A Place by the Fire

A Place By The Fire

Summary: Continuation of “A Home of Our Own”. Kimi ga Iru AU, neko fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh. If I did…*begins to laugh evilly*
Warning: peach + juice = O__O
Author’s Note:Welcome regulars and new people to the continuation of “A Home of Our Own” I usually get all drama or something here, but since I feel like I know ya...sit down and let’s begin. Oh and um...if you feel like flaming or something (yeah, someone actually flamed, far out right?) Feel free, but be wary of the regulars. They’ve got bite.

Ear to the Floor

Otogi stuck out his tongue and sneezed. He need a bath or something or he was allergic or something because the smell was getting to him.

He covered his nose and watched Mana flit around the trailer, tidying up and humming to herself.

What was she doing? What was she using?

The blond paused, grinning. “It’s called bleach. And it’s called Pledge. Is it hurting your nose?”

He nodded vigorously and the girl shook her head.

“Well go out into the fresh air Kitty.” She put down a rag. “Listen, we have a show tonight, are you in?”

He blinked. “I came to get paid. It’s Friday right?”

“Well yes...but there’s another show tonight and we need you.” She looked him over. “I could talk to Mahado about something full-time?”

Otogi moved closer to the door, thankful for the breeze. “I’m not sure...”

“Well...truth be told we’re in contact with a Neko talent agency but they haven’t sent anyone.” She propped herself on the edge of the vanity. “You’re all we have right now.”

Otogi opened the door fully, swishing his tail. “We’ll see...”

He didn’t know really. His first thought was, “I should ask Jou.” But that really wasn’t an option anymore. He’d seen the Inu the other day, in fact he’d gotten food from him, but the point was, he was on his own.

He’d asked about Shizuka and Jou said he had visited her twice this week and was going again today. He’d go too but he didn’t feel like dealing with the staff asking him about his lack of a collar and trying to sell him on the benefits of adoption.

He was too old for that crap anyway.

His ears flicked and he picked up the sound of footsteps, not surprised when Mahado appeared looking a bit tired. He saw Otogi and smiled.

“You’re back.”

“I said I would be...” a palm came down on his head and the man rubbed in between his ears. He liked that, so he purred.

“I can pay you tonight. Will you be in the show?”

“Mana says you haven’t got anyone else.”

The man’s face darkened. “Yes...we haven’t. Somehow, I think the agency doesn’t want to send anyone over because they’ve got this impression I bed my employees or something...it’s Mamoru. He was always one for tales when it wasn’t going his way.”

Otogi’s ears downed for a second then popped back up. “Is the act the same?”

Mahado snapped back to present. “Hm?” He absently rubbed under Otogi’s chin and sighed. “No...but we’ve got time to run through it...on stage this time.” He went up the trailer stairs, patting Otogi on the shoulder before he swore about the chemicals Mana was using.

The Kuro Neko purred to himself, leaning against the thin stair rail, tail end jerking.

Maybe....

****

Ryou wiped the counter and Bakura inspected, nodding.

“Very good. Let’s go. I’m sure those humans want their kitchen back.”

“Are they really afraid of us Brother?”

Bakura smirked. “Of me, yeah. I don’t recall you decking maids or threatening to eat the Cook’s children.”

Ryou pouted a bit, following his brother. “That was mean...can we apologize?”

“No.”

“But -.”

“Ryou.”

“Yes Brother. It’s all about style.” the Kitten jerked his porcelain white tail around. “Are we going exploring?”

Bakura nodded, fully aware that they were being shadowed. “I’m sure that’ll be a good idea.” He leaned in and spoke to his brother. “When we get down to the end of this big hall, you’ll go one way and I’ll go the other.”

Ryou just nodded, figuring his brother wanted to cover more ground on his own. He knew the way back to their new den, it was the only place that really smelled like them in this house, so he couldn’t get lost.

He hopped ahead of his brother, pointing at paintings and righting vases and tables he managed to bump into. Bakura stopped with him at the end of the hall and he smiled.

“Brother...”

“Hm?” Bakura was thinking of how he could cover most of the mansion before Ryou got hungry for lunch.

The Kitten shoved him roughly and darted to the left, Bakura rolling his eyes and rushing off the other way.

They’d catch up later.


Someways behind, Noa sucked his finger claws, ears flat against his head. What was he supposed to do now? They split up...

He walked a little faster, hoping that maybe he’d catch up and maybe...

He wouldn’t have to spend the day alone.

**
Bakura didn’t care if anyone was watching, he needed to investigate.

Tail in the air on all fours, Bakura sniffed the edges of the hall, going around the corner and peeking under doors. He found that many of the rooms were unused and that the only scents carried here were those of maids. He’d been going inside the rooms of course, checking for hidden doors, cubbies, places to hide things. He found drawers of unused clothing, closets full of suits and shoes, all various sizes.

Storage perhaps...

Even still, he checked all the pockets, made a mental note to seize all the cufflinks he’d found in a tiny space in one of the drawers and turn one of these rooms (maybe the smaller one towards the end of the wing) into his own private head quarters.

He stood and brushed his knees off, looking into a vase and sneezing. It was dusty.

The Alabaster let himself into another room, pleased to see it filled with books. And sneezed again.

Old books.

Old books meant first editions. First editions meant rare finds and rare finds...

Well Kaiba, if you ever do me wrong I’m going to make off with the biggest take of my life...

He ran his finger along spines and hopped up on one of the wheeled ladders, then off again, landing on the back of one of the wing backed chairs. He thought about slicing them open, but his nails didn’t need sharpening. He sniffed at instead.

Someone read here...the smell was faint, but recent.

A week ago?

He leapt off gracefully and headed back towards the doors, some of the metal fixtures catching his eye.

Silver candelabra? Ummmm.... he closed the door and made his way down the hall again, dropping to all fours and sniffing at door cracks. He’d probably be at this game for a week at least because form what he remembered of the blue print...he wasn’t even halfway through the southern wing.

**
Lots of shinies... Ryou thought, looking at the mosaic on the floor. He followed it around and around...and around and when he stopped, he looked up and giggled, the ceiling was so high. He fell on his back and let his tail curl and uncurl.

It was pretty here.

The papers Bakura told him to look at said this was the place between the wings. It was huge and it had a big dome ceiling and pretty windows. Sunlight came through almost everywhere and Ryou could see the garden when he turned on his side. There wasn’t a door here, but he knew there’d be one soon. Maybe there were mice in the garden -And bugs!

Ryou sat up, giving an excited squeak. He loved bugs. They tasted interesting.

He finally got up and hopped and skipped over the tile, not realizing they formed a giant K for Kaiba and left the rotunda, hoping to find a door in the new hallway. He saw a tiny plaque and mused about what it said, just knowing it was shiny, and tilted his head at some new wall pictures, tapping the walls to see if there were safes behind them.

“He teach you to do that?”

Ryou stopped, ears flattening. It was that man again, the Human.

His tail flicked and he didn’t know what to think. He didn’t smell friendly anymore, he didn’t smell nice. And he didn’t like his eyes.

“You’re Ryou.”

He just watched, tail flicking nervously.

The long haired man held out his hand. “I live here, it’s alright. You do remember me don’t you? You caused me to have...an unfortunate incident.”

Ryou blinked. “Brother says if something unfortunate happens then it sucks to be you.”

The man’s eyebrows knit in confusion for a moment then he extended his hand again. “I’m Dartz. Welcome to the Kaiba estate.”

Ryou just watched the hand. “You smell funny.”

“It’s called cologne.”

The Kitten frowned. “I know that. Human!”

Dartz took a few steps forward and Ryou tensed, muscles bunching. Dartz kept his hand out and the Neko let out a warning yowl. Though it sounded brave enough to Ryou’s ears, Dartz broke composure and laughed into his hand.

“You are cute.”

His eyes widened and the Alabaster huffed. “That was a warning!” He did it again, this time the thin sound reaching his ears. He covered his mouth, angry with himself and at the man for laughing again.

“It’s alright, I understand. It means, “stay away” doesn’t it?”

Ryou sniffed, crossing his arms in triumph. “Yes it does.”

Dartz reached into his pocket and withdrew a tiny bell. He shook it and Ryou’s ears perked up. “Wouldn’t you like to play?”

Ryou took a step forward, then stopped. “Not with you! I’ll play on my own!” He jumped back then and darted down the hall, zigzagging before he disappeared again.

Dartz sighed and looked at the bell, ringing it before he returned it to his pocket.

Almost...

He turned around and went back to his rooms, thinking perhaps a better staging ground would be his office in the eat wing, a place the Kitten was familiar with.

**

Noa held his hands to his chest and peeked around the corner, his finger claw going to his mouth in nervous tension. His tail flicked a few times and when he saw nothing, he let out a soft sigh, his ears dropping.

There was no one. He thought maybe it was a better idea to go rest in his room and practice “Reading” like Mokuba asked.

He felt warmth next to him and turned to be confronted face to face with a smiling mouth with fangs.

“Well...aren’t you cute...”

Noa turned red and ducked down, covering his head. The elder Nekos at the mill had always beaten him for snooping. He knew he shouldn’t have followed, but he wanted to know.

The Alabaster smirked. “You’re the one behind the headaches aren’t you...I can feel it. You’ve got power.”

Noa looked up, his blue eyes wide with fear and confusion. “I’m sorry...” he whimpered.

“Fear is for the weak. Get up.”

Noa stood, his back to the wall, his ears still down. He couldn’t look the other Neko in the face so Bakura grabbed his chin.

“What does Kaiba want with you?”

“I’m...I belong to Master. M-mas -Mokuba is very nice to me.”

Bakura turned his face, looking him over. He could see the scr from where the Kitten’s ear had been split and the mended jaw beneath his fingers. This one had seen rough times.

“Where are you from boy?”

“M-mill?” he whispered, hoping this was right.

Bakura let his face go then. If this one was from a Mill, there wasn’t any need for him to keep all this up. He didn’t need the kid peeing his pants. He’d done enough research to know what they did in those places and how they treated the Kittens.

“How long have you been here?”

Noa blinked. “...A long...time?”

“Months? Years? What boy?”

Noa’s eyes teared up. He wasn’t good with times yet. “A -a month?”

Bakura growled and the boy’s eyes began leaking. “A long time.” the Kitten tried again. “I’m sorry, please don’t tell Master Mokuba.”

“Hn? Why the hell would I do that? Who’s Mokuba? That brat from today?”

Noa couldn’t believe it. Wasn’t he going to tell the Masters so they’d beat him? Isn’t that always what the older Nekos did?

This was too confusing and he wanted to hide under his bed, he was scared. He put his hands over his head again and slid down the wall, starting to cry.

Bakura stared.

“What the fuck?” he looked around, panicking a little. “Ah...” He thought of what he could say and decided to fall back on his Big Brother training. “Um...it’s okay....Little One?”

Somehow, this just made Noa cry harder, reaching out to cling on Bakura’s leg. He sighed and scratched his ears.

Just great...he swivelled his ear and smiled. Excellent. Rescue was here.

Bounding down the hall at full speed only stopping to launch into a pounce was Ryou. He headed right for Bakura, arms open wide.

“BIG BROTHER!” he laughed, catching Bakura around the neck. He spun them around and stood up, nuzzling the elder Neko and purring loudly. “There ware windows!”

Bakura rubbed his brother’s head. He knew Ryou loved that kind of thing, even if it did take him a while to learn not to run into clear glass.

“Ryou...we’ve got a problem.”

“Nya?” Ryou looked down and saw the crying Kitten who was still attached to Bakura’s leg. His pupils narrowed and he yowled, flexing his claws as jealousy surged. He yanked Noa off of Bakura.

“Get away!” he said, tail thrashing. “He’s my Big Brother!”

“Ryou!” the elder snapped. “Get a hold of yourself!”

Ryou pouted, turning to face him. “But he was rubbing on your leg...”

Bakura would have laughed, but there was a situation at hand. “This is Kaiba’s Neko. Little Kaiba’s Neko.”

“Oh -HEY!”

Noa was now attached to Ryou’s leg, crying and calling out like there was no tomorrow. Ryou frowned and looked at his brother.

“He cries a lot.”

Bakura shook his head. “You used to be the same way...” He squatted down and got the Kitten off of Ryou, holding his arms so he wouldn’t grip anything else. “Hey...um...Little One. Get a hold of yourself. We’re not telling anyone anything. Hey...”

Noa was meowing and wailing for them not to beat him and that he’d be good, just not to tell Mokuba. Ryou squatted down and stared at the Kitten. He raised his hand and smacked him. Twice.

Noa stopped crying and sniffled. “Ow...”

“Crying’s for the weak!” Ryou recited, Bakura very proud.

Noa sniffled more and looked at Bakura who was holding his arms. “...hurts.”

Bakura let him go and he and Ryou stood there, watching him. The younger Alabaster gently kicked him.

“Hey, you gonna get up?”

“Ryou!” Bakura hissed. He didn’t know whether to be proud or horrified. To be honest with himself, he knew he was a sucker for Kittens and was all for trying to comfort, but he’d never seen Ryou act this way.

“Hey.” Ryou kicked again. “Get up Wimpy Kitty.”

Noa got up and wiped his face, staring at the floor. He went to Ryou and hugged him and the bigger Kitten looked down at him.

“No.” he said and karate chopped him in the neck.

Noa fell to the floor unconscious and Bakura’s mouth dropped open. “RYOU!”

He looked at his brother, smiling. “No one touches me but you, right Big Brother?”

Bakura covered his eyes. He’d created a monster.

****

Yugi came back from the bathroom, fully intending to go back to Gym when he saw two familiar Neko crouched outside a class room, their ears perked up near the door. He went over and squatted down, the brunette Neko smiling at him cryptically.

“It’s Yugi. See Eiji, I told you others would come.”

“Nya...Fuji...what if Jin-san catches us?”

“No way...Kenshin is running interference for us...” the tensai Neko smirked and cracked the door open a little more. “He’s talking to his boyfriend...”

“The gangster from the islands?” the Kitten asked.

“Hoi hoi!” Eiji answered.

Yugi’s ears went up and he scooted closer, eyes widening as he looked over his shoulder. Croched down with a notebook in hand, an Inu with square glasses scribbled as they listened.

“Inui...” Yugi whispered.

“Hai...” the Inu woofed, continuing to scribble.

Before long, quite a group had gathered and they were all so intent on listening, they didn’t notice the arrival of one miffed looking Neko.

“So, how is eavesdropping apart of your education?”

Everyone froze and looked up. It was Tira-sensei.

Everyone sweat dropped as she put a familiar cap on her head. “Now...you can all go back to class the easy way...”

People began running for it then.

“Or...” She looked around, upset that no one had stayed for the hard way. “Dammit.”

In that moment, the door came open and Jin-sensei poked his head out. “Tira?”

“Hello. Just passing by. Phone call?”

“Yes, to my CPA.”

“Ahhh...”

Around the corner, Yugi frowned at Fuji. “His CPA?”

Fuji shrugged and Inui snapped his notebook closed. “Ii data...”

Yugi shook his head. All that for nothing...

****

When Mokuba came home he was surprised to find Noa laid out on his bed. The Kitten appeared to be sleeping, but when he poked him, there was no response.

“Noa?”

**

Ryou sat with his back to Bakura, his arms crossed his tail flicking angrily. “He touched me! He touched you!”

“Jealousy is for fools Ryou. You will apologize. He can help us scout this place and find out more about Kaiba. He’s got great power.”

“I have great power!”

“Ryou!”

“No!” the Kitten said, running to the closet and shutting the door.

Bakura rolled his eyes and flopped on the bed.

Kittens.

****
*So, how was that? I already want to write more.
*Please review, don’t just lurk! ^w^ I want to hear from you!
*Schwarzwald loves Prince of Tennis. Can ya tell?