A Home of Our Own

A Home of Our Own

Summary: Kimi ga Iru AU. Neko fic! Nya nya!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh. If I did…*begins to laugh evilly*
Warning: none
Author’s Note: I’ve been thinking about this for a few days. Hi again.


What can You do?

Seto looked at the bandages on Dartz’s chest and sighed, leaning back from the other young man.

“What were you trying to do?”

“Get information.” He said smugly. “I would have gotten it too if –”

The brunette shook his head. “If it weren’t for those meddling kids. Yeah, whatever…that other Alabaster almost slit my throat…they’re a dangerous pair.”

“Yes, but they’re just filthy Nekos…”

Seto sighed again and got up. “I need to go to sleep. Are you going to be awake?”

“Probably. Good night…” Dartz watched Seto leave and scowled, rubbing his chest.

Good for nothing fur ball…cute, good for nothing fur ball… a small rumble left Dartz chest and the man laid his head down on his desk. Here kitty kitty…

****

Yami purred and let Amelda wrap his arms around him as they lay in bed, the red haired Neko licking at the back of his neck.

“Will you be here in the morning?”

“No, I have to run the shop…”

“I’m sure the kid can manage…” he leaned over and kissed the tri-color’s mouth, slipping his tongue between fangs. “Stay…” he purred.

Yami nodded absently and relaxed totally, his purrs building to a crescendo. He felt their tails entwine and glanced at the clock. “Let’s go to sleep…”

“hmmm…”

****

Jou sat out in the alley watching the sun come into the narrow street gradually as the sun came up. It was a chilly summer morning but he knew it would heat up soon and that’s why he was still shirtless. Shizuka wandered out and handed him a bowl of kibble to which he thanked her. She left him and he ate it absently.

Varon wouldn’t be coming back. He knew that was a definite and he knew he probably wouldn’t be going to visit Matty again anytime soon.

He knew last night was a mistake. He’d put it off so long because he knew Varon was only affected by the heat while he himself…

You stupid git…you should have known better…

Honda came out, stretching, his tail wagging close to Jou’s face. “Good morning…” the teenage pup said.

“Hey Honda…”

“Where’s…you know?”

“Ah, he’s gone.”

The Inu relaxed. “Finally!” He flopped down beside Jou and leaned on him, taking in his scent. “Not in heat anymore?”

“No.”

“We should go look for food today. Otogi’s already gone.”

“I know, I saw him leave.”

“Hm.”

They sat outside of the den door, gazing into the alley, watching stray cats pass and listening to the world of cars and men just beyond the alley entrance. Jou sighed and stood, running a hand through his blond hair.

“You look for food…I’m going back to sleep.”

“Alright…” Honda watched Jou go back inside and smiled to himself.

Now he’ll have to be with me…

****

When Yugi woke up, the first thing he noticed was the weight on the other side of his bed. He frowned and pushed it off, alarmed when it protested as it thunked to the floor.

Marik sat up looking pissed, his golden spikes mussed from sleep. “Damn it Yugi!”

“Oh! It’s you! I thought you were Yami…” the Kitten got out of bed and opened the door. He went down the hall and burst into Yami’s room, shouting about breakfast. When he found no one, he burst into his Grandpa’s room, shouting about breakfast.

Marik followed him, hands over ears. ‘Why are you making all that noise! Damn!”

Yugi stood there a moment, tail swishing against the floor. “Breakfast?”

“Make your own.”

“I’m not allowed to use the stove.” The boy crossed his arms and sat on the floor. “Yami will come home and he’ll make me breakfast.”

Marik blinked and promptly kicked Yugi in the ass. “GET DOWNSTAIRS!”

The boy whined and scrambled away, complaining that the Golden Neko was being mean.

And hour later, after many failures, Yugi sat down to burned toast and hard fried eggs and a bowl of Kitten kibble complete with awkwardly cut bananas.

Marik sat across from him, wolfing down his kibble, reading the box.

“Marik…”

“What?” the Neko said, crunching loudly.

“…when’s Yami coming home?”

“I dunno. Did you know, felines were worshipped as gods? That’s awesome…”

“Because he said he’d take me to the park today and I’m not allowed outside by myself anymore after you guys kidnapped me that one time…”

Marik wasn’t listening and polished off his bowl, slurping the milk. “Don’t you have to run the shop downstairs?”

Yugi poked at his food and answered absently. “Yami runs the shop when Grandpa isn’t here.”

“Why can’t you?”

“Yami says I’m not allowed to touch the cash machine…or anything else.”

The Neko looked confused. “But…Malik said you two were in accounting class and you aced everything.”

“But Yami says I’ll mess things up so I’m not allowed near the register. I don’t want this, can I have more kibble?”

Marik hugged the box. “No, eat your crummy eggs.”

The youth sighed and began eating, knowing by now that Marik wouldn’t put up with his complaining. The Neko’s cell phone rang and Marik answered, looking bored.

“Huh…really…alright then. Bye already…” he hung up and stood. “Sorry Chibi, I gotta go.”

Yugi’s ears drooped. “But –but I’m not supposed to be home alone!”

“Too bad! See ya!” the Neko left and Yugi sat there at the kitchen table, poking idly at his crummy eggs. He dropped his fork and started to cry.

Life sucked.

****

Ryou frowned in his sleep and got up with the last insistent push. He gave a wide yawn and turned over, trying to bury back into the covers, whining when they were pulled away.

“Get up Ryou. Come on, I’ve let you sleep all day. Time to train.”

The kitten sat up slowly, his ears swiveling on his head as he regained his senses. Bakura stood nearby, hands on his hips, tail flicking idly.

“Come on.”

“Meooow….” The kitten announced tiredly, face falling into the pillow.

Bakura laughed and smacked the boy on the rump, Ryou jumping and getting out of the bed slowly.

“Go take a shower too…”

“Why…”

“Ryou.” He said firmly.

The kitten’s ears snapped up and he went to it, going to gather one of two clean shirts from their clothes pile. He disappeared and Bakura relaxed, taking up a paper he’d recently pilfered.

It seemed Sugoroku’s trial would be a speedy one.

He was deeply into some story about the latest crime when Ryou came in and got into the arm chair with him. The boy looked at the paper, curious.

“What does it say?”

“It’s about some crimes.”

Ryou nodded, staring at the paper with the older Neko and not recognizing anything. Bakura began to read and Ryou settled against his shoulder, pretending he was following along with his eyes.

Bakura glanced at him. “What are you doing?”

“Reading?”

A skilled finger pointed to an advertisement. “What does this say?”

Ryou looked at it, his ears flattening at bit. “Something about a crime?”

“Hmmm…” the white haired Neko folded the paper and patted Ryou’s cheek. “I’ll teach you to read.”

“Hmmm…” the kitten imitated, staring up into Bakura’s face.

“You’re too cute.” He ruffled the boy’s hair and indicated that he should get up. Bakura put the paper down and motioned Ryou into the middle of the floor. “Stretches then we’ll warm up.”

The youth did as he was told enthusiastically counting off, tapping Bakura with his tail when the older Neko came to stretch beside him. Bakura laughed and they had a brief tail fight as they stretched. When they finished, Ryou batted Bakura’s ear, hopping around on the pads of his feet.

“Ryou, come on, be serious!”

“Mew!” he announced, swatting his brother’s ear.

“Ryou…”

Then the kitten tugged his tail and ran from the room. Bakura sighed and gave chase.

“Ryouuuu!” he called, looking down the stair well and down the hall to other abandoned apartments.

“meow?” came the faint cry.

“Mao!” he called strongly. “Get back here!”

All he got was laughter.

It’s one of those days…

****

Yugi stood behind the counter, tail twitching nervously as he saw another customer come through the door. So far three people had come and everything had gone well, but he didn’t know how to work the register and was telling everyone it was broken. He was so inept, that customers were taking pity on him and helping him add up the totals.

He looked at the neat bills stacks behind the desk and flicked his tail, worried as it looked like the person wanted to ask him questions.

“Hello there Kitty, is your human here?”

Yugi’s ears drooped. “Grandpa isn’t here…I can try and help you.”

The woman put a package on the counter, still in the box. “I got the wrong one, apparently the little darling wanted the Kuriboh light up chase toy, not the Beta warrior one.”

Yugi nodded, staring at the toy. He had one of those upstairs. He took the package and nodded again.

“Okay. Thank you. Goodbye.”

They both just stood there and the woman chuckled. “Well, aren’t you going to exchange it with the proper one?”

Yugi blinked. He didn’t know anything about that. He pointed over to one of the shelves. “We have Kuribohs over there.”

“I’m aware of that, however, I won’t be buying one today. I’d like my money back.”

The kitten blinked again and the woman seemed to run out of patience.

“Where’s your human? Isn’t there another Neko who lives here as well? Where is he?”

Panic rose in the kitten’s chest. “No one’s here! Why don’t you just get a Kuriboh off the shelf right there?”

“Because I’d like my money back!” she said frowning. “Who’s in charge here! Why is an idiot like you at the desk?! Hm?!”

Yugi decided he didn’t like her tone and hissed at her, clutching the Beta toy to his chest.

“You little –Just give me back my money! Is eighteen hundred yen too much to ask!?”

She reached for him and the kitten jumped back.

“Ma’am, step away from the counter. I can help you.”

Yugi looked relieved as Yami came in and took over, shooing the kitten away from the counter. He shook his head when he saw the money behind the counter and quickly gave the woman the amount plus change after glancing at the receipt Yugi had failed to even notice or ask for.

The woman left after giving the older Neko an earful about letting socially challenged Neko run shops. He bowed in apology and turned his gaze on Yugi when she was gone.

“Who told you to come out here and open shop? You know you’re not allowed near the register! What have you been doing all morning?”

Yugi’s ears drooped. “But Yami, the sign says we’re open today and you didn’t come home so –”

The toy was snatched from his grasp and put on the counter, the elder Neko snorting in disgust.

“God, why can’t you just do what you’re told! Go back to your room!”

“But –but Grandpa says I’m allowed to sit in the shop –”

“GRANDPA ISN’T HERE! NOW GO!”

Yugi jumped and fled upstairs, slamming his door, he didn’t know why Yami was angry, he’d done his absolute best and hadn’t had any problems until that woman came along. He hugged his pillow and curled up, watching the door.

Downstairs, Yami paced the shop, ticked off. He really hadn’t wanted to leave Amelda this morning, the red haired Neko making him sausage and oatmeal with honey. He had no idea where the Neko got all that food but it was wonderful to be taken care of for once. He headed upstairs, crimson tipped tail flicking angrily.

He’d explain and maybe apologize. Or at least, that was his plan until he saw the kitchen.

There were dirty dishes everywhere and a few broken eggs on the counter. Yami clenched his fists and tired to count to ten but it didn’t work.

“YUGI!”

In his room, Yugi flinched and headed under the bed just before the door slammed open.

“YUGI! Get your ass out here! What the fuck were you doing in there?! Huh?”

The kitten pressed himself between the wall and corner underneath the bed, afraid to face the other Neko.

“I am not cleaning that up and if you think I am –” Yami growled. “Damn it why can’t you grow up! I don’t want you to bring me down for the rest of my life! It wasn’t supposed to be this way!”

Yugi heard Yami storm out, slamming the door and he stayed under the bed.

Then how was it supposed to be…

****

Ryou purred, licking the side of Bakura’s jaw as they lounged in bed. After a game of hide and seek and tail tag in the morning, Bakura had finally gotten the kitten calmed down enough. Too bad he was so worn out he needed a nap now, but Ryou still wasn’t going to let him do that without some more quality time.

Despite what people liked to think or even how he treated Ryou on missions, he still doted on his little brother more than he should. The younger Neko meowed in his ear and he answered in kind. Though human language was their primary communication, a lot could be said through a series of “cat-like” vocalizations which Ryou seemed to prefer.

“Mrrr?” the kitten asked, holding the end of Bakura’s tail in his hand.

“Hmmm…not tonight no. I think we gave Kaiba a scare.”

“Mrrrn.” Ryou looked into his big brother’s face as he was lazily groomed, his ears getting a thorough licking. “Meow.”

“Shh, just go to sleep. I’m tired just now so go to sleep.”

“Hm.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get us something for dinner for sure.” He rubbed the back of his finger against the smooth skin of Ryou’s belly, the kitten deciding mid-morning that clothes weren’t that necessary for the day. Bakura’d made him put on boxers in the very least and now they both laid around in their skivvies, the only sound were purrs and whirrs of the old ceiling fan.

Ryou purred and scooted closer to Bakura, trying to keep that warmth. He didn’t ever want to lost his, his big brother, this warmth.

“Bakura…”

“Hm…” he responded sleepily.

“Do you miss him?”

“I do. He died so we could live. Now to sleep.”

“Tell me a story?”

“You’re too old.” They sat there in silence for a bit until Bakura repositioned himself so that he could lean over Ryou, propped on an elbow. “Fine…”

Ryou smiled his “I win” smile and relaxed.

“A long time ago…in um…Egypt…there was a thief like no other…”

“Ooo! Was it Akefia?”

“No you fool, listen…” Bakura paused, realizing he didn’t have anything else. “Yeah, okay, it was Akefia.”

“Yes! Was I there?”

“Do you want to hear a story?”

Ryou shut up and Bakura smiled, pressing their foreheads together. “Yes, but this story is much different. There wasn’t Akefia. This is after his time. This is the story of the great thief Ryou. Thief of Hearts!”

“Oooo!”

Bakura tickled him and kissed him on the mouth, the kitten smiling and turning pink.

“Story?”

“Yeah, whatever…so there was Ryou…”

****

When Yugi left his room, it was nightfall and the house was quiet. He crept downstairs and into the kitchen where he saw notes all over in big bold letters that essentially said: DO NOT TOUCH, YUGI THIS MEANS YOU! .

He saw a note on the phone and some money attached giving him the number to a pizza place. The kitten frowned inwardly and reached for the money.

“I can’t believe this shit. What’d you do to piss him off?”

Yugi jumped, then relaxed, seeing it was Marik. He wondered how the Neko got in, but dismissed it from his mind. “I…breakfast.”

“yeah…I should’ve told you to wash those huh?” Marik went over and looked at the note by the phone. “This sucks. I can’t believe him. Has he been home at all today?”

Yugi got excited. “I ran the shop!”

“You did!” Marik ruffled his hair and looked at the note again. “Was he here?”

“Yes…he got mad, really mad and –”

Marik put his finger to the boy’s lips. “Want to get pizza?”

Yugi nodded, not feeling awkward when Marik pulled him close.

“Malik got his head stuck between the banisters today. Where do you want to go?”

The kitten flicked his tail. “Pizza!”

Marik chuckled and leaned their foreheads together. “How about we don’t get pizza and just go where ever we want?”

The younger Neko seemed to like this idea so the Golden smirked. “Cool. Go turn off al the lights and grab your jacket, it’s cold out there. We’re going on my motorcycle.”

“Alright!”

Yugi ran off and Marik shook his head at the note.

Stupid stupid Pharaoh…leaving him all alone. Who knows who could show up to claim your precious Aibou …

****

Seto looked at his step brother and shook his head. “You’re out of your fucking mind.”

“It’s the perfect trap. You’ll have him where you want him if you have the younger brother.”

“I don’t think so Dartz. I don’t even know the scope of his psionic powers! It could be something horrible.”

The aqua haired man shook his head. “I think we’ve got a chance here and you’re not taking it. That boy is a kitten! We could easily lure him –”

“He does nothing without the consent of Bakura. Nothing.”

Dartz sat back and thought about this, watching the blue lizard hybrid on Seto’s shoulder. “Let me try, at least on the younger one.”

“You don’t know what you’re doing. Let me try my way first and then I’ll let you loose. Alright?”

“Why do you always think you can have formal sit downs with crazies?!”

Seto leaned back, smirking. “Because I just had one and was successful.”

Dartz frowned. “You jackass.”

“I love you too Older Brother.”

“Shut the fuck up…”

“Mwa ha ha…”


Elsewhere in the house, Mokuba pointed to the individual words with a pointer, trying to get Noa to sound them out.

“St-sutar…l-la….”

“Come on Noa, I know you can do it. Remember, you read that other book so well!”

The Neko colored and focused back on the book. “Star?”

“That’s right. Now, that other word…” he pointed to the lamp. “What is that?”

“A…light?”

“Exactly! Now, read it! You’re doing well!”

Noa beamed and looked at the book. “Star light…star…bu –bu –bright, first star…I’ve seen tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might get the wish…I wish tonight! It sounds like music!”

Mokuba nodded. “Yup. It’s called Rhyming!”

Noa turned the page and stopped. “It’s a lot of words….”

“I know, just read the first part and we’ll quit for tonight it’s nearly bedtime!”

Noa nodded and began again. “Oh…no, not…a…gain?”

“Again.”

“Not again…Ray sha- sha- shook his head and…crawsed his arms!”

“Crossed.”

“Crossed his arms. The ch-chilled?”

“Child.”

“Child saw Spaaarkle?”

“Yes, keep going.”

Noa nodded and read on confindently. “The child saw Sparkle first. That’s not…first?”

“Try again, read the word, sound it out.”

“F-f-far?”

Mokuba tapped the word, moving his finger under it. “Fair. Say it for me?”

“Fair.” The Neko said, looking to Mokuba for approval.

The boy smiled and closed the book. “We’ll finish this one tomorrow, alright?”

“Okay.”

They left the desk and Mokuba got up and went over to the bed side lamp. “Alright, get ready for bed, I’ll be back when I get my pajama’s on.” The boy left the room and Noa went back over to the book.

Does this make a wish come true? This word music? the boy went over to the window and stared out. There seemed to be a lot of stars.

Oh no… he stared and stared until he decided he found one he liked and said the words over again, clasping his hands together.

A knock came before he realized it and Mokuba came back into the room in his green pajamas.

“Noa…come on.” He went over to the dresser and got out some pajamas. “Come here you…”

The kitten went over, leaning into the petting he received.

“Now, come on, let’s get out of those clothes and into our pajamas.”

Noa did as he was instructed, lifting and putting things on, smiling when he was done. Mokuba cupped his face and rubbed their noses together.

“So! Where are we sleeping tonight?!”

“Master’s room!?”

Mokuba tapped Noa on the nose. “What have I told you about that? I’m your friend. Let’s go to my room! I’ll race you!”

Noa’s ears perked up and he dashed out of the room, not realizing Mokuba was giving him a head start and ran down the hall, slowing when he saw Dartz. He stopped as the man neared him, backing against the wall and lowering his eyes. Dartz sniffed and walked past him.

Stupid filthy Neko trash… the man thought.

“Master Mokuba says I smell good…” he murmured, ears drooping.

Dartz stopped in his tracks and turned to regard the kitten. “What did you say?”

Noa paled. “I just said –I said that Master Noa thinks I smell good that he likes me and he thinks I smell good he makes me take baths and –” He began to panic as Dartz neared, tears springing to his eyes.

Great, now he’s going to cry! I should smack him anyway and tell Mokuba he fell down or something…

Noa began to cry them, cowering. “Please don’t hit me! I’m sorry! I’ll tell Master Mokuba I fell, please don’t his me!”

That stopped Dartz right in his tracks. Can he…can you hear me!?

Noa nodded and cried harder, spotting Mokuba and running to him. He fled into the young teens arms, wailing as Dartz neared them.

“DARTZ!” Mokuba yelled. “What did you do!? I’m tellin’ Seto!”

“That damn thing can read minds!” he pointed accusingly. “He can read minds!”

Noa cried and cowered, anger building in Mokuba’s features. “You’ll do anything won’t you! GET AWAY FROM HIM!”

Seto rounded the corner, coming to bid Mokuba goodnight and saw what was happening. He put himself between Dartz and the two boys, looking at them both.

“What happened?”

“Dartz –”

“Seto! It can read minds!”

Seto’s blue eyes settled on Noa who was oblivious and crying. “Yes, well, that makes no difference here Dartz.” He looked at the man. “Stay away from him, understand? He’s Mokuba’s.”

“But he could be vital –”

A screech was heard and a blue lizard swooped down to land on Seto’s shoulder. The man scratched under its chin and looked at Mokuba.

“Take him back to his room, alright? Stay with him till he calms down. Good night Dartz.”

The man stormed past them all and left the area, huffing. Mokuba looked at Seto.

“He’s lying. Noa can’t do that! If he could…why can’t he read better or…anything like that? There’s no such thing anyway!”

Seto came over and stroked Noa’s hair, trying to comfort the kitten. “There are such things…but it doesn’t matter. Just take him back to his room.”

Mokuba nodded and led Noa away, the kitten beginning to hiccup.


In the room, Mokuba tucked him in and sat on the bed, stroking the Neko’s ears, trying to get him to calm down.

“He won’t hit you or hurt you. I promise.”

“But he said –”

“I’ll never let him hurt you! You hear me? Never!”

Noa looked at him and nodded, reaching for the boy’s hand. “Master Mokuba?”

“hm?”

The kitten smiled, growing sleepy. “I want to stay here.”

“I know. I want you to stay.”

Noa closed his eyes and held the hand closer to his face, murmuring to himself.

Mokuba’s hair fell over his eyes as he smiled, responding.

“I love you too.”


****
*EFC: Experimental Feline Companion FFFC: Freedom for Feline Companions
* AUGH! Dartz is so mean! So mean! And Marik, so so sinister but sweet and stupid Yami! I hate you Neko yami! You suck! *throws alarm clock*
*I’d like to thank Wicabeth for the inspiration for this fic!
*Schwarzwald loves ya’ll!