A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! :) I know this chapter is a little shorter than expected, but I wanted to get something out for you guys since it's been...you know...three months. Enjoy!
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Chapter Thirty-Two, Breath of fresh air
It was early in the morning when Malik woke up. He had gone to bed only two hours ago and yet he was wide awake. He sat up in bed, frowning, wondering what had awoken him. He peered around in the darkness and glanced at the digital clock. It was 5:22, allowing him about two more hours of sleep. However, his instincts were alert and alarmed. He slipped out of bed, standing up and allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness for a moment. He rubbed his face, feeling the beginning of stubble on his chin. Frowning and dismissing that temporarily, he crept from the bedroom in his modest one-bedroom apartment and stepping into the hallway cautiously. His body tensed as he listened. His apartment was quiet, but somewhere in the darkness, he could sense that something was not quite right. He stepped back into his bedroom and pulled the case out from underneath his bed, grabbing his OTs-27 Berdysh handgun. Making certain that it was loaded, he tucked it against his leg as he exited his bedroom for a second time.
His eyes darted around the living room as he stepped outside the hallway. He could find no one present, but his unease did not dissipate. He moved into the kitchen and flipped a light on. The light revealed that his apartment was quite empty. However, his alarm increased when he noticed an unfamiliar package sitting atop his coffee table. Rather than moving directly to the package, he darted around the apartment, throwing open closets, shoving his shower curtain back to check the bath tub. When he was satisfied that he was quite alone, he returned to the living room and stood above the package, his eyes narrowed. The packaging was plain and brown and there was an unaddressed envelope sitting atop it. Carefully, he opened the envelope, keeping his pistol in hand. Inside was a simple letter.
We expect to see you soon. Here's a little gift to remind you of us. Give our regards to the others.
It was unaddressed, but Malik recognized the handwriting. Tossing the envelope aside, he set his gun aside and tore open the package. The box itself was plastic and had latches on the side. He glanced at the letter again. He knew the handwriting was Yami's father, Rei, which was unsettling to know that he had been in his apartment and was so close to Domino. Briefly abandoning that thought, he carefully unlatched the box and then opened it. He caught a whiff of something familiar and lifted a hand to cover his mouth and then flipped the container open completely. For a long moment, he stared at the contents and then picked up the letter with his free hand, reading the words again. Give our regards to the others.
Malik turned his eyes back to the container, his mouth twisting into an unpleasant frown. Bright eyes stared back at him and pieces of blonde hair stuck to the blood that marred the beautiful, fair skin. After a moment, he shut the container and latched it. He left the container on the table and went to the sink, washing his hands. He returned to his bedroom and grabbed his phone, dialing a number, and walking back out to the kitchen.
"What?" Seto Kaiba answered on the other line.
"Rebecca Hopkins is dead," Malik said without any preamble.
"And you know that how?"
"Well, her head is sitting in a box on my coffee table." Malik glanced towards the coffee table where the package was sitting, appearing innocent.
"...her head," Kaiba repeated slowly. "And pray tell me how her head is in your apartment at all, Ishtar."
"That's a good question. I'd like to know myself. Listen, we don't have time for arguing about this. I have a few people I need to contact in Tokyo. I'll be back in Domino sooner than I was expecting. It might not be a good idea to tell Yami just yet, given that he's only just returned to Japan."
"Agreed." And even though Kaiba was trying to have a casual tone, Malik caught the tension behind his voice. After a moment, the male sighed on the other line and in an irritable voice, asked, "Are you going to need help getting rid of that or can you handle it yourself?"
"You forget who you're talking to," Malik said, snorting derisively. "I have it under control. You need to put some people out to watch the city, though. This entire situation could fuck everything up."
"I'm aware." Without so much as a farewell, Kaiba hung up. Malik raised his eyebrows towards his phone and then tossed it on the counter, running a hand through his thick hair, staring at the abomination that was sitting on his coffee table. It unnerved him to know that Rei had been in his apartment while he had been sleeping. It was clear that it had only been a moment before he had woken up that Rei had been there. He released a long sigh and rubbed his face. He was concerned for Yami, but he was more worried for Anzu. Yami could take care of himself, but Anzu wasn't accustomed to this type of situation. She wouldn't be able to defend herself.
Fuck that, he thought, pursing his lips, she's going to have to learn.
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Yami sat in bed, the sheets bundled around him. He was leaning against the headboard. Outside, the city had been awake for some time. It had been a few days since he had arrived in Domino and he had yet to visit Anzu. His mind had been riddled with nightmarish dreams and unsettled sleep. As he sat in the dark room, he could only stare ahead at the door, his legs brought up with his arms hanging casually over them. He closed his eyes briefly and then winced as an image flashed in his mind, causing him to open his eyes wearily. How many years has it been since I've had to kill someone? he wondered faintly. How long has it been since I've taken the life of an innocent? Those people...they knew nothing about what they were getting involved in. They had no idea what was happening. They served without any thought, obeying without any personal motive...except to survive.
Yami brought a hand up, staring at it and heaving a sigh. It had been almost four days. Kaiba and the two male dancers knew he had returned, along with Mai. He could count on his immediate friends to keep silent about his arrival, but he was not so sure of Mai's loyalty. She owed a debt to Anzu and clearly thought that Yami was not invested in his relationship with her. He wished it were so simple. Occasionally, he would get up to shower to go see her, but his mind would not leave the dead aside; he had not even been able to put a mask on for Mai. Anzu was his weakness and he was sure that his entire façade would fall apart and he could not unburden his sins to her.
Abruptly, his phone rang, pulling him from his thoughts. He reached out with a hand and answered tiredly, "Hello?"
"Yami," Ryou's timid voice greeted on the other line, "hello. How are you?"
"I'm well, thank you for asking," Yami replied, surprised by the formality. "But I doubt that's why you called."
"No, of course not," Ryou assured him, sounding somewhat ill at ease. "Ah...as I understand it, you've been in town for some time."
"Yes..."
"Well, as you know, I've been playing accompanist for Anzu at her recitals and, well, the ballet is coming up in two weeks and they're getting suspicious, asking Anzu where her original accompanist is. They feel uncomfortable with my presence since I am, technically, in the dancing community and feel that it is a bit of, um, a conflict of interest given that I am also connected to Malik, who was judging the auditions, and it's just getting a little entangled."
"Of course," Yami murmured, somewhat reluctant. "I understand you completely, Ryou. I'll be there tonight at her recital. Don't worry about it."
"Really?" Ryou asked, sounding relieved. "Thank goodness. Anzu's been quite anxious the past week or so, as well, thinking that something's gone and happened to you. She'll be thrilled to see you. Should I tell her that you'll be there?"
"No, let's keep this between you and me," Yami said. "I'd like to surprise her."
"Perfect! I'll drive her there as usual and meet you there."
"Alright. I'll talk to you then, Ryou."
There was a pause and then Ryou hesitantly asked, "Are you...sure you're doing alright, Yami? You sound a bit off." Yami considered for a moment telling Ryou his trouble and while it was tempting, his self-sacrificing nature would not allow him. The horrors that he had performed and the guilt he felt was nothing that any other person could understand. Instead, he kept silent for such a long time that Ryou spoke his name again. "Yami?"
"Yes," Yami answered at last. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired. I'll see you tonight, Ryou." Without waiting for a reply, he hung up and tossed his phone across the bed. He wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his chin on his knees, staring broodingly across the room again. Although he felt extreme guilt for his actions, he soon felt another guilt, that of lying to his friends. He had been purposely vague to Kaiba and he was sure that Kaiba had reported to Malik. Ryou would accept the lies without question, far too trusting when it came to him. Kaiba and Malik, however, were a different matter. They were far more persistent and while they had allowed him a brief respite, he was certain that they would interrogate him soon enough.
That night, Yami arrived just as planned, a bit early so that he could watch some ways away. His mind was fraught with unease from his earlier thoughts and he was still unsure of how he would be able to meet Anzu again, after the events that had occurred in Europe. However, every time his mind threatened to unleash an unholy attack of insanity upon him, he calmed himself and hastily turned his mind to other matters. As he waited anxiously, his body froze when he recognized the car that pulled up and parked. Ryou got out first and Anzu followed, carrying her bag. She smiled at Ryou as she rounded the car. Every thought seemed to be swept from Yami's mind as he stared at her. He had recalled her face in his mind many times since he had last seen her, yet somehow his memory had dulled her image. He swallowed and after they had entered the building, he waited a moment and then followed.
Even as he followed them close behind, with Ryou glancing behind them once and meeting his gaze, Yami could feel his steps grow a bit steadier and his mind a bit more leveled.
"Alright, everyone, let's go!" one of the older women was calling out, clapping her hands. "Hello, Mr. Bakura," she added with a slight tone of exasperation.
"They're getting a little frustrated by you being here," Anzu remarked, giving a small laugh that was forced.
"It's alright," Ryou cheerfully stated. Yami was near enough that he was standing almost directly behind Anzu. Ryou glanced at him over her head and smiled, saying, "I think it'll be fine tonight." Yami flashed a small smile to Ryou and reached out, taking Anzu's arm. Amid the commotion of the dancers readying themselves for practice, hardly any of them paid a moment's notice to Yami. Anzu, startled, turned around, her brows knitted in agitation. Her face cleared when she saw him.
"Yami!" she breathed and, looking at her glowing face, nothing about the incidents in Europe came to his mind. Without a word, he pulled her against him and hugged her, kissing her temple. She was warm and her arms that locked around his waist were tight, as if she feared he would disappear or was merely a ghost. "What took you?" she whispered and even above the loud voices, he could hear her voice distinctly.
"I was delayed," he murmured, "but I'm here now. But go, we'll talk afterwards." He released her and ushered her away. Anzu's face was lit up in a bright smile that she flashed at him before hastening away, disappearing in the crowd of dancers. Yami watched her for a moment and then turned to Ryou, who had a relieved expression on his face and had clearly just gotten finished speaking to one of the instructors. "Thank you for holding them off as long as you did, Ryou."
"You're quite welcome," Ryou said with a smile. "I'm going to take my leave, if you don't mind. I think you two would like some time alone, after all." Yami considered that for a moment and then nodded. "Excellent! I'll call tomorrow, there's some things that I need to speak with you about, but they can wait. Have a good night!" Without another word, Ryou was hurrying off. Yami frowned, noting his strange behavior, just as he had over the phone. Temporarily dismissing it, he headed to the piano and was pleased to see that the music was set up.
While Ryou was an excellent pianist, he could not compete with Yami, who played the set of notes with a degree of fluidity that many of the dancers were not accustomed. Only Anzu, who was used to the way in which he played remained unaffected and stepped into place appropriately. The recital was painful for him to get through and part of him had wished that he had forced Ryou to stay and play; he was impatient to talk to Anzu again and when there was a pause and the instructors had to correct someone, his eyes would consistently meet hers across the stage. Every time she smiled when they looked at each other, his heart seemed to grow lighter.
Once the recital was over, the instructors came up to compliment him and welcome him, but he paid them hardly a mind, edging away from the piano and towards the doors. When, at last, another dancer interrupted to get their input, he fled, meeting Anzu at the doors. She beamed at him and without a word, the two of them left the stage, their steps a bit quicker than everyone else's. And, when they exited the building onto the sidewalk, Yami had lost all pretense and took her hand, urging her into a dash towards where he had parked some ways away. Anzu simply laughed and when they got to the car, they paused outside and he pulled her to him, kissing her hard. Perhaps it was partial insanity or part of the insane emotional surge that was pumping through him, but he was not nearly as controlled as usual. But then, neither was she. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders and her hips turned up against him, his hands splayed against the small of her back, pulling her against him.
"I'm sorry," he managed, pulling away from her, having the grace to look embarrassed. Her face was flushed, but she had not lost the glow from when she had first seen him.
"For what?" Anzu queried.
"For...my enthusiasm," he ended lamely.
"Yami, don't apologize for that," she said, reaching up and pulling his mouth back to hers. Her lips were soft and pleasantly innocent, yet her sweet kisses seduced him. "I missed you so much..." He smiled, kissing below her eye.
"I know...you cannot imagine how much I missed you." She smiled up at him and then rested her head beneath his chin. He ran a hand through her hair and held her against him, closing his eyes and listening to her breathing below him.
When he opened his eyes, he tilted his head back, peering up at the sky. Even though it was somewhat cool outside, he felt warm from Anzu's small body leaning into him. Faintly, he could see a few stray stars twinkling above him, pulsing through the bright city lights. It was the closest he had been to being relaxed in weeks. Simply holding Anzu was enough to calm all of the intense stress he had been experiencing. He smiled faintly at that thought and sighed, tightening his hold on her briefly before gently dislodging her from him. "It's a bit cold, let's get something to eat, shall we?"
"I'd love to." She beamed up at him. He laughed and leaned forward, kissing her forehead before moving around and opening her door for her and shutting it behind her. They said nothing as Yami drove through the city. He held her hand the entire time they drove and when they arrived at a small diner that Yami often went to when he was up late, he was loathe to let her go. "This is a cute little restaurant," Anzu remarked.
"It's one of the few that has decent food past midnight," he answered. She laughed at that.
The two of them settled into the diner and after ordering, Anzu placed her forearms on the table, leaning forward. A corner of his mouth tilted upward, already anticipating her question. "So...really, Yami, what kept you so long? Nobody would tell me anything, but I know that they knew. I'm not oblivious."
"Of course," he said soothingly, hearing the irritated tone in her voice. "Ryou was never very good at lying, let alone keeping secrets from his friends. I ran into some problems while I was over there. Things did not go as smoothly as I had wished. It was unavoidable, however, as much as I hate to say so. Our perfect plan that Kaiba constructed seemed predictable, apparently." He shrugged nonchalantly. "I had to run them around Europe a bit to keep them from discovering Domino. It's one of those things that I had to do in order to protect everyone here. I didn't mean to worry you, truly." He reached out and brushed a hand over her cheek. "But it was necessary."
Anzu frowned thoughtfully, drawing away. "There's something else. That you're not telling me. Why are you being so vague? What happened?"
Yami considered her gravely for a moment and then sighed, straightening in the booth that they were seated at. He considered his words before he said softly, "Anzu...there are some things that I can't tell you. Not because I want to protect you or because I can't, but things that I just...choose not to tell you. These things...are not pleasant and I would prefer that you not press the topic and respect that until I am prepared to tell you, to let it be. What happened in Europe has been taken care of and all that matters is that I'm here and we're both safe." He could tell that, in spite of his kind tone, Anzu was somewhat stung by his words. Rather than storming out of the diner as he half expected, she simply shook her head and smiled.
"Alright...as long as you're back here, I'm satisfied." She took his hand and kissed it. Knowing that she had been unwilling to do so, but had done so for him touched his heart. He stood up and moved to sit next to her, drawing an arm around her and kissed her softly.
For now, he wouldn't think of what could happen in the future and only concentrated on her.
TBC
