A Home of Our Own

A Home of Our Own

Summary: A series of separate Neko Fics that will culminate into a longer story about love, loyalty, and belonging. Kimi ga Iru AU
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh. If I did…*begins to laugh evilly*
Warning: Sadness
Author’s Note:To new readers of my fics, I hate to say this, but you actually have to read ALL my other fics to understand anything. Seriously. I’m trying to save you the trouble of being confused so here’s the order: Kimi ga Iru, You Can Do That, Tegami, With You, Heart of Gold, White Sweethearts, Flyte Time, and Summer Time Magic which does a brief cross over with Still


I Like Mice


Yugi crawled out from under the covers, stretching and wriggling his tail. He gazed at the clock and sighed. It was nearly ten and no one had come to wake him. He began to groom himself, purring softly. A knock at the door came and he gave a brief meow, not bothering to look up as the door opened. He knew it was Yami. It always was.

“Hello A- Yugi. I came to wake you but I see you’re already up.”

The boy began to groom his tail, turning a bit and licking the fur down where it stood up.

Yami came over and sat on the bed, purring as Yugi did. He leaned over and tried to groom Yugi’s ears but the kitten made an annoyed sound and pulled away.

“Stop Yami! I can do it!”

“I know Yugi, I just wanted to help you.”

Yugi flicked his tail away from Yami’s soothing hands. “I can do it!” He whined as Yami held him close and licked his forehead, giving his ears another once over.

“I just want to help.”

Yugi’s ears flattened and he sat there, arms crossed. Sugoroku came by the room and laughed.

“I see you’re having your morning bath!”

“Grandpa! Tell him to stop! I can do it!”

The man nodded. “Yami, Yugi’s right. Let him do it. He’s growing up.”

Yami pulled back, a little disappointed. “Alright…I’ll go get us breakfast then –”

Yugi whined again and flopped down on the bed. “No. I’ll get it later!”

“But…we have Neko mix cereal. You know, the one with the meowing Nekos?”

Sugoroku chuckled and left the two to it. He could clearly see that Yami wanted to get closer to Yugi, but he was suffocating the young creature. He went downstairs and poured two bowls of Neko mix, careful to put more mice shaped marshmallows in Yugi’s cereal.

Soon enough, Yugi came bouncing downstairs, his tail up in the air and he pulled down a black t-shirt. He saw the cereal and grabbed at it.

“Yay! Mice!” he sat at the table and began crunching away, not noticing when Yami came in, looking a bit put out.

Sugoroku handed him his cereal and stroked his head and ears. “It’ll be okay. You just have to give him room.”

Yami nodded and sat down, beginning to eat.

They were just about done when the doorbell came. Yugi hopped up and raced down to the shop floor. He saw who it was and opened the door with vigor, his tail in the air.

He purred like an engine when the hand come down on his head and squeaked.

“’Ey Yug!”

“Jou!” he beamed. “We just got some new toys! Ya wanna see? They’re so awesome I haven’t even beaten one yet!”

“Really? That sounds great! Say, where’s da old man? Gotta talk with him pronto.”

Yugi turned and called up stairs as Yami came down. “GRANDPA! IT’S JOU!”

Yami shook Jou’s hand and smiled. He appreciated the Inu because he’d been Yugi’s first friend after they’d moved here.

“What brings you –” Yami stopped mid-sentence as he saw Bakura standing behind him. “Why is the Thief here?”

“I’ll explain. C’mon Yams, move it.”

The Inu came inside, waving Bakura in with him. When Sugoroku appeared, Jou wagged his tail.

“Hey! Old man!”

Sugoroku laughed and held up a strip of beef jerky. “I’ve got this especially for you!” He gave it to Jou and the Inu chowed down. He jerked his thumb at Bakura and talked around his prize.

“We need help. Dey got ‘is brotha!” Jou gripped the jerkey with both hands and pulled, wandering over to a corner to eat in more solitude, giving Yugi a warning growl when he wandered too close.

Yami’s tail was puffed out. “Don’t do it Sugoroku! He’s a thief and a liar! I’ve seen him up town picking pockets!”

The old man looked at Bakura and went over to the Neko. “Is it true? You have a little brother?”

“What’s it to you, Human?”

Sugoroku looked at him and nodded sagely. “Wait here.” He left the room and Jou came beside Bakura, licking his chops loudly.

“I hope he’s got another one…I love jerky.”

Yugi jumped over to him and away, the Inu giving brief chase until a spinning rack fell down.

“Yugi! No playing in the shop!”

The kitten glared at his elder. “Shut up…” he muttered, toeing the ground as Jou picked the rack up.

When Sugoroku came back he went over to Bakura and gave him a blood red cloak lined with white.

“He wanted you to have this. You’re Ryou?”

Bakura fingered the cloak, fighting tears. “I’m Bakura…”

“You’re the one…” the man reached up and stroked Bakura’s ears, glad when he wasn’t scratched or clawed. “Chances are, the FFFC got your brother. I’ll get it all sorted out.”

Bakura’s head jerked up. “No! I’m going myself! Tell me what you know!?”

“I know that the FFFC probably got him. They’ve been after you as a High Risk stray for over four years after…after Akefia.”

That’s when the Neko did growl. “What do you know about Akefia?” He unsheathed his claws and Yami growled, stepping in front of the old man.

“Stop it! I’m not afraid of you!”

Bakura gave a yowl and would have struck if it weren’t for another loud crash.

They looked over and Jou’s head poked out of a pile of over turned boxes, a light up ball in his mouth. He snatched it out of his mouth and rubbed the back of his head.

“Sorry guys…continue…” He gently elbowed Yugi who popped up, entranced by a squeaky doll.

“Shut it Yug!”

Bakura turned his attention back to Sugoroku. “Tell me Human!”

“Only that he was in trouble and he needed help. I tried to help him the best I could, but in the end it wasn’t enough…that was a long time ago…when a man named Gozuboro ran a shady EFC control facility for the government. Apparently they’d been trying to exterminate the genetically spliced Alabasters he’d smuggled into the country to avoid jail time.”

Bakura frowned, thinking of his father and mother and how they were killed and how Akefia was brought down. He gripped the cloak in his hands.

“Where’s this ass hole now?”

“Gozuboro is dead. The company he once ran, now makes toys.”

SQUEAK!

Sugoroku smiled at Yugi who had a felt mouse in his mouth. “Pet toys, Neko, Inu toys…”

Bakura made a fist. “You aren’t telling me anything! Where is my brother!”

Yami’s temper was at its end. “I’ve had enough of you –”

Yugi apparently tripped on something because in a matter of seconds he fell into Bakura, meowing in distress. The white haired Neko caught him and looked at him, those wide, frightened eyes reminding him of Ryou.

“I need to find my brother. Right now.”

Jou went over to Sugoroku, giving the air a quick sniff for signs of beef jerky before he continued. “Let’s talk to that nice lady. The one who gave me the pepperoni!”

“Ishizu?” Sugoroku went behind the counter and opened some drawers. “Let me find her number…You all go upstairs and relax. Get some ice cream.”

Yugi squeaked and ran upstairs, Jou a close second. Bakura and Yami glared at each other before they both moved off into the upstairs.

****

When Ryou awoke, he nuzzled his tail, thinking he was back in his den until the different smells and sounds hit him and fear replaced the comfort of sleep.

Where was Bakura?

He began calling, noticing that the tray from last night was still there. He wanted to reach out and grab it, but the door opened and he pushed himself back into the corner, sneezing under the dusty bed.

Lavender eyes peeped at him from upside down and Ryou sneezed again, recognizing the scent from last night. It was the one who hurt him.

His cries became distressed and the lavender eyes went away, taking the tray with it. He heard the door close and calmed down slightly.

Maybe Bakura was just out getting food and was having trouble finding him.


Malik poked at the cold food and sighed. “He didn’t eat.”

Marik shrugged and bit into his own heated meatball sub. “So?”

“He looked so scared Marik…really scared…” Malik looked down at his lap. “Maybe I shouldn’t have torn up his bear…”

Marik looked at Malik and began to feel the guilt through their link. Maybe it was wrong of him to step on the young Neko’s tail then hit him with the Rod…

Ishizu came in looking like death warmed over. She’d left for her meeting with Kaiba at six in the morning and was just now getting back and it was now close to twelve. Malik went to her and she kissed his forehead.

“What’d he say?”

“That if you two screw up one more time…you’re fired…and I’m fired.”

Marik wiped his hands on his jeans. “Wasn’t our fault!”

Ishizu gave Marik a look and the Neko blinked. “It wasn’t!”

Malik glared at him. “You stepped on his tail!”

Marik threw up his hands. “Whatever! I’m going out!”

The bronze woman stopped him. “No, we all have to stay until this matter can be resolved. Kaiba assigned you two to find out who this Neko is and if he knows Bakura.”

Malik looked at his claws. “I’ll be back…”

The spike haired Neko watched his kitten leave, wondering what he was up to when his ear was tugged.

“You. My room now!”

“Aw fuck…”

“Language!”


Malik sat on the floor in his room at the center, staring at the computer screen and the needle and thread in his hands. So far, he’d pricked himself seven times and done one complete stitch.

He was doing well!

He picked up the mangled teddy bear again and leaned over it, adjusting the small lamp near him with his tail.

He was going to get that kitten to talk if he stabbed everyone one of his –

“OW!”

He sucked on his thumb, ears flat.

Fuck.

****

Yugi kept staring at Bakura and when the elder Neko looked back, the kitten would look away and giggle, pretending that he wasn’t engaging in tail on tail harassment. Jou was currently putty under Sugoroku’s head scratches, his knee jumping with pleasure and Yami –Well, Yami was glaring death at Bakura and give forlorn looks to Yugi.

Bakura gave a soft growl and swatted at Yugi’s ear, the boy giving an “eep!” and giggling. This made Bakura smile. Kittens were kittens were kittens.

Sugoroku had called Ishizu some time ago and had left a message, but it didn’t look like she was going to get back with the many time soon. He was fine with waiting, but Yugi was very much on edge from one too many sugar frosted fish shaped cereal piece. He jumped up and tagged Bakura, running off into the uptairs.

Bakura smiled and shook his head, taking a sip of his drink. He’d never had “soda” before and was careful to not drink it all so he could give some to Ryou.

“Where’s the bathroom?”

Sugoroku looked up from where he sat at the table. “It’s upstairs, Yugi can show you.”

Bakura got up and walked up stairs, Yugi pouncing on him as soon as he stepped on the top stair.

“Gotcha!”

The Alabaster Neko grinned. He used to do the same thing to Akefia and Akefia would always grab him and turn him upside down. Lucky for Yugi, he was just the right side.

“Bakura –Ah!”

Yugi laughed as Bakura held him upside down and shook him, letting him down easy when he began to look green.

“Where’s the bathroom Midget?”

Yugi pointed down the hall. “I’m not a midget. I’m just a kitten still.”

“Whatever…” Bakura walked away and went to the toilet, raising a brow as Yugi hopped out from hiding when he came out.

“Go play with some cat nip Kid. Go away.”

“Wanna play with me?”

“No.” Bakura went downstairs and Yugi followed.

“Wanna see my toys?”

“No.”

Yugi pouted. “You’re mean!”

“Get over it.” He sat back down at the table and Yugi fled into Yami’s lap for comfort, hissing at Bakura the rest of the time between purrs. The thief could’ve cared less. He just wanted to know where his brother was.

****

Ryou wiggled the end of his tail, giggling a little as he watched it “dance”. He’d been alone for some time and really wanted to stretch. He didn’t smell any fresh scents besides his own and crawled from under the bed.

Besides, he really had to go to the bathroom.

He crawled across the floor, careful of his bandaged ankle and went into the necessary. When he relieved himself he came out into the room and looked around, then jumped stunned as he looked at the wall.

There WAS another Neko in the room and it looked just like him!

“Bakura?!” he cried, running at it, only to find himself bouncing off and onto the floor. He rubbed his face and looked at the image. He stood up and noticed it was doing the same. He moved his tail and it did the same.

His ears drooped. It wasn’t Bakura.


Outside of the two way mirror, Malik’s ears drooped as well. The kitten obviously had no idea about mirrors, but it was clear he knew Bakura.

“Poor Kitty…” he sighed, scratching at the window like a sad dog.

“What’s up?” Marik hugged him and licked his neck.

“He’s lonely! He thought the reflection was Bakura.”

“So, the Thief is his boyfriend?”

Malik shook his head. “No…I didn’t get that sort of scent off him.”

Marik growled. “You get that scent off me?”

“You’re a pervert.”

He turned Malik’s face and they shared a kiss, Malik giggling and pushing away.

“Stop, I’m still a kitten.”

“Oh please! We’ve done it like a million times! You’re lucky you’re not dropping kittens as we speak!”

Malik laughed and went over to the observation room door. “You’re so crazy…”

Marik gave a laugh. “Mwa ha ha! I know!” He spun the Millennium Rod and walked away, whistling.

Malik shook his head and gently pushed his way inside, giving a soft meow.


Ryou froze. He was too far away from the bed to make it in time. He watched the blond Neko come in and backed into the far corner, crouching down.

He could defend himself if he had too, but it didn’t look like he’d win.

Malik pulled the teddy bear from behind his back and tossed it at Ryou. The boy caught it and nuzzled it, still smelling Bakura despite it being handled. He purred softly and Malik smiled.

“What’s your name?”

Ryou just shook his head and cradled the bear, tail wrapped around his legs.

“I’m Malik!” the blond cried, very pleased with himself.

Ryou’s ears went up, then flattened again. His tail wiggled and puffed. He was getting uncomfortable.

“We weren’t going to kill you…or even eat you! We were looking for Bakura! Do you know where he is?’

The white haired boy just clutched the bear tighter and when Malik moved, he tensed.

“Are you hungry?” the boy stood and tried to approach Ryou but all he got was an angry yowl and raking claws.

Malik giggled. “You’re so cute! You couldn’t hurt any one!” He turned away, wiggling his tail. “Ooo! I’m going to get ice cream!”

He used his power to poke gently at Ryou’s mind. He definitely felt interest at the ice cream.

“Ever had ice cream?” he turned back and Ryou was staring at him. It was like the boy wanted to say something, but couldn’t. His ears drooped when Ryou shook his head.

Malik cursed himself in his head and decided to do things a more direct way. He jumped right over.

“BOO!” he shouted, wiggling his fingers.

Ryou screamed and ran for the bed, screaming again as Marik stepped in the room. He skidded and backed away, running for the bathroom, which Malik blocked.

“Look Kitty, just talk to us.” Marik lounged on the bed. “Just do it.”

Ryou stared around, clutching the bear, his head was beginning to hurt and he didn’t like it. The last time that happened the gas can exploded and Akefia –Akefia –

The white haired Neko gave a pained scream and all the glass in the room broke, the windows blowing out and the two way mirror shattering.

Malik and Marik just stared, the boy pushing Malik out of the way and locking himself in the bathroom.

**

Bakura gripped his head and leaned over, breathing shallowly.

“Ryou…” he ground out. “Ryou where are you…”

Akefia used to get head aches like this and when he did, he could do awful things to people, make them disappear. He’d done it to a rat on accident, when they’d moved to the sewers and he knew Ryou could do things too.

He rubbed his temples and calmed down. Ryou was obviously in distress or that wouldn’t have happened and it wouldn’t have been so strong he could feel it as well. He stood on shaky legs.

“I have to go. Jou, stop being a pet and let’s go.”

The Inu sat up from having his head in Sugoroku’s lap and nodded. “We gotta go…” He wagged his tail but got up anyway. “Sorry we couldn’t wait –”

The phone rang and Yugi went for it, chirping, “Yugi Yugi!” instead of “Moshii moshii”.

The boy nodded and grabbed a pencil, scrawling on a scarp piece of paper. “Okay!...Okay!...Okay!...Yay!...Really!?...I want a bear…Okay!” He hung up the phone and hopped on Yami’s back.

“That was Ishizu! She said they have a white kitty down at the center! Can we adopt it Grandpa?”

Sugoroku got up and rubbed Yugi’s ears and took the note from him. Yugi usually didn’t say the details but he was an excellent note taker. He read it and nodded.

“Okay, let’s get in the car. Bakura, it’s your lucky day.”

The Alabaster growled and followed the group out, Yugi whining when he didn’t get shot gun. Jou got it instead and immediately rolled the window down.

Yami snickered. Inus were very close to their source material.

Bakura scowled in the back, next to an eager Yugi who asked him a million question. “Just shut up or I’ll feed you to sewer rats!”

The boy’s mouth became and “O” of indignation and he shut up, frowning and crossing his arms.

The car started and they were off.

****

Ishizu talked into the phone.

“Yes Sir, I’m sure. Marik and Malik aren’t wrong about these sorts of things…Yes, I also believe it’s the result of genetic experimentation…I’ll email you the files now…yes on the Egyptian Tri-colors as well…Yes Sir…Right away Sir.”

She hung up the phone and left her room, going towards the observation room. She found her brother there, directing the teams that were cleaning up the glass.

“Make sure there isn’t anything left! There are kittens and pups running around!”

She stood with him and surveyed the damage. “It wasn’t just this room?”

“No. Three rooms up and three rooms down. He’s dangerous.”

Ishizu shook her head. “No, distressed. Marik scares the hell out of him. Both of them being in that room re-created his capture trauma perfectly. He freaked out to be blunt.”

Shadi nodded and crossed his arms. “Even still…what if he’d hurt someone?”

“The Boss is coming to survey the scene and make a decision and Sugoroku is coming.”

“That’s good. We’ve got some new kittens up for foster homes.”

Ishizu smiled. Sugoroku wasn’t coming for that, but it was alright for the young man to think that.

“How are you and Rishid getting on?”

Shadi turned crimson at the mention of his lover, smoothing his hand unconsciously over the golden band he wore on his arm.

“We are fine. He is…a good provider.”

She couldn’t resist. “In what area?”

“SISTER!” he shrieked, going red again. “That is not proper talk for a –”

“For where?” came the quiet rumble in his ear.

Large tan hands smoothed over Shadi’s shoulders and down his chest. “Where you talking of me?”

Shadi’s breath caught and he dissolved into nervous giggles and blushes.

“Can you believe him Sister-in-law? Still so very shy after all this time.”

“I know Brother-in-law. But I’m sure you’ve managed to coax some…passion out of him?”

They both laughed and Shadi just turned a deeper shade of red. Malik snickered nearby while Marik shook his head.

The bald man was naturally shy, quiet, and reserved. There was no doubt he’d been persuaded very rigorously into wearing the white sleeveless shirt he had on.

Marik grinned. “Tell us Rishid, large coconuts at the top of the palm tree?”

“Maybe he means the bottom?” Malik gave a laugh and leaned into Marik’s embrace.

Shadi shook his head and got out of Rishid’s grasp, heading away from the familiar group. Rishid put his hands in his pockets.

“Perhaps we took it too far this time.”

Ishizu nodded. “Go after him Rishid…tell him we’re sorry.”

Before the man could move though, alarms went off in the entire center. The PA system came on.

::ALERT! ALERT! We’ve got a violent and extremely dangerous EFC in the building! He’s already injured two workers! ALERT! ALERT! Stay out of his way! He is a white Neko in a white blue striped t-shirt accompanied by a blond Inu, no tags! He’s headed for the hospital wings! Please, all unnecessary personnel, retreat to your quarters! ALERT! ALERT!::

Marik grabbed the Millennium Rod. “It’s Bakura!”

Malik clasped his hands. “It’s Bakura…”

Ishizu pulled out her cell and slid it open, pressing speed dial. “Sir. He’s here.”




****
*EFC: Experimental Feline Companion FFFC: Freedom for Feline Companions
*I have to say, and it’s true, every time I feel stuck in a fic, “Kimi ga Iru”, the song by Chemistry that has inspired ALL these fics, comes on and it just, spurs me on! I feel so lucky to have all your support and all my loyal readers! I want you to know that I truly appreciate every review, long or short, and the fact that you even take the time to read my work! Even when I come out with three stories in one day!
*Look out for two to three more chapters on Miri’s fic and I’m still looking for the answer to my challenge question! Name the Anime allusions posted in Review and you get a personalized fic, any couple you want! (yes, even Yuri)
*I’d like to thank Wicabeth for the inspiration for this fic!
*Schwarzwald loves ya’ll!