Nothing was prettier than Domino in spring. All the trees were blossoming as the snow began to disappear, revealing pink buds on the branches. Soon the cherry trees would be in full bloom, and the entire city would be at the park, celebrating the festivals of rebirth. Especially since most people were stuck in lock down in their homes, trying to escape the storms that never seemed to cease after the New Year's season.

For someone like Anzu, this was the best time of the year. Not only was school about to come to an end, but she had just received good news. Holding a white piece of paper in her hands, she nearly skipped through the park, oblivious to all the looks she was attracting. Nothing at that point mattered to her. What could rival an internship in New York? Sure, it wasn't the best dance studio in the city, but it was one of the more competitive schools. Something that would set her apart from all the other girls…

It was going to be the stepping stone for many great things to come. The Anzu knew, in the back of her mind, most of the people doubted her drive. They saw a young woman whose head was full of fantasy, of unrealistic dreams that would end as soon as some young man would tie her down. Her mother, of all people, was hoping for it. A daughter of doctors didn't belong on a dance stage. Maybe next to a surgeon (her husband of course), but not top a stage.

Anzu ignored them, slaving away at the Burger World to afford her dance classes at Domino University. It didn't matter if her snobbish parents wouldn't pay for the real education she desired. Sure, she would get that minor in English that they so desired, but her major would be Dance. No one would change her mind.

"I should celebrate tonight," she mused.

Yugi had left Domino right after high school ended. Last Anzu heard, the competitive teenage boy had gone to California to help Duke with his Dungeon Dice franchise, still dueling just like before. Along with him went Jonouchi, who wasn't one to stay in school any longer than he had to. Going over to the states fitted his agenda, looking for something new and different after years of Japan and his drunken father's reputation within his community at home. There was also the gang and his police records… California was good for the ex-teen delinquent.

Now Anzu Mazaki was alone. A few people were still close by, like Honda, Ryou, and Miho, but most people had moved on. Duel monsters had moved on. Everyone was looking forward to the next best thing, and a city like Domino was always looking towards the future. It wanted to rival Tokyo in all things new and bright, and with a very enthusiastic and young CEO who controlled nearly all the city, that shinning dream was possible.

"Maybe I can get a hold of Ryou," thought Anzu out loud, "I saw him in class yesterday. He's not the type to run off during the weekends."

Picking her phone out of her pocket, she dialed the boy's number, waiting for his characteristically soft voice to come over through the receiver. There was nothing though. Just the countless ringing and the answering machine playing its favorite tune.

"This is Bakura Ryou speaking. I'm not at the phone right now, but if you leave a message and call back number, I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!"

"Shit," muttered Anzu, closing the small pink cell before stuffing it back into her pants pocket. It wasn't what she was hoping for, and with any luck, she'd be alone all night. The housemate was gone again with her boyfriend, and wouldn't be back until next Monday. By then, it would be too busy with dance recital and classes to go out and enjoy the good news. There was never enough time.

"I guessI shouldn't bother calling, since its Saturday. Everyone probably has plans by now. This is always happening to me when good news comes."

She wrinkled her nose, before shrugging her shoulders and walking towards home. The park was huge, and it was starting to get dark. Thinking back to what her mother always said, young girls should never cut across dark spaces unless they were looking for trouble. And even with the lights on overhead, it didn't stop the park from giving the place an eerie feeling. Like anyone could be hiding behind a pine tree or rock. The brunette already had enough close calls in her life. Picking up the pace, she started skipping quickly over towards her apartment.

Coming up on the corner near the children's playground, the noise of carnival rides stopped her. Turning her head, she could see a huge collection of shinning bright lights and young people, all crowded in the parking lot. Ferris wheels, fun houses, mini roller coasters, and go carts were scattered between gaming booths, attracting hordes of teenagers and children alike. Few things were better than a surprise carnival.

"Maybe I could find Honda or Ryou over there…"

It was completely possible. They both lived near the park, and they enjoyed this sort of thing far more than young men at their age should. Especially Honda, although it was probably because of all the opportunities to try and pick up women and not to play games or ride rides. Jonouchi had rubbed off on him.

The entry ticket was free. Walking in, Anzu looked at everything around her. Glancing at the food stands just made her stomach growl, and maybe some street food for dinner wouldn't be so bad. Sure, it wasn't dancer healthy, but Anzu had to live a little. She couldn't always be denying herself. That made life so damn boring, and clutching onto her growling stomach, she just lacked the will power to stop herself.

Octopus on a stick. Grilled and fresh, the seafood quick treat was just enough to curb her appetite for later. She refused to completely pig out, especially on a whim after months of careful dieting and exercising. Her physique was perfect by beauty standards, but too thick for dancing. More weight needed to come off. Being called fat by the dancer instructor was something Anzu was getting sick of hearing.

"It's not my problem I wasn't born rail thin like those other girls…"

Scowling a little, she walked down the congestion of games and rides, all whirling and buzzing around her. It made her curious too, as to who would put together something like this? There were young kids all over, too. Normally they wouldn't be out in such large mobs, but they seemed to be chaperoned by the random teenager in a black tee-shirt Anzu couldn't make out from a distance. All she could see was the crowding of kids from one line to the next.

Finding a loose paper on the ground, Anzu picked it up and read it. Maybe it would explain the event, because there wasn't any special holiday going on that night. It was pretty normal, and she didn't even remember hearing about the carnival coming.

"The Kaiba Corporation presents the first annual Domino Park Children's Night Charity. Free admission to all children from the following group homes and children's institutions…"

It went on listing several orphanages in the area, which Anzu had never heard of. Like most people, she was ignorant of the plight of dislocated kids… But she did know enough about Kaiba Corporation's elusive Chief Executive Officer. He probably came up with the charitable event himself. Most people would think it was publicity, but after several years being his acquaintance, Anzu knew better.

"He would put something together like this. He would…"

"Do you always make a habit of talking to yourself, Mazaki?"

There was that familiar accusing voice, one the Anzu knew well enough. She didn't need to turn around to figure out who it belonged to. Low and masculine, the complete opposite of her past friend Yugi's, it had to be his longtime rival. Kaiba. Right behind her…

"Those of us from the civilized world usually acknowledge people who are addressing them…"

Grabbing her arms instinctively and frowning slightly, she turned around to be greeted by her long time "friend". No, not a friend, the relationship was more one of acceptance and tolerance. Unlike Jonouchi, the dark haired male didn't have some personal vendetta against Anzu, but just general dislike. However, Anzu couldn't actually remember him liking anyone besides his own brother.

"No, I don't," she answered, "but I don't normally have people sneaking up behind me to listen to my talking to myself either. What are you doing here?"

"Well aren't you the rude one? I let you come here free of charge, and you're asking me what I'm doing at my own function?"

"Most people don't spend their Saturday nights hanging around twelve year olds, Kaiba."

"Yet here you are."

He always had the smuggest of looks, which Anzu just narrowed her eyes in irritation at. It was like every single conversation, if she could even call them that were a competition he had to win. The man didn't talk civilly to anyone, and it was ridiculous. So ridiculous.

"I was just getting ready to leave¸" she answered, clutching her purse to her body, "so if you don't mind, I'm going to cut this conversation short. Just like you, I have things I need to do tomorrow, and hanging out at a kiddie carnival won't help me get any of it done."

"Are you hungry, Mazaki?"

"Excuse me?"

The question caught her way off guard. Was she hungry? What kind of question was that? And why did he care? Sure, she was a little peckish, which was why the girl was still sucking on the octopus stick, even though the actual animal had been eaten minutes ago.

"Are you hungry? I knew you liked hanging out with slow people, Mazaki, but I didn't think you were one too."

That just made her scowl.

"Very funny, I just don't get why you're asking me. Yeah, I'm a little hungry. But I'm not going to eat carnival food, and like I said before, I have things I need to get done. I'll go eat someplace else, where the food isn't all deep fried."

"Good. I can use the company."

What.

Shaking her head, Anzu just decided to ignore him and start towards her destination. He was probably bored, and messing with someone from the old nerd herd was more entertaining than playing nice with the orphans. She didn't see the younger Kaiba anywhere. By now, he had to be in high school. Maybe freshman year, because they had all graduated two years ago. Mokuba was at least fourteen, if not older.

Heading out, Anzu became very wary once she left the safety of the crowd. It was the park again, and even though she stayed underneath the lamp posts, thugs liked to hang around the trees. They snatched purses, terrorized tourists, and did much worse things, when they knew they couldn't be identified…

"You don't make a habit of cutting through the woods often, do you Mazaki? Because if you do, you'll land yourself in trouble one day, and Yugi's not around to save you anymore."

How long had he been following her? Turning around, she saw his dark figure in the corner of her right eye, walking just behind her. He was unusually quiet, the way he made his way on the gravel path, not kicking up rocks everywhere. Following her like a loyal dog, he didn't seem too bothered by her company. His expression was blank, as if bored.

"No, I don't. And even if I did, I don't think you of all people would give too much of a damn."

"This is my city, of course I care. If they'll attack you, they'll attack my tourists. And I can't have that. It is bad business."

"Of course."

Turning the corner, she finally got to the edge of the park and onto the streets. People were all around, looking for food spots and bars. The neighborhood was full of them, the best places being unmarked. There were dingy looking buildings with nameless doors that opened into small restaurants with only one cook working the grill. But usually, their food was the best.

"I know a place close by. You'll like it," said Kaiba, looking towards a back alleyway. He smirked like he knew something Anzu didn't. And confused, but curious, she didn't argue against him. When the light turned green and he started walking towards the direction of his "place", the much shorter Anzu followed behind, still holding protectively to her purse.

"What is it called?"

"It doesn't have a name. They have grilled gyoza and the like there; similar to that octopus stick you were sucking on earlier. I think you'll appreciate what they have to offer."

He walked confidently into the darkness of an alleyway as if he already knew what lay ahead of him. Not quite as brave, Anzu stuck by close, looking around as she tried to see where it was the man was leading her. Dark and loud from the cries of cars close by, it wasn't the sort of place she'd usually allow herself to be taken to.

Kaiba did find the entrance, though. Opening it, he led Anzu into a haven of smells, all smoky and flavorful. Walking towards the bar, she could see the man towards the back putting skewers of meat onto the grill. They sizzled and hissed, as if upset by their final transformation. Drooling just a little, Anzu waited for Kaiba to figure out where they'd be seating, since he knew the place and she didn't. Maybe he had a spot.

"Stop staring, come on…"

Heading towards the back, Kaiba didn't wait for his guest to keep up. He just walked off, expecting her to stay alongside him, although she did. The promise of food was enough for her, and not wanting to leave the place alone, she'd need to keep Kaiba company.

"What should I get here?"

Sitting at the table across from Kaiba, Anzu looked at her companion. He appeared as he always did; half bored. The expression was always one of indifference, like he had somewhere better to be although he requested her company. Really, she was doing him a favor. Or at least, that's what Anzu reasoned to herself.

"They'll bring us a tray of different things to try. This place doesn't really do meals, per say. Normally it's rice and pickled vegetables, with shrimp, chicken, beef, squid, and octopus along the side. If we're lucky, they'll also give us some gyoza. You'll see."

"Do you come here often?"

"Of course not. Why the hell would I be in this part of town? I heard about this place from a friend. He took me here on a business meeting once. It wasn't that bad, so I thought I'd try it again."

After explaining himself, he shook his head, smiling slightly as if musing over an inside joke. What he was thinking, Anzu didn't know, but she didn't really care either. The man was irritating. He said this part of town as if it wasn't good enough for him, when it was actually one of the nicer parts of town close to the university. If he was any normal young adult, he'd be living there right along Anzu. The only thing separating him from the rest of his peers was mere chance and a lot of money.

"So, how's your gang of losers, Mazaki? I know it's been years, but someone like you would keep up with those nerds. Especially Yugi, since you two seemed to be attached at the hip. It's a surprise you didn't follow him to California. I thought…"

Coughing, he stopped himself, smirking slightly.

"Well, I didn't think you all would separate from each other so quickly. Not after all those declarations of undying friendship going between yourselves."

"They're all fine," answered Anzu, slightly taken back by Kaiba's insightful observations. She didn't know that he had been watching all of them so closely before. Especially not her of all people, since they barely ever talked in the past. Sure, Anzu used to stick closely to Yugi for the longest time, but it wasn't worth paying attention to.

Then again, Kaiba liked to pick people apart. It was how he won duels.

"I haven't talked to Yugi in a long time, but sometimes Jonouchi gives me a call. They seem to like the states, and I don't think any of them will be coming back anytime soon. If I had the finances, I'd go visit them all, but I don't see myself winning the lottery anytime soon."

"Pfft, California is highly overrated. Trust me, someone like you would hate it there."

His face looked slightly more serious when he said that. Anzu couldn't say anything against it, since she never had the chance to go there. Maybe Kaiba was right, maybe Kaiba was wrong. She couldn't see why she wouldn't like a place full of beaches, beautiful people, and world-renown entertainment, but then again, she wasn't well traveled. And Jonouchi probably wasn't the best source of information, either. He liked to blow things out of proportion.

When the food finally came, the conversation died. Eyes drawn to the table, Anzu watched as plate after plate of skewers were laid in front of her. They all looked so good, and with a bottle of sake to top it all off, she couldn't imagine herself finishing it all. Never having seen Kaiba actually eat anything before either, Anzu wasn't exactly sure just how much of it he was planning to put away himself.

"The calamari is really good, by the way. You should try that first."

He immediately went for it, eating the small cut up squid without a hint of remorse. Watching Kaiba's face, Anzu actually thought she saw a hint of pleasure on it, like he was enjoying himself. It wasn't something she normally saw, because the only thing he ever enjoyed was duel monsters. She never would have expected him to have some appreciation for cuisine.

"This is really good. I've never had anything quite like this before."

"Hmpf, you doubted my taste? Really Mazaki, I thought you would have put some faith in me. I know how to judge food."

His expression went a bit sour, like he had a bad taste in his mouth. And washing it down with sake, his blue eyes looked off for a moment, like he was flirting with an idea inside his head. For a second, the expression on his face lightened up. However, it didn't seem to take hold, because his dark countenance returned quickly, as if it had never left.

"Why were you at the park alone?"

Now it was Anzu's change to get all undignified. It wasn't Kaiba's business knowing why she did what she did alone, but not wanting to seem rude, she just decided to answer him anyways. Getting into a fight with him when he was being a decent dinner companion just wasn't really wise.

And she was in some shady restaurant. If he left, she'd be alone.

"Everyone was busy. I tried calling some friends, but they weren't available, and I was on my way home. Usually I cut across the park to get home, and I wasn't counting on bumping into your charity event, let alone end up eating here with you. Really, I was trying to get home."

"Sorry I ruined your plans then."

He didn't sound apologetic at all.

"Kaiba, I didn't have plans. Just tonight I didn't count on any of this. I haven't seen anyone from the dueling days in at least two years, and suddenly you sneak up behind me like we're still in Battle City. I'm actually surprised you remembered my name, because we never talked. So I apologize if I come off as rude, but I'm just trying to figure out your motive."

"Why do I need a motive? Maybe I don't like dinning out alone; did you ever think of that?"

With a snort of his nose and wrinkle of his slim lips, Kaiba looked away sharply. He turned his seat slightly, crossing his legs in that snobbish manner of his that seemed to make his already intimidating persona even worse. It didn't help that his face was far more mature now, too. More than ever, the man looked unnerving.

"I didn't think you were one for socializing. You always went out of your way to snub us those years back. Even in high school, you never talked to anyone. If you wanted friends-"

"Believe me Mazaki, when I say I never wanted friends. Not then, and especially not now. Just because I say I don't like eating alone, doesn't mean I want conversation. Having you here just gives me something to look at besides the food."

"So I'm just a table piece to you then?"

"Possibly."

Her face twitched slightly at that, but she said nothing more. It was a losing battle. Kaiba was going to be rude, because it was just in his nature to act so infuriating. Maybe he was lonely for company, but Anzu certainly didn't feel too bad for him. Not when he hadn't changed at all, since the last time they saw each other.

"Don't be so damn sensitive," he said, finishing the rice and beef medallions without assistance. Using his chop sticks, he made short work of the food, not at all bothered by the fact that his guest hadn't touched much of her own. He gave her a quick look over, shaking his head soon after.

"You don't eat much, do you?"

"I can't afford to."

"Afraid you're growing fat? Really Mazaki, you've thinned out some since high school, and you could use the food. You're too thin."

"Tell that to my dance couch."

"Hmmm…"

His face didn't look so harsh anymore, but maybe that was because the man was drinking. Apparently Kaiba didn't fear the alcohol, pouring shot after shot of sake like it was just water from tap. Anzu rarely ever drank, and watching the man in front of her, she knew that wasn't the case for him.

"I'm trying to get into Julliard."

"Good luck."

"You don't think I can do it?"

Glancing sideways, he snorted before saying, "It's a very competitive school. You'll need all the well wishes you can get."

"I know it's hard to get into. But nothing's impossible. If someone wants something bad enough and they do everything possible to make it happen, then their dreams will come true."

"… Right."

The bill came, and before Anzu could move to pay for her meal, Kaiba gave the waiter his credit card. He didn't even say anything when he signed it, nor when he took his piece of plastic back, sticking it into his leather wallet. Getting up, he waited for Anzu to finish with her water, before heading back outside.

"Where do you live?" he asked, once outside the restaurant.

"Why do you want to know?"

"It's dark, you're a woman, and I'm not going to send you off alone. Just answer my question so I can walk you home, and get on my merry way already. Where's your house?"

Even while being considerate, he was rude.

"Just two blocks from here. Thanks for being the gentleman."

"My pleasure, Mazaki."

There was a hint of sarcasm in his words, but she ignored it. Walking out of the darkness, she made her way back to the main street, towards the tree lined avenue that marked the beginnings of home. Down the sidewalk she went, the tall man behind her not saying a word as he followed behind. Once she made one more turn onto a quiet street, his head looked around, blue eyes taking the scenic view of brick apartments with their well-manicured gardens and small trees.

"It's right over here."

There was an apricot tree right near the girl's house, small and fruitless. It looked quiet lonely there, amongst the Japanese cherry trees. Kaiba glanced at it, frowning slightly, before turning his head to see Anzu walking up the stone steps of the porch. Now that she was home, there was no need for him to stay around any longer.

"Thanks for dinner, Kaiba."

"Do you eat alone often?"

What kind of question was that?

"Well sure… I live alone most of the time, since my roommate has two jobs and a boyfriend. She's not exactly around much and everyone from before-"

"Give me your phone number."

"What? Why? "She asked, confusion written across her face.

"So I can call you stupid, why else would I ask for it. Damn, just put it into my cell phone. I didn't think you were so dense. Apparently Domino University is just accepting anyone nowadays…"

And passing over his sleek black phone, Kaiba pressed it into the girl's hand. Crossing his own arms, he waited impatiently for her to put into her contact information, his lips slightly sneering at having to wait while she fumbled over his key pad.

"There. I don't even see why you'd want to hang around me."

She handed it back to him, looking slightly offended at having been called dumb. Sure, she wasn't Domino's best and brightest, but Anzu wasn't stupid either. Any girl in her position would be surprised at Kaiba's forwardness. They weren't friends, and she didn't understand why he wanted her cell number so badly.

"Thank you."

Snapping the top down and sliding it into the pockets of his leather pants, he got on his way. There was a creepy grin on his face as he turned away, like Anzu had made a bad choice by giving away her private information. His face was so perplexing, and she figured that he rarely ever showed people his true feelings.

"We'll be doing this again soon. Goodnight, Mazaki."

And without further delay, he turned around and left, leaving a confused Anzu behind.