. He knew that she had no idea what it was that he was thanking her for, but it hardly mattered. At that moment, Yami knew he had everything he needed in life. Anzu, for her part, had never felt the amount of happiness she did at that moment. Surrounded by the most important people in her life, she had finally achieved her dreams and now she could only go forward. She only hoped that Yami would be able to go forward with her.
TBC
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DIS: Phew. I pounded out the last half of this chapter in the middle of class in an hour. Again, sorry for the delay everyone. But I hope it was worth it? Let me know how you liked it, if there's anything you're interested in seeing, etc. in a review or a PM if you prefer. Ciao!
