#★❞ — letters from new york. ( answered meme )

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@universestreasures said : Setting Prompts (49, for Yugi!) | ( setting prompts / accepting !! )

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐅 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐑��𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐘𝐎𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐀 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄. Yugi had insisted on it, when Anzu had finally been able to take the time off from her busy dance season to book a flight back home. Although she'd pestered him relentlessly about their destination, he'd stayed decidedly quiet about the whole thing up until they got off the train and clamoured into a bus. Twenty minutes later, the Kyoto Botanical Garden came into view.

It had been a long time since she'd been there. Anzu could vaguely recall being on her father's shoulders as they walked beside the rows and rows of red, blooming tulips. That was back when her parents were still married; before things got messy, and her father left to pursue a higher-paying job in Osaka. She still got a card from him every year on her birthday and a call on Christmas, but other than that, their meet-ups were few and far between. Last she'd spoken to him, he was getting married again.

As Anzu followed Yugi through the entrance, she took in the sights and smells. Everything was fresh and earthy, the smell of petrichor hanging in the air and backdropped by the multitude of colourful plants and flowers in all different shapes and sizes. It made her a little emotional, actually. Not in a bad way, but because it was such a thoughtful gesture. Now that she thought about it, she had mentioned the botanical gardens some months ago in passing. At the time, Anzu hadn't really thought anything of it. Just filling the silence with conversation as they were on video call. She never expected he'd remember such a tiny detail. But then, this was Yugi. Of course he would. He was always that way.

Without preamble, Anzu slid her arm around Yugi's shoulder and all but dragged him towards the aforementioned tulips. ❝ Let's get a picture to commemorate! The girls back in New York will love it. ❞

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ship meme: Anzu and Bakura.

( ship meme / accepting !! )

vomit / don’t ship / ok / cute / adorable / sexy / perfect / beyond flawless / hot damn / screaming and crying / i will ship them in hell

( I'm going with the assumption you mean Yami Bakura and not Ryou, because that's how I personally differentiate them, but if you meant Ryou, just let me know and I can answer this again! )

Most of my feelings about Anzu and Bakura come from my absolutely insane conversations about them with @godrent, so while there's not really any canon justification for them, I'm just a sucker for darker, unhealthy ships where the bad influence makes the good influence worse. There are a couple of really good art pieces I've seen on the internet of them that really tickle that need for dark ships and I always fall back on them when I need inspiration.

As far as the actual ship goes, though, I just love the idea of Bakura frequently interrupting her peaceful life to wreak havoc. Anzu is a "do no harm, take no shit" individual, but I think even Bakura would be one person that could get under her skin and make her extremely paranoid and uncomfortable. He's unpredictable and dangerous and she shouldn't be drawn to it, but she sort of is, in the same way she was drawn to Atem in the manga even after knowing he literally murdered people lmao.

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Azureshipping for the kid meme!

( if they had a kid / accepting !! )

Name: Kaiba Ryūnosuke ( 海馬竜之介 ), 竜 ( ryū ) meaning "dragon" combined with 之 (no), a possessive marker, and 介 (suke) meaning "help, assist".

Gender: Male

General Appearance: Were it not for the way Ryūnosuke styles his hair, he would be the spitting image of Seto. They have the same angular face and serious expression; though Ryūnosuke is prone to showing more emotion. He has brown hair and his eyes are blue like both his parents, however they are a touch on the lighter side. By the time he reaches his final growth spurt, he stands just shy of Seto's height at 180 cm.

Personality: Calm, well-mannered and logical to a fault. He's an even mixture of Seto's intelligence and Anzu's compassion. He's a perfect gentleman with a touch of playfulness. He has always known that he would one day step into the role of President at his father's company and has always taken pride in it, even submitting ideas and his own designs for new technology as he grew up.

Special Talents: Photographic memory. This made studying for school a lot easier for him than it would have otherwise as he was and is able to recall details and facts with startling clarity. A lesser known talent is that he sings, but is a little embarrassed to let anyone hear him so he mostly does it when no one is around. Occasionally, though, you can catch him humming while reading a book or otherwise occupied.

Who they like better: Ryūnosuke may share a lot of similarities with Seto, but he actually gets along far better with Anzu. This isn't saying much though, since family is important to him and he loves them both.

Who they take after more: Probably Anzu, though he ( thankfully ) didn't inherit her temper.

Personal Headcanon: Ryūnosuke was an almost meticulously planned child. For Anzu, it was important to her that she be at a place in her life where she could devote all her attention to a child, when her career as a ballerina had gotten to a place where she felt comfortable starting a new chapter. This meant that Ryūnosuke was born "late" in their lives by the usual standard, being born when both Anzu and Seto were entering their thirties.

Face Claim: Artem Wing from Tears of Themis.

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♡ : Does your muse have any birthmarks or scars they get embarrassed about others seeing?

( nsfw ask meme / accepting !! )

Also asked by @godrent and @ofhardknoxxx.

♡ : Does your muse have any birthmarks or scars they get embarrassed about others seeing?

Not really. Other than a few barely noticeable scars accumulated from childhood rambunctiousness, she doesn't really have any. She has some scarring on her feet, as expected from a professional ballet dancer, but they aren't noticeable unless you're really looking and know what you're looking for. Even so, her feet might be the only thing she has a inkling of embarrassment about. Professional dancers are notorious for having terrible feet, so she's very conscious about taking care of them. This is usually why you'll see her wearing her platform sandals with stockings or socks. Aside from it being a personal fashion choice, it just hides the fact she hates her feet.

She does have a birthmark! A small one behind her right shoulder in a nondescript shape. It's pretty faint though and only truly visible when she's been out in the sun enough that the skin around it darkens.

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If they had a kid meme (sadly these Anzu and Ryuji don't have a ship name so we gotta make one up)

( if they had a kid / accepting !! )

Name: Otogi Hana ( 御伽花 ), hana ( 花 ) meaning "flower".

Gender: Female.

General Appearance: She has Ryuji's black hair and piercing expression, and Anzu's blue eyes and facial structure. Hana is tall and thin, standing just a couple of inches taller than Anzu at 167 cm ( 5'6 ). Considered a "classic beauty" among her peers.

Personality: Quiet, reserved, and a little melancholic. She was never a particularly fussy child growing up, preferring the company of her parents over making friends her own age. Such a stark contrast to the vivacious and bright personalities of her parents has often left her wondering if there is something "wrong" with her. Hana is a bit of a perfectionist and, because of this, can be too hard on herself.

Special Talents: Ballet. She's been enrolled in classes for as long as she can remember. But while she may have a natural inclination for ballet like Anzu, she lacks a fundamental passion for it. Her technique is nothing short of perfection, but she has often been told by instructors that her movements lack heart and emotion.

Who they like better: Ryuji. She loves Anzu as much as she loves Ryuji, but she fears letting her mother down by admitting she simply doesn't hold love for ballet the way Anzu does, despite being exceptional at it.

Who they take after more: Hana doesn't really take after either parent in personality. She has, however, been told she shares similarities with her maternal grandparents.

Personal Headcanon: Hana was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder rather early on in her life, which has largely shaped her disposition and personality. There was no real catalyst for the onset of it, however Anzu's own mother, Keiko also suffered from depression during her life which could mean it was hereditary.

Face Claim: Odette von Dysen from the manhwa Bastian.

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✿ 

( pre-established relationships / accepting !! )

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /�� roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

whether these two meet in modern verse or in the ancient past, i believe they would absolutely be best friends and anzu would probably take on the role of big sister and be very protective of mana.

as far as interacting with her as black magician girl goes, anzu would greatly respect and admire her. idk, i am suddenly thinking of the doma arc and how cool it would have been if bmg came to anzu to ask for help. maybe she bmg could have made anzu some type of pseudo-guardian in her stead since she couldn't always be by the gang's side like anzu could???

WHAT IF I JUST UP AND MADE AN ATLANTIS VERSE AILLI. WHAT IF I DID THAT.

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supportshipping!

( ship meme / accepting !! )

vomit / don’t ship / ok / cute / adorable / sexy / perfect / beyond flawless / hot damn / screaming and crying /i will ship them in hell

I don't personally ship it, but I can see how it would be cute. They are really kind of the only two in the bunch considered "normal" and provide that sense of level-headed realism that the group so often lacks because of the shadow games and magical shenanigans always happening around them. But as far as my personal portrayal goes, Anzu really only sees Honda as a pseudo-brother figure. Obviously this could change with interactions, but since I haven't had the fortune to write with any Honda rpers, this is how I see them for now.

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ship meme: Anzu and Mai. Wasn't sure if you were into the f/f romantically with Anzu but even as just really close friends, wondering how you feel given Mai's brief history with Jou / Joey.

( ship meme / accepting !! )

vomit / don’t ship / ok / cute / adorable / sexy / perfect / beyond flawless / hot damn / screaming and crying /i will ship them in hell

I personally headcanon my Anzu as heterosexual, but that doesn't mean I don't see the appeal in the ship or don't like it outside of roleplay! I can definitely see why the ship exists. They're both strong, independent women who don't need no man!!!!! And they do have quite a bit in common otherwise.

But even on a platonic level, I really love the potential for their friendship. I've been fortunate enough to yell at @yugencia about them enough times that I feel very confident in saying they would be/are best friends, even allowing for Mai's history with Jou. If anything, Mai and Jou's history together would just endear Anzu to them both even more — she'd want to make sure they're both okay, regardless if they actually pursued each other.

Mai definitely has that "nosy older big sister" vibe and I think Anzu definitely needs that, especially when most of her friends are guys. Sometimes, a girl just needs to do makeovers and gossip about cute boys and that's definitely something Mai could offer.

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@shacchou said : [ 𝐫𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 ] : sender and receiver have sex after being apart a long time. | ( shared desires / accepting !! )

𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐊 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐍 𝐎𝐔𝐓. They had been fortunate, thus far, that their schedules aligned well enough that they could meet up whenever Seto was in New York or Anzu happened to be in Domino; but as all good things do, it, too, had to come to an end.

The new dance season was in full swing when Seto had last been in New York — full of rigorous days of training and rehearsals — and prompting little allotment for the two to spend any considerable length of time together amidst Seto's own busy itinerary. At the time, this hadn't worried Anzu; they'd already been spending quite a bit of time together as it was, and some distance was pertinent to keeping a relationship fresh and exciting. All of that to say, she didn't want to be overbearing or invasive in Seto's life and she knew Seto, for his part, had little interest in her professional life as a ballerina anyway. It was a learning curve for the both of them.

That was almost a month ago.

Other than the occasional text and quick phone call to check-in on each other, there had been little contact between them. In fact, the lack of contact between them had become so noticeable that even tabloids had begun to suspect the demise of their relationship. Anzu ignored them, of course. Or, tried to. But, even she was not immune to the rumour mill and doubt began to creep in that things could really work between them this way.

It was two weeks later that Seto made another trip to New York, and this time Anzu was able to put a pin in her busy schedule to see him. In fact, she'd gone so far as cancel previous plans to go to lunch with her dance friends just to make time for Seto. A thing she would have never done prior to being in a relationship; but it had been long enough, and Anzu had missed him.

( Strange, that. The man who could irritate her to no end on a good day was the very same that she was now practically bowling over as she entered his New York penthouse. )

He'd remarked about her eagerness and all Anzu could do was huff a 'shut up' before dragging him down by his collar for a prolonged kiss. One that became heated, with teeth and tongue, and then escalated again when they began moving towards the bedroom. Her purse and jacket were thrown on a chair and her shoes discarded on the floor before Seto picked her up, hands under her thighs and disappearing under her skirt, and tossed her on the bed.

Anzu couldn't help but jab at Seto for his own eagerness, earning her a reprimanding nip to the juncture between her neck and shoulder that was sure to leave a mark behind, but she didn't mind. She laughed, breathy and exhilarated, as Seto rolled into her and effectively made her sing a different tune altogether.

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@duoscuri​ said :  SPARKLING HEART:　is anzu a subtle or a showy lover? | (  emoji asks  /  accepting !!  )

💖 SPARKLING HEART - are they a subtle or a showy lover?

By nature, Anzu is a showy lover, in the sense that she isn’t often afraid to express how she feels for someone whether it’s through words or physical touch. She’s a tactile person and that means she will often be touching her significant other in some way. Holding their hand, touching their shoulder, a hand on their knee, etc. 

That being said, she can adjust based on her partner’s preferences and needs. For example, if her partner isn’t receptive to public displays of affection, she will refrain from being too affectionate in public, or shift to another form of conveying how she feels. Like I said in my previous post, her top two love languages are words of affirmation and physical touch, so even if she isn’t physically showing her lover how she feels, she is often telling them in her own words. 

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devotionshipping for the meme

( if they had a kid / accepting !! )

Name: Jonouchi Tsubasa ( 城之内翼 ), 翼 ( tsubasa ) meaning "wing".

Gender: Male

General Appearance: A bit baby-faced, with wide, warm brown eyes and a smile that can light up a room. He was born with dark hair, but ultimately decided to dye it blond like his father's in middle school. He's not too tall, only standing at about 162 cm ( 5'8 ) with an athletic build.

Personality: Don't let his baby face fool you, Tsubasa is a terror. Full of boundless energy that more often than not needs an outlet in the form of various sports and recreational activities. He's sweet, though, and very protective of his family. Especially his two younger sisters. Will not hesitate to bodyslam someone on the soccer field.

Special Talents: Sports! He's tried pretty much everything from Tai Kwon Do and volleyball to swimming and even dabbled in some hip-hop classes. Ultimately, he found his passion in soccer and has been playing since early middle school. By the time he's in high school, he begins to seriously consider going professional.

Who they like better: Katsuya. Which isn't to say that he isn't a total Mama's boy, just that he has a more relaxed and easy-going relationship with his father. They roughhouse, they pulls pranks, they fully get on Anzu's nerves ( but she loves them to death ).

Who they take after more: Katsuya. Although he takes after both his parents when it comes to protecting his sisters and his friends. Do no harm, but take no shit.

Personal Headcanon: One night a week, they designate a family game night and spend several hours playing all different sorts of games from video games to board games, and of course, no night would be complete without a round of Duel Monsters. Tsubasa isn't as good as his father, but he's competitive enough that he's determined to beat him one day.

Face Claim: Kim Yoosung from Mystic Messenger.

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Hey, Fae! Leviathan here. I know we barely had spoken with each other except when the server was up. But just know I love your Anzu. There is so much depth you've added to her character it makes me excited to write with her. I also think Ryuji and Anzu having a dance off one day would be an amazing thread idea to do in a future. But just know your anzu is loved and you're a amazing and kind person as well. Keep writing and stay strong. I look forward to getting to know you more in the future.

( how's my portrayal / accepting !! )

LEVIIIIIIIIIII. i apologise for answering this so late, but i appreciated this so much i wanted to re-read it a few times before i answered it. thank you so much for liking my anzu and showing interest! it means the world to me and i would LOVE to see anzu and ryuji have a dance off, pls omg.

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  ✿

( pre-established relationships / accepting !! )

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based off professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

you mentioned how you wanted to see anzu and ryuji have a dance battle and so i am here to humbly suggest that they have a friendly, if not a little petty, dance rivalry going on which could or could not lead into something more down the line.

of course, i would love to develop them as friends too! i think they have the potential to be pretty close, and i could see them being the sort of friends that push each other to their fullest potentials.

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𝐅𝐀𝐄 !!!

rushes in so fast the animation quality breaks.

I LOVE YOUR ANZU ! I may have said this before in the past ( and if I haven't I'm saying it now ), your creativity leaves me MINDBLOWN ! The levels of awe that crashed upon my like roaring waves when I read your ANZU SOLVES THE PUZZLE verse are beyond words I could formulate in this very moment. You have this knack for storytelling that immediately draws a person in, entices them, compels them to want more. I was looking at the lyric based starter you sent me the other day and immediately could tell how much thought you put into the choses verses, not just for myself, but everyone's. That minute attention to detail is such a formidable superpower and I'm tuning in for next time, bae !

( how's my portrayal / accepting !! )

j-jou, are u okay there buddy????? LMAO

omg but TES PLEASE IM FRAGILE. this means so much to me, especially coming from you! you're like, the katsuya jonouchi. the real deal!!!! god, im so glad someone actually reads my silly verses even if i don't really get to write them. my "anzu solves the puzzle" verse is very near and dear to my heart and i'd love to use it more. ; w ;

but anyway, thank you so much for this!!! i try very hard to make each interaction unique and interesting and im glad it shows! you're wonderful, tes, and i can't wait to write more with you!! <3

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@godrent​​ said :  kiss roulette, please, feed me. | (  kiss prompts  /  accepting !!  )

                                       15. kiss in the rain.

        𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃. It was the only way to explain it. This wasn’t the first time she had felt like there were a pair of eyes boring into her back. Ever since the events that transpired with Diva, she had the unmistakable feeling of being watched. Even in New York, Anzu couldn’t escape the eerie, skin-crawling sensation that her privacy was being invaded. At first, she chalked it up to simple paranoia. After everything they had been through, it was only natural to be a little on edge. But the Millennium Items were gone now, and that should have meant no more threats. No more danger. No more nightmares. 

        Anzu couldn’t have been more wrong. 

        The first time she sees him, it is just a glimpse — a reflection in a shop window — gone as quick as it had appeared. She blinks several times, willing the reflection to reveal the figure again; but nothing happens and Anzu dubs it a momentary lapse of alertness. She’s been pretty tired lately. Maybe she just needs rest. 

        But it happens again. And again. And again. Each time she sees him, he seems to stick around for a few seconds longer. It isn’t until she’s in Domino again, that it becomes all too real. 

        Rain pelts the sidewalk, skating sideways in her vision as Anzu hurriedly moves from under one shop awning to the next. Having forgotten an umbrella that morning, she’d been caught in the storm unprepared. A streak of lightning cracks open the sky like an eggshell, and it is at it’s lowest point, disappearing behind the shadow of a building that she sees him again. Only this time he doesn’t disappear, and Anzu can make out through the rain, the unmistakable glint of gold spikes. Her stomach drops and she is immediately filled with dread. 

        Bakura turns, disappearing down the alley and Anzu, despite herself, runs after him. Soaked hair is pushed from her eyes as she comes face-to-face with an all too familiar malicious grin and soulless, brown eyes. It shouldn’t be happening. It should be impossible that he’s here right now; but Anzu has long since learned to accept impossible things happening in their lives is sort of the norm.  ❝  Bakura?! How —  ❞ Her eyes are drawn to the Ring. Even just looking at it now gives her the creeps. If the Millennium Ring was back, and so was Bakura, then what did that mean for the rest of the Millennium Items? Could it be that something bad was on the horizon, ready to threaten their newfound peace?

        All of these questions and more percolate in her thoughts as Bakura suddenly stalks forward, forcing her to step back. When her back hits the wall, he grins like a cat who has caught the canary. Something in Anzu snaps. This is too much. This was supposed to be over. She is tired of being bullied, manipulated, possessed and intimidated by Spirits and mystical items! ❝  I’m not afraid of you! ❞

        Bakura laughs, unkind, in response.  “ That’s what I like about you. Always so full of fire.  ” Anzu doesn’t anticipate his next move until his lips are already ghosting at the corner of her mouth. She freezes; considers slapping him. Instead, she goes for surprising him by shifting to kiss him full on the mouth. If he thinks trying to kiss her will intimidate her into submission, he has another thing coming. Mazaki Anzu is not some scared little girl, afraid of the monsters under her bed. 

        The kiss is short-lived, lasting only long enough for Anzu to taste cinnamon amidst the rain drops and then she’s suddenly cold. Bakura is gone, leaving her alone in the alley. 

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@shacchou​​ said : can’t you see i’m busy ? | (  questioning minds  /  accepting !!  )

        𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐑. It seemed just the sort of vindictive thing Kaiba would do — cause a media stir and then leave her to deal with the aftermath to return to Japan. It took nearly two hours of patience and sheer force of will for Anzu to get through Kaiba Corporation’s long line of secretaries and departments before she finally reached his personal secretary on the phone. She had to allow herself a small pinch of amusement, for the woman seemed exceptionally surprised at Anzu’s persistence. Clearly the secretary had been expecting Anzu would hang up in frustration before ever reaching this point.

        Clearly this woman didn’t know Mazaki Anzu.

        Masking her irritation, Anzu wore a bright smile on the other end of the phone and said in her most pleasant voice, ❝  May I please speak to your CEO? It’s urgent.  ❞

        The response was immediate and clearly rehearsed, as if this question had been expected and fielded thousands of times. “I’m sorry, but Kaiba-sama is not accepting any calls right now. But if you’d like, I can forward you to one of our—”

        ❝  That won’t be necessary. I’d like to speak to Kaiba-san. Now.  ❞ A beat passed, and then she added.  ❝  You may tell him that this is Mazaki Anzu and if I don’t get to speak with him, he’ll be hearing from my lawyer.  ❞ It was a bluff. Anzu didn’t have a lawyer, of course, but it seemed to do the trick because the secretary almost immediately changed her tune and within minutes she was listening to the phone ring again as she waited for Kaiba to pick up.

        She almost sighed in relief when she did finally hear his voice. Anzu had half expected that the secretary would put her through to another department out of spite, but true to the woman’s professionalism, she’d sent Anzu straight to Kaiba’s office phone number. His curt greeting did not surprise her. She knew he was busy, but this was important.

        ❝  Well, that shouldn’t be surprising. I’m sure you’re up to your ears in tabloid gossip by now. Isn’t that right? Honestly, Kaiba, what were you thinking?  ❞ The irritation had returned. Anzu began pacing, occasionally glancing out the window. Not surprisingly, there were still at least five photographers camped out around the building, alert every time someone so much as stepped foot outside. Anzu was grateful the apartment she shared with her fellow dancers was on the sixteenth floor and that no one could reach it without authorisation by the front desk. Thank goodness for small mercies.  

        Of course, what she doesn’t mention is the reaction from her friends. Almost as soon as the story went public, her phone had exploded with messages and phone calls. Nearly half of them had been from Jounouchi alone, putting in his scathing two cents about the whole thing. Anzu wanted to throttle him. How could he believe anything out of a tabloid that didn’t come from her first? She was miffed, to say the least, that he would assume she’d date anyone and not tell them about it. The others, thankfully, had been much more understanding. 

        ❝  Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate you were trying to help, but you’ve gotten us in quite a mess. There’s been paparazzi outside my apartment building all day, Kaiba. Paparazzi!  I’ve told them their story is a pack of garbage. I’ve given my statement. But they’re not going to listen to me. I’m not recognisable. It’s your turn to do something. Give them a statement. Write a check. I don’t care, just make it go away. Please.  ❞