She was out for awhile. She didn't know how long she was out, but when she finally awoke she was greeted by a terrible headache. Cold, stale air rushed her senses as she opened her eyes. She felt the cool concrete beneath her and just laid there for a moment. She didn't want to move. Moving meant time would resume itself and time would force her to remember all of her suffering and mistakes in the past twenty-four hours; time she would rather forget if she could. Unfortunately, pain began to settle into her stiff muscles so she forced herself to sit up. As she did, she examined her surroundings, only to find herself in a dimly lit, cold warehouse. She held her breath, listening intently for any sounds that she might be able to pick up on. The cry of seagulls and rushing waves indicated that she was by the sea.
That was the begrudging moment she realized she recognized this warehouse…. That godforsaken organization brought her here many times due to her insubordination in the past. She supposed that the case here wouldn't be any different than before; in fact, it was most likely going to be worse.
Great… just great, she thought dejectedly. In the midst of her personal torment she had forgotten that the KCSP had been monitoring her every move since her initiation. Kaiba was her responsibility. She was to make sure that he wasn't harmed even in the slightest of forms, no matter how small the infliction was. She disregarded that, now this was her punishment…. If she wasn't so stubborn she would probably be crying tears of regret, but pride was the root of all sin for a reason, right?
She carefully stood up from the cold ground, her body still ached from being tasered; aftershock spasms wracked her body sporadically. She moaned, did they really have to go overboard?
She headed forward, trying to find the exit from the wretched building. She hobbled around a bunch of boxes and a huge crane. She peered up at the scaffolding and the high windows. She could climb up and leap out, but she would save that option for later. That would be her plan 'B' if she couldn't find a door. Now, to find said door.
She continued to search but unfortunately didn't get very far before she sensed another presence in the warehouse. She looked about herself warily, her senses on high alert.
Listening quite intently to whatever, or whomever, was in there with her, she instinctively maneuvered her body defensively. She kept close to the mountain of storage containers, melting into the shadows as best as she could. She strained her ear listening to the silence….
A slip up; who or whatever was in there with her forgot to pick up their foot, dragging it across the surface in which they were on. She looked directly above her in the scaffolding and spotted her opponent. She frowned deeply; this wasn't going to be pleasant. She watched as the figure noticed her awareness of it. Without warning it jumped down from the scaffolding onto the mountain of containers she was pressed up against and rushed to her, running down the lateral drop towards her.
Anzu geared herself up for an attack before jumping up the side of the containers one by one, ready to meet the figure halfway. Defying all physics, she watched as the figure shifted direction and run directly across the lateral face of the containers and launched itself into the air, ready to strike. Anzu also launched into the air, her own counterattack prepared. In the light she managed to recognize the figure as the ninja that attacked her at the school. They collided in the air, Anzu's foot connecting with the ninja's hand, knocking whatever weapon he or she had out of grasp.
They both landed on the ground in a crouched position, the clatter of the useless weapon echoing throughout the building. They both stood, a stalemate just about initiated between the two. Anzu took her fighting stance as the ninja reached into his or her shirt and pulled out a slip of paper and a pair of sunglasses. Without letting her guard down, Anzu relaxed her fighting stance and extended her hand. The ninja tossed the glasses and note over to her. In catching the parcels she noticed the dreaded seal of the KCSP.
Her hands quaked in anger. She didn't even bother reading the note. She tore it in half and tossed the glasses behind her. This took the ninja off guard, which left an opening for her to attack. After the events of the day she needed some form of release, and this… this was going to hurt more than it should.
About an hour later, an unconscious body dropped to the ground with a heavy thud while another stood over the figure, grasping her upper left arm painfully. She stared down at her unknown opponent and examined the body before her. The ninja's breathing was slow and deep; some twitching could be seen as the adrenaline fizzled out. Anzu made sure she didn't break anything, but that didn't mean she held back her aggression, albeit misplaced.
She sighed before going back over to the sunglasses and torn note. Now that she was somewhat calm she was able to read that note. She slid the glasses on and picked it up, reading the disguised ink:
Final Warning. You'll be terminated.
She clenched the halves again, wrinkling them before shredding both into tiny pieces, murmuring a string of very undignified curses. She stomped on the ground, screaming out loud. They were lucky that she didn't wail on Kaiba! The things he said deserved something worse than just a slap to the face. Something far worse….
And yet, even so, she still felt that niggling little piece of regret at the back of her mind, saying that what she did was wrong. She moaned in frustration. She was getting nowhere with those kinds of thoughts, and she still had to get out of that godforsaken warehouse; she was losing daylight. She was just about to leave when she looked back at the unconscious ninja. A bolt of guilt ripped through her like lightning. She sighed, she couldn't just leave the poor fool like that.
She staggered over to the figure, kneeling down and lifting them up. Leaning the heavy body against hers for support, she removed his mask. She was surprised to find that it was a man visibly older than she was; maybe late forties, early fifties. He had a kind face behind the bruises and scratches. She smiled ruefully; this would have been a man that she could have grown to love as a grandfather type figure, like Jii-chan.
She placed his mask back over his head and supported him on her back. Surprisingly enough he wasn't as heavy as she expected. That was until she took a wobbly step and was sent tumbling to the ground….
She groaned. This…was going to be much more complicated than she initially thought….
Now was not a very good time to anger him. He was late for a meeting, twice in one day he was assaulted by members of the geek squad, his apology was rejected, and to top it all off, some idiot replacement was in the driver's seat! He growled with clenched teeth, he was going to fire the next person who said something stupid.
He typed away furiously on his laptop, pulling up the materials he needed for his meeting faster than normal. Just then, the phone on his desk beeped. Quite infuriated and out of patience, he answered the intercom, "This had better be important or you've lost your job!"
The voice on the other end of the answered hesitantly, "…Your five thirty is here…sir…" The secretary refused to say anything more lest she anger him further.
Kaiba groaned inwardly; great this is the first meeting that he'll have that he isn't completely prepared for. "Fine, send them in." With that he shut off the intercom and prepared himself for the meeting.
He stood as the door to his office opened with two men entered, both suave and refined in their stature. He extended his hand to greet them, both taking his in a firm handshake. Kaiba was satisfied on the inside; a firm handshake was generally a good sign to him that the men across from his desk held promise for his company. "Now, to whom am I offering my time to today?" With that, the meeting was underway.
It was a good two to three hours before Anzu made it back to her home with the still unconscious man in tow. It wouldn't have taken quite so long if she didn't purposefully avoid densely populated areas to avoid unwanted bystanders and their questions. Night was swiftly taking over the twilight hours as she finally reached her destination. She managed to make it to her door before her legs finally gave out on her.
The still unconscious ninja took her down to the ground with an unsteady thud. "Oomph…" she moaned. Lovely… all she needed to do was open the door and get him to her couch… but that was easier said than done. She searched her pockets for her house key only to realize that her key was in her bag and her bag was who knows where! "For crying out loud…" she cursed softly. Good thing they kept a spare key but that was by the back door.
"Just peachy…." She shrugged the man off of her and laid him gently on the porch before standing and rushing to the back of the house. She hoisted her aching body over the gate to her backyard, landing tiredly on the other side of the house. Making her way over to the back porch she rose up on her tiptoes and felt around for the key on the door pane. Her legs shook with anticipation and fatigue and threatened to give out on her before her fingertips finally caressed dusty metal. She pulled the key down and landed gracefully on her feet, quickly unlocking the door and opening it. She placed the key back on top of the door frame before entering and locking the door behind her. She ran to the front door, opening it and carefully picking up the unconscious man. She dragged him carefully into the house and slid him up onto the couch, resting his head on one of the pillows.
She sighed as she closed the front door and locked it. Looking back at her passed out guest she figured that she might as well take a quick shower and make some tea. She felt bad for taking her emotional turmoil out on him and wanted to make it up to him. She hurried up the steps and into the bathroom, throwing off her filthy, ripped clothes and turning on the shower. She grabbed her shampoos, conditioners, and all matter of relaxing scented soaps before climbing into the shower and massaging her aching muscles. She gently ran her loofa over the burn mark where she was tasered, wincing as the warm water burned the wound. She bit back some tears, frustrated that all of this could have been avoided if she had just controlled herself. But who could have honestly expected her to keep her cool with the kind of comments Kaiba made?
KCSP that's who, she mentally answered herself.
Anzu shook her head, no point in thinking over it. It wouldn't help her or her guest. After washing her hair and rinsing the soap off her body, she exited the steam filled room and dried her body with a towel, purposely avoiding her bruised ribs, before running into her room and throwing on some loose, comfortable clothes to help her relax. After she fit her feet inside her cushiony slippers, she headed back into the bathroom to grab a first aid kit and some peroxide before heading back down the stairs. She placed the box and bottle on the coffee table before heading into the kitchen to fill a tea kettle with water and placing it on the stove. Looking at the cat clock on the wall above the refrigerator, she pulled out three tea cups and three tea bags: one for her, her guest, and—
"I'm home!" She heard the front door open and her heart skipped a beat. She peered out into the living room hall and saw her father enter in, hanging his briefcase up in the entryway above his shoes. She went back to tending to the tea in the kitchen as she replied with a quiet, "Welcome home."
Konami entered into the kitchen, a gentle smile falling on his daughter's mild form. "How are you holding up, Peach?" He placed a hand on her shoulder and she paused at the warmth he offered her.
She refused to look him in the eye still. "I'm… all right, I guess…." she murmured tiredly.
Konami's smile disappeared with his sigh. "You're still-"
"I'm sorry!" Anzu cried suddenly, letting the teacup she was handling clatter on top of the counter. She covered her face as the tears began falling down her face. "I'm so sorry!" she sobbed out, hiccups sporadically interjecting themselves between breaths. "I-I didn't mean for things to… to turn out the way they did!"
Konami pulled his daughter into his chest, tightly embracing her as she wept. "Just let it out, Peach. Just let it out." She latched on to his work uniform and cried until her nose stuffed up and her throat was scratchy. He stroked her hair soothingly, trying to calm his broken little girl down. "There there, Peaches, it's going to be all right."
She clenched her teeth, "How… how can you still say that?" She balled up her fists in confused frustration. Her eyes shot up at him as her voice steadily rose in volume. "How can you be so forgiving towards me? I-I have her blood on my hands! You should be ashamed of me! You should hate me!"
Konami grabbed Anzu by her shoulders tightly and shook a little bit. "Don't you ever say that again!" He commanded sternly.
"But it's true!" She argued back.
"ENOUGH!" He demanded sternly, causing Anzu to quiet herself. Konami hung his head tiredly, "You have no idea how hard it is to hear one of the most important people in my world to speak like that..." That moment of raw emotion caught Anzu by surprise; she never heard her father speak so weakened before. He cleared his throat and regained his composure before continuing. "Listen, Anzu. Bringing you into this organization was the last thing your mother and I ever wanted to do. We knew it would limit your future and that it would isolate you from your social life. But never, never could we imagine that you would have to suffer through the loss of one of us." He sighed before continuing. "Your mother did not want to leave you; I did not want her to leave you, but she had no choice. If we had not come up with an idea to make her disappear, then the KCSP would have made the decision for us." Anzu saw her father grimace at the same time she felt the twist in her stomach at the fact. "Given the choice, Anzu, your mother and I both preferred the option you had. It's not often that the KCSP approves of a plan from anyone not on their board as it is," he smiled wryly at his statement.
She was caught off guard with that one. Wait… they actually approved of what I had suggested? That's… a first…. The tiny surge of pride she felt run through her was fleeting as Anzu hung her head in shame. "Does that even matter?" She questioned sadly. "I don't care about that stupid organization! What I care about is having my mother here!" Somewhere within her she still had more tears to cry, though they fell sparsely from between her lashes. "And I… I was the one who caused her pain! I'm the one who ki-"
"No, you didn't." Interrupted Konami calmly.
Anzu shook her head doubtfully. "You didn't see her…" she choked out. "Every time I close my eyes I see her face covered in blood, pinned against her seat by that… that airbag…. Broken glass, the smell of oil, the creaking sound of the car tipping into the water… the scene reeked of her demise…. And I… I caused that scene!" Her voice died out as her throat tightened around her vocal chords.
Konami sighed. It seemed like there was going to be no end to his daughter's misery unless she had proof her mother was alive. "Would you like to speak to her?"
Anzu felt shock ripple through her as her breath caught in her throat. She looked up at her father, letting his words sink in before speaking. "What?"
Konami could not help but smile a bit at the unmistakable glimmer of hope in his daughter's eyes. "I asked you if you would like to speak to your mother?"
She grabbed on to his sleeves desperately clinging to the offer he made, daring to get her hopes up. The knot that built itself up in her throat earlier had returned, making it difficult to reply. She gulped it down as she replied with a whispered, "Yes."
Konami nodded in response. "All right then. I will call to speak to her escort for the updates regarding her arrival to HQ."
"No… I need to hear from her now…" She begged.
Konami sighed, "Unfortunately that can't happen just yet. Remember she doesn't have a phone on her. The closest person you're probably going to get to is her escort."
"Her… escort?"
He nodded. "Your mother has an incredible skill set when it comes to gathering intel and so is a valuable asset. It was for that reason that HQ called her, in the first place. While they used your plan on the surface, they set a team behind the scenes to make sure everything went according to plan. They wouldn't let something happen to her."
Again, Anzu was caught off guard. "I… I didn't know that! I didn't see anybody else when I looked over the bridge when she went over the side!"
Konami smirked a bit. "Of course not. KCSP has hidden themselves from the very eyes of the Kaiba Corp. CEO for over half a decade now. Do you honestly think they'd be so careless as to slip up during a scene of chaos and confusion?"
Anzu couldn't help but smile awkwardly. "I guess that would be out of character for them, wouldn't it? ...So then, you're sure that she's okay then?"
"I would stake my life on it, Peach."
Anzu sighed a heavy sigh; though she wasn't convinced completely, she felt far more at ease. But, speaking of the accident… "Where were you during her accident anyway? I thought for sure that you would be there the moment it happened."
Konami nodded. "I was, but you didn't see me. It wouldn't make much sense for the husband who was out doing something else would arrive at the scene that involved both his daughter and his wife. Especially being a police officer and all."
"But Officer Yamashita said that he hadn't seen or heard from you all day. What were you doing at that time?" She asked insistently.
Konami laughed a bit. "Your interrogation skills aren't that bad, but they need a little work, Peach." He rubbed the top of her head gently. "I was with the team preparing to receive your mother."
Anzu's eyes widened. "You mean you…."
Konami nodded. "That's how I know she's safe, Peach. I pulled her out of the car myself."
Suddenly, the weight of the guilt she had been suffering under evaporated. She burst into tears again that day, but for the first time in relief. She wailed as she collapsed to the ground, uncontrollably. Konami pulled his crying daughter into his arms and cradled her as if she were a small child, rocking back and forth to soothe her. "That's right, Peach. Just let it out." He couldn't stop his own voice from cracking just a bit as his own tears formed in the corners of his eyes, smiling in the process.
His daughter finally forgave herself.
"Now, why don't you explain to me why I have a ninja on my couch?" He pulled back and smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood a bit when Anzu's wails had devolved into quiet sniffles.
She gasped at the reminder; she had completely forgotten about the unconscious man on their couch. "Oh my gosh!" She rushed to stand up, but the pain in her ribs caused her to stumble gracelessly. "Ow…." she muttered with a wince.
Konami stood to help steady his daughter. "Are you all right?" He asked with concern in his eyes.
Anzu nodded sheepishly. She knew she was going to get it. "He… he was my reaper…."
Konami was silent for a moment before responding with a sigh. "What happened this time?"
The whistle from the tea kettle went off and Anzu turned to shut off the stove. She took out the milk from the refrigerator and poured some into her glass. "Would you like some milk in your tea dad? Or would you prefer lemon?"
He leaned against the wall. "Milk please… Well? I'm waiting for an explanation, Peach. Why is there a ninja on my couch?"
Anzu continued pouring the tea into the cups as Konami waited for a response. "…I slapped Kaiba in the face today."
This earned a rise out of her father. "Anzu Mazaki! You what?"
"I slapped him, dad! But he had it coming! You should have heard what he said about mom!" Anzu proclaimed defensively, tears stinging the back of her eyes.
Konami watched her, expecting her to continue. When she didn't he pressed, "What did he say?"
She wiped her eyes dry of tears, "He said that she is either an addict or an alcoholic to kill herself while almost killing her daughter in the process…."
The statement brought a deep frown to her father's face. "And you hit him for that?"
"Of course I did!" she turned to him quickly. "Wouldn't you have done the same thing if someone said that about mom?"
"Anzu—"
"Wouldn't you?" She pressed, desperately clinging to her dad's shirt now.
Konami sighed, "Had it been any other person, Anzu, yes I would have. In fact I probably would have done more than just that." He wrapped his arms around his daughter. "But Kaiba isn't just anyone, and we're not in any position to cross that line. You know that."
She hugged her dad. "It's not fair…. He shouldn't be able to get away with slandering good people." She buried her face in her father's shirt again.
He rested his chin atop her hair. "I know, Peach. But that's how the way things work when you're involved in this." Anzu opened her mouth to protest but her father cut her off. "You just have to accept it Anzu, there's no way around it. Unless their regulations change, this is what we must tolerate." He pulled back and looked her in the eyes, "Now, why don't you explain to me why I have a ninja on my couch?"
"Well, my punishment was held at the usual place… and as I said before he was my reaper." She scratched the back of her head bashfully. "I… took out a lot of my aggression on him and I feel bad about it…."
Konami smiled gently as his daughter as he messed with her hair. "You are such a troublemaker; have you tended to his wounds yet?"
She left her father's arms and grabbed the tea cups. She handed her father his tea and left for the living room. "I was waiting for him to wake up." She walked over to the coffee table and set the tea down next to the first aid kit. "I haven't fully examined him yet either, though I am sure I dislocated a joint or two."
He nodded, glad to see that his daughter was doing her best to care for her assaulter. "Well, do you know who he is?"
Anzu shook her head. "I've never seen him before. But he's an older mad. Like he could be your younger brother." She smiled. "He's a very kind looking man. I don't know how someone like him was pulled into such a ruthless organization."
"Hmm…" Konami turned on the light to get a better look at their unconscious guest, withholding a gasp. "He was your attacker?"
Anzu approached the couch, looking at the man's face. "Yes. Why? Do you know him?"
Konami clenched his fists. "I more than know him. This is my teacher… He's the one who instructed me when I was first initiated." Angry tears burned his eyes, "He was the only kind man I met in this dreadful organization."
By now, Anzu was grasping her shirt as she caressed the side of the old man's face with her fingertips. "Your teacher? Who is he?"
Konami shook his head. "He never revealed his name. For years I've tried to discover it, but he has kept who he truly is completely hidden from his students… this damned organization is just disgusting…."
Anzu shifted the old man's grey bangs across his forehead, watching him sleep. It was late and they needed to let him rest. "We need to let him rest dad. I'm sorry that this happened…."
Konami stood, a heavy sigh escaping him. "So am I, Peach." He reached for her and hugged her with his left arm. "So am I." He kissed the top of her head before they both grabbed their tea cups and went upstairs, turning off the lights.
As soon as they left the room the unnamed ninja opened his eyes immediately. Silently he rose from the couch and maneuvered his way over to the coffee table, using the inferior first aid kit to tend to his wounds. The peroxide provided a healing sting to the major bruises on his arms and torso. He smiled; even though the kit was quite simple and inferior to the kits he was used to using, the kind gesture was more than enough to soothe his aching body.
As soon as he finished, he left to grab the third tea cup to quench his dry mouth. The liquid was silk on his tongue. After he drained the cup he quickly replaced his mask over his head before looking at the time, managing to make out 8:45 PM. He shook his head and sighed silently, slightly disappointed that this day did not turn out exactly the way he expected.
He opened the window to the kitchen and, as gracefully and silently as a cat, leapt out of the window on to the grass before him. He looked back once at the house, a faint smile on his face before taking off down the street and into the deepening night.
A week and a half later Anzu continued to go to school as normal, reluctantly continuing her Kaiba assignment. The relationship between said two grew worse every day since their fight. Rather than avoiding each other like the plague, every single time their eyes connected the tension in the room thickened. Silent arguments and a constant battle of wills manifest in the classroom through the lesson somehow.
Other students feared to step in between the two least they were caught in the crossfire. Even most of the teachers went out of their way to avoid putting a stop to the fighting. No matter how harsh or brash their arguments managed to get, they never disrupted the class period. Rather they waited until one spoke their opinion on the topic; usually it was Kaiba who strategically countered Anzu's input with his own and Anzu would would take his statement and throw it back in his face with her own twist on it.
Between her heated arguments with Kaiba and her overcoming the remains of her mourning for her mother, Anzu was emotionally, and physically, fatigued throughout the week, and this particular day was no different. For the past few days she had managed to hide herself away in the library where she could enjoy the silence that was enforced by the strict librarian who ran it. Here, in the back of the library, in one of the hidden corners between the walls and bookcases, was her momentary sanctuary.
She leaned against the wall, crossing her outstretched legs over each other and zoning completely into her music player. In the cool of the air conditioned building she watched Kaiba closely through her sunglasses. The mere sight of his face made her so angry that she wanted to break something.
With disgust she forcefully removed the glasses from her face and threw them into her bag. There was no point in seething in anger about this now. It wouldn't do her any good. She had, as he put it, more important things to take care of; the Kaiba she actually liked for example.
She pulled out her 'Wooden Horses' Mokuba and slid them on to her face. He was in the middle of class right now, looking decidedly uninterested.
She frowned that this. Over the past few months she'd noticed a change in Mokuba's behavior. He was lacking in respect for his elders, playing the lone wolf, not to mention he had lost a great amount of eloquence in his speech. In other words, he was growing to resemble more and more of his older brother. This brought an uncomfortable twisting feeling into the pit of her stomach. A boy as sweet as Mokuba should not be corrupted to mirroring the image of someone so cold-hearted.
Then again it was almost inevitable that Mokuba would gain at least part of the ruthlessness his brother has. After all, Kaiba was the only person Mokuba had in the world; his only family. She sighed… she really despised the fact that Kaiba had such a bad influence on his younger brother. It was heartbreaking.
Through her glasses she watched as Mokuba sat in the back of the classroom during the break, all alone to his thoughts. He stared out the window at nothing in particular. He shifted his eyes lazily to a piece of paper lying on his desk and scribbled almost mindlessly on the page. Out of curiosity, Anzu zoomed in to the content of the paper and chucked softly when she saw that he was doing homework. Well at least he is keeping up with his studies. This loosened some of the knots in her stomach about Kaiba's influence on Mokuba. Kaiba may be a bastard, but he did stress the importance of a proper education for his younger brother.
At least he cares about someone in this life, thought Anzu.
She glanced down at her watch and saw that lunch was about to end in about five minutes. She sighed; time to head back to her torture chamber. She disconnected her sunglasses and slid them into her bag before taking her sweet time to head to class.
Students strolled into their classrooms as languorously as they possibly could before the bell to begin class rang. Sluggish from lunch and distracted with the day nearing its end made concentrating on the lessons very cumbersome, even for the teachers. Which is exactly why one teacher always did her best to keep her final class of the day as interactive as possible to keep her students alert, firmly believing that an idle mind was useless one.
Higurashi-sensei was the newest teacher at Domino High and was by far the most passionate about her classes. She started about two years ago and took a particular interest in Anzu the moment their eyes met. For some reason, Anzu always felt apprehensive and nervous around her. It wasn't that she distrusted Higurashi, there was just something about her that made Anzu feel that there was so much more to her than a simple high school chemistry teacher.
Anzu sighed, she was probably just being paranoid. Ever since she was initiated into the organization she constantly assumed that there was more to everyone than meets the eye. It was clear that she needed to disconnect from them and her constant surveillance of the Kaiba's. It was going to drive her mad one day. Not that it wasn't already doing so, Anzu thought bitterly before sighing again. It was a good thing that this class was more-or-less interactive class. Anzu could certainly use the distraction.
Chemistry was a class in which she excelled in. It was one of her favorite classes for many reasons. One reason being that they were able mix dangerous chemicals together which guaranteed an explosion courtesy of Jounouchi and Honda, thus giving them a free day. The other being that they were often given projects to work on in groups. Which was what they were doing today; Higurashi-sensei was assigning a project to the class, and they were going to use machines used in crime labs to identify suspects and victims. Anzu couldn't help but feel that she had an unfair advantage over the others in her class. When she went through her training, she was required to adapt forensics skills as well.
When Gozaburo organized the organization he didn't skimp out on any details; the trainees were not favored with a learning curve. Her crash courses qualified her for the city's forensics team. She was far more experienced in this field than any other person in this class. She glanced behind her out of the corner of her eyes… except for maybe him.
She doubted that Gozaburo would have made him undergo training like that, but then again she didn't know if Kaiba took an interest in this sort of thing. She assumed that he wouldn't since he really didn't do anything else outside of looking after Mokuba, running his company, and duelling. Well, there was always reading, but she knew that he didn't really take too much interest in what he read. He wasn't a bookworm, instead he thought it was a better pastime than sitting in class and pretending to listen to the teacher. She did wonder what he read at times, though. A couple of times she caught the titles of the books and every time they were different genres: mystery, sci-fi, sometimes horror, and one fantasy (something about dragons). Amongst the myriad of books he read in class, she never saw him read anything along the lines of investigative studies- though she has seen him reading a manual or two.
Speaking of manuals, Higurashi-sensei was going over the instructions on how to work the machine, so Anzu momentarily let her mind shut out what the teacher was saying. The instructions were really basic for her so she didn't need to listen. Now she knew how Kaiba felt more than half the time. Maybe she should bring a book next time.
Kaiba focused intently on his book after the teacher announced her plans for the next few days with this project. He rolled his eyes, utterly exasperated with the instructor's obvious obsession with American television programs. However, he tuned in to the teacher's instructions on how to operate the machines. He knew a bit about this already because of the scientists in his company who were familiar with this area of research, but he never focused on it. He constantly directed his energy on things that required his attention.
He felt a pair of eyes on him for the second time that day. He glanced up and saw Anzu staring at out the window just before her gaze met his; instantly the atmosphere plummeted in the room. It was a silent contention of wills that manifested into a glaring contest. Of course, since both students were on opposite sides of the room they began to disrupt the rest of the class with their mute battle.
Higurashi-sensei cleared her throat. "Mazaki-san and Kaiba-san, please leave your quarrelling for outside of my classroom. I will not have you steal this valuable time away from the rest of my students."
Anzu faced the front of the classroom, biting back a disrespectful laugh at her instructor's comment but Kaiba didn't restrain his. "Steal their valuable time? This school is stealing my valuable time away from much more important matters. This project is a joke and I have better things I could be doing rather than sitting here."
Higurashi-sensei frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, if that's how you feel then I suppose I will just have raise the stakes then." Kaiba quirked an eyebrow.
"Kaiba-san, I would like to see you and your new partner, Mazaki-san, after class concerning your assignments." With that she continued on with the rest of the class, making an exasperated Anzu and disgruntled Kaiba wait for the next hour to learn their new assignment.
Ask not for whom the bell tolls, for the bell tolls for thee was the phrase that immediately entered her mind as the dreaded toll of the bell rang to end the day. Every student hustled out and quickly emptied the room, leaving Anzu and Kaiba behind to the teacher.
Higurashi-sensei stood at her desk, staring at her two students silently, the atmosphere becoming heavy with irritation before she called them. "Both of you please come up to my desk."
Both students begrudgingly stood and approached the professor's desk, both figuring that the sooner they get this done and over with the sooner they get to go home. Bitterness etched itself into each other their faces the moment they were beside each other both. There was clearly an cold war between the two and it didn't show any end in sight.
Higurashi-sensei sighed and shook her head as she sat down in her desk. "This has gone on long enough you two." Both of their eyes fell on her at the same time, both intense with scathing repulsion. "You are disturbing not only my entire class with your lack of courteousness between each other, but the entire school! I've heard many complaints from the staff here that any time you two are in the same room together, things take a turn for the worst and we've all had enough of it. And now, I'm going to fix that."
This caught their attention. How is she planning on fixing anything that didn't concern her? Anzu thought that to be very presumptuous of her and Kaiba thought that she was insane. She was actually going to try to force them both to get along with each other. Yes, the teacher was very new indeed.
"And this will be your new assignment with the DNA lab. Both of these projects will count towards your grade and it will make up at least fifty percent of your entire year." Anzu's widened and Kaiba's face hardened. What was she planning? "This is a required class that you have to pass before the end of the year; if you do not pass this class you will not graduate so you will have to make this work."
Both students grimaced, she was being unnecessarily cruel to them and Anzu repressed a sigh. This was not going well for her. "Fine. What is the assignment?" She acquiesced, not really having a choice in the matter. Kaiba refused to dignify the so-called "instructor" with any kind of acknowledgement, let alone acceptance.
Higurashi-sensei, with a solemn expression on her face said, "I'm assigning you two the privilege of being each other's significant other."
Anzu looked about ready to vomit and Kaiba seethed. Who the hell did she think she is messing with his life like that? No teacher had a right to do that and make it accountable towards an academic grade. "How dare you try and impose something so disgusting on me! I will not allow you to degrade my lifestyle by forcing this wench into my life and call it an 'academic project'."
Anzu burned with rage as she retaliated. "For once, Kaiba, we're in agreement! I refuse to allow my precious life to be tainted by your presence. Seeing you in class is revolting enough. I watch to vomit every time I see you!"
They both glared at each other mercilessly before Higurashi-sensei clapped her hands. "That is enough! Both of you!" She slammed her hands on her desk, growing more impatient by the minute, "And you are wrong Kaiba-san. I can force this on you and it is an 'academic project'. If you recall correctly, this is a chemistry class. And even though we primarily cover equations and biochemistry there is still the matter of chemistry between two people that should be explored in this class as well. Now, I also have a doctorate in psychology and I have discussed this with the dean of the school and he has granted me permission to carry out this project. You two will be acting as a couple for the remainder of the year." Anzu opened her mouth to protest but Higurashi held up her hand, "I don't want to hear it Mazaki-san. Your arguments with Kaiba-san have upset everyone in the school and the dean agrees that this project will help you two to finally get along."
Kaiba laughed incredulously. "Wow, if they agreed to this idiotic plan then their backs must really be up against a wall. Sorry to disappoint you Higurashi, but there is no way I am acquiescing to a plan so thrown together." He headed for the door.
"It's not a request Kaiba. It is an assignment given to you by your chemistry teacher. Try as you may like, but you will end up doing this project. I guarantee it." Higurashi-sensei's comments stopped him in the doorway and he turned around. "CEO of KaibaCorp or not, you are the role model and caretaker for your younger brother. If you decide to quit this class and decide to fail the rest of this year I doubt social services with look kindly on you and your influence on your younger brother."
Kaiba's expression grew dark. Higurashi-sensei was treading dangerous territory. "Watch your mouth Higurashi."
Higurashi-sensei stood from her desk, "Coming from someone with experience, do NOT risk that chance. Do the assignment, pass the class, graduate and never look back. Karma catches up with everyone and it will get you too." Higurashi-sensei was almost growling at her student.
Kaiba eyed the instructor up and down. This teacher was from the same litter as Anzu was. She annoyed him and didn't fear him, but what's worse is that she had a point. Kaiba knew just how cruel reality was, being a product of it himself, and he could never risk Mokuba like that. He would fall on the sword for his younger brother; and if that also meant subjecting himself to the foolish plans of a mentally disturbed instructor then so be it. Kaiba scoffed yet remained in the doorway facing the teacher and Anzu.
Higurashi-sensei took that as a sign of agreement and sat down. "Very well then; now for the conditions of this particular assignment. You will have a set of goals to achieve. You will need to set these goals on your own, though. The whole purpose of this assignment is to see how much you can learn about the other and see how they operate." She stood again and opened the top drawer of her desk, taking out two dark blue velvet boxes.
Anzu felt the color drain from her face as Kaiba grimaced. The shape of those tiny boxes was painfully distinguishable. Higurashi-sensei came from around her desk and grabbed Anzu by the wrist, leading her over towards Kaiba. She handed him one box and handed Anzu the other. They painstakingly opened the box to find simple gold wedding bands resting in the stiff cushions.
"Your assignment begins now. Kaiba-san, take the ring and place it on Mazaki-san's left ring finger and Mazaki-san please follow suit." Both teenagers objected openly to such a symbolic moment of devotion and loyalty that should only occur at the appropriate ceremony. Higurashi, however, was relentless. "Look, this isn't a ceremony and there are no vows to be said. Just put the rings on each others' fingers. You're both competent enough to place a ring on the other's left ring finger, yes? Or am I wrong?" She asked this, glaring up at her tall, male student.
Kaiba rolled his eyes. He had nothing to prove to this offensive instructor, yet he found himself automatically taking the ring and roughly placing it on Anzu's appropriate finger. She frowned at the callous nature he used towards her hands and treated him with the same courtesy, earning her a distasteful frown from him. Higurashi-sensei then picked up their hands, joined them together and declared them as "husband and wife".
"Mazaki Anzu, please be aware that you are now Kaiba Anzu in my class. I will still use your family name, however whenever we are conversing amongst each other I will refer to you as 'Kaiba-chan'."
"This I must object to," proclaimed Anzu. "This is a project, nothing more. I will not allow myself to be referred as a 'Kaiba'."
"For once, I agree with her. I will never allow my name to be desecrated by someone so repulsive."
Anzu reached up to smack him but Higurashi-sensei caught her wrist before it could make contact and shook her head, a deeply intense look in her eyes that warned her to not harm him. "Do not harm your husband Kaiba-chan," Anzu's eyes widened in horror at the address, "and you need to have more respect for your wife Kaiba-san."
"Don't make me sick." Spat Kaiba. "She-"
"-Is your wife, concerning the situation, and as such you will respect her." Higurashi-sensei stepped away from the door. "From now on, you will be spending your after school time together." They both gaped at the teacher. "Kaiba-chan, please explain to your father the circumstances of your situation. I will come to check on you in the coming weeks. I hope you will have a report on what you have discovered about each other by then." She pushed passed Kaiba, "I bid the new couple adieu." And with that, she disappeared down the hall.
Anzu and Kaiba continued to stare at each other, slowly absorbing everything that had just transpired with contempt. It would seem that they were stuck with each for the next few months. They both cried the same plea internally, Somebody shoot me!