Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

An Azureshipping Fanfic.

Lockdown.

Chapter Nineteen.

A chorus of gossip and laughter greeted him that morning as he stashed his shoes in the cubby. The duo of girls — one of them he vaguely knew — off to the side, where they maliciously chatted about some poor girl he didn't know.

Same old, same old, Kaiba mused, thinking about regular high school life. It was a pain in the ass, and deemed compulsory by the government. Bloody bastards. What did they know? He could be at his downtown office finessing deals and improving his game system. He didn't need school. He had a brilliant mind and a great deal of money.

Kaiba furrowed his brow. Becoming pissed wasn't going to improve his disposition. And he already had two people nagging him on that. He'd only taken a step to class when someone said something that put a hitch in his stride.

"Is it true?" A short redhead asked. Her eyes were huge, and if he wasn't mistaken — he rarely ever was — she'd be salivating in a minute. "Miss good-goody got kicked out of the house. Wonder what she did."

"More like who she did." The black-haired girl sneered. "I heard they tossed her out on her slutty behind 'cause she got knocked up. You'll never guess who's the daddy."

"Quit holding out and spill already."

"Alright. But you have to swear you'll tell no one."

Red rolled her eyes. "You know I will. Isn't that the point of rumors? Spread 'em like wildfires?"

"Got a point there. Well, I might as well say it." Kaiba could've sworn she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "It's Yuugi. Can you believe it? Our sweetly innocent King of Games."

"No way." Red gasped, then laughed. "Anzu and Yuugi? That's so gross. He can do so much better."

"Yeah. Oh, hi, Kaiba." She fluttered her eyelashes. "Didn't see you there. So have you heard? Your rival's going to be a papa."

"That's news to me." He told her, felt like ripping her head off. What was her name again? Misa? Momoi? Micheko? "I'd be interested to know how you came by this little tidbit."

"I witnessed it with my own two eyes. The scene was heartwarming, really. Anzu sobbing, Yuugi trying to console her. Her hand on her stomach. The rain was a nice touch, too. Like a despairing moment in a B movie.

"The shame she must've caused her parents. My cousin lives next to them, you know," she continued, malice bleeding from her tongue. "She told me all about the big blow out and Anzu storming off. Guess she went to see her lover."

"I see."

Those two words held enough ice to freeze over Japan, and the redhead was smart enough to pick up on it.

"Mayumi. We should get to class. Ms. Ohara's going throw a fit if we're late again."

"In a minute," Mayumi snapped. "I'm not finished."

Yeah, you are, Ruri thought, her palms growing damp. She'd heard of Kaiba's temper, the trembling fear that came with it. Not a chance in hell did she want a taste.

"Whatever. It's your hide." And wasn't that the truth.

"So, Kaiba. How does it feel? Your girlfriend betrayed you. Yeah," she giggled, and the sound was grating. "I know about it, saw you kissing her. I almost threw up. It was nauseating to watch."

"If you assume Mazaki's pregnant, how do you know it's not mine?"

Her face showed brief annoyance, but he gave her points for composing just as quickly. "Because you wouldn't stoop so low. You're a classy guy. Classy guys don't screw sluts."

"Oh?" He bent his head, angled so she looked into his eyes, saw the murderous rage in them. And it was delightful to see the fear sneak into hers. "Even a classy guy gets the urge to be with someone…different." Kaiba straightened. "Now, Mayuri, was it?"

"Mayumi," she corrected, felt her cheeks heat. He purposely mistook her name and it infuriated her.

"Ah, right. Mayumi. You're a smart girl, aren't you? A crafty girl. You'd manipulate any situation if it pleases you. Just what are you hoping to gain?"

"You." She stated unashamedly. "I'm a better choice than Anzu. She's no good. She'll blacken your reputation."

"Let me worry about my reputation," he told her. "And as for who's better, I'd pick Mazaki any day over an image-obsessed fan girl like yourself."

Kaiba could've sworn he saw smoke coming out her ears. It was always nice to piss someone off. Their reactions were too good to pass up.

"Since you're about to blow any second, I'd like to impart some sound advice." His voice lowered, and his eyes went steely. "You see, I'm a patient man. I deal with morons on a daily basis so I have to be. But when you step on someone I care about, someone who's grown close to me, I'll do nothing short of ripping you to shreds. Understand?" Kaiba smiled coldly when she nodded, her face suddenly pale. "Good. Now leave."

Mayumi made the effort no to trip over her feet, pride saving her from running. No, she'd never run. He'd detest her more for running. So she walked, walked quicker than she'd ever had in her life.

Alone, Kaiba thought to find Mazaki. She'd be in English, he remembered. Then he caught himself. Why did he know that? It puzzled him that he did. Shaking it off, he strolled down the corridors, found Yuugi instead.

Intending to ignore him, that foolish piece of gossip that left a bad taste in his mouth, he kept going. An arm shot out to grab his.

Annoyed, Kaiba glared down at its owner. "What?"

"You're going the wrong way."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, you're going the wrong way. Anzu didn't come to school today. I know you're looking for her."

"What makes you think—" Then it clicked. Yuugi knew. He scoffed at the thought. Of course he did. Mazaki would blab to her most trusted friend. A friend, Kaiba knew, who harbored romantic intentions.

"Where is she?"

"Her aunt's place. Hillview Towers. You know it?"

"Yeah." As a matter of fact, he owned it. "And you're helping me because..?"

"I want Anzu to be happy," Yuugi replied solemnly. "even if she's with you. That's what matters most, right?" He smiled now. "I bet that ugly rumor set you off."

"It did," he admitted.

Yuugi seemed satisfied with his response. "You'd better stop by Mari's bakery on your way over."

"What for?"

"Cream puffs, of course. They're Anzu's favorite and a weakness."

"Thanks." And wasn't that odd to say, Kaiba thought. Even odder that he meant it.

"Apartment 13A. Good luck." Yuugi walked away, that smile on his lips. He'd better let Anzu know she'll be having a visitor dropping by.

Hillview Towers was as he remembered. An art deco building with a polished veneer capable of being fancy and understated at the same time. Inside mirrored the outside; tasteful furniture, modern décor. He was proud of this little nugget, and that was saying something.

Taking the elevator up to the apartment, Kaiba glanced down at the pink bakery box in his hand. Cream puffs, for God's sake. What a wimpy pastry.

The doors opened; he didn't have to walk far. The gold tone characters staring at him as he raised his hand to knock.

When the door opened, Kaiba couldn't help but stare. She was wearing something festive. A dress blindingly with color that mimicked sunbursts. When she moved, it made his eyes ache, and distracted, he didn't see her grin.

"Is that for me?" she asked.

"What?"

"The bakery box. Is it for me? What'd you buy?" Anzu flipped open the cover, sighed lustily as she gazed at the goodies. "Cream puffs. You bought me cream puffs. They're my favorite, you know."

"I do know." He passed it over, walked inside. "Yuugi told you I was coming. Didn't know the shrimp had a cell phone. Are you going to inhale them all in one breath?"

"Huh?" Guilty, she forced herself to close the box. "Sorry. I'm just really hungry. My aunt's fridge is close to empty and the pantry is loaded with healthy crap. I'm craving sugar, and these," she sighed again. "These are a gift from the gods."

To show she wasn't a greedy pig, she offered the box to him. "Want one?"

"No. They're yours."

"Good. Because I was only pretending to share." She picked out another and sank her teeth into it. "Mmmm. Mari's is the best. I'd know her stuff anywhere. "

While she stuffed her face, Kaiba looked around, approved of the furniture, the knickknacks scattered around the room. His gaze fell on the mirrored coffee table, the book tossed on it.

He picked it up. "What is this?" And held it up for her to see.

"That?" she laughed. "It's a manga, a shoujo manga. The main guy resembles you, don't you think? He's got the same hair, that cold glare. If it wasn't for the coloring, it could be you."

Kaiba stared down at the image, the uncanny resemblance. "Stray Love Hearts. What kind of name is that?"

"A good one for romance. If it was an action manga, it'd be stupid. Give it. Your eyes are going to bleed if you keep staring."

Anzu threw it on the winged-back chair, sat down on the sectional. "Let's talk."

"Why were you reading such a thing?"

"I was bored and it was in my bag. My aunt's got weird taste in books so I was left without a choice. Now can we talk? There's a lot to be said." She patted the spot closest to hers. "Put it here, Kaiba."

He did, but with a frown. "Your outfit's going to impair my vision."

"It's my aunt's and the only thing that could fit. I don't have enough boobs to pull off the rest. So," Anzu settled back. "The word is I'm pregnant. Are you going to take responsibility?"

"I'm not the father," he reminded her, and that same bitter taste coated his tongue. "You're not upset."

"How could I be? I'm on a sugar high and it's not true. Mayumi is a jealous bitch," she declared with some heat. "Stupid, too. Naming Yuugi as the father, nobody'll believe that." She stopped abruptly, glared at him. "Did you?"

"No."

"Then why did you rush over here?" she threw back, came close so their noses bumped each other. "Well?"

Kaiba held his ground. "I didn't rush. There wasn't any traffic. And though her story was interesting, it was pitifully spun. However," he continued, in a tone that told her he used it in the boardroom. "I gleaned what little truth buried in that mess of lies." His eyes held hers and they were fierce. "Your parents threw you out for reasons not associated with a false pregnancy, but for something else. What, Mazaki, what was it?"

"It's not a what. It's you, sort of." Anzu exhaled heavily, looked down at her hands. She wrung them. "Takehito blabbed to my mother about us. He saw us kissing," she explained quickly. "She — my mother — she made demands that I marry Takehito, and when I wouldn't she basically told me to leave. Looking back, I may have been hardheaded to skip out so quickly."

"May?" he teased, and found it strange. But when she smiled, he figured it was worth it.

"Okay. I was hardheaded. I went to Yuugi's and he readily offered for me to stay, but my dad wasn't having it. He gave me the key to this place and now I'm waiting for one of his lackeys to drop off my things. I'm getting tired of not wearing underwear." She slid her eyes to his, pretended embarrassment. "Oops. Shouldn't have said that. You might do something perverted to me."

"Like hell, Mazaki. I've got better things to do."

"Hey!" She was genuinely insulted. "That was mean, even for you."

"Don't pout. You look ridiculous." And because he could, he threatened. "I won't buy you cream puffs next time."

"I could buy them myself when I get something decent to wear." Anzu looked down at the pretty tie-dyed dress. "Not that this isn't decent, but I like my own clothes."

Smiling now, she cupped his face. "I'm glad you came. Even if it was for a different reason." She leaned into kiss him, paused halfway there. "You're not still denying your feelings for me, are you?"

"No." Why bother? He suddenly had no control and he didn't hate it. "Coming over here should've been the biggest clue. I don't dislike you, Mazaki."

"Aww. I don't dislike you, Kaiba." Anzu grinned. "Now lets both shut up and get to the good stuff."

"Definitely," he easily agreed

She tasted of cream puffs she loved, soft and unimaginably sweet. It made him dizzy, in a good way. And he felt like he could drown in her. Startled by the thought, he pushed her away, stared into her dazed blue eyes.

"Wow." Anzu smiled drunkenly. "That was so good, I'm hearing bells."

Kaiba sat back. "It's the door," he mentioned after moment. After his mind cleared.

"Uh-huh." She leaned forward.

"No, Mazaki. Someone's at your door."

"What?" Then her eyes widened. "What?" she said again, this time her voice rising to shock. "Oh crap. You've got to hide. That's my dad's man servant. I like to call him a spy."

She was tugging on him as she talked, dragged him up, then began frantically looking for a place he assumed for him to hide.

"The bedroom." Anzu stated. "Go hide in the bedroom. He won't look there. It's the second door on the right. Hurry!"

He went, only because she looked so damn frazzled.

With Kaiba safely tucked away, Anzu ran a hand over her hair to tidy it. Then, calmly as she could manage, went to answer the door.

"Sugiyama. What a surprise."

"Is it? I was sure your father told you I'd be dropping by with your things." He drew two large suitcases from behind him. "Shall I put them in your room?"

"No!" She smiled nervously when he lifted one gray brow. "I just took a nap and the room's a mess. You can leave them in the living room. I'll tote it in there later."

"Miss Anzu. If I didn't know better I'd think you've got someone in there with you."

"Why would you think that?"

"I smell men's cologne. Expensive men's cologne." He glanced around while she fidgeted. "Your father is very proud of you," he said abruptly. "Don't disappoint him."

"I won't." Anzu replied firmly.

"Good. Because he'll miss you when you leave for Julliard next year."

"I know. I'll miss him, too."

Sugiyama smiled, softening the lines around his face. "Tell Mr. Kaiba his limo is blocking the entrance. And," he continued, watching the panic float across her features. "that I hope his company is doing well. Must be since he's got time to visit you. I won't mention this to your father," he told her. "since I'm sure you'll try not to let this happen again."

"Of course." Anzu closed the door behind him as he strode out. "Hey, Kaiba. You can come on out."

When he did, she could see his frown even from across the room. "What's bugging you?"

"You're leaving next year."

"Yeah." Anzu walked to him. "My dad's decided to support me." She tilted her head. "You knew of my dream. It just happening faster than I thought."

"Do your friends know?"

Anzu shook her head. "I haven't told them; You're the first. I'd ask you to keep it to yourself, but what's the point? You'd never speak to them unless you're forced to."

She reached for his hand when he remained quiet. "If I asked you to visit me, would you?"

"I don't know." His frown deepened as he thought about it. "I suppose I could."

"I'll take it." Anzu reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. "We have a year. Who knows what could happen. Let's make the best of it." And sealed it with a kiss.

"Can't believe you're moving away," Jou said, his tone wistful. They were in Yuugi's living room, congregated for the last time until whenever. "Just yesterday we were hanging at the arcade. Now," he sighed deeply. "Now we're splitting up."

"Aww. Come here you big softie," Anzu crushed him in a hug. "You're unusually adorable tonight."

"I'm adorable any night."

She laughed, tears stinging her eyes as Yuugi and Honda completed the circle. "Guys…"

"She's starting to leak," Honda announced, playfully winced when she jabbed him in the gut.

"I am not." But she blinked fiercely to hold back. "It's been a year, hasn't it? Time went by so fast. I'm going to Julliard, you three are doing your own thing. Jeez. I'm really going to miss seeing your faces."

"That's not entirely true." Yuugi told her in his gentle voice. "Modern communication is a wonderful thing."

"It's not the same."

"You could stay."

"Jou!" Honda admonished. "Don't say things like that. You know how hard Anzu's worked."

"I know. I'm just going to miss having her around. Who's going to lecture us about our morals, bully us into giving her our choco pudding."

"I don't do the last one." Anzu grumbled. "In fact, it's the other way around."

"No, it's not." Jou argued. "I haven't eaten the chocolate flavor since you started buying vanilla. Vanilla, for God's sake. What a disgusting taste."

She grinned impishly. "Precisely why I buy it."

"Wretch," he accused with a grin.

"Look at the two of you," Honda said smiling. "Like a pair of bratty siblings. It's a good thing I've outgrown the childishness. Right, Yuugi?"

"Well…"

"Oh, please. Just because he's got himself a girlfriend he thinks he's a man."

"I am a man."

"Sure you are," Anzu drawled.

"You know, you've been spending too much time with Kaiba. You've picked up his bad habits."

"I have not."

"You may not insult us in a cruel way, but the tone's definitely there." Honda turned to Jou for back up, deflated when the blond looked upset. "What's crawled up your butt?"

"Kaiba. How's he handling you leaving?"

"We broke up," Anzu replied simply. "Long distance relationships never work, and it'd be unfair to us both if we pretended it did."

"That's very grown up," he whispered.

He couldn't say why her answer left a foul taste in his mouth, Jou realized. He never approved of the relationship, never missed an opportunity to express his opinion of it. And still, despite his negativity, he couldn't bring himself to slap her on the back and tell her she'd made the right decision. Not when she had that distant sadness in her eyes.

So he was caught off guard when she smiled from the heart and embraced him.

"Don't worry so much. I'll be fine. If it's meant to be, if Kaiba is indeed the one, we'll come together again in the future. But right now," Anzu leaned back to stare into his eyes. "I'm all about achieving my goals. The hottest guy on the planet couldn't distract me."

"Good." Because he'd bloody the guy's face if he did.

Honda brushed an imaginary tear. "That was a touching moment. Truly beautiful."

"I'll second that," Yuugi grinned. "We're family. We fight, we laugh, we cry. We're a clichéd bunch."

"That we are," Anzu agreed on a laugh. "And since this is my last night in Domino for a while, I say we go out, get smashed, and have a freakin' good time."

They glanced at each other, pumped their fists into the air, and shouted, "Aye!"

A word from ladydolce:

Well, that's it, guys. The next chapter's going to be the last. Favorite moment in this one? Jou and Anzu at the end. So sweet.

Thanks for reading. And please review.