Of Dice and Dragons

Disclaimer: See previous chapter(s)

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Three words: Kaiba Groove Music

Well, it was obvious the rest of his classmates (with a few exceptions) were not as ambitious as a certain young CEO. Many of them didn’t even do the assignment at all, while most of the others were unimaginative and uninspired. Ryou’s song wasn’t even within the parameters of the assignment; however, even Seto had to admit Weapon by the Matthew Good Band was a good choice for the dual-personalitied boy, despite its having lyrics (which only added to the effect). Yugi also had a decent song which was well-representive of his duelist’s spirit, it was regal and confident yet it still maintained some of that youthful innocence most people associated with Yugi. Of course, Seto thought that nobody came even remotely close to his musical composition skills, not even Yugi’s interesting song could compare to his über techno greatness as he pulled out the shiny CD, decoratively and meticulously labelled ‘Kaiba’s Groove Music’.

Then he just about choked and coughed up his own spleen as a familiar techno beat came across his ears… a very familiar beat. He looked down and saw the CD, still firmly set in his hand. His eyes shot up immediately and every fiber of his consciousness centered on whoever it was that was the mastermind behind this treasonous action. He really should have already known.

There, standing next to the offending stereo, twirling a strang of dark hair in his long fingers, was Otogi. It just had to be the same guy who had outdone him when it came to tactical strategizing only the day before, this must be a plot to smite him, Seto finally decided. Now Seto was beside himself in anger, if he played his music now, it would be apparent somebody copied somebody, and that little punk played his first; therefore…

Seto’s eyes narrowed as he got up, walked right to the front of the room where he promptly grabbed the back of Otogi’s collar and physicaly draggeed him into the hallway.

Once outside, Otogi found himself pinned against the wall, practically staring into the flames within those exquisite blue eyes which belonged to a very irate Seto Kaiba.

"You have got some nerve kid, do you have a death wish or something?" Seto demanded furiou

"Otogi replied, desperately trying to pry the hands from his neck.

"Don’t be so naïve. I’d expect that from Yugi, or maybe even Yami. First, challending my judgement during the duel yesterday."

"Because you were wrong." Otogi interrupted.

"And now finding a way to copy my theme music and pass it off as your own!"

"Whoa! I don’t know anything about that. I wrote this music for myself while I was working late at my new game shop last night."

"Then how i exa exactly like mine?" Seto demanded, then added in a much more curious tone, "…You own that new game shop?"

"Crossed satelite signals, solar flares, how should I know. In any case, I would say horrible, horrible coincidence. And yes, I do own that game shop, perhaps you should drop by sometime so we can duel and settle this once and for all."

"Maybe, but do you need home-field advantage that badly?"

"Not really, but we’re not that well-staffed yet, so I’m the only one working this week. It would be hard to pull myself away just to duel, what with the new contract and all."

"I guess you’re right. Besides, Mokuba tells me Kaiba Land is apparently booked solid for the better part of the next three decades."

Otogi blinked stupidly for a moment…

"Ok, now I know why your name was so familiar. Seto Kaiba, Kaiba Land… So your family must own Kaiba Corporation as well then?"

"Actually, I personally own Kaiba Corporation, as both my parents are dead and I was orphaned at a young age." Seto said, turning away and wondering why he added the second part, he never told anyone about that.

"I’m sorry, I had no idea." Otogi whispered with genuine sympathy for the man in front of him, "It seems we are more alike than anyone would have thought, you and I."

Seto whirled around, wide eyed. The tone Otogi took with him was unlike anything he had ever heard before, even from Mokuba. It was as though his words combined both empathy and admiration, though what kind of admiration remained a mystery. When Seto opened his mouth to question the other man, Otogi simply raised a hand to silence him, then pointed back towards the classroom,

"We should get back. My game shop, five o’clock sharp. I trust you know the way, so don’t be late." Otogi said, waiting for a simple nod from Seto, then he walked back into class, right behind the impatient CEO.

The second Setosseossed the threshold, he was greeted by an accoustic guitar riff. The same riff was repeated and met Otogi as he walked in a second later, only this time it was played on a banjo.

"What is this?" Seto asked as the guitar came in again.

"Got me!" Otogi said shrugging, together with the banjo’s reply.

They both exchanged worried and confused glances for the next couple of riffs, seemingly waiting for their entrances to make any kind of silent body gesture.

Then there was a clicking sound and both pairs of eyes focused on the stereo and Jounouchi’s embarassed figure, playing with his tape.

"Sorry guys, wrong side. My theme music isn’t Dueling Banjos, honest!" he explained.

Both Seto and Otogi silently shuddered and mumbled simultaneously,

"That dog needs a muzzle."

They both stopped and stared at each other for a moment of silence, then they burst out laughing. When they stopped, they smiled happily at each other, something that utterly shocked all of their classmates.

"So, beat down, you’re place, five o’clock?" Seto quietly asked on the way back to his desk.

"Yeah, but bring a crying towel, because you’re going to get schooled."

"We’ll see… I’ll be there."

"And I’ll be waiting…"

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Ok here’s all the songs, check ‘em out:

Ryou/Bakura: Weapon: Matthew Good Band

Jounouchi: Dueling Banjos: Charlie Daniels Band

Seto/Otogi: Duel Madness (the techno part right at the very beginning)

Yugi: In the english version, right when Yami pulls the victory out of nowhere, listen very carefully to the music in the background… that’s it, if you have the Music to Duel By CD, I have two things to say to you:

hopefully you didn’t actually pay for it… (lovely internet) I think it’s the end of track 2

oh yeah, I think I have some explaining to do here… ok, in english ep 09, when kaiba is in his lab, the "kaiba groove music" is playing in the background. Also, in Dungeon Dice Monsters episode 2 or 3 (45 or 46) the same music is used for Otogi, this is my reasoning behind the chapter… ^_^

'ja!