Fall of the Dice

Chapter three: Ante up and Check your cards


Though the conversation was pleasant, Seto wondered why Ryuuji had not shown up for breakfast. He excused himself from the table to go find the missing teen.
Nanashi watched him go and quickly excused herself asking if the other two would mind cleaning up the kitchen for her.
In the hallway upstairs, she found the CEO leaning against the last door, tapping lightly. He got no answer and when he turned he saw the girl standing at the end of the hall.
“Where is Otogi?” he asked.
“He’s not far. I suppose you would miss him, since you want him so much. Why, Seto?”
“Why what?” the brunet asked.
“Why Ryuuji? Why do you want him out of everyone you know? Why not one of them?” she asked indicating the two downstairs currently arguing over who got to wash and dry so loudly they could be heard over the distance.
Seto scoffed. “A loud mouth mutt or an idiot, there’s a choice. When I could have an exotic beauty with class and a mind. Perhaps you aren’t so close to your cousin if you don’t know how smart he is. I need that kind of stimulation from my lover. I doubt the mutt could keep up a decent conversation, and the other is a lost cause.”
“I see. You want Ryuuji’s mind?” she asked.
“I didn’t say that. Why do you want to know this? Are you some overprotective relative?”
“I am just curious. And if Ryuuji is going to chose one of you, there is more that you should know about him.” As she spoke she moved closer to the other, her hands crossing her waist and the soft pink of the apron shifting as her steps brought her near. “He has a secret.” She whispered as she arrived.
Seto could smell her perfume and the scent was heady. He noted that she stood the same height as her cousin and had the exact same eyes, minus the huge amounts of eye make-up Ryuuji normally wore. “Secret? I don’t understand.” He admitted. He didn’t like having her this close, and yet couldn’t bring himself to push her away.
“Damn, I knew I should have worn the heels,” she said under her breath as she leaned closer. “Seto, I am Ryuuji.” And it clicked into place just when the soft petal pink lips connected as she rose on her toes.
His hands rose to grab hold of the body before him just as Jou and Honda reached the landing and heard the confession. He felt the shape of the body under the layers of fabric and gently pushed it away.
“Ryuuji?” he said.
“What da hell?” came the response from down the hall, and they both turned to see the other two staring.
“Did you finish the dishes, so soon?” came a voice that was definitely not the soft angel tone that she had used downstairs.
Honda was struck dumb as Jou stuttered. “Y-you, You are, are R-ryuuji?” he asked.
The response came as Ryuuji moved a step away from Kaiba and stood firmly, his body language so completely the Ryuuji they knew.
“Don’t be lame, Jou. Yes, it’s really me. In fact this is the true Ryuuji, and it’s not something you are going to be able to forget, is it? So, now that you know about my slightly kinky side, anyone ready to leave early?”
“Wait, is this a test? Did you dress this way to spy on us? Or are you trying to discourage us?” Seto asked, his body tense.
“No. I dress like this whenever I come up here. It is why I come here in the first place. I call this my escape retreat, but I think I will call it Nanashi’s Cabin from now on. I like to do this and I can’t back in Domino. Well, not where anyone could catch me.”
“So, you like wearing women’s clothing or pretending to be a girl?” was Honda’s first response. The other two stared at him.
Ryuuji smiled at the brute and slowly closed the distance; his walk returning to the character he had portrayed for them earlier. Honda swallowed as he watched her approach. Eh, him approach.
“Hiroto-kun, I like both. It’s a challenge to fool an unsuspecting delivery boy when he brings pizza and it’s wonderful to have soft lacy things brushing against my skin. I like to lose myself in the world of my fetish. Have you any idea how it feels to run my hands over a pair of silk panties on my ass?” He had reached Honda and it was all the shorthaired boy could do not to reach out and feel for himself.
“Gods, Ryuuji! Don’t say things like that.” He gasped. Ryuuji smiled and brushed very close to the taller brunet, his lips temptingly close.
“I believe I owe you a kiss goodnight,” he whispered. Honda shuddered.
“Okay, so you like ta dress like a girl. It’s not like you aren’t pretty enough. But, why did ya bring us up here?” Jou said, uncomfortable at how close Ryuuji and Honda were. He had been feeling this irritation ever since he had heard the confession and saw how close Kaiba and Ryuuji were.
The cross-dressing teen turned her, eh his attention on the blond, moving away and hearing what had to be a sigh from the brunet. If Honda breathed out in relief of their proximity from nervousness, or discomfort, Ryuuji wasn’t sure yet.
“Katsuya, I think you would be able to figure this out, but I will tell you. If I have to choose this is the criterion by which my choice will be based. How can I have any kind of relationship with anyone who doesn’t know the real me?”
“Oh. Okay, so what are we gonna do today? I mean now that we got all this outta the way.” Jou asked, wondering if Seto was going to call him a name over that one.
Ryuuji laughed. It tinkled across the hall, as she, er I mean he tapped Jou on the nose and smiled brightly. “Katsuya you are so cute. Well, I thought that today we could go for a long walk, see the surrounding area and then go down to the little market and buy some fresh fruit. I wanted to bake a pie this evening. Oh, in case you haven’t figured it out, I also love cooking.”
“Well, that’s where you got me. I love eating!” Jou said, overcoming the blush that had raced across his face at being called cute. “Let’s go for a hike!” he said. The others looked at him oddly as he and Ryuuji turned to them for their responses.
“I guess that would be okay. I um, would have to change first. I am not dressed for the woods.” Seto said, looking down at his clothing. He had opted for a pair of dressy slacks and a silk shirt this morning.
“Indeed, I think you should. And if you can, find some sturdy shoes. The woods are no walk in the park. I am going to change, too. This dress is for around the house, not for hiking.” Ryuuji said.
“Un, Ryuuji-chan?” Honda asked. “Are you gonna wear your regular clothes for the walk?”
“My regular clothes, Hiroto-kun? No, when I come in this house I put all those away for the duration. I didn’t even pack any of them. I only have what I wore coming up here, and it’s in the laundry until I can get it done. If you are in this for the whole weak, this is what you get. Does it bother you that much?”
“No, I was just wondering how you would look in a, um never mind.”
Again, that laugh, which sounded like bells ringing, filled the hall.
“Oh, Hiroto. You will tell me later, won’t you?” Ryuuji said, as he opened his door. Honda took his turn to blush and nodded lightly. “Well, then everyone get ready and we’ll leave when we are all downstairs.” And he stepped through his door and was gone.
“Oh my gods!” Honda said, as the others closed on him, Jou covering his mouth with his hand.
“Shut up, Honda. Geez, man. Okay, so the original plan still goes, right?” he asked, “This doesn’t change anything for me.”
“I’m still in. I don’t mind this; it would be great for those stupid business dinners I have to go to. Honda?” he asked.
“Shit, I’m gonna win him over and then take him to the beach!” he shouted before Jou could once more gag him.
“Okay, then tonight is mine, and you two get lost.” Jou said, releasing the brunet.


Ah, now we are getting somewhere.

JeiDurii - I really like Ryuuji. I find it a shame that after he was such a strong character in his introductory story line they decided that he was only fit to fill in the background like an old chair or a lamp or something. It is a waste of a great character. I also hate when other people portray him as a silly wimp or a slut, or worse yet a silly wimpy slut. He is a businessman, and as such would not act quite so stupid as some fics have him. I like stories that pair him with Honda and I have myself, but I want him to be human, and as such I have given him the limelight once more. So, Ryuuji go out there and shine for the people.
I have a chapter that I was working on that came out so bad that I am thinking of putting it at the end as an outtake.

Haruko - I don't know the story you speak of. Is it a fanfic, or an actual book/movie/story somewhere??????
Anyway, your wish is my command. Here is the next chapter. *bows like a proper servant*
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