A Tale of Sad Woe

I’ll start singing and dancing and weaving in and out of traffic! You’ve made me so very happy! Schools out now only have to do one make up test next Monday shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll update once or twice a week.
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“What was that?!” Mai demanded, still holding Serenity’s limp body close to her. Luckily other students hadn’t seen the incrimenating evidence the madman nailed to her locker. But most were interested in Serenity’s sudden collapse.
“Serenity!” Both heads turned. Joey had seen his sister fall, knocking down various students in his quest for her. He approached her reverently. Kneeling down, he swept his fingers along her brow. “Serenity.” He whispered. He seemed visibly shaken and then relieved when she started to rouse. A whimper escaped her throat. Gathering her from Mai he held his baby sister in his arms, looking pointedly at Anzu and Mai, then carried her to the nurse’s office. Students parted ways from the brooding Joey. She watched him go as guilt flooded her. Poor Serenity. Anzu let out a sigh of relief that she seemed unharmed. Replacing the lock on the locker, she turned gathered her bag, ready to leave, when a hand grabbed her arm. A cold shower covered her body, her mind screaming to get away. The monster was here! Then a voice penetrated the fog of terror.
“What the hell going on, Anzu?” Her friend balked at the white face and cold sweat as Anzu turned to face her.
“Nothing Mai.”
“Don’t give me that crap!” Mai threw her arm down like it repulsed her. She hurried after Joey down the hall. She didn’t look back. Anzu hefted the backpack higher on her shoulder; you’re not going to cry. You’re not going to cry. You are stronger than this. She received some questioning glances as she exited the school, seeing as it was only lunch and she was on the way, it came as no surprise. On her way home she hugged herself self-consciously, thinking about her predicament. “I’m going to have to move.”
“Move where?” Mokubias head popped out from a shrub in front of her. Screaming she fell to the ground, one arm thrown in front for defense the other clasped over her heart trying to stop the harsh beating echoing in her ears. It took her a few moments to recover.
“Mokubia! What the hell are you doing here? Get back to school!” Physically picking him up by the seat of his uniform and turning him towards school, Mokubia cursed as he saw his brother stalk towards them. “Oh no, I’m not getting involved in this.” Dropping Mokubia, she hurried off in the direction of her apartment. She lived near a gorgeous park, with a small playground set. She liked to sneak away at night and try and swing to the moon. But today they held no allure. Clicking the lock into place she felt safe again. This was the one place he had yet to attack. It was not as if he didn’t know where she was, he addressed the letters here, but he had yet to leave a ‘present’. Blood. So much blood. Trodding into the kitchen she turned on the radio as lunch was made. Setting down to a lazy lunch of cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese and lemon tea the news anchor regaled her about the stock market. “Hmmmm.” It seemed a few of her stocks were doing good. She wouldn’t have to take as much shifts at work this month. Glancing at the clock it was still 20 minuets till the first bell. Anzu shrunk into her seat. She had to go back to school. She needed good grades otherwise she could forget about college. She would not let him beat her. Dropping her homework from the previous classes, she brought along her dancing gear and a shoebox for the bird. She’d dispose of it after everyone was already in class, who'd care if she were tardy.
“Mazikai you are 10 minuets late for this class.”
“Sorry, sensei.” Rushing to her seat she withdrew her chemistry textbook. Anzu could fell the energy drain out of her. Junka-sensia also made her feel this way. His lectures where so boring that she fell almost fell into a trance.
“Mazikai!” Leaping to attention, banging her knee in the process.
“Yes, sensei.”
“What is the element for K?”
“Potassium, sensei.” He eyed her suspiciously.
“Fe?”
“Iron.” He went on like that for nearly the entire class. Could she help it that she had a memory for weird things? It seemed he grew angrier and angrier at each correct answer she gave. When the bell rung her roared: “GET OUT!!!” As hurriedly as she pack her things were back, racing out the door, away from a fuming sensei.

The music filled her. Dancing and swaying she pumped her body with the rhythm. This was her haven, her heaven. No one could take it away from her. Correcting her stance in the mirror, she frowned at the sweaty leotard. It really was going to be a bother to wash it. And stinky too. Smirking she spun round the empty dance studio till she fell to the ground laughing.

They looked at her strangely as she walked onto campus. She stared right back. They all seemed a little frightened. You can do this Anzu you can do this! The mantra helped. Lifting her head a little she stepped into school and then stopped. On the stained glass archway that overlooked the main hallway of the school was a picture of her. Probably taken a few weeks ago before she had her hair cut. Someone had taken a picture of her when she was goofing off in the park with the gang. Joey had his arm around her waist but someone had blackened out his face and Duke’s and Tristin’s. Even some strangers walking by. The girls had names like ‘whore’ and ‘slut’ painted over them. Finally Anzu let her eyes drift to her. He had left her untouched except for blood red block letters above her head. ‘Mine.’
She didn’t remember fainting. But she woke up at home an hour later. “Wha…My head.” Her head ached like she was up drinking. A clatter of pans was heard from the kitchen. Quietly getting out of bed she tiptoed towards the noise with a baseball bat. Peeping around the corner she spotted Mokubia filling the chipped red teapot with water. “Mokubia!” He had the nerve to look sheepish. “What are you doing here? Scratch that. How did I get here?”
“Seto carried you.” He said like it was most natural thing in the world. “He carried to the car and then we took you home. You fainted on him.” He pulled out a chair as she slid into it, exhustated.
“Where’s Kiabia?”
“Right here.” He answered from the front door. He carried a small duffel bag, flinging it on the couch he stode into the kitchen like he owned it. “That’s all fine and dandy, but what are you doing here?” Kiabia snorted. “He’s looking after you until we can find out who’s stalking you.”
“How did you…”
“Find out?”
“When Maria became worried she called Duke and told him about what happened at the dance hall. Becoming suspicious Mai talked to Serenity who told her about the dead bird in your locker. The next logical step was to contact her dad at the police station, he confirmed that there was a file with your name on it with a possible stalker.”
“But why Kiabia? Why not Yu-Gi or Duke or Tristin. God! Or even Joey?” Hanging her head she cradled it in trembling hands.
“Because they had to battle some crooks who were terrorizing Tracy and her grandfather.” Anzu grabbed the edge of the flimsy wooden chair. Why did it have to be Kiabia. Mokubia began to gather his coat from the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I have already missed one class today. I’m going back to school.” Seto and Anzu faced each other as Mokubia clicked the door shut.
“Well, this is going to be a long day.” Kiabia scowled in agreement. They stayed like that until the whistle of the teakettle shocked them into awareness. “Would you like some tea?” Pulling out a chair he stretched himself into the little kitchen table. Mixing the tea, Anzu contemplated her situation. Kiabia was staying in her apartment. Alone. Bringing the kettle to the table the tea was poured. Anzu stared at hers. Reflecting, staring at the floating remnants of tea leaves willing them to mean anything. A good fortune. A way out of her current mess, anything! They finished the entire pot without saying a word. It being only 10 in the morning it was way to early to go to bed. “I need to go shopping.” Her answer was a grunt. Shuffling to the door he tossed on his coat.

Seto was surprised when she turned off one of the more fashionable shopping districts to a back alley. She had spoken to several vendors about their produce and had added broccoli to her steadily increasing list, much to Seto’s chagrin. He had promised Mokubia that he would take care of Anzu. How his brother got him to agree was a blur. He’s got talent. Seto allowed himself a little glow of pride before returning to his stoic mask. Eyes drifting over various colourful stalls and merchandize his eyes finial fell upon Anzu’s dancers legs. The light shifted on them. Casting shadows and drawing attention. The ridiculously short skirt of her school uniform rode high on her thighs, drawing his attention even higher. The slim waist begged for his hands. Looking higher… “Kiabia, are you okay?” “Yes.” Damnit! Mazikia, he was not attracted to her. There was no way in hell! He preferred his women realistic and only to stay till dawn. They didn’t complain they were paid handsomely for their trouble. Weaving in and out of the crowds he almost found it hard to keep up with her. Stepping beside her, he watched her eyes. They followed a small rat running a maze. The owner of the stall was proclaiming his special herbal concoction would increase your memory, etc., etc. Seto rolled his eyes at his bullshit.

They made it back to the apartment by the time the lettuce began to limp. She gave the small apartment a cursory glance nothing was touched. Shoving the groceries into the fridge she collapsed onto the couch. Seto prowled around the kitchen. Anzu ignored him. After 20 minuets of his prowling and growling and slamming of cupboard doors, Anzu picked up some leftover lasagna, tossed it in the microwave and then shoved it at him. His startled expression was almost hilarious if he hadn’t scowled at her. Stalking back to her room, the bed welcomed her. Shifting into its comforting embrace she welcomed its end to the waking world.

Seto watched her sleep. The deep furrows in her brow smoothed out. Her hands unclenched and hugged a coffee coloured teddy bear closer. One hand tucked a stray hair from her lashes. He felt the same tug from the market place. The truth was he had felt the tug before. It started around duelist kingdom, when he watched her duel Mai for Yugi. Even though he hated Yugi, he had to admire someone with her gusto and courage. Facing Main with limited dueling skills was a will unto it self. The hand trailed along her face, following the jaw line, to the shoulder and down the arm. Lifting the slight hand, he studied it. Fingernails kept short and neat. Painted with a mixture of pink nail polish with decorations of whiteout. Her right hand held a cheap watch with a pyramid winking back at him. Surprised, she didn’t seem the type that would want any reminders of the Egyptian prophecy that Yugi and he were supposed to fulfill. Tucking her hand discreetly back under the covers he retired to the living room.