Wow, it has taken me a long time to finally get this prequel on the road but I had a lot of time dedicated to planning plus I wrote and rewrote this chapter maybe ten or fifty times in order to shape it exactly the way I liked it. But if you know me then that is actually very little. I like being a perfectionist when it comes to writing. If there are any errors please, please, please inform me.
Oh and I found out recently that I have made a few mistakes in little Mokuba's age. He's supposed to be thirteen here but for the sake of all things cute he will be ten. Plus it is easier to make him a hyper ball of energy that way and that is how we all love him, isn't it?
10,000 yen is about 85 US dollars
1,060 yen is equal to about nine US dollars
250yen is equal to about two US dollars
ichi:one
ni: two
san: three
si-yo: four
go: five
Chapter One: Games Begin
School, something everyone loved and hated at the same time. With it came the best and worse of times, friendships made and lost, laughter and complaints, and so much more rotating in an endless cycle. The time spent in the classrooms with the teachers cramming bounds of knowledge into the young minds of the students were never the most pleasant. Occasionally there would come once in a while when a particular lesson would seen merely minutes long, skipping through quickly and delighting those who got to experience that rare moment. Today was not one of these times for Anzu.
Barely halfway through a pointless history lecture it played on her mind as if it had lasted days on end. She wanted nothing more than to slump down on the desk, place her head on her arms, and drift off to sleep. Looking a few seats down to her left and one down, she saw that Jonouchi was doing exactly that. Lucky dog, he only got away with that because he didn't care about his grades or progress in the classes. If she fell asleep in the middle of class... It wouldn't be good, for the least. Half her mind was focused on the dull, emotionless droll of her history teacher reciting about some ancient battle that no one actually found interesting or cared about.
While he was busy jotting down notes on the whiteboard she took the chance to give another full look around. Honda was staring off into space, clearly not paying attention. While Yugi on the other hand was clinging to every word Mr. Hamaki had to offer. He was even copying down everything that was being written on the board. How in the world did he find this course of mental torture exciting? Half the other students also looked ready to fall asleep. She noticed one pair who were busy passing notes to one another.
Slumping she stifled a yawn, covering her mouth with her hand. Boring, boring, boring... Why wouldn't the stupid thing just end? By the time the bell for dismissal had rung Anzu had felt like she wanted to be banging her head against the desk. Just another one of those days. Where was a shotgun when you needed one to shoot the teacher? Yes, even perfect students like her had those thoughts.
Anzu stood up, trying to cram her textbook into her bag which was already full. Was it her imagination or did it seem to grow with every passing class? Getting frustrated as she walked out the door, continuing to try to get the book to fit in she was not paying attention as she made her way down the halls. Due to this lack of awareness for her surroundings she failed to notice when a certain rich, young, and arrogant CEO stopped in front of her. The result was nothing less of a full-on collision. Her bag slipped from her hands and tumbled to the floor, the contents spilling.
She had begun to stammer an apology when he turned around and she saw who it was that had assisted in the case of this small accident.
"You should watch where you're going Mazaki. Most people do not appreciate being run over by preppy cheerleaders."
The words running through her mind were all cursing him. Conceited bastard. Not heeding him or his comments she bent over to gather up what had escaped her bag when it fell. "Well I am so very and truly sorry." She tried the hardest she could to keep her tone even but the hints of sarcasm and bitterness found their way in despite all her attempts. "Even so, I would appreciate it if you showed the slightest bit of acknowledgement that it was as much of your fault as it was mine." Anyone else would have helped her pick up her belongings but he had just stood there watching with his superior smirk.
"You're mistaken. The fault was all yours. You need not give me any credit," he said as he turned away and walked off, leaving Anzu to wish that she could be able to punch all that self-pride clean out of him. If he had one gentleman-like quality about him he could be the most attractive man she had ever met but all there was now was a handsome son of a bitch that needed to vanish off the face of the earth. She doubted that he had ever even learned the words "please" or "thank you." They seemed too good for him.
Smoldering at his rudeness and disregard, Anzu finished stuffing her books into her bag in a less than orderly fashion, turning heel to leave the hallway. She was busy setting away the items she would not need tonight in her locker when Yugi came up to her, bright and cheery as he always was.
"Hey Anzu! Wasn't that lesso–" She shoved four heavy textbooks into his arms before he could finish, surprised that the force and weight did not knock him over. He would have offered to carry them anyways. They usually walked home together.
Over the past two years, Yugi had grown very little. She remained to be about a foot taller than him. His small size no longer attracted pestering, teasing, or bullies. The title of King of Games was yet to be taken by another and it earned him respect. Naturally, Kaiba was constantly trying to reclaim it. He had yet to succeed.
"Do you really find those history classes interesting? It's hard for me not to fall asleep," she inquired curiously, slinging her bag over one shoulder. Yugi carried the books she had pushed into his arms earlier to cut him off. She had not wanted to endure his ravings about the lessons.
"Oh yes! I think the Dark Ages are fascinating!"
So did she, until Mr. Hamaki started teaching it.
"And I cannot wait to when we start going into depth on Ancient Egypt. Yami and I have been looking forward to it ever since the teacher mentioned it," he continued, tapping the Millennium Puzzle that hung around his neck.
Smiling, Anzu nodded, turning down a road but Yugi grabbed her arm to stop her. "You are going the wrong way."
Looking at him in confusion she shook her head. "It's the right way, for me at least. Did I forget to tell you? I got a job at the new coffee shop in town. I'm starting today."
Yugi nodded. "That's great. Grandpa makes me help him in the shop all the time but he never pays me. He thinks that his grandson should be able to lend a hand without expecting something in return."
Anzu giggled quietly. That sounded exactly like something Yugi's grandfather would say. "He is right, you know. I never had an allowance. My parents said that family should be above that." She did not blame him for wanting some extra spending money. Her earnings would be saved as she had full intentions on attending a good college, preferably a dance one such as Julliard. Working at 1060 yen an hour was hardly going to get there anytime soon though. It was almost minimum wage. It was no surprise to her when Yugi insisted on walking her to her new work place instead of home.
Thanking him outside the shop she gave him a quick hug, seeing him flush bright pink, taking the things of hers that he had been carrying and rushed in through the employee's entrance. A couple more minutes and she would have been late. Not a good way to start your first day at work. The business was fairly good, having a decent amount of trade right after school hours as students liked to stop by to have a drink and have a relatively quiet place where they could work on a homework assignment for half an hour or so.
By seven it had calmed, the tinker of the bell that rang whenever the door opened was silent. Anzu was almost ready to leave when she heard someone come in. Her 'for-the-customer' smile faded instantly and she had to force it back on. "What can I get for you Kaiba?" she asked politely. Why? Why could he have come in ten minutes later? She would not have to deal with his attitude or sarcasm then. His cold sapphire gaze sent shivers up and down her spine. Had she not had to endure enough of him a few hours previously?
"One regular coffee, black," he said and she hastened to get the order for him. It took less than a minute and she was glad that it was so simple a thing to get.
"That would be two hundred and fifty yen," she told him as she set the cup full of the hot liquid before him, collecting the money he handed over and placed it away in the cash register.
She watched as he turned away, relieved that he had not said anything that might make her want to bite his head off. He acted as though he did not recognize her. She did not mind. At least he had been decent. Busying herself in rearranging a display of biscotti's on the counter to pass the last nine minutes of her shift she glanced up, shocked to see him still there, sitting at one of the tables meant for a single person or couple. More of all, what bothered her was the way he was looking at her. As if she was some sort of fascinating art exhibit at the Lourve Museum. His drink was untouched.
Anzu shifted uncomfortably. Had he been staring at her for the past couple minutes? Taking a quick peek at her wristwatch she sighed in relief. Her shift was over, now all she had to do was wait for her replacement. It did not take long, thankfully, and she went into the back quarters of the building to change out of her work uniform into a pair of old faded jeans and light blue sweater. Kaiba had still been looking at her when she slipped away. Going out the backdoor she went to head home when someone called out to her.
"Mazaki, hold up there for one minute."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before slowly turning around. "Yes? Could you make it quick, I need to get home."
"You are not so busy that you will be unable to spare me a few minutes." Why couldn't he ever ask for something? She felt like a slave that he was giving strict orders to. "I have an offer for you."
"An offer?" she repeated. "What kind of offer?" What was this all about?
"It is about Mokuba." Curiosity aroused, she would be lying if she claimed not to be interested. As much as she disliked Kaiba, his younger brother she adored. He was so cute, polite, sweet, and friendly.
"Is something wrong?" Concern was plainly clear in her tone.
"Oh no, nothing is wrong with him. Not really. Mokuba has been struggling slightly in his math classes and his teacher spoke to me. She wanted me to find him a tutor for some extra assistance."
Mokuba was having trouble in school? The boy had always struck her as a genius. "And you want me to do it?"
"Yes, why else would I be telling you this?"
Anzu half wanted to refuse just to smite him and tell him that she would never even consider working for him. But she did love sweet little Mokuba... "I'm sorry. In case you have not noticed I already have a job and I like it. Find someone else to do it for you. It should not be too hard."
Kaiba was not going to give in. He knew that the only way his little brother would agree to tutoring is if he already liked the person who was teaching him. Anzu was the only one that came to mind. Well she and Yugi but he would never sink low enough to ask that shrimp for help. "I'll pay you ten times what they are giving you now."
"Ten times?" she said, feeling weak all of the sudden.
"Yes, ten times. You don't need to repeat everything that I say."
It was enough to change her mind for her on the spot. "I'm all yours. When can I start?"
"Tomorrow. I will send for a car after school. Good day." He left. She did not get a chance to say or do anything else, still stunned into happiness. She would be making so much more money under him. For once, she felt happy that Seto was alive.
The next day flashed right by. Before she knew it she was picked up outside of school as Kaiba had said, a bit nervous as she was driven over. What if it did not work out? She talked to the coffee shop manager in the morning and told him she found someone else who offered a better deal for her. It had been awkward since it had been her first day there and she could not go back to ask for her job back in things with Kaiba turned ugly.
Being dropped off at the manor she took a deep breath. He lived here? The place was like a modern day castle... Okay, maybe it was a bit of an exaggeration. Still! Compared to the apartment she lived in with her parents and two little brothers this was colossal, beyond colossal. How did a person need so much space? Who was it that lived here? Kaiba and Mokuba? Perhaps a few of their servants. She doubted they needed it to be so huge. Or she could be wrong... She would never understand those with money and power.
Approaching the large front double doors that took up the amount of room the entire wall of her bedroom took she knocked loudly. There was no way anyone would be able to hear it...Waiting for several minutes she looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone else and in turn found the doorbell, which she rang. The door was opened a moment later.
"Hey... I'm here," she said meekly as Kaiba gestured her in. She had noticed that he had not been at school that day but it happened a lot. Supposedly, he was allowed to take off leave if his work intervened. Or that's what the student rumors called for.
"You're late."
She forced down a scowl and bitter reply. He was going to be paying her ten thousand yen an hour to tutor Mokuba. An hour! She did not ever think anyone could afford that kind of payment and she would not let it pass up. "I apologize. I was waiting outside your home for ten minutes."
"That is neither my problem nor concern. The doors were open. You could have let yourself in."
She had not wanted to intrude. Following him quietly and reminding herself all the while that she would not have to put up with him for much longer and about the amount of money she would be making. He showed her up a marble staircase and down a hall. "Mokuba! Your tutor is here," he called, opening a door and stepping inside.
"I don't need one! The teacher lied! I CAN DO IT MYSELF!"
Anzu could not restrain a laugh. "Don't worry. I can take care of it," she told Kaiba, lightly touching his arm and went inside to see Mokuba sitting on a bed with his arms crossed and head hung. "Where is my adorable little Moki? I want a hug."
"Anzu!" He instantly perked up at the sound of her voice. "Anzu!" Mokuba launched himself off the bed at her, squeezing the life out of her in the hug she had requested. "Are you going to be the one teaching me? Oh, we can have so much fun. We don't have to do stupid boring math. I do not want to do it. We can play some games together and-"
She was laughing freely now, raising a hand to her mouth to try to stifle it. Glancing back she saw the older brother in the doorway, glaring over at her and she knew what it meant. Jerking her head to the side in a way that told him to leave she turned back to Mokuba. Kneeling down in front of him she placed her hands on his shoulders and shook her head. "Actually, I am going to teach you. Your brother wanted me to help you and I intend to do that. You have math to learn, mister. We do not have time to play games."
He pouted, eyes glazing over and a face put on that made him look ready to cry. She could not deny that. "All right. I will tell you what. If you do a good job listening to what I say and getting your work done then after we finish I will play with you, okay?"
Mokuba nodded eagerly, grasping her hand to tug her over to a desk and sitting down after he pulled up a chair for her. "We are supposed to be doing this," he said, pointing to a sheet of paper in front of him.
Picking it up she skimmed through it and smiled. "Fractions, huh? Don't tell anyone but I had a problem with these too when I was your age. It is simple once you know how to do it. Can't your brother help you?"
Mokuba's smile faded. "Seto is always too busy. He has a lot of work to do. Head of the company... At his age it isn't that easy... I don't think it would be easy for anyone."
"Right..." How could she forget? Eighteen year old prodigy, multi-millionaire and CEO. Maybe she was a little unfair when it came to him. It would be a lot to handle. She would never be able to do it. "Let's not fret about that though. I have a lesson to explain to you." Sooner than she expected they had gone through the whole thing and Mokuba seemed to be getting it pretty well. She was checking over his work, marking two or three mistakes he had made. "No, here you had to swap the fraction around because you were dividing. You worked it out as if you were straight out multiplying. You got that messed up a few times..."
He was a good listener, not questioning her much and doing as she said.
"Perfect... you're all finished. We barely scratched an hour there. You won't need me for long." Anzu smiled and stretched her arms up to the ceiling then hugged Mokuba. "You're really smart. Now I do believe you I promised to play with you. It'll have to be quick though, I have to get home and do my own homework."
"Hide and seek!" he exclaimed happily, putting away his math paper and the notes Anzu had made him take as a reminder and to use later.
"Sure, that sounds like fun." Playing that game in this house would be amusing. Just one round would probably take forever. "You go hide but try to go easy on me. I'll get lost and you'll never find me."
He jumped up and rushed out of the room while she closed her eyes and begun to count, giving him two minutes to find somewhere before starting. She looked for half an hour before she found him hiding downstairs in a spare bedroom, huddled in a closet. "Gotcha." She laughed as she helped him out. "Is it my turn then?"
"Yep!" he piped and turned around, leaning against the wall with his face in his hands as he counted loudly. "Iti, ni, san, si-yo, go..."
She quickly fled, going back upstairs and down the halls, trying to find somewhere proper to hide. But she soon forgot about the game, slowly down to look around the different rooms. It was so amazing. One was decorated in an old English style, like those old fancy vintage hotel rooms, another that made you feel like you were beneath the ocean with wallpapers of an ocean floor, a coral and colorful fish swimming around. There was one set like a rain forest. She could spend hours just wandering around looking at the house. Most of the rooms like they were never used but still had their own decorative.
"Anzuuuuu! Where are youuuuuuuuuuuuu?" She jumped when she heard Mokuba calling for her. Oh crap. She completely let him and the game slip her mind. Swiftly running down the hall she dodged down the first door she saw that was open, slightly ajar and she got inside, closing it quietly and leaning against it to listen for the boy.
"What are you doing in here Mazaki?" She froze at the cold voice. Oh no... Not good.
(Well here we go, taking off at last. Who knew that I would have more work to do during the summer than the school year? But that's the way it is. I hope this has started out to your likings and we will be getting to smut and fluff and romance in a short while since I know must of you love that, and so do I. I've been listening to love songs and watching cute little movies and video clips of all things that do with love and I am being really inspired. Review now, my dears!)