Disclaimer: nuh-uh! Not ours! Not mine! Not Nana-chan's! Not Ya-kun's!!!
Yasuo: where did the 'Ya-kun' come from, anyways?
Nanaki: ^___^
Nanashi: ahem... warnings...?
Warnings: huh? oh..! Uhhhhhh, mold language, and shounen-ai... and some OOCness...
Nanaki: MOLD!!! *laughs hysterically*
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* I meant 'mild'...
Nanashi: *snickers* oh yeah... not too many Honda/Kaiba moments here, since Joey and Yugi arrive *bows* gomen... oh yeah, Bakura and Malik too... that's where the OOCness came from v.v()
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaiba yawned, hearing someone come in. Which he chose to ignore. No way was he going to allow someone to disturb the perfect night's sleep he was having.
Saturday, wasn't it?
And he was actually sleeping in?
It was a truly great feeling. If only he did this more often.
He stood up, stretching a bit, then curled back up into a little ball. Making sure to stay close to Tristan.
Then he was suddenly plucked out Tristan's arms.
"What the...!?" he thought, in alarm.
~~~***~~~
"Wakey wakey..."
Tristan grunted. Only to have his nose poked.
"Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey..."
Tristan cringed, pulling his pillow over his head, "go away..." he growled. Then had his pillow, which was over his head, smacked a bit.
"I said, 'WAKE UP'!!!"
Tristan growled, and sat up, swinging the pillow. Smacking... someone in the face.
"ACK!"
THUD!
Tristan rubbed his eyes, yawning. Then he looked down at the floor, seeing Joey sitting there, looking a little dizzy from the hard hit of the pillow. Now only Tristan could hit someone that hard, with a pillow no less.
Joey was on his feet, glaring at the brunette. "YA DOOFUS! WHAT'D YA HIT ME FOR?!"
Tristan shrugged, raising his arms over his head, stretching. Then got smacked in the face with the same pillow he hit Joey with.
WHUMP!
"HEY!"
Tristan sat up, glaring at the blonde. Then he jumped, looking around hastily, after getting a thought. "... Akai!" he said, sounding anxious as he looked around for the kitten.
Joey rolled his eyes, holding the kitten out to his best friend. "This the fleabag you're missing?"
"Akai!" Tristan grabbed the kitten, and glared slightly at Joey. "How 'bout a little warning before you decide to take my cat!"
Joey raised an eyebrow. Then shook his head, "you worry for that fleabag too much..."
Akai glared at Joey, in annoyance.
Tristan sighed, "maybe... who can blame me?"
"I can..."
Tristan rolled his eyes, "what do you want, Joe?"
Joey shrugged, "I'm bored..."
Tristan glanced at the digital clock on his desk, then anime sweatdropped. "Yeah, getting up at 10:34am, on a SATURDAY can do that...!" he said, dryly.
Joey sighed, "you don't have to tell me the time... you think I like getting up this early?"
"You think I like when you wake me up, just because you got up this early?" the taller teenager asked, with a raised eyebrow.
Joey grinned, "yeah?"
Tristan rolled his eyes, sitting the kitten aside, as he swung his legs over, off the bed. He yawned again, rubbing the back of his neck, tiredly. "Seriously, what do you want?"
"Your mom said I should wake you up... she went to visit your sister, and your dad's at work, and..." Joey paused, as he tried to remember what else he had to tell the brunette.
Tristan pursed his lips, waiting.
Joey grinned, snapping his fingers, "and that your mom left a to-do list for you, on the kitchen table..."
Tristan grimaced, "what?"
"Your mom said I should..."
"Never mind..."
Joey snickered, while Tristan stood up, grabbing a t-shirt.
"What kinda to-do things?" he asked, pulling on the t-shirt. Joey shrugged. Tristan rolled his eyes, and shoved Joey aside playfully, and headed for the door.
Then Akai meowed. Tristan blinked, "Oh, whoops..." then he went back, picking up the kitten.
Joey raised an eyebrow, "man... that cat has you completely pussy- whipped..." Then he started to laugh at his joke.
Tristan anime sweatdropped, while his kitten glared at the blonde again; then the brunette casually walked back to Joey. And smacked him upside the head.
"ACK!"
Tristan glanced down at Akai, grinning, "how was that?"
Akai nodded, somewhat enthusiastically.
~~~***~~~
Tristan sighed, plucking up the list, while putting his bowl in the sink, and started to read it.
"Tristan, I'd really appreciate if you did the following... give Blankey a bath, clean the livingroom and kitchen, buy some milk, cheese, and butter. And take out the trash. Thanks, love mom."
With a sigh, Tristan folded the note, putting in the pocket of his jeans, and glanced down at Akai. Who was now currently pushing the bowl across the floor, while trying to get every drop of milk. Grinning, Tristan reached down, picking up the bowl and Akai.
"Gotta learn when to stop, lil' guy..."
Akai looked a little disappointed, again. Then proceeded to lick the milk on his paws off.
Joey looked up from his cereal, "so, what do you gotta do, today?"
"Blankey needs a bath, housecleaning, and some shopping," Tristan answered.
"So... nothing fun today, huh?"
"Nope, guess not... I think visitors are comin by, that's why she wants the house cleaned up..."
"Hn... well, have fun... I gotta get going," Joey said, standing up and making a brisk stride for the door. Only to have the collar of his t-shirt grabbed.
"Hang on, buddy, pal, chum... best friend o' mine..." Tristan said, smirking.
Joey anime sweatdropped, slowly glancing back at the taller boy, "huh?"
"Care to assist me today?"
"Uh..."
"C' mon, buddy... I promise you won't regret it..."
Joey raised an eyebrow, "meaning...?"
~~~***~~~
Kaiba felt a pang of jealousy. He wasn't enjoying the exchange between Tristan and Joey. At all. Just the way Tristan was looking at Joey was getting on Kaiba's nerves.
"Alright, I'm jealous... so sue me," he thought, angerly. Jealousy was not something he felt often. But it was most definitely becoming a feeling he didn't like.
"C' mon, buddy... I promise you won't regret it..." Tristan said, his voice a little too suggestive for Kaiba's liking.
Joey eyed Tristan, suspiciously, "meaning...?"
~~~***~~~
"You help me, I'll treat you to dinner... three large pizzas, with everything on it... how's that?" Tristan said, cheerfully.
Joey thought about it. For a split-second, then grinned. "Sure thing...!"
Then both boys heard a very faint thump.
Both of them glanced down at he floor, seeing Akai lying on the floor. All four legs sticking up, looking like he just fell over in disbelief.
"What's with him?" Joey asked, slowly.
Tristan anime sweatdropped, "no clue..."
~~~***~~~
"Trash... thought it was gonna be easy..." Joey grunted, as he struggled to drag the pair of heavy trashcans to the curb. "Damn Tris' and his reverse psychology...!" he spat.
"Hey, Joey..."
Joey looked up, "huh... oh, hey Yuge!"
Yugi smiled brightly, "I thought you might be here..." Then he looked at the two trashcans, which were just about halfway down the Taylor's driveway. Joey looking flushed, and was panting, while tugging at them, one at a time.
"Having fun?" he asked, lightly.
"Oh, loads... care to join?"
"Um, no thanks..." Yugi said, with a shake of his head. "What're you doing?"
"Tris' asked me to help with his chores t'day... who am I to deny my friends a favor?"
Yugi tilted his head, placing his hands on his hips, "two pizzas with the works?"
"Yuge, I'm offended!" Joey gasped, his hand against his chest, in mock... offense.
The smaller boy raised an eyebrow curiously, while smiling faintly.
"Shows how well you know me, Yuge..." the blonde boy sniffed. Then he grinned, holding up three fingers, "three pizzas..."
Yugi laughed. Then he walked up to the neglected trashcan, and started pulling on it, "I guess this can my good deed for the day..."
"Thanks..." Joey said, with a nod.
"No problem..." Yugi replied.
~~~***~~~
"... When's the last time mom dusted...?" Tristan wondered, then sneezed as more dust flew down over him. "Okay, that's it..." he muttered, stepping back from the dusty bookshelf, while rubbing his eyes.
Then he glanced at Kaiba/Akai, who was sitting on the coffeetable, watching him, his head tilted.
"What?" the brunette asked, slowly. Then he lifted his head, indignantly, "I'll have you know, it's very macho for a man to dust the furniture..."
Akai looked a little amused at the statement. "Suuuuuure it is..." Kaiba thought, smiling inwardly.
"I guess that'll have to wait..." Tristan muttered, "the prospect of sneezing my head off isn't too appealing, so..." He turned, and walked out of the livingroom, to the hallcloset. Then he returned, carrying in a vaccum cleaner.
Kaiba blinked, watching Tristan plug in the machine. Then he turned it on.
The loud noise suddenly terrifying the kitten. He was suddenly puffier, jumping on Tristan's leg, clamboring up his body.
"Ack! Hey...!" Tristan protested. Then turned off the vacuum hastily, as he quickly grabbed Akai, and held him. He sighed, slightly. "Sorry... forgot... no loud noises," he murmured, gently petting his red-haired kitten with his thumb.
Kaiba cringed, feeling foolish yet again. Until the petting began.
"Awwwww, too cute..." Joey joked.
Tristan glanced over to the livingroom's doorway, seeing Joey, Yugi at his side. "Hey, Yugi... when'd you get here?" he asked, confused.
Yugi smiled, "just a minute ago..." Then he looked around, "need help with your chores?"
Joey anime sweatdropped, "you offer him your help, whereas I had to beg for it...?"
Yugi laughed, "you didn't beg."
"A little extra help would be great, Yugi..." Tristan said, with a nod.
"You have to order some hamburgers to go with those three pizzas," the small duelist bargained, with an innocent smile.
Tristan blinked, since Yugi didn't seem like the type to make deals. Then he thought about it, didn't seem so hard. So he shrugged, "well... I guess... sure thing."
Yugi nodded, "alright then... so, what should I do?"
"You can help me clean the livingroom, Joey can wash the dishes..."
"Whaat!? Tris', I hate doing dishes! I'll trade you!" Joey declared.[1]
"But, I..."
"Nope, no way... I'll vacuum, you do dishes..." Joey ordered. "Besides, I don't think Akai'll like you usin the vacuum..."
Yugi grinned, "good point... is Akai scared of the vacuum?" he asked.
"I'm not scared of it!" Kaiba thought, annoyed. "It just surprised me, that's all..." Then he raised an invisible eyebrow, Joey had actually used the name Tristan gave him. He called him Akai.
Hm, Tristan's friends didn't seem so bad now.
"... Fine..." Tristan finally conceded, then he smirked. "Then you can give Blankey a bath," he added, slyly. Yugi laughed, while Joey anime sweatdropped.
"TRISTAN!"
"Alright, alright... just joking, relax..."
~~~***~~~
Joey grunted as he dashed around the coffeetable, pushing the vaccum under it, making sure to get every crumb, every hair, every strand of fur! Everything!
Until the vaccum got stuck under the table.
Joey blinked, then tugged at the vacuum, only to drag the table along with it. With a roll of his eyes, he lifted his leg, placing his foot under the table's edge and lifted it, then pulled out the vaccum.
Yugi anime sweatdropped, as Joey dashed around the couch and started vacuuming back there, next. The smaller duelist sighed, and pushed the coffeetable back in its place. Then he blinked, as Joey was then pushing the couch aside, to get underneath it.
Well, Joey had an interesting way of doing things, didn't he?
~~~***~~~
"Melted cheese... is... the devil..." Tristan griped, as he proceeded to try and scrape off the mozzerella on the bottom of the casserole dish. Akai was on his shoulder, watching.
"Ugh... fine, I surrender!" Tristan then declared, as he tossed the dishrag back in the sink. He sighed, trying to think of something else to do. Then he remembered the small shopping list, so he nodded, "right, shopping..."
Running up the stairs, two at a time, he was in his room, grabbing some money off his dresser. Then glanced out his bedroom window. It was a pretty nice day, no coat needed. He grinned, glancing at Akai, "you coming, or staying?"
Akai shot him a look, almost looking offended that Tristan asked.
Tristan anime sweatdropped, "uh, sorry...?"
"Better be..." Kaiba thought, then smiled at himself. He was getting to like Tristan's instant apologizing. Even if he didn't know why, he still said 'sorry'.
Pocketing the cash, Tristan walked back out of his room, down the stairs. Doing a quick glance out a kitchen window to the backyard, there was Blankey, sleeping peacefully. So the brunette made a beeline for the frontdoor.
"Guys... I have to go pick up some stuff, so... you mind watching the place?" Tristan asked, as he started pulling on his shoes, glancing at Joey and Yugi in the livingroom.
"Not at all," Yugi said, cheerfully.
"Picking up some sodas, or something?" Joey asked, curiously.
Tristan anime sweatdropped, "not necessarily... but, uh... I can?"
Joey nodded, "cool..."
Tristan sighed, he was definitely gonna be broke after this one day was over. But then again, he did have his bank account. Might help to dip into that.
"By the way, Akai's coming with me..." Tristan told them.
"Big surprise..." Joey said, with a grin. "Seriously, I think you are whipped..."
Tristan pursed his lips, while Akai glared at the blonde, again. Tristan then reached down, grabbing a rag, that was used for wiping the table, and threw it at Joey, which landed in his hair. Joey scowled, glaring at the brunette with his eye that wasn't covered. Tristan gave Joey a simple grin as he turned to the door, "later, be back in a few minutes..."
Yugi was smiling as Joey pulled the rag from his hair, "right... see you later..."
~~~***~~~
"... Pussy-whipped..." Tristan muttered, with a shake of his head. "Joey's gotta strange sense of humour..."
Kaiba watched the brunette, curiously. "You're not letting him get to you, are you?" he wondered.
"... I have my pride, Akai... I don't like to be considered someone's doormat..."
"Some pride... you talk to animals..." Kaiba thought, then realized he was teasing him. He grinned to himself. Shame he wasn't human. Tristan's reaction might've been funny to witness.
"And just because I talk to my pets doesn't mean I have little pride..." Tristan went on, as if reading Kaiba's thoughts. "I'm just being generous..." he sniffed, pretending to be haughty.
Kaiba smiled inwardly.
After a few minutes, they reached the corner store. Tristan anime sweatdropped, and glanced at Akai. Then at the sign, 'No Pets Allowed'.
"Damn... I can't believe I forgot," the brunette murmured, softly. He scratched the back of his head, as he thought. Mr. Calhoun loved animals, but after some incidents he had to make his store pet-free.
"Tristan."
Tristan glanced over his shoulder, then blinked. Malik Ishtar. He ran into some pretty unexpected people at this particular store. Malik was no exception.
"Malik... hi, what're you doing here?"
"Store down the street doesn't have lentils... I assumed this place might..."
Tristan cocked an eyebrow, "lentils?" Then he blinked, in realization, "oh yeah... you're a vegetarian, aren't you?"
Malik pursed his lips, "how'd you find that out?"
Tristan rolled his eyes, "oh you know... someone who sounded supiciously like you at lunch the other day, once said 'disgusting flesh of animals', and that tends to reveal their eating habits... particularly yours..."
Malik smirked, "ha ha..." Then he raised an eyebrow, lavender eyes gaining a little curious spark, as he pointed at the red kitten on the brunette's shoulder, "what is that?"
Tristan blinked, glancing at Akai, who was glaring a bit at Malik. "Uhhh, this is a cat... also known as a feline... they have superb recuperating skills, so many believe that cats have 9 lives, and..."
Malik anime sweatdropped, "you think you're funny, don't you?"
Tristan grinned, "on very rare occasions, yes..."
Kaiba smirked, inwardly. "Egyptian's worship cats... bow to me!" he thought. Then he started to laugh, mentally. The image of Malik on his knees, bowing to him, as well as Tristan, was actually pretty amusing.
"Why'd you bring a cat? They're not allowed in stores," Malik asked, as he lifted his hand towards the kitten.
Kaiba scowled, and batted his finger away. Which left Malik kind of surprised. Touchy cat, or what?
"It slipped my mind..." Tristan was answering, with a shrug.
"Are you that absent-minded?" asked Malik, his eyebrow raised.
"Not always... I guess I'm just having a really off-day..." Tristan said, with a sigh. Then he eyed Malik, and grinned, "hey, we've been friends for a while now, right?"
"........... If we have, I haven't received the notice," Malik retorted, dryly.
Tristan rolled his eyes, then held Akai out to Malik. "Can you watch him for me? I'll get you your lentils," he offered.
Malik stared at the red-haired kitten, in distaste, then glared up at the taller teenager. "Are you asking me for a favor?"
"Yeah."
"... We aren't friends, Tristan."
Tristan pursed his lips, "okay then..." he said, slowly. Then he grinned, "then just consider it being a good deed... you are a boy scout, right?"
Malik clenched his hands into fists, "no, I'm not!" he snapped. Tristan laughed. Getting on Malik's nerves was getting to be a pretty fun past- time.
"Look, just take him, and I'll get you your stuff, okay?" Tristan said, shortly.
Kaiba anime sweatdropped as he was placed in Malik's hands. Then Tristan walked into the store, getting greeted by the man behind the register.
Kaiba scowled, then noticed he was just hanging there in Malik's hands.
Malik was holding him, almost at arm-length's away. Staring at him, uncertainly. Kaiba pursed his lips, as he struggled a bit. This was not the most comfortable way to be held. His hindlegs dangling, his forelegs being pushed up so they were against the sides of his head.
"Can you put me down?" Kaiba thought, twisting slightly. "I'd hate to see you holding a child." He glared at the Egyptian in obvious annoyance.
"Stop moving..." Malik snapped.
"Then put me down!" Kaiba shot back, mentally. "Or at least hold me a little better."
Then Malik glanced around, sighing. Then raised an eyebrow, "well, small world."
Kaiba blinked, glancing to where Malik was looking. Then he frowned, slightly. Ryou?
"It's good to see you, too..." the silver-haired boy said, smirking faintly. His voice a little rougher than the soft-spoken Ryou's. "What made you say that?"
Must have been the spirit of Ryou's ring. Or however it was explained.
Malik nodded towards the store's etrance, "Tristan's inside."
Bakura's smirk grew a bit, "is there a particular reason for you to be waiting for him here?"
Malik glared at him, "I don't like what you're implying..." he spat. Then Bakura noticed the kitten that Malik was holding so awkwardly.
"What the hell is that?"
"It's called a kitten... the younger version of a cat, also known as a feline, and they have superb recuperating skills..." Malik started, mimicking Tristan.
Bakura frowned, ignoring Malik's taunting, and took the kitten, "who taught you how to hold animals?" he demanded.
Malik put his hands on his hips, "and when did you become such an expert?"
"...... It's common-knowledge... one doesn't hold a cat as if it were disease-ridden," the tombrobber retorted. Malik frowned.
Kaiba sighed, slightly. He was always getting passed around! But... he was a little more comfortable at least. Then he was suddenly being examined by Malik.
"I'm... getting an odd feeling, from this cat..." he said, slowly. Then he tilted his head, still watching the kitten, intently.
"Odd feeling?" Bakura echoed, actually sounding a little confused.
Kaiba fidgeted. Malik's staring was actually getting a little nerve- racking. Those chilly lavender eyes, staring hard into Kaiba's deep blue eyes. Almost seeing in Kaiba's mind, even.
Then Malik's eyes widened, slightly. "Set... the keeper of the Millennium Rod," he whispered.
Kaiba's eyes widened, in shock, "What!?"
Bakura was watching the exchange, looking bored. Until Malik called the kitten Set. Which was when Bakura frowned, "what?"
"... Set's spirit... or rather, his reincarnated spirit is in this cat," Malik explained.
Bakura snorted, "Set's already been reincarnated, Malik... remember the mortal, Seto Kaiba?"
Malik nodded, glaring up at Bakura, slightly. "Of course I remember!" he snapped, getting irritated. "But Set's spirit is in this cat."
"Set's spirit is already reborn, living as Seto Kaiba, Malik."
"Idiot! You're not listening to a word I'm saying!" Malik growled, pointing at the wide-eyed kitten. "This kitten has Set's spirit! Set was reincarnated at Seto Kaiba! This kitten is Seto Kaiba!"
Kaiba stared at the Egyptian in astonishment. Then felt his heart lift. He was finally discovered! Now maybe there was a way to fix things!
Then the CEO-turned-kitten's heart fell, slightly. He would have to go back to being Seto Kaiba, cold, heartless, distant CEO of KaibaCorp., with a hundred problems to deal with per day.
And that was if Tristan found out? Kaiba's ears twitched, ignoring Malik and Bakura's arguing. What were the chances of Tristan finding out, courtesy of Malik and Bakura?
"I'm telling you, this is Seto Kaiba!" Malik was saying, still trying to convince Bakura.
"What's Seto Kaiba?" Tristan's voice asked.
Kaiba's heart dropped, further.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
[1] DEATH TO DISH-WASHING!!! er, sorry, heh... it only seemed right to hate dishes... heh, ahem... v.v()
~~~***~~~
Nanaki: *gasps* NOOOOOOO!!! MALIK! BAKURA!!! SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT IT UP! JUST SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!!
Yasuo: *sings softly* we tried to take it slow, but we're still losin control... and we try to make it work, but it still ends up the worse... and I'm crazy...
Nanashi: *sings* I'm tryin to be a lady... I think I'm going crazy...
Nanaki: *anime sweatdrops* uhhh...
Nanashi & Yasuo: *shrugs*
Nanashi: that song belongs to Black-Eyed Peas, not me. And it's called "Shut Up", and it's a very cool song, I like it ^_^
Nanaki: *whips out a steel mallet* MALIK! BAKURA!!! SHUT UP!!! *charges away, to find Malik and Bakura, swinging the mallet insanely*
Yasuo: ........ you should fix her...
Nanashi: *shrugs* Nanaki...?
Nanaki: *battle cries while looking under chairs, under tables, and looking in closets*
Nanashi: ....... Kaiba's gonna be human soon...
Nanaki: ..... *blinks* human...?
Nanashi: *nods*
Nanaki: ............... *squeals* WAI!!! WAI! WAI! WAI! WAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!! *dances in circles* WAI! WAI! WAI! *glomps Ya-kun* WAI, NE, YA-KUN!?
Yasuo: *rolls his eyes* yeah, "wai"... *struggles* now, leggo!
Yasuo: where did the 'Ya-kun' come from, anyways?
Nanaki: ^___^
Nanashi: ahem... warnings...?
Warnings: huh? oh..! Uhhhhhh, mold language, and shounen-ai... and some OOCness...
Nanaki: MOLD!!! *laughs hysterically*
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* I meant 'mild'...
Nanashi: *snickers* oh yeah... not too many Honda/Kaiba moments here, since Joey and Yugi arrive *bows* gomen... oh yeah, Bakura and Malik too... that's where the OOCness came from v.v()
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaiba yawned, hearing someone come in. Which he chose to ignore. No way was he going to allow someone to disturb the perfect night's sleep he was having.
Saturday, wasn't it?
And he was actually sleeping in?
It was a truly great feeling. If only he did this more often.
He stood up, stretching a bit, then curled back up into a little ball. Making sure to stay close to Tristan.
Then he was suddenly plucked out Tristan's arms.
"What the...!?" he thought, in alarm.
~~~***~~~
"Wakey wakey..."
Tristan grunted. Only to have his nose poked.
"Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey..."
Tristan cringed, pulling his pillow over his head, "go away..." he growled. Then had his pillow, which was over his head, smacked a bit.
"I said, 'WAKE UP'!!!"
Tristan growled, and sat up, swinging the pillow. Smacking... someone in the face.
"ACK!"
THUD!
Tristan rubbed his eyes, yawning. Then he looked down at the floor, seeing Joey sitting there, looking a little dizzy from the hard hit of the pillow. Now only Tristan could hit someone that hard, with a pillow no less.
Joey was on his feet, glaring at the brunette. "YA DOOFUS! WHAT'D YA HIT ME FOR?!"
Tristan shrugged, raising his arms over his head, stretching. Then got smacked in the face with the same pillow he hit Joey with.
WHUMP!
"HEY!"
Tristan sat up, glaring at the blonde. Then he jumped, looking around hastily, after getting a thought. "... Akai!" he said, sounding anxious as he looked around for the kitten.
Joey rolled his eyes, holding the kitten out to his best friend. "This the fleabag you're missing?"
"Akai!" Tristan grabbed the kitten, and glared slightly at Joey. "How 'bout a little warning before you decide to take my cat!"
Joey raised an eyebrow. Then shook his head, "you worry for that fleabag too much..."
Akai glared at Joey, in annoyance.
Tristan sighed, "maybe... who can blame me?"
"I can..."
Tristan rolled his eyes, "what do you want, Joe?"
Joey shrugged, "I'm bored..."
Tristan glanced at the digital clock on his desk, then anime sweatdropped. "Yeah, getting up at 10:34am, on a SATURDAY can do that...!" he said, dryly.
Joey sighed, "you don't have to tell me the time... you think I like getting up this early?"
"You think I like when you wake me up, just because you got up this early?" the taller teenager asked, with a raised eyebrow.
Joey grinned, "yeah?"
Tristan rolled his eyes, sitting the kitten aside, as he swung his legs over, off the bed. He yawned again, rubbing the back of his neck, tiredly. "Seriously, what do you want?"
"Your mom said I should wake you up... she went to visit your sister, and your dad's at work, and..." Joey paused, as he tried to remember what else he had to tell the brunette.
Tristan pursed his lips, waiting.
Joey grinned, snapping his fingers, "and that your mom left a to-do list for you, on the kitchen table..."
Tristan grimaced, "what?"
"Your mom said I should..."
"Never mind..."
Joey snickered, while Tristan stood up, grabbing a t-shirt.
"What kinda to-do things?" he asked, pulling on the t-shirt. Joey shrugged. Tristan rolled his eyes, and shoved Joey aside playfully, and headed for the door.
Then Akai meowed. Tristan blinked, "Oh, whoops..." then he went back, picking up the kitten.
Joey raised an eyebrow, "man... that cat has you completely pussy- whipped..." Then he started to laugh at his joke.
Tristan anime sweatdropped, while his kitten glared at the blonde again; then the brunette casually walked back to Joey. And smacked him upside the head.
"ACK!"
Tristan glanced down at Akai, grinning, "how was that?"
Akai nodded, somewhat enthusiastically.
~~~***~~~
Tristan sighed, plucking up the list, while putting his bowl in the sink, and started to read it.
"Tristan, I'd really appreciate if you did the following... give Blankey a bath, clean the livingroom and kitchen, buy some milk, cheese, and butter. And take out the trash. Thanks, love mom."
With a sigh, Tristan folded the note, putting in the pocket of his jeans, and glanced down at Akai. Who was now currently pushing the bowl across the floor, while trying to get every drop of milk. Grinning, Tristan reached down, picking up the bowl and Akai.
"Gotta learn when to stop, lil' guy..."
Akai looked a little disappointed, again. Then proceeded to lick the milk on his paws off.
Joey looked up from his cereal, "so, what do you gotta do, today?"
"Blankey needs a bath, housecleaning, and some shopping," Tristan answered.
"So... nothing fun today, huh?"
"Nope, guess not... I think visitors are comin by, that's why she wants the house cleaned up..."
"Hn... well, have fun... I gotta get going," Joey said, standing up and making a brisk stride for the door. Only to have the collar of his t-shirt grabbed.
"Hang on, buddy, pal, chum... best friend o' mine..." Tristan said, smirking.
Joey anime sweatdropped, slowly glancing back at the taller boy, "huh?"
"Care to assist me today?"
"Uh..."
"C' mon, buddy... I promise you won't regret it..."
Joey raised an eyebrow, "meaning...?"
~~~***~~~
Kaiba felt a pang of jealousy. He wasn't enjoying the exchange between Tristan and Joey. At all. Just the way Tristan was looking at Joey was getting on Kaiba's nerves.
"Alright, I'm jealous... so sue me," he thought, angerly. Jealousy was not something he felt often. But it was most definitely becoming a feeling he didn't like.
"C' mon, buddy... I promise you won't regret it..." Tristan said, his voice a little too suggestive for Kaiba's liking.
Joey eyed Tristan, suspiciously, "meaning...?"
~~~***~~~
"You help me, I'll treat you to dinner... three large pizzas, with everything on it... how's that?" Tristan said, cheerfully.
Joey thought about it. For a split-second, then grinned. "Sure thing...!"
Then both boys heard a very faint thump.
Both of them glanced down at he floor, seeing Akai lying on the floor. All four legs sticking up, looking like he just fell over in disbelief.
"What's with him?" Joey asked, slowly.
Tristan anime sweatdropped, "no clue..."
~~~***~~~
"Trash... thought it was gonna be easy..." Joey grunted, as he struggled to drag the pair of heavy trashcans to the curb. "Damn Tris' and his reverse psychology...!" he spat.
"Hey, Joey..."
Joey looked up, "huh... oh, hey Yuge!"
Yugi smiled brightly, "I thought you might be here..." Then he looked at the two trashcans, which were just about halfway down the Taylor's driveway. Joey looking flushed, and was panting, while tugging at them, one at a time.
"Having fun?" he asked, lightly.
"Oh, loads... care to join?"
"Um, no thanks..." Yugi said, with a shake of his head. "What're you doing?"
"Tris' asked me to help with his chores t'day... who am I to deny my friends a favor?"
Yugi tilted his head, placing his hands on his hips, "two pizzas with the works?"
"Yuge, I'm offended!" Joey gasped, his hand against his chest, in mock... offense.
The smaller boy raised an eyebrow curiously, while smiling faintly.
"Shows how well you know me, Yuge..." the blonde boy sniffed. Then he grinned, holding up three fingers, "three pizzas..."
Yugi laughed. Then he walked up to the neglected trashcan, and started pulling on it, "I guess this can my good deed for the day..."
"Thanks..." Joey said, with a nod.
"No problem..." Yugi replied.
~~~***~~~
"... When's the last time mom dusted...?" Tristan wondered, then sneezed as more dust flew down over him. "Okay, that's it..." he muttered, stepping back from the dusty bookshelf, while rubbing his eyes.
Then he glanced at Kaiba/Akai, who was sitting on the coffeetable, watching him, his head tilted.
"What?" the brunette asked, slowly. Then he lifted his head, indignantly, "I'll have you know, it's very macho for a man to dust the furniture..."
Akai looked a little amused at the statement. "Suuuuuure it is..." Kaiba thought, smiling inwardly.
"I guess that'll have to wait..." Tristan muttered, "the prospect of sneezing my head off isn't too appealing, so..." He turned, and walked out of the livingroom, to the hallcloset. Then he returned, carrying in a vaccum cleaner.
Kaiba blinked, watching Tristan plug in the machine. Then he turned it on.
The loud noise suddenly terrifying the kitten. He was suddenly puffier, jumping on Tristan's leg, clamboring up his body.
"Ack! Hey...!" Tristan protested. Then turned off the vacuum hastily, as he quickly grabbed Akai, and held him. He sighed, slightly. "Sorry... forgot... no loud noises," he murmured, gently petting his red-haired kitten with his thumb.
Kaiba cringed, feeling foolish yet again. Until the petting began.
"Awwwww, too cute..." Joey joked.
Tristan glanced over to the livingroom's doorway, seeing Joey, Yugi at his side. "Hey, Yugi... when'd you get here?" he asked, confused.
Yugi smiled, "just a minute ago..." Then he looked around, "need help with your chores?"
Joey anime sweatdropped, "you offer him your help, whereas I had to beg for it...?"
Yugi laughed, "you didn't beg."
"A little extra help would be great, Yugi..." Tristan said, with a nod.
"You have to order some hamburgers to go with those three pizzas," the small duelist bargained, with an innocent smile.
Tristan blinked, since Yugi didn't seem like the type to make deals. Then he thought about it, didn't seem so hard. So he shrugged, "well... I guess... sure thing."
Yugi nodded, "alright then... so, what should I do?"
"You can help me clean the livingroom, Joey can wash the dishes..."
"Whaat!? Tris', I hate doing dishes! I'll trade you!" Joey declared.[1]
"But, I..."
"Nope, no way... I'll vacuum, you do dishes..." Joey ordered. "Besides, I don't think Akai'll like you usin the vacuum..."
Yugi grinned, "good point... is Akai scared of the vacuum?" he asked.
"I'm not scared of it!" Kaiba thought, annoyed. "It just surprised me, that's all..." Then he raised an invisible eyebrow, Joey had actually used the name Tristan gave him. He called him Akai.
Hm, Tristan's friends didn't seem so bad now.
"... Fine..." Tristan finally conceded, then he smirked. "Then you can give Blankey a bath," he added, slyly. Yugi laughed, while Joey anime sweatdropped.
"TRISTAN!"
"Alright, alright... just joking, relax..."
~~~***~~~
Joey grunted as he dashed around the coffeetable, pushing the vaccum under it, making sure to get every crumb, every hair, every strand of fur! Everything!
Until the vaccum got stuck under the table.
Joey blinked, then tugged at the vacuum, only to drag the table along with it. With a roll of his eyes, he lifted his leg, placing his foot under the table's edge and lifted it, then pulled out the vaccum.
Yugi anime sweatdropped, as Joey dashed around the couch and started vacuuming back there, next. The smaller duelist sighed, and pushed the coffeetable back in its place. Then he blinked, as Joey was then pushing the couch aside, to get underneath it.
Well, Joey had an interesting way of doing things, didn't he?
~~~***~~~
"Melted cheese... is... the devil..." Tristan griped, as he proceeded to try and scrape off the mozzerella on the bottom of the casserole dish. Akai was on his shoulder, watching.
"Ugh... fine, I surrender!" Tristan then declared, as he tossed the dishrag back in the sink. He sighed, trying to think of something else to do. Then he remembered the small shopping list, so he nodded, "right, shopping..."
Running up the stairs, two at a time, he was in his room, grabbing some money off his dresser. Then glanced out his bedroom window. It was a pretty nice day, no coat needed. He grinned, glancing at Akai, "you coming, or staying?"
Akai shot him a look, almost looking offended that Tristan asked.
Tristan anime sweatdropped, "uh, sorry...?"
"Better be..." Kaiba thought, then smiled at himself. He was getting to like Tristan's instant apologizing. Even if he didn't know why, he still said 'sorry'.
Pocketing the cash, Tristan walked back out of his room, down the stairs. Doing a quick glance out a kitchen window to the backyard, there was Blankey, sleeping peacefully. So the brunette made a beeline for the frontdoor.
"Guys... I have to go pick up some stuff, so... you mind watching the place?" Tristan asked, as he started pulling on his shoes, glancing at Joey and Yugi in the livingroom.
"Not at all," Yugi said, cheerfully.
"Picking up some sodas, or something?" Joey asked, curiously.
Tristan anime sweatdropped, "not necessarily... but, uh... I can?"
Joey nodded, "cool..."
Tristan sighed, he was definitely gonna be broke after this one day was over. But then again, he did have his bank account. Might help to dip into that.
"By the way, Akai's coming with me..." Tristan told them.
"Big surprise..." Joey said, with a grin. "Seriously, I think you are whipped..."
Tristan pursed his lips, while Akai glared at the blonde, again. Tristan then reached down, grabbing a rag, that was used for wiping the table, and threw it at Joey, which landed in his hair. Joey scowled, glaring at the brunette with his eye that wasn't covered. Tristan gave Joey a simple grin as he turned to the door, "later, be back in a few minutes..."
Yugi was smiling as Joey pulled the rag from his hair, "right... see you later..."
~~~***~~~
"... Pussy-whipped..." Tristan muttered, with a shake of his head. "Joey's gotta strange sense of humour..."
Kaiba watched the brunette, curiously. "You're not letting him get to you, are you?" he wondered.
"... I have my pride, Akai... I don't like to be considered someone's doormat..."
"Some pride... you talk to animals..." Kaiba thought, then realized he was teasing him. He grinned to himself. Shame he wasn't human. Tristan's reaction might've been funny to witness.
"And just because I talk to my pets doesn't mean I have little pride..." Tristan went on, as if reading Kaiba's thoughts. "I'm just being generous..." he sniffed, pretending to be haughty.
Kaiba smiled inwardly.
After a few minutes, they reached the corner store. Tristan anime sweatdropped, and glanced at Akai. Then at the sign, 'No Pets Allowed'.
"Damn... I can't believe I forgot," the brunette murmured, softly. He scratched the back of his head, as he thought. Mr. Calhoun loved animals, but after some incidents he had to make his store pet-free.
"Tristan."
Tristan glanced over his shoulder, then blinked. Malik Ishtar. He ran into some pretty unexpected people at this particular store. Malik was no exception.
"Malik... hi, what're you doing here?"
"Store down the street doesn't have lentils... I assumed this place might..."
Tristan cocked an eyebrow, "lentils?" Then he blinked, in realization, "oh yeah... you're a vegetarian, aren't you?"
Malik pursed his lips, "how'd you find that out?"
Tristan rolled his eyes, "oh you know... someone who sounded supiciously like you at lunch the other day, once said 'disgusting flesh of animals', and that tends to reveal their eating habits... particularly yours..."
Malik smirked, "ha ha..." Then he raised an eyebrow, lavender eyes gaining a little curious spark, as he pointed at the red kitten on the brunette's shoulder, "what is that?"
Tristan blinked, glancing at Akai, who was glaring a bit at Malik. "Uhhh, this is a cat... also known as a feline... they have superb recuperating skills, so many believe that cats have 9 lives, and..."
Malik anime sweatdropped, "you think you're funny, don't you?"
Tristan grinned, "on very rare occasions, yes..."
Kaiba smirked, inwardly. "Egyptian's worship cats... bow to me!" he thought. Then he started to laugh, mentally. The image of Malik on his knees, bowing to him, as well as Tristan, was actually pretty amusing.
"Why'd you bring a cat? They're not allowed in stores," Malik asked, as he lifted his hand towards the kitten.
Kaiba scowled, and batted his finger away. Which left Malik kind of surprised. Touchy cat, or what?
"It slipped my mind..." Tristan was answering, with a shrug.
"Are you that absent-minded?" asked Malik, his eyebrow raised.
"Not always... I guess I'm just having a really off-day..." Tristan said, with a sigh. Then he eyed Malik, and grinned, "hey, we've been friends for a while now, right?"
"........... If we have, I haven't received the notice," Malik retorted, dryly.
Tristan rolled his eyes, then held Akai out to Malik. "Can you watch him for me? I'll get you your lentils," he offered.
Malik stared at the red-haired kitten, in distaste, then glared up at the taller teenager. "Are you asking me for a favor?"
"Yeah."
"... We aren't friends, Tristan."
Tristan pursed his lips, "okay then..." he said, slowly. Then he grinned, "then just consider it being a good deed... you are a boy scout, right?"
Malik clenched his hands into fists, "no, I'm not!" he snapped. Tristan laughed. Getting on Malik's nerves was getting to be a pretty fun past- time.
"Look, just take him, and I'll get you your stuff, okay?" Tristan said, shortly.
Kaiba anime sweatdropped as he was placed in Malik's hands. Then Tristan walked into the store, getting greeted by the man behind the register.
Kaiba scowled, then noticed he was just hanging there in Malik's hands.
Malik was holding him, almost at arm-length's away. Staring at him, uncertainly. Kaiba pursed his lips, as he struggled a bit. This was not the most comfortable way to be held. His hindlegs dangling, his forelegs being pushed up so they were against the sides of his head.
"Can you put me down?" Kaiba thought, twisting slightly. "I'd hate to see you holding a child." He glared at the Egyptian in obvious annoyance.
"Stop moving..." Malik snapped.
"Then put me down!" Kaiba shot back, mentally. "Or at least hold me a little better."
Then Malik glanced around, sighing. Then raised an eyebrow, "well, small world."
Kaiba blinked, glancing to where Malik was looking. Then he frowned, slightly. Ryou?
"It's good to see you, too..." the silver-haired boy said, smirking faintly. His voice a little rougher than the soft-spoken Ryou's. "What made you say that?"
Must have been the spirit of Ryou's ring. Or however it was explained.
Malik nodded towards the store's etrance, "Tristan's inside."
Bakura's smirk grew a bit, "is there a particular reason for you to be waiting for him here?"
Malik glared at him, "I don't like what you're implying..." he spat. Then Bakura noticed the kitten that Malik was holding so awkwardly.
"What the hell is that?"
"It's called a kitten... the younger version of a cat, also known as a feline, and they have superb recuperating skills..." Malik started, mimicking Tristan.
Bakura frowned, ignoring Malik's taunting, and took the kitten, "who taught you how to hold animals?" he demanded.
Malik put his hands on his hips, "and when did you become such an expert?"
"...... It's common-knowledge... one doesn't hold a cat as if it were disease-ridden," the tombrobber retorted. Malik frowned.
Kaiba sighed, slightly. He was always getting passed around! But... he was a little more comfortable at least. Then he was suddenly being examined by Malik.
"I'm... getting an odd feeling, from this cat..." he said, slowly. Then he tilted his head, still watching the kitten, intently.
"Odd feeling?" Bakura echoed, actually sounding a little confused.
Kaiba fidgeted. Malik's staring was actually getting a little nerve- racking. Those chilly lavender eyes, staring hard into Kaiba's deep blue eyes. Almost seeing in Kaiba's mind, even.
Then Malik's eyes widened, slightly. "Set... the keeper of the Millennium Rod," he whispered.
Kaiba's eyes widened, in shock, "What!?"
Bakura was watching the exchange, looking bored. Until Malik called the kitten Set. Which was when Bakura frowned, "what?"
"... Set's spirit... or rather, his reincarnated spirit is in this cat," Malik explained.
Bakura snorted, "Set's already been reincarnated, Malik... remember the mortal, Seto Kaiba?"
Malik nodded, glaring up at Bakura, slightly. "Of course I remember!" he snapped, getting irritated. "But Set's spirit is in this cat."
"Set's spirit is already reborn, living as Seto Kaiba, Malik."
"Idiot! You're not listening to a word I'm saying!" Malik growled, pointing at the wide-eyed kitten. "This kitten has Set's spirit! Set was reincarnated at Seto Kaiba! This kitten is Seto Kaiba!"
Kaiba stared at the Egyptian in astonishment. Then felt his heart lift. He was finally discovered! Now maybe there was a way to fix things!
Then the CEO-turned-kitten's heart fell, slightly. He would have to go back to being Seto Kaiba, cold, heartless, distant CEO of KaibaCorp., with a hundred problems to deal with per day.
And that was if Tristan found out? Kaiba's ears twitched, ignoring Malik and Bakura's arguing. What were the chances of Tristan finding out, courtesy of Malik and Bakura?
"I'm telling you, this is Seto Kaiba!" Malik was saying, still trying to convince Bakura.
"What's Seto Kaiba?" Tristan's voice asked.
Kaiba's heart dropped, further.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
[1] DEATH TO DISH-WASHING!!! er, sorry, heh... it only seemed right to hate dishes... heh, ahem... v.v()
~~~***~~~
Nanaki: *gasps* NOOOOOOO!!! MALIK! BAKURA!!! SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT IT UP! JUST SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!!
Yasuo: *sings softly* we tried to take it slow, but we're still losin control... and we try to make it work, but it still ends up the worse... and I'm crazy...
Nanashi: *sings* I'm tryin to be a lady... I think I'm going crazy...
Nanaki: *anime sweatdrops* uhhh...
Nanashi & Yasuo: *shrugs*
Nanashi: that song belongs to Black-Eyed Peas, not me. And it's called "Shut Up", and it's a very cool song, I like it ^_^
Nanaki: *whips out a steel mallet* MALIK! BAKURA!!! SHUT UP!!! *charges away, to find Malik and Bakura, swinging the mallet insanely*
Yasuo: ........ you should fix her...
Nanashi: *shrugs* Nanaki...?
Nanaki: *battle cries while looking under chairs, under tables, and looking in closets*
Nanashi: ....... Kaiba's gonna be human soon...
Nanaki: ..... *blinks* human...?
Nanashi: *nods*
Nanaki: ............... *squeals* WAI!!! WAI! WAI! WAI! WAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!! *dances in circles* WAI! WAI! WAI! *glomps Ya-kun* WAI, NE, YA-KUN!?
Yasuo: *rolls his eyes* yeah, "wai"... *struggles* now, leggo!