Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Deception ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

Deception

By: Chibi-Suiko

A/N: Hello again! I decided to update early because... Well... I don't know why. I just have a lot of this fic typed up in one big one-shot on my computer and all so I figured you all deserved to see what I had. Not all of what I have but it's getting closer and closer... Somehow I don't think my quota of adding one paragraph per day is gonna do much anymore... Well, Chibi will let you read now.

Disclaimer: Don't own it. Don't want anyone else to own it. Don't wanna be sued for stealing characters.

Ages: All the characters are 17 years old except for Anzu for obvious reasons. Just accept it.

Rating: PG-15 for cursing, angst, possible violence in the future, and other currently unknown things. (Well, the violence isn't really possible, the way I'm going and all, but...)

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Things you ought to know:

"Words" - - Speech

Words - - Either thoughts or dream mode, it's not hard to figure out which.

Words / "Words" - - Just means emphasis, in case you couldn't guess. You may also see them in underline or both bold and underline.

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Chapter Three

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Recap paragraph: She murmured something inaudible but he didn't mind. It felt so calming having her breathe into his neck the way she was...

Finally he found it and threw it open to reveal her mother, standing in the hallway with her bags packed. She was definitely a little miffed with the young man carrying her seemingly unconscious daughter onto the threshold but when he described the situation to her, her frustration seemed slightly deterred.

" ...As unfortunate as it is, I have to board a plane to France today. I was waiting for my Darling Anzu to arrive back from school but now that she's taken ill, I'm afraid that I won't be able to go." Ms. Mizaki sighed. Her words didn't very much ease Yami, who took the opportunity to ask her about the trip.

" You'd leave your daughter to board a plane the day before her birthday? Wouldn't you miss it, then? It's quite unnerving to think that a parent would leave her own daughter just as she turned seventeen... Did she even know about this?"

" Well-no... I didn't even know about it until a few hours ago. That's why I was waiting for her to get back. Listen, you're right in saying that she's turning seventeen... And I feel bad for leaving her the day before she does so. That's why I narrowed down my stay there to an over-night trip. I'd be back before she even woke up--! The reason I even took this job is because-well-I know about her dreams for New York. And this job I'm taking in France will be a simple way to earn her way over, including interest." Yami looked to the tiring woman confusedly, "I've been saving my own tuition for the girl, just to make her happy. I know that she wants to study Dance in the Great U.S.A. once she's out of school. And so I've been saving bit by bit in order to help her. Those small part-time jobs don't always bring in the cash flow and be that as it may, she has her own expenses to pay here. That's why I do what I do. To make her happy. Though she doesn't know that yet."

Yami struggled to process the information. Her mother had been saving small amounts of money for Anzu-San's education all this time? She'd finally have saved enough for her to go over-seas if she took this trip? Yami shook his head. As much as it pained him to know that in the near future, he'd be parting with one of his very best and most dependable friends, if it was what made her happy...

" You will go. For her, for Anzu." Yami said sternly, "I will stay here and manage her illness. I don't know much about medicine but from what the nurse at school said, it's probably just this twenty-four hour bug that's been wandering around so with a little sleep and medical remedy, I'm sure that she'll be back up tomorrow. You just have to promise to be back in time to say 'Happy birthday' to her face. I want her to know that you didn't abandon her on one of the most important days of her life."

" Arigatou... And do not worry, I'm almost positive that nothing will keep me from my return tomorrow. And I know that I'll be back before mid-night." She bowed repeatedly as she put her bags into the taxi taking her to the airport, "I just have to say goodbye to her, though. I can't leave with that guilt laying on my shoulders. I still have to be the one to tell her I'm going." And she ran up the stairs with Yami in close pursuit.

He smiled. She definitely seemed true to her word. He knew that she'd do whatever it took to make sure Anzu had what she needed. And he guessed that in a matter of minutes, what she needed would be him! He opened Anzu's bedroom door, where he'd stored her earlier so that she could get proper rest and saw glassy aqua eyes hugging her mother goodbye and then collapsing back onto her mattress.

Yami stepped next to them both and watched the woman lay a final goodbye kiss on Anzu's forehead before turning to him and hugging him. He was slightly shocked at first but listened to what she had to say without pulling away.

" My Dearest Anzu is so lucky to have friends like you. Please, do take good care of her. She seems rather upset about my leaving. I hope that you'll do what you can for her. She can never have too many condolences. And your face would rather surprise her, I'll bet." She ran out the door but came back to thank him yet again, "Arigatou. Ano--Don't tell her about the whole deal. Like I said, she doesn't know and I wanted to save it until tomorrow... Demo--" And her smile disappeared to reveal quite a serious face, "..Demo, in the unlikely event that I don't arrive in time. I want you to let her know what she'll be getting when she graduates. I may not be able to see the happy expression on her face but if one of her friends did, then that's just as good." She left before he could object.

Downstairs, he heard the sound of a door shutting rather abruptly and next moment, he and the young girl were left alone. He sighed, settling at the edge of her bed. It was then that she yawned and turned, rolling against him, but she merely fell back into the deep sleep. He figured that he'd be staying the night so he walked back downstairs to give Grandpa Mouto a call.

Dialing the number, he looked to the table and found a sheet of paper and a bottle of something. He picked up the cordless and marched into the dining room, taking a seat.

" Hello? This is Mouto Soun speaking at the Kami Game Shop... How may I help you?" Came the wheezing tone of the old man.

" Ano... This is Yami."

" Ohhh--! Daijobou?! Did something happen at school? Are you sick? Do you need to come home?"

" Eh... No. But Anzu-San is ill so I'm having to stay here tonight."

" But Anzu-San has a mother... Is she not capable of taking care of her own child?" He asked.

" Well--She is but--"

" Ah--Then there is something going on between the two of you, is there?" And Yami could hear a hint of laughter in the old man's voice.

" --No--! Her Mother went on a trip to France. There is nothing more to say. Tell Yuugi when he gets home so that he won't worry and to call later tonight to discuss Anzu-San. I'll be back tomorrow, probably. Goodbye--" And without even waiting for a reply, he put the phone back on the hook and sighed in dejection. It simply was not his day.

He looked back to the scribbled foot-note and read the best he could in his current rush of state.

' Young Friend,

I hope that you're reading this sooner rather than later because then is when it will really be of help. In this bottle is some Tylenol and I'm asking of you a simple favor. I want you to give my daughter two tablets every four hours if you can. If she all ready took some from her Nurse then please wait three hours before giving her more. Also, ask her to drink fluids (Preferably orange juice or water) because that will prevent her from dehydrating. Check her temperature every twenty minutes after each downing of pills to see if it has dropped. The thermometer will be found in the second floor bathroom cabinet.

If her temp. has reached a higher point, though, do not hesitate to call me on my cell phone. You may reach me at: 03-688-2852-DF3. Please only call me if there is an emergency change in my daughters health.

Arigatou for taking care of My Precious Anzu. I will desperately fight my way back through anything to get to her in time. Please make sure that she and you are safe and try not to take your eyes off of her if you can help it. She always tries to remain self-sufficient in that she doesn't want anyone to ever worry if she's not well.

Again, Arigatou, and Gomen Ne for sticking you with such a nuisance of a situation.

Sincerely,

Ji Mizaki'

Yami turned slightly red in the face.

' ...And don't take your eyes off of her if you can help it...' He thought desperately, I'm not so sure that Anzu will let me without getting suspicious of anything..!

He lay the note next to the bottle of pills and headed for the fridge. There was a pitcher of filtered water inside so he pulled it out and searched for a glass in the cupboards...

" --Kaijou--! Leave them alone! Leave Him alone! Let me go--!" Came a scream from upstairs and Yami gave another jolt, sending the cup he'd found to the floor, where it shattered into pieces.

Leaving it where it was, he ran from the room and back up the stairs. Throwing her bedroom door open, he saw her sitting up in bed, her hands over her face. She wasn't crying but her rattled breathe was just as bad. She hadn't even noticed him there, watching her. He stepped forward and placed his hand on her back, making her jump and swipe at him. He backed away and she looked him over.

" Y-Yami--?! What're you doing here? Come to think of it..." She looked around, "...What am I doing here? I thought I was at school?"

He shook his head. How strange it was that she didn't remember anything, "I brought you home in Jonouchi's car so you could get proper rest here. But what's more important is why you were screaming 'Kaijou' again? What is this reoccurring nightmare you seem to be having?"

She shook her head, trying to evade answering his questions. He sat down with her again, his determination evident, and she looked up.

" I dreamed that you died. You--And-and Yuugi... And Jonouchi... And Honda..." Her eyes began to water and he looked away, not knowing what he could do for a girl who was crying, "It was really frightening, seeing your bodies burning to the bone on the floor... And it was even more terrifying when this-this creature came along, saying he did it for me... Because you guys had left me alone and it hurt... It really hurt..." She clasped her hands to her chest, "I-I saw how he enjoyed your deaths, your rotting flesh... And he said that he wouldn't let anybody hurt me again if I became his friend... I'm afraid of what he'd be willing to do if they--or you--or anyone left me alone... Friendship is strong... Demo, I'm afraid of it now."

He looked into her eyes. She was truly frightened of being around him--Or anybody else for that matter. Why would any nightmare torment such an angel? She never deserved this, nobody did and yet, here she was, with tears falling from her sapphire eyes.

" I'm afraid that I can offer no condolence at the moment. I-Maybe we should just wait it out... If the nightmares continue, I'll take a look inside and assist you in any way possible of my power."

She nodded and sighed into the silence. Noticing how quiet everything was, she asked, "Hey, Yami, where's my mother..?"

He was shocked. She didn't even remember thirty minutes ago, when they'd said goodbye? It was probably because she was half asleep but, nevertheless, it seemed impossible for him to tell her that her mother was, at this very moment, on her way out of the country...

" She's... Not here. I'm going to be here for a while... For the night..." He ended in a murmur. She bent her head to see his face and saw that he looked troubled when attempting to tell her whatever he'd just said.

" She's not here? Why? She went to get me some medication from the doctor?" Anzu asked in that innocent confused voice.

" Unfortunately, no... She went to... France because of a new proposition..." And he looked up again to see the deep sadness in her eyes.

" Oh..." She said slowly, "Then when will she be back..?"

" She promised that she'd do whatever it takes to be back by tomorrow morning..."

There was a dreadful ten minute silence until Anzu decided to speak up again.

" ...I suppose that you'll want to leave too..."

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A/N: Little bit of angst in there for all you Yami/Anzu angst-lovers, like me! I know, I really am killing off the characterizations and everything but... Don't forget that I did originally write this about two years ago. Wait, you can't have forgotten... Cause I haven't told you. Oh well, I am now! Anyway, please review this... I know Yami/Anzu lovers are dimming and rare and all but... If you decided to read this at all, it'd help a great deal to hear what you think of it. It's my first Y/A fic after all. I've only written a Pegasus/Cecelia one before in the Yu-Gi-Oh section...

Well, Chibi will stop ranting now so that you faithful enough will get down to business and all that...

--Chibi is ending transmission.