Fruit Cocktail and Cottage Cheese – Chapter 4

XIX

Malik stares at the drink in his glass, hoping that his latest contemplation of the caramel-colored liquid will offer answers that the prior three weeks of ruminations had not.

Beside him on the bar, his phone vibrates for probably the fifth time in the last hour. He glances at the screen to confirm what he already knows; it's Ryuuji. Again. He's read all of Ryuuji's prior text messages and listened to the lengthy voice message which preceded them, but hasn't responded to any of them.

Honestly, he's not even sure that he wants to respond. What would be the point? They were NEVER going to get a moment's peace from that sadistic old man. It was obvious to anyone with a brain that Sindin Otogi was planning to torture his son forever.

Malik swirls his glass of liquid courage around with a sigh. As much as he loves Ryuuji, the blonde knows that he isn't strong enough to endure the constant torment. That's why he left. That's why he hasn't responded. No matter how he looks at it, their love is destined to fail.

He hangs his head with a sigh before downing the rest of his drink in one shot. Even several very strong Long Islands haven't dulled the ache of loss in his chest.

"I think you've had enough, brother," his twin admonishes.

"Leave me alone, Marik," he grumbles.

"Hey, you called me out to go drinking, remember?"

"Then shut the hell up and let me drink!"

"Yeah, been doin' that for three weeks now, and it's a little old. Scratch that; it's a lot fuckin' old."

"You could always go home."

"And leave you here to mope about 'poor Ryuuji' and drink yourself to death? Even I'm not that heartless!"

"You don' unnerstan…' Malik trails off in a slur, the drinks he's consumed finally taking their toll on his speech center.

"I know, I know! 'Poor Ryuuji! His dad is such a dick! Blah, blah blah!' Frankly, I'm sick of your blubbering and moaning! Can't you think of anything more constructive to do?"

"Fuck you! I don' know why I even came to you for help! You're such a heartless prick!" Malik yells, stumbling up from his bar stool and heading out the door.

"Fucking moron!" Marik curses as he throws down several large bills, grabs his brother's phone from the bar and heads after the despondent drunk, catching up to him nearly a block later.

"Don't be an idiot!" his twin snaps, stopping Malik's forward shamble and turning him back toward the bar's parking lot. "C'mon, I'm taking you home."

As they ride silently down the road, Marik tries again to talk his brother out of becoming a useless drunk.

"Listen," he begins calmly. "All I meant is that you're not thinking this through. Doesn't that guy have some friends in high places who might be able to help him out?"

"Friends in high places?" Malik mumbles, the liquor in his stomach sloshing about uncomfortably.

"Yeah, like that Kaiba guy. Didn't he help you guys out before? Why don't you ask him to do something?"

Malik turns to stare at his brother in surprise. The idea of talking to Kaiba himself had never occurred to him, since he only knows the CEO through Ryuuji. He opens his mouth to thank his abrasive-but-honest sibling profusely, but all he can manage is, "Pull over. I'm gonna throw up."

XX

"Well, um…"

Yugi looks to Seto for help in explaining to Yami why neither their father, Hiroto, nor Mai have contacted Yami in the last two weeks. Nor have they returned any of his phone calls, e-mails or text messages.

The group had been having a leisurely chat and tea in the sitting room on the second floor when the gymnast asked again about the absence of the rest of his family and close friend.

Yugi, Seto and Anzu have effectively deflected Yami's inquires for as long as they could; Yugi and Anzu wanting Yami to heal more before they told him the truth of what happened at the hospital.

Since Seto never wants to mention those assholes ever again, he's gone along with their decision to keep Yami ignorant. But recently he's started thinking that Anzu and Yugi are actually keeping Yami in the dark to save themselves grief.

"Yami," Anzu interjects, "they're just not very happy with us after what happened at the hospital. I'm sure eventually they'll…um…" She also looks to Seto for help.

"Sure they'll what, Mazaki?" the CEO sneers, tired of all the running around. "Sure they'll stop being elitist, bigoted, self-righteous…"

"Seto!" Yami interrupts. "I know that you don't get along with them but that's…" his voice catches as Yugi and Anzu look away sadly.

Yami accepts that the three are a bit elitist and maybe Mai can be a little self-righteous at times, but why would Seto call them bigoted? Could the incident at the hospital also be the cause?

No matter what, he wants to know the truth.

"Seto, what's really going on?" he demands. He knows that Seto's always been a little leery of his dad, Hiroto and Mai, but this current level of hostility is definitely new. "What happened while I was in the hospital?"

"They hate me," Seto responds evenly. "Your father, idiot brother and self-righteous friend hate my faggot guts."

"That's…we've talked about that, Seto," Yami frowns at him. "They don't hate you. And even if they did, it definitely wouldn't be because you're gay."

"Seto…" Yugi cautions. The brunet ignores him.

"They hate you and your faggot guts too," Seto sneers. "And they hate Anzu and Yugi for defending our faggot guts. And they hate Mokuba's faggot guts for being my son! And they probably hate Otogi's faggot guts as well!" As Seto's voice grows louder with the rise of his anger, Yami stares at him in shock and disbelief.

"W-What are you talking about?" Yami stammers. "They don't…they would never…" Trailing off, he turns to his twin. "Yugi? What is he talking about? Dad would never say anything like that!"

"Yami…" his twin sighs sadly.

Refusing to accept even that bit of explanation given to him, Yami sweeps out of the room. He'll prove to them all how wrong they are.

"Where are you going?" Seto poses, watching Yami put on his shoes in the front hall. The brunet's even tone belies his underlying fear that Yami is leaving him.

"To see dad and Hiroto," he retorts. "I'm sure this is all a big misunderstanding."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Anzu warns. "Seto, you shouldn't let him go."

"What do you mean he shouldn't let me go?" Yami snaps. "I'm not his pet!"

"I didn't mean it like that, Yami," she placates. "I only meant that you're still healing and should wait."

"I think Anzu's right, Yami," Yugi nods. "You're not well enough to fight with them."

"There won't be any fight!" Yami snarls. "I'm just going to clear up your misunderstanding."

Both Anzu and Yugi turn again to Seto for assistance.

"Let him go," Seto leans against the doorway. "It's better if he learns the truth on his own."

"You should go with him, Yugi," Anzu intones.

"I don't think…" Yugi trails off.

"I'll send a driver with him," Seto declares, tapping the intercom on the wall and ordering that a car be brought around to the front entrance.

"I'm sure it will be fine, Seto. I'll be home as soon as I clear this all up," Yami assures.

Having finished putting on his shoes, Yami steps over to Seto and pulls his face down for a light kiss. In response, Seto kisses Yami soundly, wrapping his lover in a tight embrace. He doesn't want Yami to go; doesn't want him to suffer the pain he's sure to feel upon learning the truth about his family. He knows that this is the only way Yami will truly understand, but still…

Clutching his beloved's hand firmly, he opens the front door and leads Yami to the waiting car.

XXI

Stepping from the cab, the petite blonde takes a deep breath before heading up the short driveway.

She'd already tried Yugi's apartment, but her former lover hadn't seemed to be around. That in itself wasn't too unusual, since she knew that he tended to spend his Saturday afternoons with his family.

Or at least he did four years ago; when she left him 'at the altar,' so to speak.

They'd planned to wed in secret. Well, she'd planned to anyway. Yugi hadn't wanted to keep their impending nuptials, nor their impending parenthood, from his family. But she'd insisted. And he loved her, so he'd agreed; with the promise that they'd have a formal ceremony after the baby was born.

But then she'd had a miscarriage. Yugi had wanted to get married anyway.

Knocking lightly on the door to the Mutou's familial home, she remembers Yugi's face as he watched her train pull away. He didn't understand why she had to leave. Neither did she, really. But leave she did, cutting all ties with Yugi in the process.

Despite herself, she jumps slightly as the front door swings open, revealing Yugi's brother, Hiroto.

"What the Hell do you want?" he snarls.

While she hadn't expected a warm welcome, the younger brother's open hostility seems at odds with the well-mannered young man she'd known all those years ago.

"I…um…came to see Yugi," she stammers, nervously adjusting her glasses.

"Like he'd be here! He's probably at that fucking faggot's house!" he yells.

Rebecca steps back in shock, her mind whirling. She wants to ask what he's talking about, but…

"Hiroto!" She hears the senior Mr. Mutou call from inside. "You shouldn't allow the neighbors to hear such language! And where are your manners? Invite our guest inside."

"Why? It's just Yugi's ex-slut," the brunet grumbles, stomping away.

"Now, wait just a minute!" Rebecca exclaims, following him as far as the front foyer. "I will not be spoken of in that manner!"

"Whatever," the younger man calls over his shoulder, disappearing into the kitchen.

"Why that ill-mannered, uncouth…"

"Ms. Hawkins," Mr. Mutou interrupts, "I apologize for Hiroto's behavior. Our current relationship with Yugi and Yami is a bit strained. We haven't seen them for several weeks."

"Oh! I'm sorry for intruding then," she bows politely, not revealing her further shock at Mr. Mutou's words. "I will take my leave."

"Thank you for visiting," he returns her bow.

"Rebecca?" Yami calls from behind her.

The blonde and the gymnast's father both turn in surprise.

XXII

"Mai, dearest," her mother smiles lightly, kissing both of her daughter's cheeks in a European-style greeting.

"Cyndia," Mai replies politely, returning the gesture.

Despite the fact that she's lived on her own for quite some time and that she's always excelled at keeping a level head and a calm mind, and despite being an excellent therapist in her own right, Mai has always found it mentally energizing to visit her parents on a regular basis. Their calm analysis of things great and small has always helped her to strongly walk her own path.

She hasn't been to see them in several weeks; not since before the incident with Hiroto's family. Initially, she'd planned to speak to them about it, but had decided to spend her time supporting Hiroto instead.

"The crease in your brow suggests you are carrying unnecessary concerns again, Dearest." her mother notes.

"Yes. I have been quite pre-occupied by a personal matter," Mai confirms. "I believe that additional analysis of the situation could assist me in drawing a proper conclusion."

"I see. Maximillian is away on business for the next two days, so we would be without his expertise. I suggest that we reconvene upon his return," Cyndia concludes.

"I agree. I will return at that time," Mai nods.

Another exchange of cheek kisses follows and she leaves her parent's home; the brief encounter serving to center her in a way she hasn't been for weeks.

"I should check on Hiroto," she tells herself as she drives away.

XXIII

"Rebecca! It is you!" Yami exclaims, embracing the stunned woman happily. "Are you back for good? Yugi will be really glad to see you!"

"Um…I'm not sure," she stammers in reply as they separate. "I just wanted to see him; to apologize, it's not as if I expect…" she trails off.

What did she really expect when she came back? Certainly not to pick up where they left off as though nothing has happened; though he might forgive her, even Yugi's not that nice!

"Rebecca?" the gymnast touches her shoulder lightly.

"Sorry, Yami. I was lost in thought."

"It's fine! Why don't we go inside and talk over a pot of tea?" Yami smiles good naturedly, moving to usher her into his family home, only to be brought up short by his father's disapproving scowl as he blocks the doorway.

"Dad?" he frowns in confusion.

"I don't believe that I invited you to enter," the older man states sternly.

"Don't be like that, Dad." Yami entreats. "I know that Yugi was hurt for a while, but he's always talked about wishing Rebecca would come back. We should cut her some slack."

"I wasn't speaking to Rebecca," Sugokuro Mouto snarls at his son.

Yami stumbles back in astonishment, his mind helpfully replaying Seto's comment from earlier; "They hate you and your faggot guts too."

Rebecca stares at the elder Mouto in disbelief. Never in her wildest dreams would she have ever expected this level of hostility from the kindly older gentleman. And especially not toward one of his beloved sons! She was sure that Yugi and his brothers were loved whole-heartedly by the bristling older man before them.

What could have caused such a rift as this? And how does Yami not seem to know anything about it?

Deciding that a bit of diplomacy may help to diffuse the situation, Rebecca steps between the two.

"Mr. Mutou, perhaps it would be best to calmly discuss this inside," she intones politely. "I'm certain that Yami would welcome the airing of your concerns. Maybe if you could come to some understanding…"

"You and your brother are no longer welcome here," Mr. Mutou declares, ignoring Rebecca's overture completely. "Please leave my property, or I will be forced to call the authorities."

"Dad? What's going on? Why are you – "

"Son of a bitch!" his brother Hiroto shouts from behind their father. "What the fuck is that faggot doing here?"

"He's just leaving," Sugokuro dismisses, coldly turning away and shutting the door firmly behind him.

XXIV

Hiroto Mutou had never expected to see his brothers and that traitorous bitch Anzu ever again.

He'd certainly never expected any of them to show up at his house! Talk about a set of brass ones!

"Fuck!" He swears, throwing a picture from his dresser across the room. The candid photo of he and his brothers had been taken by Anzu on their random "family" outing after one of Yami's last competitions. They'd gone on a short hike in the woods near the American venue and Anzu had caught the three of them rough-housing in the grass. She'd captured them in that brief moment when they were all laughing together while their dad had stood smiling in the background.

Anzu. He's done his best not to think about her, but he can't keep his thoughts from remembering…

The plan had been to buy and furnish a modest house between their jobs and then take her there after work one day and ask her to marry him.

Of course his father would have just bought the house outright. And probably something more lavish than what he'd had in mind. But being with Anzu brought out a multitude of protector/provider desires in the youngest Mutou brother, so he'd wanted to do it mostly on his own.

Although he'd had Yugi help him pick out a ring almost a year ago. And though his second oldest brother had even been helping him save up the money for the house, it felt different than just having his dad take care of everything.

But Yami had to ruin it all by hooking up with that arrogant fuck, Seto Kaiba.

"Why couldn't he have just been fucking normal?" he grumbles. "Then we could have had a proper family. It's all his fucking fault!"

Snatching up his phone, he dials the one person he admits has always had his back; Mai.

"Hiroto! What a coincidence!" her clear voice comes across her speaker phone. "I am just about to pull into your driveway."

"Mai…" he croaks, the angry tears of loss surprising him in their intensity.

"Hiroto…" she trails off, returning momentarily with, "So, he had the nerve to come here, did he? Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

As he ends the call and allows the sobs to wrack his body, Hiroto is certain that she will.

XXV

Yami stares in stunned disbelief at the door his father just closed in his face.

"Yami?" Rebecca's quiet entreaty draws his pained gaze. "Maybe we should go."

"I…I don't…" he stammers.

"Maybe Yugi knows what's going on," Rebecca supposes. "We should go and ask him."

"Yes, please do," Mai sneers as she walks up the driveway. "Go ask your twin why you are no longer welcome here."

"M-Mai?" Yami finds himself staggering again at the venom in his oldest friend's voice.

Dismissing him with a cold smirk, the psychologist strides past.

"Mai, wait! I don't understand what's going on! Please!"

The tall blonde uses her key to open the front door, offering Yami only her back in reply, as she closes the door behind her.

XXVI

Yugi has always been impressed by Seto Kaiba. He was filthy rich, but outrageously generous with his money when it came to children. He's also a technological genius with an IQ so high, a serious study was done a few years back regarding changing the IQ scale. Even Otogi, who never acknowledged anyone's prowess of any kind except his own, is still impressed by that.

(Well, kinda. He gives out the link for the article about the study to his clients to show how impressive he is to have Seto Kaiba as a friend.)

Seto Kaiba as a dad impresses Yugi too. Mokuba is a well-loved, well-adjusted, brilliant child who is doted upon heavily and remains the center of his father's universe; even after Yami came into the picture.

And Seto Kaiba as Yami's lover also impresses him. Never has he seen his twin so happy and fulfilled. It's not that Yami hasn't had boyfriends or intense relationships, or been in love before, but Yugi's never seen his brother so emotionally invested in a relationship as he is with Seto Kaiba.

A relationship that his family and friends had almost completely fucked up. No, a relationship that he and his family and friends had almost completely fucked up. Yugi wishes he could absolve himself of all wrong doing in the collapse of Seto and Yami's love life, but he was just as guilty as them. Even if he didn't make the snide remarks, or disparage on Seto's character, or press Yami to find someone 'more educated,' he watched what was happening; usually saying or doing nothing to discourage his family and friends' behavior.

And now Yugi finds himself impressed by Seto yet again.

While he and Anzu had begun nearly hyperventilating barely two minutes after Yami's departure, Seto had remained calm and collected for nearly an hour.

Not that the CEO had freaked out anywhere near his and Anzu's level, but his worried frown accompanied by arms crossed tightly across his chest counts as completely freaked out for Seto Kaiba.

Seeing the normally cool and contained man in that state proves a bit too much for Yugi to take at the moment. Hoping to calm his nerves a bit, he wanders off onto the back patio overlooking the picturesque garden. Taking residence in one of the surprisingly comfortable patio chairs, he attempts to calm down.

Looking at his watch yet again, Yugi feels ready to vibrate out of his chair. And why shouldn't he be scared? They'd let Yami go by himself to talk to their dad and little brother.

Straight into the "lions' den," so to speak. And they'd sent him completely unarmed, since Yami had no idea of the situation with dad, Hiroto and Mai; no idea that he and Anzu had essentially broken both Hiroto and Mai's hearts.

That is, if Mai even had a heart to break. Truth be told, she was really Yami's friend, not his. Her superior attitude notwithstanding, the way she was always staring at him like a rat in an experiment really creeped him out. And she always seemed to be gauging his reactions, as though he were her patient. He'd never see her looking at Yami like that, or talking to him as though he weren't quite sane and needed her special attention.

Now that he's really thinking about it, she never talked to Hiroto like that either. In fact, she tended to stare at Hiroto much differently; almost like –

A thought slips into his mind that he'd never considered before; was Mai interested in Hiroto? If so, then why would she work so hard to set him up with Anzu and keep them together as a couple?

A second thought comes into his mind to answer that question; she'd set them up to study their relationship. After all, if Yugi is honest with himself, Mai looked at Anzu like a lab rat even more than she looked at him like that.

But what about Hiroto? The only look he'd ever seen her direct toward his brother, other than her usual cool assessment, had been one of fondness; maybe even affection. She definitely didn't look at, or treat him like, a little brother. And they were definitely friends outside of their relationship through Yami and Anzu. Mai spent almost as much time at their father's house just hanging with Hiroto as Anzu did, maybe even more. With only two years separating them, it isn't like they have nothing in common. They would have made a fine couple. Hell, she's probably over at their dad's house now, since Anzu's not around.

As that thought settles into his mind, a true panic overtakes him.

Yami at the collective mercy of his dad, Hiroto AND Mai!

"We need to go get Yami!" he stammers to Anzu as he runs back into to the sitting room.

"Seto's already gone to pick him up. Yami called a few minutes ago," Anzu informs him. "I think…I think Yami found out the truth."

"Shit!" Yugi exhales sadly.

XXVII

"Yes, may I help you?" A voice inquires over the front gate intercom of the Kaiba estate.

Clearing his throat, Malik offers a crisp, "Good evening. My name is Malik Ishtar. I am an acquaintance of Mr. Kaiba's. Is he available?"

"One moment," the intercom crackles. The older male voice returns a minute or so later with, "Thank you for your patience, Mr. Ishtar. I'm afraid that Master Kaiba is out of the manor briefly. Would you and Mr. Otogi like to wait inside for his return?"

"Ah! Um.." Malik hesitates. Part of him is shocked that he and Ryuuji are considered important enough guests to warrant an invitation to wait inside instead of being told to come back later. Then again, Otogi is a fellow businessman, so maybe it isn't so odd. Does that mean that if he says Otogi isn't with him, they won't let him in? Only one way to find out…

"Actually, Mr. Otogi isn't with me today," he admits. "But I would like to wait for Mr. Kaiba, if I may."

There is a short delay before the gates of the estate begin to swing open.

"Please follow the drive up to the main residence," the voice commands. "A valet will meet you there."

"Thank you," Malik replies cordially. As he makes his way up the long driveway, really the two-lane street, he can't help being awed by the size of the Kaiba Estate. It's not that he didn't know the CEO was rich, he just didn't realize he was THIS rich.

Sprawling green lawns retreat into the expanse on his right, accented by a two-story building in the distance backed by a long tree line. To his left he spies a large pond in the middle of a pristine garden, a traditional Japanese bridge crossing at its narrowest point; behind which lie even more trees. In front of him, as he crests a low ridge, is the enormous residence that he infers is the 'main house' that the intercom voice mentioned. The three-story masterpiece combines western and eastern architecture in a beautiful display, covering a wide swath of land.

As he drives up to the front of the structure, he gasps in shock when he realizes that he can't see the whole thing without turning his head from one side to the other.

All at once he becomes very self-conscious about meeting with Seto Kaiba. It's possible that the cool CEO could throw him out on his ass rather than listen to anything he has to say.

"I have to try, at least," he sighs to himself. "For Ryuuji. And for any chance that we have at a future."

Handing his car keys to the waiting valet, he is greeted with a low bow by a well-dressed servant.

"Good Afternoon, Mr. Ishtar," the man intones. "I am Issa Sakamoto, Master Kaiba's Head Butler."

Malik bows back politely, feeling even more uncomfortable than he did before. He follows the Head Butler through the massive front doors and into the equally huge front hallway. Deciding that looking at anymore of the opulence around him will probably make him turn tail and run away, Malik looks only at the Butler's feet before him as they continue forward.

"This way, Mr. Ishtar," the Head Butler directs him into a well-appointed study. "Master Kaiba is expected within the hour. Please make yourself comfortable. I will return shortly with some tea."

"Thanks," Malik bows.

XXVIII

"A proper gentleman would have called before just showing up, Ishtar," Seto scowls from the doorway. His irritation softens slightly in amusement when Malik chokes on one of the expensive tea cookies in surprise. "Not to mention that it's pretty ballsy of you to show up alone."

"Um, yeah. About that," his unexpected visitor sputters. "I'm actually here about Ryuuji."

Seto raises an eyebrow in inquiry, but doesn't budge from his sullen lean in the doorway.

Truthfully, he'd rather throw this idiot out on his ass and tend to his distressed lover.

He shouldn't have let him go; family or not. He shouldn't have allowed that confrontation.

The look on Yami's face when he got there…

Yami had been upset to the point of shaking in the limo, which had explained to Seto why he hadn't wanted to ride back alone with the other driver. Once they'd arrived at the mansion, the smaller man had needed Seto's help just to get in the front door. The distraught faces of Yugi and Anzu had greeted them in the foyer. At the sight of them, Yami had turned away and stormed up to his and Seto's bedroom; into their private study, to be more precise, locking the door behind him. No matter what the CEO said to him from outside the door, his beloved has remained completely withdrawn since then.

It's not that Seto couldn't have gotten into the room if he'd wanted to; after all, he has the master key to all of the rooms in the mansion. But he'd wanted Yami to come out and speak to him on his own; rely on him to shoulder some of the obvious pain the other had to have been feeling. When Sakamoto had politely informed him of his guest, he'd initially thought to kick the man out then. But then he'd thought that maybe Yami needed this time to collect himself. Smaller stature aside, his lover's sense of pride was almost as strong as his own.

"I'm sorry, Kaiba," the intruding buffoon stands, interrupting his reflection. "You seem like you're busy with something. Maybe I should come back later."

"Sit down," the brunet commands, stalking into the room. "I'll hear what you have to say and then you can get out."

"Ah! Right, sure."

"Sakamoto!" he bellows as he takes his favorite chair near the ornate, cherry-wood desk.

"Yes, Sir," the attentive butler appears in the doorway.

"Fresh tea and my favorite cookies. And make sure that my other guests get some refreshments as well."

"Yes, Sir. Should I also feed Master Mokuba when he wakes from his nap?"

"No, come and get me. I'll be done here soon enough."

"As you wish," the Head Butler bows and leaves the room.

"Alright, so tell me what's so important that you'd come here without your meal ticket?" Seto prods.

Ignoring the obviously half-hearted insult, Malik quickly lays out his plan.

XXIX

Rebecca quietly sips her tea. Already overwhelmed by the events at the Mutou household, she'd been equally disrupted by what had happened when she arrived here at the Kaiba mansion.

The look on Yugi's face when he saw Yami had spoken volumes about the younger twin's concern. But instead of seeking Yugi's comfort, Yami had coldly dismissed his brother and stormed up the stairs toward the third level. Yugi had pleadingly called after him, to no avail.

And then her ex-boyfriend had turned to see her standing stick-still in the middle of the elaborately tiled floor…

His eyes had lit briefly, but were then snuffed out by a veil of pain and sadness.

"I'm sorry, 'Becca," he'd murmured, turning away. "I can't…I just can't see you right now. I'm sorry, it's just too much."

She'd watched him despondently drag himself up the stairs to the second floor and then down the right side hall.

The next conscious thought she had was the softness of the cushions she'd been eased down onto. She hadn't even realized that she was crying until a wad of tissues had appeared in her hand.

As near as she can figure, that had been almost two hours ago. Since then, once she'd calmed, she'd been quietly sipping tea and eating hors d'oeuvres in this plush sitting room with a dark-haired woman that she remembered as another friend of Yugi and Yami.

"Are you better now?" the young woman asks.

"Yes," Rebecca nods.

"You're Yugi's fiancée, Rebecca, aren't you?" she inquires.

"Ex- fiancée," Rebecca clarifies shakily. "I left him at the altar. He hates me. I don't even know why I'm here."

"I'm sure he doesn't hate you," Anzu smiles encouragingly. "He's never referred to you as anything but his fiancée when he talked about you. Though we were all quick to condemn you for your actions, he'd always defend you. He always said that you and he would get married as soon as you returned."

"But, when he saw me…" the blonde chokes, her heart tearing once again at the remembered pain the sight of her had brought to Yugi's eyes.

"That's…please don't take his response to heart," the brunet soothes. "We have all been under a fair amount of strain lately. I assure you that Yugi is still very much in love with you."

Rebecca finds the tea cup in her hands replaced with another wad of tissues as she starts sobbing all over again.