Born of Shadows

I know, I'm dragging it out and all. I love the idea of Jou and Kaiba spending bonding time together, learning special things about each other that have nothing to do with the magic of the realm. Here we have a few examples.

Term

Term: n.{ME terme < OFr < L terminus, a limit, boundary, end < IE *termV, a boundary stake < base *ter3, to cross over, go beyond > TRANS3, Gr terma, goal}
1 orig., a point of time designating the beginning or end of a period
2 a set date, as for payment, termination of tenancy, etc.
3 a set period of time; duration; specif., a) a division of a school year, as a semester or quarter, during which a course of studies is given >b) the stipulated duration of an appointment to a particular office !elected to a four-year term" c) the normal elapsed period for birth after conception; also, delivery at the end of this period; parturition
(I have actually found thirteen definitions for this word, but these seem to be the one's that best describe this chapter.)


Months passed, and the cycle of the Shadows was only marked by the degree of light that filtered through the windows of the shadow house. Master was the marker of time, and the Shadows took their call from his body and the desires of his flesh.
The days felt short but they could have stretched on well past the normal hours that a day would entail.
Yugi and Yami had stayed on for several of these before venturing out to explore more of the realm of Shadow and while they were away the house settled into a wonderfully calm routine.
The pets continued to play and were free to visit with each other whenever they wished, Puppy and Monkey being the most transient of the lot. They spent a great deal of time in the Aviary and Master chuckled when he thought on it. Canary and Robin did not really wish for the visits, and often sent them away with much squawking and a great deal of flying feathers.
The rodent cage was always a bustle of activity and Master would often sit back and watch as the inhabitants ran from one piece of equipment to another, Kitty often lying near, ignoring the whole affair.
Master would curl up at night, with Kitty at his side and ponder on the way things were progressing.
Kitty had improved within days, just as Yami had predicted, and was now back to his normal self. Well, as normal as one could be under these circumstances.
Master had been patient as his pet began to undergo changes and mood swings were not unusual. Kitty was a dangerous pet when crossed and so Master would try to keep out of range of those near deadly claws. It was all part of the wonder that was Kitty in this condition.
At night when they were together and alone, Master would talk to his special pet and depending on his mood, Kitty would answer the questions placed by the blond.
“How are you feeling today?” was the information desired this night.
“I am fine. Don’t worry so much.” Was the response that was mewled out at him.
“I can’t help it. This is an unusual situation, you know.” Master would argue.
“I think I know that very well. But, I feel fine. Other than the excess weight I seem to be carrying around.” Kitty yowled at him.
Master was all too aware of the bulge along the length of Kitty’s tummy and was often tempted to pet it possessively. Only the thought that Kitty might find that move intrusive had stayed his hand. It was developing rapidly and he wasn’t sure how long he would be able to resist its draw.
“I’ll bet that is hard. How does it feel, Kitty?”
“What?” Kitty asked looking up from where he was curled up next to Master.
“I said how does it feel? I haven’t ever had anything like this, and I was curious.”
“If that is the case, then you should have just felt it. Or are we talking about something deeper?” Kitty asked, becoming teasing in his responses.
“I meant both. But, mostly I have been wondering what it would feel like to touch it, and if I could feel them in there.” Master said, finally stating boldly what had been calling to him for some time.
Kitty smiled and rolled onto his back, tilting his head and regarding Master oddly.
“You were never afraid to rub my tummy before.” He said.
Master looked on in surprise before reaching his hand out and grazing the soft skin only slightly. His fingers made contact and the warm feel of the skin drew him on. Now he allowed his hand to rest against the rise of flesh and slide slowly down its length. It was warm and firm and as his hand worked down he noted the lumpy feeling of several distinct shapes.
“I think I can feel them. Here and here.” He said.
Kitty pulled his hand over and down the side of his midsection. “Try here.” He said and a new bump made Master smile. “I feel them shift in the night. It sometimes wakes me up.” Kitty said as the small bump shifted under Masters fingers.
“Do you know what I wish? I wish I had my camera. This is the only chance I would ever have to get a picture of you, and I left it at home.” Master said, wistfully.
“Be glad you forgot it. If you took my picture, I might claw your eyes out. I will not become a poster boy for Pampers.” Kitty groused.
“How about for the reason to have your pet spayed or neutered?” Asked master, with a bright smile.
Kitty stared at him for a long moment. “Don’t even think of it.” He asserted.

Yami and Yugi returned and came to the door of the Shadow Mansion ungreeted. The pets were napping in various places around the house and Master was preparing for the chore of feeding them. He heard the sound of his door from the kitchen area and went to investigate.
“Hey, Yams. Yug. I wasn’t sure you were coming back. Come on in.” and the two followed him through his halls. “You’re just in time. I could use some help here.” And he handed them each a large bowl full of foodstuffs and a bag of water bottles to take to the rooms of his house.
They looked at him bemused, but followed obediently. It was Master’s house after all.
In the room of the rodents, Yami placed his bowl and bag down, watching as Rat and Hamster stretched and yawned from their pile of fluff. He looked around and found Mouse and Gerbil in another part of the room, curled around each other and looking thoroughly sated.
“I don’t even want to know,” he said as the two larger vermin had crawled up and sat before the three of them.
“That’s good, Pharaoh. Sometimes it is best to mind your own business,” Rat snipped.
“Leave him, Rat. The Pharaoh has his own kinks, and we all know it. If you don’t want to share, we can leave it at that. But, opinions are like ass-holes and we don’t want yours.” Hamster said, clawing delicately behind Rat’s ear.
Master smiled and tapped Yugi’s shoulder lightly. The smaller man stood and followed him, with Yami a close last out of the door. Rat and Hamster began to nibble at the food from where they sat near each other.
“Um, Yami?” Yugi began. Yami glared at him slightly, before he had the courage to continue. “What did Bakura mean? I didn’t know you had . . . em, kinks.”
“We will talk about this later, Aibou.” And the Pharaoh was once more silent.
Next they delivered a bowl of food to the Avery and found Puppy and Monkey there. Master tsked at his recalcitrant pets.
“You two, OUT. Your food will be in the sitting room, and let the birds eat in peace.” Master ordered and the two slunk out the door. Yami watched and Yugi hid a smile under his hand.
“Where is Kitty?” Yami asked.
“In the bedroom. Come on.” He said leading them down the halls.
One more stop to deliver the food for the naughty pair and they stood before the bedroom door.
“He’s probably sleeping, so don’t wake him if you can help it. It’s harder for him to sleep these days and I hate waking him early.” Master warned as they opened the door and crept through.
Kitty lay curled up in the middle of the bed, his distended abdomen propping up his arm and leg. The position did not look comfortable, and from the look that filled his face it wasn’t. Kitty looked intensely irritated and his paws twitched in a distracted way.
Yami smirked as Yugi awed the silent sleeper. Master placed the plate of food on a bedside table and returned to the duo at the door. He pushed them back and carefully closed the door.
“He seems well,” Yami said.
“Very healthy. I guess it’s getting close, huh Yami?” Yugi asked. The pharaoh shrugged and followed Master to the sitting room.
The other pets were waiting as they arrived and opened the covered trays to have their meals. Puppy settled down to devour his bowl full, as Monkey gently picked at the fruits in his own. Yami and Yugi took an offered plate and smiled their thanks.
“So, how long are ya staying for this time, Yams?” Master asked as the rest ate.
“Until the end. We will stay as long as the shadows deem it necessary. Is that alright with you, Master?” Yami said, looking up at the blond. Master took his turn at shrugging and continued on his own meal. “We have brought our own supplies, so yours will not be in jeopardy from our stay.”
“Yami tell him what else you brought,” Yugi said, his enthusiasm hard to mask. Yami’s eyes were downcast as Master turned back to him.
“What’s up, Yams?” Master asked. Yami looked up, smiling evilly and Master gulped.

Reviewer notes:

Ann - Thank you for the mention of my prior warning, it was confusing for some cause it took so long. I did also mention in one chapter that it was an MPREG with a twist, so the triplets should also have been only a half surprise. Besides what cat have you ever heard of not having at least a few in their litter? Our cat just had four about two weeks ago. The kittens will be the tie-in to the whole plot, keep watch.

To all others, sorry for leaving at such an inopportune time, but hey - Cliffhangers are just so fun to set up.