Disclaimer: ::lawyers listen devoutly:: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh. No one is making money off this fic. ::lawyers sigh as one and rush off to bother another author::
Summary: A simple title for a simple fic. Ryuuji (Duke) wants Ryou. It seems Ryou isn't too keen on the idea. Anyway, now (due to certain appalling attacks by city wildlife) Ryuuji is attempting to win over Kaiba for a kiss, keep Ryou, and host a D-D-D tournament.
Notes: Heh, I almost submitted this to Chibizoo's first fanfic contest, but I didn't. I sent something else. I've added chapters to the lot anyway and have made the pairing Ryuuji/Seto (sorta) and eventually Ryou somewhere…or something to that extent… ::crosses fingers and hopes::
Muwahahahahahaha! ::chokes:: Gomen, I've got to stop laughing like that.
Oh, and as far as this fic cares, Otogi invented Dragon, Dice, and Dungeons. Understood? It's nifty and his professional game (manga—yes, he has no life :p).
And, for lack of a better name, all those M&W stadiums Seto owns (anime?) are going to be referred to as Kaiba World (ain't it spiffy, though?).
Ryuuji Otogi = Duke Devlin (or Deblin if you're confused and/or on MediaMinor [sp?] XD)
Ryou Bakura = Bakura
Mei Tjiri = OC (his first name is Chinese…bet no one knew that)
Sugoroku Motou = Solomon Moto
Katsuya Jounouchi = Joey Wheeler
Hiroto Honda = Tristan Taylor
Masaki Anzu = Tea Gardener
Dragons, Dice, and Dungeons (D-D-D…and I'm scared I inverted it…again) = Dungeon Dice Monsters
Magic & Wizards (M&G) = Duel Monsters (that's what I've assumed it's called…)
I think that's it so far. Japanese/other language translations in end notes.
Chapter Information: I guess this starts after Yuugi-tachi goes to Yami's little memory world (no wonder the spirit's head is so inflated, he's got an entire world in there!). I'm pretending Ryuuji-kun was off to somewhere (America) and came back via airplane. The airport isn't near Domino and you have to get there by train (let's say it was an international flight and couldn't land closer, okay?).
There, does that clear things up?
This chapter is also very short. ::grins:: Next chapter is longer. ::grins wider:: Review.
Thanks: R Amythest for beta reading.
:::::::::::::::::
Or Die Trying
:::::::::::::::::
-Train-
"Iya!" Ryuuji sighed into the phone, patience finally spent after three days of relentless debate, "I do not want you to hold the tournament at the park. Who wants to play Dragons, Dice, & Dungeons in ninety-degree weather—okay, with the exception of you? C'mon, think Mei. Where else is available that's inside, you know, one of those infamous enclosed places?"
Ryuuji was personally convinced this D-D-D tournament was going nowhere as he complained into his phone. Others in the train compartment were watching him, curious at his outbursts and painful sarcasm. It was not the young man's best day.
"She's a baka and so are you if you think I'm paying that much to rent out the Tokyo mall. My fan base is in Domino City. The competition is going to be in Domino. How many times must I tell you?" Ryuuji continued degrading the other side of the conversation.
Bakura Ryou frowned and tried to pretend he wasn't with the raven-haired screamer. He let his look assimilate to those around them; a curious, shocked, and annoyed expression Ryuuji failed to notice. His friend was now standing and frowning, snapping at the man on the other line after every pause. Ryou bit his lip and watched scenery pass by outside the window. He observed the dark landscape as the sun set far over the distant mountains. It would be dark once the train reached Domino. This didn't bother the quiet boy at all. No, all his vexation was focused on one occurrence: The yelling and bickering of Otogi Ryuuji.
Ryou had already taken the train all the way to the airport to greet the D-D-D inventor. Yuugi-tachi was supposed to come (they should have, Yami no Yuugi could shut Ryuuji up well) but unfortunately they had disappeared with some morbidly obese freak of nature named Bobasa. Ryou would have completely blown off Ryuuji as well and gone with them, but had been refused. {A}
Ryuuji had been surprised to see just Ryou there. Ryou wouldn't answer him to why Yuugi and everyone had failed to show up past that it had to do with Yami. Ryuuji figured anything involving the words "yami no" was much too confusing and mystical to worry about. He had gotten enough of that on Kaiba's airship. {B}
"Kaiba World is for Magic & Wizards, and I don't need Kaiba on my back twenty-four seven. Kami-sama, that egotistical maniac is everywhere! Holding a D-D-D tournament would just publicize him in how he's allowing such a thing. Shimatta—yes, I swore, get over it—if Black Clown hadn't been destroyed…that would make things somewhat easier." Ryuuji sounded almost mournful in his frustrated growl. He had promised a certain Motou Sugoroku he wouldn't challenge the old man's little game shop and was slowly beginning to regret it.
"You are so right, Mei, to curse me. Oh no, I'm scared. May I request to be bombarded by pigeons till Kaiba kisses me full on the mouth? I have a severe dislike of both of them. Can't you do that for me?" Ryuuji inquired sharply, laughing in his anger and stress. Ryou looked warily at the vein starting to pulse a vivid purple in his friend's neck. Ryuuji was going to give himself an ulcer if he didn't control his emotions better.
"Kutabare!" Ryuuji hollered into the tiny cell phone. Many people either glared at this or failed to retain their shock at such colorful language with gasps. To Ryou's embarrassment, Ryuuji kept going, "Sure, as soon as I get back into Domino I'm coming over there so you can see just how well I act on my words. Of course, I may have to pry my eyes out afterwards. You're probably pastier than a dead fish…just as desirable too."
If Ryou kept up with biting his lower lip nervously it would start bleeding. He was unable to notice this though—not really—he was just trying to act oblivious to Ryuuji so no one would be giving him those intense glares.
"Iya, I didn't get angry 'til you started with the profanities, Mei. All I wanted was for you to find a spot for my D-D-D tournament. The game needs the promotion. …You're quitting? Ha, tell me another joke, I might feel like laughing. Oh wait, every word out of your mouth is hilariously pathetic. Gomen, I forgot…."
Ryou looked at Ryuuji out of the corner of his eye. The shameful teen wasn't paying attention, just watching the wall. Ryou was surprised the metal failed to melt in the angry fire of the glaze as Ryuuji listened to the other voice.
"You can't quit, Mei because I'm firing you." Ryuuji snapped, "Sayonara, kisama."
With that, Ryuuji pressed a button on the cell that ended the call. Ryou and half the train breathed out in relief. Again, the raven-haired ego failed to notice. With an exasperated sigh, he sat down in his empty spot next to Ryou. The woman to his opposite side made a point of edging away. He frowned at her before turning to Ryou.
"I can't believe that guy. I'm so glad he's out of my hair," Ryuuji commented, leaning back and massaging his temples. After a few minutes he looked down at his white haired companion who was intently staring out the window at the scenery while more and more houses began to appear closer together. They were almost to the final station. It would be roughly twenty more minutes.
"So where is Yuugi-tachi, 'Kura-kun?" he asked lazily, closing his eyes again. Ryou didn't blink, just gazed out with a concentrated expression.
"I told you, Otogi-kun, they aren't here and that's all you need to know," Ryou informed him sagely for the fifth time. Ryuuji sighed and rolled his eyes, to tired to press the matter.
"It's too late for this. Can't you just tell me straight out?"
Ryou shook his head slightly, closing his eyes. Ryuuji smiled slightly at this. His friend was some high level of beautiful in near twilight. It was almost painful to him sometimes that the boy refused most advances. It was sad, but it made sense. Ryou liked things casual and decent, like a black-and-white movie in a way (separate beds, clean rooms, and the extinction of all profanities). The white-haired boy knew if he agreed to Ryuuji's vain pleading he would all but be attacked by the emotional game inventor.
"Then why did you bother taking the train to greet me?" Ryuuji asked, amused. Ryou opened his eyes and just barely shrugged.
"I had nothing else to do."
Ryuuji took the answer silently, though mentally he collapsed. There was something depressing in Ryou's tone. He studied his friend's face boldly. Ryou, if such a thing bothered him, didn't acknowledge it at all. He attempted something like a sigh and continued taking in the dark view beyond the glass that was getting harder to see. Ryuuji didn't know why the boy was still trying; the glare of light from inside the compartment was making his task near impossible.
Of course, Ryuuji knew better than to think Ryou was actually looking at anything. No, it was quite obvious in his expression that the quiet boy was thinking deeply. It always fascinated the darker teen, what his friend was wondering when he only half paid attention to everything. Right at the moment things didn't look like they were going too well in that spaced out mind. They weren't. Ryou was trying to figure out why he hadn't been permitted into Yami no Yuugi's memory world when Yuugi, Jounouchi, and Honda had been allowed—even Anzu! Ryuuji didn't know this, but it was bothering Ryou and consuming his thoughts. Ryuuji didn't even know where Yuugi-tachi was, much less how inadequate they had made Ryou feel.
"Mahout," Ryuuji said, placing a hand on Ryou's shoulder, "You look like you have a major headache." {C}
Ryou didn't wince under the touch, and he smirked at the remark. He was smiling as he looked up at Ryuuji.
"How do you know?" he asked, his slight smile causing Ryuuji to grin.
Ryou's expression flickered as the dice enthusiast's arm rested further around his shoulders. "Otogi-kun," he warned, but Ryuuji continued to smirk.
"Nani? I'm not doing anything, am I?"
Ryou considered this for a few seconds before nodding slowly. Ryuuji laughed at his victory.
"You're tired," he said to Ryou politely, "You can rest for a bit. We're almost to the station in Domino."
Ryou gestured vaguely with his head in agreement before resting against the warm garments of his friend. Ryuuji smiled slightly, running his hand once reassuringly through the long white hair, softer than his own, (in Ryuuji's opinion,) perfect locks. With his free fingers, Ryuuji pulled fondly at one of his own haphazardly hanging strands. {D}
Ryuuji knew better than to think Ryou was won over just because the boy was resting against him. No, that was something small children got away with and Ryou was very much like a small child in Ryuuji's eyes. Sure, Ryou wasn't perfectly innocent, but whom could be these days with everything the media passed out? Ryuuji could entertain the idea that he and Ryou were together, but he wouldn't let himself believe it halfway. Ryou just wasn't like that. He trusted people and it was something that frustrated Ryuuji beyond belief. He'd quietly get angry with Ryou for not just giving up and letting him kiss the soft lips, caress the pale skin. He wanted to so much but Ryou refused. In his mind Ryuuji would call Ryou a coward, tell his heart Ryou was pathetic and ignorant.
No, he could just hold onto Ryou, and pretend, as the train came to a stop. There was just cradling his intelligent doll with which his thoughts played make-believe. It wasn't anything but a game. Not a bit was really ever true, no matter how many times Ryuuji could imagine otherwise. {E}
But then, Ryou had come to welcome him back while Yuugi-tachi had run off to who-really-knows-where. That had to be somewhat positive, even if it was just friendship, right?
"Bakura, we're here," he said softly in Ryou's ear, rousing him gently. Ryou groaned and opened his eyes, slowly lifting his head.
"We've got to…" the quiet boy's voice trailed has he tried to stifle a yawn. Once the hindrance was ended, he began again, "We've got to get your bags."
Ryuuji nodded at this, standing up and stretching. He looked at his watch and saw it was only eight o'clock. It felt like so much later with the prematurely dark sky over the city. Both made for the luggage compartment, pulling down Ryuuji's bags. It wasn't much actually, the game inventor packed surprisingly light. Together they made for a taxi and loaded the lot into the trunk. The cab stopped at Ryou's apartment first and he made to get out.
"Matte yo," Ryuuji called the other's back. Ryou turned around to face him again through the still opened door.
"Hai, Otogi-kun?"
"Arigatou," Ryuuji thanked quickly, "I'm glad you took the train out to see me even when Yuugi-tachi was busy, I appreciate it."
Ryou smiled slightly at this, thinking of what to respond.
"Yeah, er, and good luck with that tournament of yours, I hope," he wished generously.
"Believe me, I need all the luck possible with that," Ryuuji laughed. Ryou bit at his lip slightly, trying to decide if closing the door would be rude or not.
"Oyasumi," Ryuuji said, allowing with the salutation for Ryou to shut the door.
Ryou waved once before turning around to climb the stairs to his apartment. Ryuuji, watching from the taxi, quickly told the driver where next to stop and sat back. He frowned slightly at his cell phone as it jabbed him rudely in the leg. Tomorrow he'd have to get that D-D-D fiasco straightened out. It was so much to have to organize. He would need all the luck in the world to get the whole lot off the ground.
:::::::::::::::::
Lettered Notes:
{A}: Pharaoh's memories, Ryou wasn't allowed into Yami no Yuugi's memory world. Yuugi thought it had to do with the Sennen Ring spirit; that Ryou should have taken the item off. Poor Ryou, he wasn't happy.
{B}: Yep, Otogi was on the airship. Didn't say much though. He kind of just stood around; looking (to me) like a cowboy. (It was the vest, I'm sure.)
{C}: Uh, Mahout isn't Japanese. Nor is it from the manga and anime. Actually, Mahout's something I started in "Plans" that I haven't stopped. Translation is in my notes.
{D}: Man, does Otogi-san love his hair! He must like Ryou's to think so "highly" of it.
{E}: I kind of scared myself with the doll reference. Kept picturing Muraki-sama from Yami no Matsuei. (I'll never look at porcelain dolls the same way again.) Ryou's white (coughpurplecough) hair wasn't helping.
{E}: [Not in chapter] Whee! Trains are cool. I could have started a HP crossover there…. O.o? laughs nervously Eh…heh heh…no.
:::::::::::::::::
Translations:
Note on translations: You know what, I did give up on this. These will last you most of the fic.
Iya – No (and not the most polite [formal] usage)
Baka – Stupid person; idiot; fool
Yuugi-tachi – Yuugi & Co
Kami – god
-sama – Honorific for someone of higher rank; lord; also used to distance yourself from someone (nice to use for rejection, servility, respect, or in a romance fic for a break up—or in a nice smut fic for the uke ::grinny::)
Shimatta – Damn it
Kutabare – (lit?) Fuck you (::grins nervously and points to PG-13 rating::)
Gomen – Sorry (add a "nasai" to make it more sincere. Since spacing means pretty much nothing in romanji, you don't have to space between "gomennasai" if you don't want to—I usually don't)
Kisama – Bastard; basic insult used by people for the vulgar bastard (a hiretsukan is an actual bastard, as in a despicable person), but actually just a rude "you" because in Japanese there are polite ways to say different words and non-polite ways that are actually ruder than some profanities. Note, there are technically no swear words in Japanese, just different ways of saying things. (::growl:: making it so damn hard for me!)
-kun – Honorific for a young man (not for older guys ::grins:: unless you're being sarcastic and have one exceptionally…different…sense of humor)
Mahout – An elephant driver (Indian)
Nani – What?
Matte yo – Wait (Gushoshin said that when Hisoka wanted to shoot Tsuzuki…. ::spaces out::)
Hai – Yes; sure; present
Arigatou – Thank [you] (I may also use "domo arigatou" which is basically the same thing just more polite…I think)
Oyasumi – Good night (throw in a nasai an it's more serious and all that jazz, but Otogi-san isn't that mannered in this ficcy p)
:::::::::::::::::
Next chapter: Ryuuji's D-D-D tournament now has a few new—uh, how should I put this—requirements for the coordinator? ::smirks:: Hell yeah…
Slow beginning, yes, but it introduces… stuff. (Wow, I sound mature and intelligent!) So, is anyone willing to read the next chapter? crickets chirp Anyone? ::silence:: Even the crickets destroy me slowly. ::angry glares:: Shimatta, chirp already! ::slow timid chirping:: Good.
Please review, I need support in these kinds of things, know? Reviews will make me happy and flames will, well, I'll decide after I read them I suppose. I'll try not to make Ryou insane this fic, okay? I, uh tend to do that more than I need to.
Che, just review.
Randomness:
::runs off screaming "Kamui" at the top of her lungs::
::sweat drop:: Just don't, don't ask.
-Ling no Yong-