Born of Shadows

Aviary

Jou returned from a very fulfilling trip, with a well-loaded house and an empty wagon. He was tired, and had spent quite a bit of his money.
The cupboards of the shadow house needed rebuilding to suit the mass of supplies, and he had managed to build a real green house that he filled with non-shadow plants and an irrigation system from the local build it yourself/garden store. He waited three days and found the plants had grown to the size of small trees and were bursting with fruit and vegetables.
They tasted great, too.
He was ready for a real test, and then, when Yami gave the word, he would be able to stay there as long as the pharaoh deemed it necessary.

Marik and Bakura caught him at the grocery store and expressed their happiness at the new playground he had shared with them. Jou was a little embarrassed by them mentioning it in public, but smiled and told them they were welcome anytime, since they really didn’t need his permission anymore, anyways.
“Well, we wouldn’t go, if you decided you wanted to rescind the offer. We aren’t going to ruin your little love nest. So when do you take the guest of honor for a visit?” Marik asked and Jou visibly paled.
“Don’t act shy, Jou. We all know it’s in the cards. You two are destined for each other, and it’s not like you don’t have history.” Bakura finished for his friend.
“Well, we don’t have a present. So just drop it, okay?”
“Sorry. But, I really think he would appreciate that place. It has real appeal. Better than his joint even.” Marik added.
“Yeah, why not take him the regular way?” Bakura suggested.
“Never thought of it. But, that wouldn’t be right. I don’t think I could take someone there, and have the others, you know.” Jou finished not wanting to talk about it right now.
“I think it’s about the power, eh Master?” and the spirit of the ring turned and walked away followed by his laughing friend.
“What’s with them?” came a voice from behind him. Jou jumped and turned to find Mai and Anzu staring after the two retreating yami’s. “And what was all that stuff about your house? Did you get a new house, Jou?”
“Yeah, and you didn’t invite us to see it? What happened to us all being friends?” Anzu griped.
“Don’t mind her, Hon. She’s a little peckish, today. So, tell us about this house.” Mai said leaning close and capturing Jou’s gaze with her own.
“No big deal, Mai. I’m just looking into a place for vacations. It’s not like that.”
“Mnn. I don’t believe you. This is something else. Tell Mai all about It.” She ordered.
“Mai, you and your perceptive powers could be dangerous. How do you do it?” He balked.
“No stalling. Confess.” She provoked him further.
“Fine I’ll tell you, but not in the middle of the supermarket. Come on, I got what I needed anyway.” And they followed him through the check stand and out the door.

Once in Jou’s apartment, the two females glared him down. Jou fidgeted under their scrutiny.
“Okay, so don’t try to glare me to death, you ain’t got it perfect, but you’re close enough ta be scary.” He said, offering them a seat and a drink. When they were all seated and comfortable he explained about Yami and the shadow house. No details, just a vague outline of the rooms and such. Mai was suitably impressed and Anzu was near to drooling over the whole prospect.
“So anyway, now I am working out how I can spend time there, without wasting away here.” And he sipped his drink while they examined the information.
“So, why were Bakura and Marik so interested in it?” Mai asked.
“Oh, well I kinda gave them a room, to visit when they wanted to. I guess if you have the power over Shadow you can go there, but only to my house if I invite you.” He admitted, vaguely once more.
“It’s more than that, isn’t it Jou?” Mai added, her eyes squinting dangerously. Jou gulped down his tea, and smiled weakly. “There’s something else about this place. Who else has been there?”
“Just Honda and Otogi. They go with me, once in a while.”
“And they never told us about it? Must be some house.” Anzu snipped.
“Yeah. Something tells me this house is very special, eh Jou? Probably how those two found each other, by staying in the ‘love nest’, I believe Bakura called it. I think we might like to visit, eh Anzu?” Mai said, turning once more to Jou.
“So, you looking for an invite, eh Mai? Well, I’ll think about it. And you can’t make me, so keep your devil eyes to yourself. I am the Master of this house, and I’ll invite you if I wanta. Let me sleep on it, okay? And no promises.”
The three parted company and Jou locked up for the night. He wasn’t sure, but thought that fate was against him, with everyone finding out about his special escape, and all.

Sleep was slow and he almost decided not to go, but his plants would need tending and he didn’t want to put it off much longer. Finally, he drifted off, and when the alarm went off it was much to early.
Back in the shadow house again, he parked his wagon, and double-checked his supplies. Everything was still in place. He moved on to his favorite room and sat on the long couch. His visualization of his pets became easier each time and soon he was seated between Puppy and Monkey once more. The two were quite happy to be there and took the opportunity to show him, in affectionate rubs and the rasp of a tongue against his cheek.
“Okay, I’m glad to see you, too. It has been a busy week. But, I wanted to get your opinion on something.” He was met with curious gazes and he outlined the visit with the girls. Puppy looked suspicious, but as usual Monkey was giving him a devious smirk.
Master looked up at him and smiled back, a hint of his own devious nature creeping into the smile.
“Come on, let’s find a good room for this.” And the three roamed the halls until they found an empty room with lots of windows. “This should be perfect. Now sit back and watch.”
First Master arranged for the furnishing, starting with a comfortable seat for himself and his established pets. Once this was done they settled in and observed.
Master concentrated some more. Soon the floor was covered in a deep shag type carpet and the corners were converted with the addition of bare trees with sturdy branches. Here and there were large soft nest like chairs and a large round platform in the center of the room.
Puppy yipped happily when the room had taken shape and Master rose to assure himself the furnishings were perfect.
He turned to his pets and smiled again. “Now, for our guests.” And he climbed up on the platform and crossed his legs. Concentrating to the point of agony, he could feel the movement of shadows around him.
As he sat there a rain of large feathers began to drift down around him and soon, he could not be seen by either Puppy or Monkey. When he was visible again, it was obvious he was no longer alone on the platform and he dropped the hand that had risen to his eyes and looked around himself.
Seated to his right was Canary, in a flow of yellow feathers that cascaded down her back and arms. Her breasts barely concealed by the lattice work of feathers across them and down her front. The feathers ended at the crux of her hips and a skirt of them fell away behind her in a fan of a tail. She looked up and Master smiled at her.
To his left, sat Robin, clothed similarly to Canary in shades of browns and red. The smaller of the two fidgeted on the platform and found herself nearly falling from its side. Master reached out and stopped her topple. She chirped a confused sound and he sighed.
“This is the reason we hadn’t invited you, yet. You see, I wasn’t sure that my pets were ready for you to join us. Puppy is still unsure of you, but Monkey felt you could be trusted.” He said, indicating his pets, watching from the sidelines. Canary turned inquisitive eyes their way and sang a soft question to Master.
“If you would like to, I don’t think they would mind.” And Canary leaped from her perch to land directly in front of Monkey, circling him, curiously. Monkey swatted her wing away when she came close to touching his tail, and he howled at her angrily.
“Cheep, cheep.” She returned, apologetically.
“Yip, Arff.” Puppy scolded her, and she tilted her head.
“Yes, he has a point. You should not touch, just because you are here does not change the rules. This is my house, Canary. I am the Master, as I said. I can make rules as I wish and if you want to leave you may. Say the word and I will send you home. But if you stay, this is my secret, and it is a promise you must make to keep it.”
“Cheep, chip.” Canary said.
“Chirp cheep, “ came the sound of Robin from her place next to Master.
Master turned and smiled at the small brown pet. He touched her feathered brown head and gently smoothed it. Robin leaned into the touch and closed her eyes. Canary watched in fascination from her place by Monkey.
Robin accepted the petting of Master as he gently stroked her feathers and was soon curled up on his lap enjoying a thorough petting. Canary had climbed up and was soon the recipient of Masters attention as well, occupying his free hand and curled up to his side. Puppy and Monkey were curled together on the floor and had soon lost interest in the other inhabitants of the Aviary room.


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