Disclaimer: usual, don't own a thing, except my own mind. (well I hope I own it!)

"Your good Kaiba, but not that good."

Mai's eyebrow raised suggestively.

"Really, I guess I need to see an eye specialist then; because your disk shows a rather large 0 from where I'm standing."

Mai shrugged, lips twitching ever so slightly. "As the french say, C'est La Vie. You win some you lose some."

Kaiba raised himself to his full height, crossing his arms - lip curled ever so slightly.

"Have you ever had a victory against me Kajaku - I can't say that one comes to mind."

Mai gave a knowing smile. "Yet!"

"What 's the matter Kajaku, cat got your tongue? Anything would have to be an improvement on the doggy breath you inhale each day."

Jou made to lunge, but stayed his ground as Mai wagged a finger in remonstrance. Her smile grew as Kaiba's expression changed from one of assured cockiness to pure disgust.

"Lick your paws cat, the creams getting away - what are you up to?"

"A girl can smile - can't she?"

Kaiba let loose a low growl.

"That's it Mai, reel him in nice and slow. Not too quick or this little fishy will jump the hook."

Kaiba's eyes narrowed, and the trademark smirk returned. "Am I right in supposing that you are about to lay down a challenge to me?"

"Yes."

"All right Kajaku, let's see what you've got." Though his eye appeared firmly fixed on his challenger; Kaiba caught the sudden and excited twitch of movement from his favourite whipping post - his smirk grew wider still. "So the mutt is on this too - interesting."

"Well Kajaku, I'm waiting." He leant back against the wall, adjusting his cuffs before finally crossing his arms over his chest - eyebrow cocked to emphasise the fact that he was indeed enacting what he said.

Mai faltered slightly giving idle thought to treason within the ranks - this little fish was renowned for his mind games and to her mind said fish was far too sure of himself. Folding her arms she raised a finger thoughtfully to brush over her lips, after a few extra moments of contemplation she nodded her head ever so slightly in satisfied silence. No she was certain their accomplice had revealed nothing of the plan, Kaiba was merely being his usual self, and if she didn't answer soon he would walk expounding on his theory that all the Yugi-tachi were childish and unworthy of his almighty attention - leaving the reason for this challenge out in the cold. That Mai was not about to let happen despite her inability to comprehend why the reason should focus on the iceman of all people.

"You think you're the King of the Pops don't you Kaiba?"

"Kajaku no matter which way you try, you'll never beat me, so let me make this easy for you - I'm an extremely busy man and don't have the time or inclination to play your game of charades."

Here Kaiba paused to hit home his impatience. Pushing off the wall he opened his briefcase once more.

"I'll accept any challenge you have."

"Any?" She repeated, confidence returning ever so gradually as she watched Kaiba ready his deck for another duel.

"Any!" He replied with emphasis.

Turning to Jou Mai called, "You're my witness Katsuya."

"Gotcha!" Jou gave a thumbs up.

Kaiba rolled his eyes, boredom slowly setting in. "Get on with it."

"Tsk Tsk. How impatient we are, you'll have to change that to win this challenge Kaiba."

"Just hurry up." He growled, moving to swap decks with her.

"Oh no it's not a duel, well not with cards at least." She replied coyly

Kaiba froze.

"You don't have to do it, but if you don't I win on forfeit." A smirk. "After all you did say you would accept any challenge, or have you changed your mind?"

"Not a chance." Voice strong, but for the briefest of moments his eyes and posture held a flicker of uncertainty.

Mai smiled. "Don't look so worried, you're merely going to eat your own words."

"Which one's in particular? Unlike you my vocabulary's quite extensive."

"Hey watcha mouth, don't think ya can talk ta my gal like that."

"Bite me, mutt!"

Jou leapt. Halting only seconds before a possible collision with said girl as Mai stepped in front.

"Your chivalry is noted Katsuya but let me handle this one. As I said, you'll eat your own words Kaiba. You think everyone jumps for money, I say you're wrong."

He snorted.

Mai raised her eyebrow again.

"The challenge! You have to woo and win the heart of a girl."

Kaiba snorted. "Your inanity often astounds me Kajaku, but I think you've excelled yourself today. I've only to flash my gold card, pay a photographer to snap them and basically lay the world at their feet. All of which is done with money."

Mai shook her head, smirking widely.

"Hardly a challenge then is it, and it would only prove you right. No in this you have to win her with your debonair personality, your capital is not allowed to play a part."

Jou choked.

Like a match to a candlewick the flame within Kaiba was lit.

"What you think that I can't win this prissy little challenge mutt."

"Ya know Mai, 'e's not as dumb as I thought 'e was. That's right moneybags ain't nothin' gonna stop Mai winnin' this one, it's in the bag."

"And how exactly do you plan to monitor my movements."

"Oh that's easy," Laughed Mai breathily. "We have several spies at our disposal."

Kaiba's eyes narrowed at this revelation.

"So I take it you're forfeiting?"

"Not a chance in hell. Bring it on."

"Stellar, Absolutely Stellar!"

Grabbing his briefcase Kaiba strode away leaving the two to themselves.

"Ya do know, she's gonna kill ya for this? Doncha?" Jou stood watching the retreating back of Kaiba, flicking his gaze back to Mai.

Mai stood smirking and shrugged.

"I still don' know where ya got such an idea anyway." Jou countered.

Mai sighed. "Unlike men, girls talk. We're not afraid to express our innermost feelings."

It was a look worthy of their intended victim and Mai couldn't help but wonder if her beau had spent just a little too much of the day in the testy dragon's company. The unwavering gaze of disbelief began to unnerve her finally forcing the dam of silence to burst.

"Oh alright I blackmailed her. Happy?" Mai pouted, like Kaiba she preferred to keep the upper hand on her darling Katsuya ensuring his unwavering adoration, a sentiment she reflected happily would leave their opponent gagging quite gracelessly. No a wised up Jou was infinitely more dangerous and far more difficult to control. Her greatest fear always lay...

Jou's raucous outburst of laughter cut through her thoughts. "Yeah with what? C'mon, spill I ain't gonna tell a soul."

"Oh how can I trust thee, let me count the ways."

Raising one finger, then another, Mai stood deep in thought. "No, you told Honda. No you told Anzu that one, oh there was…no you ended up repeating that one back to me. Nope can't think of a single time I've told you something that you've kept it a secret."

"Dat's unfair Mai. Ya can't count it if I told the person who told me."

"The fact is Katsuya you're 'bout as discreet as a fart in a bottle. So no I'm not going to tell. At least not yet, now come on we've work to do."

The vicious manner in which door met door frame left the hidden party uncertain as to whether they should venture forth. Mokuba gazed warily down from the landing hesitant to announce his presence. Exhaling slightly he girded his loins for the inevitable and asked what he deemed to be the least attractive but most portent question.

"You lost, didn't you?"

Balking mid flounce through the front entrance, Seto threw an incredulous look at his brother.

"I take it by the death stare you're giving me that I am wrong. But if you didn't lose why are you so angry?"

"Because that scheming …" Seeing the boys eyes widen in expectation of the next word, Kaiba reined his anger a little. "She's challenged me."

Mokuba swallowed and blinked rapidly, a gesture not lost on the sharp eyes of the elder Kaiba; but his temper had passed all measure of control and the significance of why such an action disturbed him passed by without further thought.

"Is that all?"

"What do you mean is that all?"

"Well she hasn't won a game of Duel Monsters against you yet, so what's the big deal."

Kaiba's blue eyes narrowed to a cold icy hue. Mokuba cringed inwardly, his brother was enraged beyond any measures he had seen before and when the end of this game came, vengeance would be dealt swiftly.

"DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT A CARD CHALLENGE?" Seto screamed the sentence in frustration, the pent up anger on the ride home finally spinning the pressure valve in his body.

"Oooh" was all that Mokuba could say.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'OH'? IT'S MORE THAN AN OH."

Mokuba's height shrunk visibly, Seto's voice of anger had an uncanny way of piercing his eardrums, even in the largest of arena's. Not for the first time did he wonder if his brother had been born with a microphone inserted, and precisely where - should anyone enquire - said implement may reside depended wholly and solely on Mokuba's mood for the day.

"What is the challenge then?" He ventured nervously.

"I have to win the heart of a girl without using my money."

No answer.

Seto's eye's narrowed. "It's not like you to be struck dumb on occasions such as these. Aren't you going to ask me why?"

"Why?" Came the forced and hushed reply

"Because I said that everyone is only interested in money, and they said I'm wrong."

First a whetting of lips, then...

"But big brother, that makes no sense."

"What do you mean?" Kaiba snapped.

"Well if you win her heart without using money, wouldn't that mean they are right?"

Seto stood frozen "That cunning bitch!" his mind laughed at him. "No wonder the mutt was dancing about like a nancy. Maybe there was still a way."

But no matter where his reverie took him the result was always the same; no there wasn't because even if he did prove that people, namely girls, only wanted someone for their money he would still lose the challenge because he didn't win the girls heart the way he was meant to.

"Shit, how did I let her trap me like that."

Again the involuntary swallow shifted the growing adams apple within Mokuba's neck. He normally never heard his brother swear, and now twice in a short space of time Seto had let fly. Well admittedly he didn't say the first one, but it was certainly implied.

"You could say you're not doing it." Mokuba offered trying to be helpful.

"Oh sure let's just hand the." He paused again. "Let's just give a victory through forfeit, shall we? Really live that one down now wouldn't we?"

His brother was spending too much time in the Yugi-tachi's company - an error he would have to correct if Mokuba's grip on reality were to be saved.

"But you can't win."

"It's a matter of principle now Mokuba. I can at least rub her nose in my wealth."

Unseen by the elder Kaiba, as he marched into his office slamming the door, Mokuba's countenance began to pale somewhat.

Yugi smiled at the dismayed person before him.

"Aw c'mon Yug, one time that's all I'm askin', just once."

"Sorry Jou, but it was you who handed it to me."

Honda burst out laughing.

"I don' see what's so funny." Said Jou sulkily.

"Your face, that's what. So how'd Mai go?"

Jou brightened considerably at this. Honda's mouth dropped in surprise.

"Don't tell me she beat 'im?"

Jou shook his head but still grinned like a maniac.

Yugi and Honda gave the other a confused glance.

"Well if she didn' beat 'im, why are you so pleased. I'da thought you would be decoratin' the pavement with 'im now."

"No need, Mai already has."

"Intriguing." Said Yugi, rubbing his chin. "If she didn't beat him in the duel, how else would she do that."

"She challenged 'im."

"Yeah an' lost." Said Honda.

"No ya idiot. She challenged 'im again."

Yugi swallowed hard and with worry etched all over him he ventured the next question.

"What sort of challenge, and what does she stand to lose?"

"And that there Yug is da beaudiful part. She can't lose. I wonder if moneybags has worked it out yet? Boy I'd give anythin' ta see 'is face when 'e does." Jou let his mind wander gleefully over all the possible scenarios.

"A challenge she can't lose, but how?" Yugi felt the tightening of Yami within - he was obviously as unconvinced as Yugi himself, but for the moment was holding his own council.

Mokuba made a hasty retreat from the house. With the present mood of his brother he didn't want to be within range when the awful discovery was made.

Instructing the driver to his desired destination, his mind raced through each of the possible scenarios - ultimately they all showed a gravestone with the name Mokuba Kaiba etched deeply in, the only difference lay in which one would contain the phrase beloved brother.

He sighed forlornly.

How on earth did he become entangled in this scheme? Peering out the window, his chest heaved again. The answer to that question was obvious; they had played the one card guaranteed to bring the boy on side, and now everything was starting to go pear shaped. His mission - seek that card out and hope it would save him from disaster.

Pulling up, the driver came round and opened the door. With the knowledge that he was no longer required, he left with the understanding that he had no idea where the young Kaiba was should his whereabouts be queried.

Mokuba pushed on the door. The small bell tinkled to signal his entry. A woman peered round the corner and smiled.

"Can I help you young man?"

Mokuba edged closer. "Is Anzu here please?"

It took a moment for the woman to realise what he'd said as his voice was so low. Her frown shifted to an expression of enlightenment.

"Oh Anzu, no I'm sorry; she's just finished for the day."

Mokuba could have cried. The desperate plight of the boy must have been felt by the woman, for she lightly touched his shoulder and said. "I believe she had some work that needed completing for her employer."

Horror replaced desperation. Throwing a thank you over his shoulder he raced through the door and down the street. He needed to get to Anzu and do it fast.

Anzu meanwhile was just settling down to do some work when her phone rang.

"You better have a damn good explanation Mazaki."

Anzu cringed at the harsh tone. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd mind."

Silence.

She counted down the seconds before the inevitable explosion, instead of the scream though his voice hissed through the line.

"And what precisely gave you that idea?"

Anzu's eyes widened and an involuntary shudder rippled through her. He was angry beyond anything she had witnessed previously and it frightened her. Mind racing to think what she could possibly have done; she nearly missed the rest of the tirade, and immediately wished she had.

"Do not touch anything, do you hear me? I'm coming into that office now and believe me when I get there you will wish you were already in America."

She dropped the handset as the slamming of the phone on the other end retorted loudly in her ear. Bending to retrieve it she was surprised to find an extremely out of breath Mokuba doubled over before her desk.

"Anzu…I haveta…tell you ….somethin'." He gasped

"You and your brother both it seems."

Mokuba gripped the desk for support and groaned. "Seto isn't here is he?"

"Not yet. But apparently he's going to make it worth my while when he does arrive." She replied, voice laced in sarcasm.

Mokuba's eyes widened considerably. "He didn't say why, did he?"

"No. But I think I know that already."

"YOU DO?"

Getting up she made her way round to Mokuba and helped him to sit. Satisfied the shuddering mess before her wouldn't topple from his seat, she grabbed a glass and made her way to the water cooler. On returning she noted his ghastly colour and the constant shifting of his eyes towards the elevator.

"Never mind my problems, what have you been doing?" She rubbed his back in slow circles as he gulped down the drink.

"Running." Came the reply.

Anzu laughed. "That much I can tell, but why? What was so urgent?"

"I went to meet you at your dance class and the lady said you were here."

Anzu was visibly shocked. "You ran all the way from there?"

Mokuba nodded.

"What's going on Mokuba?"

"I had to get to you before Seto did."

"I can't see what the fuss is with me coming in, I wasn't going to ask to be paid for today." She sighed in defeat. "I just had to finish those transfers before Monday and of all people I would have expected Seto insisted I do it."

She knew she was raving but the force of having both the President and the Vice President actively seeking her down was playing very badly on her nerves.

"The transfers were done yesterday."

Being caught in her own little world, the statement didn't register for a good minute.

"I'm sorry Mokuba, but did you just say that they were done?"

He nodded.

"Then I needn't be here? Who did them?"

Mokuba swallowed hard. "I did."

Anzu blinked and then smiled. "Thank you, you needn't have helped me like that."

The boy was positively green about the gills.

"Mokuba what's wrong? Did you hurt yourself running?"

He shook his head, his eyes becoming moist.

"Mokuba you're beginning to frighten me. Now tell me what on earth is wrong?" She said taking the boy firmly in her embrace.

"I'm sorry Anzu." Tears shone along the rims of his eyelids.

"If you mean for helping me, then don't be. It was very kind of you."

Mokuba's head shook from side to side but any further conversation was cut off by the rather abrupt arrival Seto.

"Mazaki, my office now!"

Anzu's eyes fluttered, as she peered around the deserted office, and before she could stop herself she ventured the question why.

Stepping within her space Seto brought his face dangerously close to her own and hissed. "Because I said so."

Mokuba's heart lurched at Seto's tone and any attempts to circumvent his brother brought little result; finally with the threat of physical removal Mokuba sat quietly stomach churning with knowledge at the impending onslaught. He was certain that should any doctor examine him now, they would find an ulcer worthy of entry into the Guinness Book of Records. Gazing helplessly at Anzu he braced himself for the next chapter of Seto rage.

Anzu for her part stood helplessly before the seething CEO, she had never had to ask permission to work in her own time before; and though her mind and nerves were badly jangled one clear question begged an answer.

"How did…"

Seto fixed her with a hard stare. "Did I ask you to speak?"

Anzu puffed up indignantly. "No, you didn't, but I'm bloody well going to anyway."

Seto's head pulled back involuntarily. The younger Kaiba was pulled from his misery by the determined girl's outburst. Never had he heard her speak in that tone before. It was widely known she could defend herself, but rarely did so, choosing more passive means to prove a point. Now though - her eyes were flashing just as dangerously as his brothers, daring him to stop her again.

"As I was saying, how did you know I was here." Taking her mobile from her pocket she noted several missed calls, and realised despairingly that the phone was still set to silent from earlier at her dance class.

Seto used this moment to recover from his surprise. He wasn't accustomed to her speaking with such ferocity.

"If I had done what you did, I would try and cover my tracks too." He responded coolly

"And what precisely is that meant to imply?" Anzu retorted just as hotly.

Mokuba shrank into the padding of the chair. The game was up, he knew it, all the well laid plans were about to tear at the seams and disaster to befall him.

"Don't play dumb Mazaki, it demeans us both. You botched it, and might I add what royal job you did too." He curled his mouth in disgust. "If I was paying you for your mistakes Mazaki, you'd be a rich woman now."

Anzu paled. Not since high school had he looked at her with such loathing and even then not to this extent. Anzu's soul felt the keenness of the lost ground, and her heart clenched in response.

"What do you mean," she stammered, "What did I botch?"

"All right lets play your little game of feigned ignorance then. Instead of transferring monies from the company account, you've moved it from my personal account. I am now overdrawn by a rather remarkable total. The bank has placed a hold on my account until the debit is fixed."

"B-but your Seto Kaiba, they can't."

He stood dumbfounded. "I know who I am. I don't need you pointing out the obvious. What I do need from you is an explanation of how in hell could you be so stupid." His voice rising at the end.

"Can't we transfer the money from Kaiba Corporation's bank account back into yours?" Anzu replied softly

"Not that much."

"But how is it any different to dispersing it elsewhere."

Seto ran his hand through his hair and walked to the window, hitting it with a clenched fist.

"I have a safeguard in place that restricts the amount of money that can be deposited into personal accounts. It seems I've even outsmarted myself with this."

"Is the restriction a daily one?"

"Yes, but this amount will take days to put back in. How, just tell me how?" He was almost, but not quite, pleading for an answer.

Anzu opened her mouth to reply and then closed it again. The answer she would have given, tortured her mind. With a fleeting glance at the fearful boy beside her, she slumped to the chair next to his. Seto noted the interaction between the two, it like the reason for this discussion disturbed him and for the second time that day his anger filed it away as thought to be continued.

Resting her elbow on the arm of the chair, Anzu pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

"I can't answer that question." She held up her hand forestalling another outburst. "I don't know how it happened, but I can offer this, if it helps any."

"What?" His tone was nearly civil.

"Seeing as this will take days to rectify, let me at least try and replace some of the personal money you lost. Just tell me the amount and I'll get it from the bank tomorrow."

"Anzu, no you can't." Cried Mokuba.

Anzu placed a warm hand on his and fixed him with an equally warm smile, but her eyes spoke something deeper. They said we need to talk.

"No Mokuba, I made a mistake, and I need to atone for it."

Seto's hawklike stare shifted from Anzu to Mokuba and back again. Sighing he steepled his hands above his nose trying to ease the throbbing pain that had arisen with the revelation of his poverty. He honestly felt for the man who had been chosen to deliver such glad tidings for there could be no doubting the state of the other's head following their meeting - and as such Seto delivered his verdict on Anzu's submittal.

"Alright Mazaki, I'll accept your offer, and consider yourself fired."

The pent up emotion within Mokuba spilled forth.

"Seto no, it's…."

Anzu placed a finger on his lips. "I think it best if we don't say anymore, don't you?"

Seto's eyes narrowed. "Who are you to say when my brother can and cannot speak?"

The dark sapphire hue returned to Anzu's bright orbs. "Don't you think he's endured enough. What good would it be to hash over this any further! I merely stopped Mokuba from hurting himself."

For the second time that day, Anzu had managed to completely floor Domino's richest man.

"Wait for me downstairs Mokuba, I want to speak with Mazaki alone."

"NO!" came the defiant answer.

Anzu pressed her lips together trying to bite back the response that came readily to mind.

"NOW Mokuba!"

Anzu nodded, her gaze holding the promise of a future conversation betwixt them..

Dejected, Mokuba left the room, a brief glance back telling him all he needed to know. Anzu would hold her silence with as equal determination as his brother would vent until there was nothing left to release. It was not until the sliding door of the lift met its metal barrier did Seto speak again - his voice quiet but fully laced with venom. He wanted truth and would strike to kill if his will was not met.

"Seeing as you made the mistake."

Anzu wasn't quite sure that she liked the sudden change of tact or indeed the stress given to the word "you", but only swallowed; her jaw twitching slightly. The pause was a trap she knew well and there was no way on this God given earth she would be led to its centre.

Disappointed, but impressed, the CEO continued.

"Tell me how you came to be an even greater idiot than those freak friends of yours."

Struggling to keep her composure, Anzu made a sacrifice she detested, but considered for the greater good. Retaliating to the less than complimentary appraisal of her friends and self would only escalate the situation and the danger of saying too much now led Anzu down the path less travelled - she checked her tongue. Nothing else mattered but the child who'd flown to her side distressed beyond all measure of reason and she would be damned if she'd send him to the jaws of a wolf. There was more to this than met the eye and Anzu's keen mind - despite her own dilemma of impending poverty and distinct inability to remedy said dilemma in the immediate future - was already calculating the truths. A three year old would have little problem in completing the transactions, so how could a boy of Mokuba's age and personal experience have made such a mistake? And using her login not his own. She made a mental not to one day tackle the almighty power about his inability to safeguard his system - maybe the same day she pegged him for his comment. No, something was rotten in the state of Denmark, but from where the stench arose was the matter of intrigue. How now then to bluff the wolflike dragon so that she may begin her trek to enlightenment. Her mind a whir she ventured to answer his question.

"My log should tell you the sequence of events should it not, after all my name appears against each action does it not?"

Shrewd as ever, the poker faced CEO gave his answer. "I'm yet to complete a tracecert."

Her concerns for Mokuba's wellbeing heightened. It was as though the rabid beast already knew but merely awaited the confession. Well it wouldn't be by her mouth or hand that Mokuba's slaying arose. Let someone else be the axe grinder.

Anzu's chin rose a little higher, an act earning not one but two raised brows in response.

"Well then I'll say this, and say it one time only," she had to word this carefully lest she perjure herself. "I do not exactly remember how I did it, after all I have been, and I make no excuses for it, extremely tired of late, but as my log on will testify the mistake was mine. As I also said you will have what money I possess in your hot sweaty hand tomorrow and the office will be as it was before I came, completely devoid of any human existence. Happy? Good!"

With that Anzu turned her back, held her head high and marched towards the relative safety of the elevator. How the hell did she keep doing that? Any domination he may have felt was lost.

Denied three times, he sought to regain the upper hand.

"So Peter, you think you can walk away when I'm talking to you, come back here I haven't finished yet."

The poignancy of the statement was not lost on Anzu, as he had hoped it would be. This should have been the definitive victory, proving her sheltered existence and his supreme knowledge.

"I'm sorry Pontius were you talking to me? I haven't seen you walk on water yet - so you haven't quite made it to the ranks of Christ. However if you change that water into wine," she continued pointing at Mokuba's half finished glass, "then I'll reconsider, God alone knows how anyone can endure you sober."

Her back once more to him Anzu slapped the down button with emphasis and in a short space of time the doors opened. Eyes fluttering shut she took a deep breath and entered, something deep within pulled at her conscience urging her to look one last time upon her former employer. What she saw nearly caused her to fly back out, but that which had urged her to look also checked her movements. Feelings and memories of a past well hidden awoke to the stirrings of her soul, and dreams long held in the subconscious flooded through.

"You did what?" Mai let her hands slide over her face and eventually thread her fingers through her hair, clasping them behind.

Anzu's patience, already frazzled, was steadily losing all sense of proportion.

"I had to, don't tell me you're going to defend him?"

Mai jerked back in her seat with hands raised in defence. "You misunderstand me, I couldn't care less that you retracted the pole a few inches, it's the money I'm stuck on. What on earth made you do that?"

"I made a mistake Mai. I know what it's like to be without money."

Mai laid her hands flat on the table and pressed forward slightly. "The mistake wasn't yours though, was it?"

Anzu's eyes slitted a fraction. "Where in the sequence of this conversation did I say that, how do you know that I didn't do it?"

Mai quickly invented a blank canvas for her face so that imbalance within couldn't shine through, what a fine time Anzu had chosen to be astute.

"It's not the sort of mistake you would make." Mai finally responded.

Anzu gave her a distinctly Kaiba like expression. "Really, and under the circumstances who would have."

Mai's eyes darted about, fixing them on the clock she heaved a sigh of relief; her torture was about to end.

"Oh god, Anzu I have to go, I promised to meet up with someone now - we'll continue this later."

"Park it back down on that seat, and tell me what's going on. Whoever it is can amuse themselves for a while."

"Nuh sorry no can do. It's the only time they had available."

Anzu stared thoughtfully at Mai's back as she hurried away. Mai was flustered! Unusual, Mai was never flustered. A nerve had been hit for sure, but why was it so sensitive? She looked to Yugi for help.

The lifelong link held good, not a word spoken but he knew exactly what she was saying.

"I strongly suspect a connection to her unlosable challenge with Kaiba. So did you really make that mistake?"

Anzu was caught in two minds. Tell Yugi, or not tell him. Which would be the safer option.

"I'll take the prolonged silence as a probable no, shall I."

"No, it was done under my login, therefore my name is registered against the error, and as such it belongs to me alone."

Yugi's violet eyes shone with scepticism. "So you say."

"Is that the number one phrase in the book of mens skepticism?" Seeing his confusion Anzu decided to let this pass and instead drew attention to his recent disclosure. "Tell me more about this challenge."

Yugi shrugged. "I wish I could, but I don't know anything."

Anzu's brow furrowed slightly. "Did Mai tell you?"

Yugi continued to flip over the cards he held in his hand, laying them out in formation. "No Jou did, it was a little disturbing actually."

"Oh, why?"

Yugi flicked his eyes up to her face. "Well, one minute he was a sulky child and the next it was as though the previous 10 minutes had not occurred."

"What made him sulky?"

"I trounced him, it was his own fault though."

Anzu chuckled. "You know, it wouldn't hurt to let him win one game."

Yugi's air became serious. "He should earn it, to give it to him would be to patronise him. Jou's better than that. He just needs to concentrate more."

Feeling duly put in her place, Anzu returned to the matter at hand. "So what brightened his day then?"

"Honda asked him if Mai had beaten Kaiba, and he started to grin. To say we were shocked was an understatement, I mean when has Mai ever beaten Kaiba before? She's good, but not that good."

Before Anzu could utter a word Yugi forestalled her with a raised palm, emphasising the unspoken with a shake of his head.

"But." was all Anzu managed to say before Yugi continued.

"See what I mean by disturbing? Jou's grinning while all the time telling us she's lost. Honda was so shaken by Jou's weirdness that he suggested Jou should be wiping the floor with Kaiba."

At this Anzu's posture stiffened.

Seeing the change from the corner of his eye, Yugi tried to control his twitching lips, as a small smirk threatened to break through. Nonchalantly he continued his story, giving most of his attention to the cards laid out before him.

"Then Jou pipes up that Mai already had." The lips twitched again, as his vision took in Anzu's sudden facial tic. "And of course one thing led to another and we eventually found out she had challenged him with the challenge to beat all challenges. According to Jou there is no way she can lose this."

Anzu attempted to process this with everything else that had happened yesterday. "There's no such thing as an unlosable bet with him, he'll always find a way to turn something to his advantage."

"Well apparently this time he can't. I don't know what the challenge is, but Jou's 100 per cent confident that she's got it in the bag."

Anzu gave a loud sigh. "I fear there will be tears before the end, only who will be crying I wonder!"

Picking up her bag, she presented Yugi with a small smile. "I better get going to the bank and get that money, before he thinks I've jumped on a plane for Switzerland."

"Be careful Anzu. Don't take too much of this on yourself."

Anzu's thoughts drifted briefly into their own world, coming back to reality she squeezed his hand. "If it saves someone, then I'll be that Ankh."

Stepping away she pieced the puzzle together in her tired mind. Having had little sleep last night she was not exactly operating on all cylinders, but there was enough awareness to take in the point forms, it was just working out how they fitted together that was the stumbling block.

The next hurdle to cross her path came as she stood in front of the teller.

Bloody daily limits. At this rate she'd be a hundred before she gave him the amount promised. Looking forlornly at the dark office behind the shutters, she removed the allowed amount from the automatic teller and added another to do visit to her list for tomorrow. Reaching for her phone she rang a number she had come to know well.

"Leave a message."

Bloody messagebank. She shut the phone without a word, what could she say. Sorry I've screwed up again. No she would see the bank tomorrow, get the rest and then see him. What could one more day possibly do.

"I'm sorry miss but for an amount like that we need at least 24 hour notice and approval from the manager." came the clipped reply to her withdrawal request.

Anzu wanted to melt into the plush carpet at her feet.

"How much can I take out then?"

"Two thousand is the daily limit over the counter."

Anzu rested her head against the counter window, and swore lightly under her breath.

"Alright, can I take that today, and I'll come back for the rest tomorrow."

"Of course, with the Manager's approval of course." The smarmy smile did little to jolly Anzu, and after an hour long lecture from the Manager himself, Anzu departed the Bank three hours after she first walked through the door.

Placing the envelope containing both yesterdays and todays withdrawals safely at the bottom of her bag, she let her mind torment her with the probable results of the forthcoming meeting. Exactly how would Seto react when he found she didn't have all the money today? Her words from yesterday came back to haunt her. What's one more day, played over and over again in her mind. Butterflies circulated through her, rendering her completely ill by the time she reached his office.

Stepping past the lift door she debated which would be the wiser course. Face him now or clear her desk. She weighed the two choices in her mind. Staring fixedly at his door she made up her mind. Clear her desk. Grabbing a box, she placed her photo's, plant and personal items such as eating utensils and her cup into it. Leaving it atop the desk to pick it up on her departure she moved to knock quietly on his door. The thought of announcing herself rallied up the hornet's nest that now replaced the earlier butterflies. Preoccupied with her state of mind and body, she missed his call to enter. Suddenly the door flung wide, and a severely annoyed Kaiba stood before her.

"Are you deaf or something? I said come in."

She didn't answer, only letting her eyes flicker briefly to his face before returning their attention to the floor. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the envelope.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have it all, they wouldn't let me take more than the 2000 on such short notice. I've arranged to collect the rest tomorrow."

He looked down at the envelope. Trying to hide the shock that had crept into his eyes he took the package and nodded.

Not quite knowing how to proceed, Anzu pointed vaguely at the box sitting on her desk.

"I've packed up my things, so I'll be going now. If you like I can hand the rest to Mokuba so we don't have to meet again. There's four thousand in there all ready." The sentence made little sense due to speed at which it was delivered.

He continued to look at the envelope. She gave a couple of backward steps before turning and hastily grabbing the box, pleading with the heavens to let her depart quickly before any further disaster should occur.

The suddenness of the turn coupled with a tiredness born from several days of inadequate sleep, Anzu swooned. Gripping the edge of her desk, she fought the overriding urge to be horrendously ill. Strong hands reached to steady her and secrets of the subconscious once more weaved their way through. A terror long relegated to the shadow realms loomed before Anzu's startled eyes. In a blind panic she shrugged away the hands, which gripped her arms so firmly, fumbled with the box of possessions and ran for the lift. The nausea she felt rose forcibly within, adrenalin pumping through her to every limb. Fight or Flight!

Not until the lift doors closed completely did Kaiba awake from the stupor he had fallen into. And though no breeze could enter the floor on which his office lay, he shuddered involuntarily. Something inhuman and to him, incomprehensible, had taken place. He didn't like things that were grey, life should be black and white, but this was definitely neither. The question remained, was it friend or foe?

Kaiba's eyes alighted on the envelope of money. He must have dropped it when he had reached for Anzu, but nothing of that moment was clear. Reaching down he flicked it up between two fingers; looking to his office first and then the lift, he strode with purpose toward his desk collecting his keys from the top drawer and slipped the dress jacket from the hook, closing the office door as he exited.

Reaching the ground floor, he ignored the desk clerk as they called frantically after him.

"I'm terribly sorry Okinori-san," The girl gestured helplessly toward the retreating back of her suddenly deaf employer, "It's seems Kaiba-sama has some urgent business to attend."

The greying, older man grunted curling his lip and tossing his head to show just how displeased he was. A rather forthright and weedy looking assistant stepped forward, placing himself uncomfortably within the desk clerks personal space. With a pursed mouth and flaring nostrils, the girl very nearly gave way to a fit of the giggles; he had only to start pawing the ground and her image of a rampaging bull would have been complete. As it was she held them at bay, and dutifully waited to the dressing down she was about to receive on behalf of her employer. Her mother had questioned her sanity when applying for a position within Kaiba Corp, but like all other females who had laid eyes upon the testy dragon lover she was convinced that she would catch his eye and her fairytale life would begin. Thirty minutes of berating gave ample time to reflect on this fantasy and her mothers countering arguments, and a mental note never to mention this event to her beloved parent was made.

Although not best pleased Okinori's assistant eventually left some skin on her hide for future flaying and accepted a rescheduling of the meeting at both parties convenience.

"Mazaki-san will be in contact later today, yes." The harried girl, nervously whet her lips.

"She had better be, Okinori-sama is an extremely busy man and this treatment is nothing short of insulting." The weedy little man looked ready to begin a new tirade, but satisfied himself with a final parting shot before shuffling quickly to follow in his employers wake, "If she doesn't Okinori-sama will be taking his offer to another interested partner and Kaiba Corp will lose its hold on this industry."

Collapsing against the desk it took the girl a few moments to realise that the hissing in her ear was in fact a colleague from upstairs.

"What?" She asked rubbing her face.

The distressed looking young man leant in closer but continued to whisper.

"Why did you say that Mazaki-san would call?" He looked about nervously fearing their employer would rampage through while they gossiped.

Closing her eyes slowly, a sigh slipped between her lips. "In case you hadn't noticed, Kaiba-sama has left already, so I think we can disperse with the postulating don't you? Of course I said Mazaki-san would, who else would I say is going to call?" There was true exhaustion in her voice. "Mazaki-san IS his Personal Assistant."

The young man gasped.

"Haven't you heard?" He whispered conspiratorially.

"Obviously not, and please stop whispering, my head is throbbing and trying to understand your hissing is not helping."

Indignant, the young man stood up straight. Hurt written all over his face, he had let the earlier insult pass in the hope of making an impact with his news; but yet another attack upon his person proved too overwhelming.

"Well there's no need for rudeness, Mori-san, I'd have thought you of all people would be happy to hear the news."

Mori-san gave an apologetic nod, and slumped back in her seat. "I'm sorry Ishikawa-san, please go on."

Ishikawa brightened again. Looking once more around he leant forward.

"He fired her." Came the quick reply.

Mori-san fought with the urge to slowly disappear beneath her desk. Reaching into the bottom drawer, she pulled free her handbag and placed it before her. With pounding head she raised herself slowly from her seat, pushing the now empty chair beneath and walked the long mile for the entrance to the building.

Confused Ishikawa-san called after her.

"Don't you want to know why? Where are you going, it's only 11 o'clock?"

"Home to eat humble pie." Drifted back the weary reply, and the two palms of the glass door came together.

To lose one valuable asset would seem folly, but to lose two could only be viewed as downright carelessness, the third loss was of little consequence, an appeasement to his anger. The Dragon master's jaw clenched tightly as he terminated the call to what could only be described as a shambles. Not only did he need a new assistant and desk clerk, he had just fired the news bearer for all departments. A small smile crept its way through his dark mood as he thought about Kaiba Corp's deprivation from their unfortunate gossip queen, who at this moment was deciding the fate of Mori-san; kill her fast or slow.

Ishikawa couldn't decide which would afford him the greater satisfaction. A part of him conceded it was his own fault, he should have ignored the flashing light and returned to his office; but his ego won out, and the slalom to his demise rushed quickly forth with his gossiping mouth. Slowly, definitely slowly, he thought as the two hands of the glass entrance closed together once more.

Shrewd amber like eyes watched the departure of yet another employee from the massive glass building, just as they had for many days now. Master was right; the time would come soon when vengeance could be wrought for past hurts. It was only a matter of patience, but did he have enough of that to wait? A small hiss like chuckle escaped with the thought of a game. A little sport would keep his senses sharp and after all who would miss an insignificant. Shifting from the shadows of a neighbouring building he walked as Moses through the Red Sea in the wake of the hapless Ishikawa, leaving those he passed with an unpleasant sensation down their spine.