Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh. If I did, I'd be charging people to read this because I'm just that evil (and just that broke…).
Notes: Doves are pigeons. Hato is Japanese for pigeon. Hato is Ryou's dove. Yay! (Yeah, there's a real genius mind behind this fic.)
You know what, I'm just making up Ryuuji's character as I go along. He isn't too developed in the manga or anime; I don't have much to work with. But, he's hot, so I'll get over it. ::wonders why she can't think today::
Oh, and I changed the plot a bit. The chapter titles are all the same, but their content is different by a little. Just so you know….
Chapter Information: Seto is evil. ::fan girls bellow in rage:: But maybe he's just good intentioned evil?
This is the chapter RA wanted to read. I made sure it was spiffyishtish!
::blinks::
Thanks: R Amythest for Beta-reading.
(Shetan: Look, I replied to you first! I did reply to your review last chapter, but I somehow cut it off while editing. It was the last response. Right after I uploaded I realized it wasn't there. Gomen, I re-upped the chapter with the nice long reply. - ::blinks at Shetan's idea of the future chapters:: You should have stopped while you were ahead. All I can say is: You'll be surprised. This fic isn't as confusing as you're going to make me think it is. - I wish more people would write Seto/Malik, save me the trouble. Heck, how many people write Ryuuji/Ryou, anyway? ::drowns in fondness for mildly popular couples:: Argh, why can't I appreciate a nice Yuugi/Ryou? ::blinks:: Wait, that's not very popular at all) [Witty Phantom: Awesome, your name is my favorite card. I love the saying in your bio, "Québec is the land where the legal drinking age is just a suggestion!" ::blinks blankly as people stare:: So what? I was having a slow day…Now, back to the reply…. - It's all just some strange triangle like thing. Just don't ask Shetan about it, she'll confuse you. {Confused me and I'm writing this….}] [Ashuri chan: Well, obviously. You hurt the ones you love, and I love Ryuuji. ::grin:: Things aren't going to be too great for him for a while.] (bloodquartz: "Plans" is coming along on it's own. You don't want me to rush, do you? ::grin:: Seto/Malik….) [MarmaladeGirl: Wow, you're one of the only reviewers who didn't mention "Plans." ::hugs Marm:: Thank you! - ::blinks and looks at plot:: Don't worry, this fic isn't very confusing. It makes more sense as you read on.] (InSaNe KeYbLaDeR: Actually, I'd have to move farther east or west for Japanese to even be an option. And then it'd have to be a large metropolis with more than just manufacturing to its name. Everything around here is Spanish or French, maybe Latin if you want to be a doctor or something. ::blinks:: We need to move…. I don't live near many Asians.) [Windswift: I actually had to watch "The Birds" the movie last year. The author Daphne du Maurier who was mentioned in my bio wrote "The Birds"—the short story, which the Hitchcock film was based on. I read that too. - I ought to fix my scanner. ::glares at evil machine:: The calendar was actually something my friend had on his desk. I thought it was cool, so I gave it to Ryuuji, just on the wall instead.] (Elle-FaTe2x1: I clicked around the Red Lobster site, which only proves I have not converted to a lobster-free diet. They have diagrams on how to eat lobster, how to cook lobster…everything! Even little games! I thought it was hilarious. - My brother writes fanfiction on my old mediaminor penname. You can only tell where that goes. It's all Yami no Matsuei too. He's odd.) [Equaral: "Plans" is coming along slowly. It's going to finish eventually.] (Sachi-chan: Send me any pics you want, I love fan art {I'm one of the only people I know who do…}. - You aren't pathetic for reading my bio! I'm not updating that thing every week for my good health. Lots of people read it actually…I used to find that odd, but it's cool. One person even Googled the word "lobster" and found out what the site was. I was thinking of you though, when I updated on September second. I figured you'd like to know about how "Plans" was going so far.) [Renee the Rabid Squirrel: I dunno, maybe the old man did do something? ::readers glare:: {Random Reviewer Voice: And you're writing this?} Well, maybe the old man is just an excuse for having birds attack Ryuuji? ::blinks:: Sounds all right to me.]
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Or Die Trying
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-Hato's Attack-
"I really don't get it, all these birds attacking and upsetting everything. You'd think I'd done something to their alien leader."
"It is weird," Ryou agreed. Ryuuji had been complaining about the pigeons for that past thirty minutes. Now he was just raving, out of what else to say. "I doubt that's the reason though, Otogi-kun."
"Tell them that," Ryuuji suggested, pointing vaguely to the window, which he was avoiding, "The second I walk over there, some ugly bird's going to crash."
Ryou shook his head, "You're just paranoid. That bird hit the glass yesterday and you're scared for life. Listen, birds crash into windows all the time, they're not after you."
Ryuuji frowned. Ryou didn't know about the cream puffs…and never would. The dark-haired teen had no intent of telling his friend about that little incident's finer details.
"But my hand! You saw what those furry fiends did to me yesterday."
"You mean feathery?" Ryou grinned, not taking Ryuuji seriously.
"Do I care?" Ryuuji snapped, annoyed with the fact Ryou didn't believe him. No, Ryou thought he was insane, a paranoid baka who was fretting over city wildlife. It was like a horror movie. It always the nice guys you thought would believe you, who would agree that yes, there were rabid pigeons abounding. Then you receive a major slap in the fact as the person proves to be a super realist and not believing anything you say. Wasn't Ryou owner of the Sennen Ring? That had to entitle him to take Ryuuji serious to an extent…not implying Ryou was crazy or anything, only he was more informed on how true some fairytale fiction proved to be.
"Otogi-kun," Ryou sighed, looking at his friend's stubborn expression. He walked over and grabbed his arm, surprising Ryuuji out of his thoughts. "C'mon," he coaxed, dragging the larger teen towards the window.
For a few seconds Ryuuji resisted. He only followed after he decided that if a bird hit the pane his point would be proven. Then Ryou would see the creatures had it in for him.
"Well, it's been a minute and half," Ryou noted, standing next to the glass with Ryuuji. "I don't see any pigeons crashing, so I'll have to call coincidence."
Ryuuji was too surprised to say much. He hesitantly leaned towards the window, looking out.
"Eeee!" he shrieked jumping back. Ryou shook his head and sighed a little, grinning apologetically.
"Ryuuji, a pigeon landed on the sill. It's not attacking you."
Ryuuji glared at the grey bird as it blinked up at him innocently. "No, it saw you with me and thought it'd be more embarrassing if I were to take fright."
Ryou shook his head more, walking away from the window. Ryuuji distanced himself from the place as well, sitting on the couch instead.
"You keep drawing all these parallels, Otogi-kun. None of this is connected or related in any way. That bird you said intentionally had a toilet on your arm this morning was a fluke. That "flying fiend" who took one of your dice before you got here only did so because you dropped it. Don't make all that more than it is. There aren't even that many pigeons in Domino anyway."
Ryuuji frowned at a table. He hadn't told Ryou the die was ripped from his hand by two rabid pigeons. That would have sounded a bit crazy.
Oh yes, Ryou didn't think he was crazy now!
"Oi, what the hell are you doing?" Ryuuji yelped, leaping up. Ryou had just walked in with a large birdcage. Inside was a small white dove, cooing peacefully.
"Remember the turtledove? I still have it."
"Aren't they pigeons?"
Ryou frowned sadly at this. "Otogi-kun…."
Ryuuji didn't like how disappointed Ryou looked. Apparently rejecting the pet offended him. Ryuuji didn't want to upset the boy.
"Okay, I won't freak, I promise."
Ryou smiled slightly at this. "All I need to do is feed him right now or he'll get jumpy."
"Uh, yeah…." Ryuuji agreed hazily, not sure if he was supposed to say anything.
"Wait a sec," Ryou said, reaching into the cage and coaxing the bird onto his arm.
"Do you have to ta—take it out to feed it?" Ryuuji asked nervously, questioning Ryou's logic. Just what had Ryuuji been telling him about for the past forty-five minutes?
"No," Ryou answered, "But it doesn't look like he's attacking."
Ryuuji noticed this too. Maybe doves, though a breed of pigeon, weren't in on the whole war against him?
"Try to pet him, he won't bite," Ryou suggested, holding the bird out.
Slowly Ryuuji walked over. "You mean peck?" he corrected before he reached out gradually and stroked the bird's white feathers.
"See?" Ryou grinned, "The birds aren't pulling a Hitchcock on you. Hato is perfectly harmless."
"You named your dove Hato, Mahout?"
"Hai, why not? He's still not attacking you."
Ryuuji had to agree. The dove looked completely docile, not at all threatening. Ryou grinned, putting the bird on top of its cage.
"I'm going to get the bird food. I can assume you'll be okay?"
"Yeah," Ryuuji assured him, going back to the couch to sit down. Ryou left and he looked at the window. The pigeon was still there, watching him.
"Stupid bird…" he muttered. Behind him there was the sound of something taking flight. Ryuuji spun his head around to see Hato flapping his wings furiously and heading for his face.
"SHIMATTA!" he yelped, jumping over the couch and leaping down the hall, Hato in hot pursuit. Quickly he opened the door to the bathroom and closed himself in, listening to the bird scratch fruitlessly at the knob.
"Shimatta," he groaned again, looking at his pale reflection. Outside the scratching ceased. Ryou's footsteps were the only sound.
"Otogi-kun, where are you?"
"Bathroom," Ryuuji answered. He opened the door and walked out slowly. Hato was once again perched on his cage, watching him innocently.
"Otogi-kun, you look terrified! What happened?"
Ryuuji chose not to answer this. It wouldn't work anyway. Ryou would just be offended at the idea Hato would attack anything and get frustrated.
"Not another bird, I hope?"
"No," Ryuuji muttered.
"But you look like you saw a ghost."
"Do I?" Ryuuji asked, deciding to play the ignorance card. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mahout."
Ryou looked at him for a few seconds before realizing frankly, he didn't even want to know. Due to this, for the next few minutes an awkward silence reigned. It was broken by Ryuuji's cell phone as Ryou put Hato back into his cage.
"Yeah?" Ryuuji asked. Ryou inwardly sighed. His friend didn't even spare a simple greeting. It was very disrespectful.
"Grrr…."
Ryou looked back at Ryuuji, slightly surprised. Was he growling into the phone?
Mustn't have been a good call…or he was speaking with a canine. Were dogs bothering him, too?
"Fine, tell him I'll be there." This sentence suddenly became a substitute for goodbye as Ryou violently pressed a button to end his call.
"Baka," he growled at the device.
"What was that?" Ryou asked, naturally curious.
"Apparently Otogi Ryuuji has a meeting with Kaiba Seto in forty minutes." Ryuuji snapped. Ryou sighed, preparing for a rant.
"That baka is pushing me around. I go to him for a meeting and he's busy. What makes him think I'm going to treat him any differently? What if I don't want to follow his schedule?" Ryuuji asked angrily.
"Why's it bothering you?" Ryou asked. Ryuuji looked at him in mute disbelief, waiting for the boy to explain himself. "Well, it's not like you're being interrupted or anything, right? I'm sure if you were in the middle of something really important he would have let you miss the meeting."
Ryuuji didn't want Ryou's excuse to make sense, but it did. He was reminded again of just how positive Ryou was in the first place.
"It would be rude to decline Kaiba-san when all you have planned today is nothing."
"Kaiba has no definition for 'rude,' Bakura." Ryuuji corrected stubbornly.
"Otogi-kun, I'm not going to let you be an idiot and allow your frustration to decide for you. Kaiba might have something important to tell you!"
"Oh, and what are you going to do?" Ryuuji asked, sitting down. "'Cause frankly, Mahout, I really don't feel like moving."
"Otogi-kun, if you don't move, I'll get the landlord to kick you out and I'll drag you all the way downtown to Kaiba Corp." Ryou threatened innocently. Ryuuji laughed at this.
"Ha, you couldn't drag me across the room!"
"Fine," Ryou relented, grabbing his watch, "I'll go for you."
Ryuuji blinked at this comeback, confused. He didn't know whether to be laughing or confused.
"Just think about it," Ryou grinned, "Kaiba-san and I canceling your tournament."
Ryuuji shot up in seconds. Ryou was amazed at this…not knowing the threat would have such an immediate affect. He didn't realize the phrase "Kaiba-san and I" had frightened Ryuuji. For a few seconds, the dark teen had pictured them both…alone. He knew Ryou wouldn't do anything, but Seto was another question.
"Okay, I'll go," he surrendered. Ryou was smiling.
"I'll go too, just to make sure. Otherwise I'd have to ask Kaiba-san at school."
Ryuuji winced at this too, going to the door to put his shoes on. He stopped and looked at Ryou.
"Put a shirt over that," the ordered. Ryou looked down at his blue and white striped tee, puzzled.
"Why? It's a shirt."
Ryuuji frowned. Yes, he knew it was a shirt; a semi loose, attractive shirt that complemented Ryou's eyes and hair perfectly (and a bit of his figure as well). He wasn't going to let Ryou wear something like that within ten miles of Kaiba Corp. {A}
Which wasn't great, since they were actually less than ten miles from...never mind. That was completely beside the point.
Ryuuji gave Ryou a look reading a long-winded, "Don't ask questions, it's for your own good." Ryou gave in and went back inside.
"Fine, just don't run off while I'm gone."
Ryuuji waited while Ryou went to find something else to wear. In a few minutes Ryou was back, buttoning the cuffs of a long sleeved blouse. Ryuuji almost thought Ryou had read his mind. The outfit was respectable, but hilarious. The blouse had thin, vertical blue stripes (someone trying to look taller?). It wasn't as nice as the shirt of a few minutes ago, but it still looked decent. The darker teen was instantly convinced Ryou could pull of any look. No big blouses or bizarre stripes stood a chance. {B}
"Better," he agreed, finally walking out with Ryou trailing slowly behind. The white-haired boy was silently debating whether to leave his cuff buttoned or not.
"Unbuttoned," Ryuuji suggested as they stepped onto the sidewalk, "Looks better."
It did. Ryuuji had to allow his friend some comfort and style after denying him the attractive striped shirt. Ryou looked older almost with the white long pants and goofy blouse. It was like an old man; he just needed a pair of nice comfy loafers to finish it off.
Ryuuji tried not to mentally hate himself by remembering it was for Ryou's own good.
"We taking a taxi?" Ryou asked (apparently using the notorious understood "are")
"No, we're going to walk. Kaiba wants us there in five years, right?" Ryuuji grinned, flagging down a cab for the both of them. Him and Ryou were soon outside Kaiba Corp. Headquarters, looking at it a bit confused.
"So, which door do you suppose leads to Kaiba-san's office, Otogi-kun?" Ryou asked as they surveyed all four entrances.
"That one," Ryuuji suggested, pointing at the one in front of them, "It's closer."
Ryou nodded with this logic, since it matched his own. He trailed behind Ryuuji as they entered the building.
"Hey," Ryuuji called attention from the woman behind the information desk, "I have an appointment with Kaiba in five minutes. Where do I wait?"
She looked at him coldly, not up with Ryuuji's unshakable audacity. Ryou would have apologized for his friend if he weren't so frightened. The woman was like ice.
"You can sit down while I call the head office and inform them of your arrival…?"
"Otogi Ryuuji."
"…While I inform them of your arrival Otogi-san."
Ryou was quick to sit down in a nearby swivel chair, edging away from the woman behind the desk. Ryuuji grinned at this, sitting across from him. He looked around the inside, shaking his head indifferently. The idea of where they were was still bothering him.
"I still think Kaiba's an idiot, Mahout."
Ryou shook his head, "Why? What did he do to you?"
"Where you even listening at that dinner party Tuesday?"
"But you provoked him with the whole 'gauche' thing," Ryou objected, "I'm sure he would have acted different if you hadn't been so eager to insult him."
"He's earned it," Ryuuji defended, "He's an ego that needs to be lowered before he gets too big to stop."
"I really don't think he takes your affronting seriously, Otogi-kun."
"How do you know? Kaiba is a sadistic bastard. He loves doing things that will tick everyone off. He knows throwing me into his schedule like a customer complaint annoys me. He's probably laughing at the fact I came right now."
Ryou sighed, "Otogi-kun, he's not making you conform to his schedule, he's telling you when he's made time for your unrelenting debate. Maybe Kaiba-san, being CEO for an international technology gaming corporation, has more to do than you do? He probably heard about your visit yesterday and made an appointment. Sure, he's not an exceptionally pleasant person, but he said he'd work on your tournament. He can't go back on that."
"You have no idea what you're saying, Bakura." Ryuuji smirked grimly, "You're too positive with everything, you don't see."
"No, you're too stubborn." Ryou argued, not liking the fact that Ryuuji thought he was completely ignorant. Hadn't he harbored the soul of a Machiavellian tomb robber for the past few years? How would someone attempt that and end up an innocent, naïve little fool? So Ryou didn't like the dark side of things, that didn't mean he had not idea it was there.
"Really, you can be trying at times, Otogi-kun, but I don't try to put you down because of it. Are you suggesting I should?"
Ryuuji blinked, lost for words. Was that a threat? "No!"
"It sounds like it," Ryou muttered, looking down. Ryuuji knew he was close to tears. Things like that upset Ryou.
"Gomen, Bakura-kun, lets just forget about it, okay?" he pleaded. Ryou looked up with a small grin, damning his reflex to tears and trying not to look like five-year-old.
"Hai," he agreed. Ryuuji was pleased at this, but didn't get very long to bask in the wonderful optimism.
"Otogi-san?"
Ryuuji glared up at the woman addressing him.
"Yeah?"
"Kaiba-sama has directed you to meeting room five. Right this way."
"Okay," he nodded turning to Ryou.
"I'm staying here," Ryou informed him, "I don't want to watch you and Kaiba-san arguing."
Ryuuji nearly winced at this remark, turning to follow the woman. Ryou watched silently. He was soon alone. The only sounds next to his chair were that of people walking and computer keys clicking. A few where talking, but their voices where hushed and Ryou wasn't paying attention. The woman behind the information desk kept looking at him in the chair with distaste and it was beginning to unnerve him.
"Your name's Bakura, isn't it?"
Ryou froze at the voice before swiveling his chair around to face Kaiba Seto. {Ego: Second time he's asked that. ::Seto needs new opener::}
"Y-yes," he replied uncertainly. Wasn't Kaiba supposed to be meeting with Otogi-kun?
"How come you're here?"
Kaiba's voice was deep and intimidating. It distracted Ryou from the words being said.
"Nani?" he asked, hardly above a whisper.
"I asked why you're here because you're sitting down. I want to know the reason."
"I came with Otogi-k-uh…san?"
Seto's eyebrows knitted in an annoyed expression. He was looking off past Ryou at the distant wall.
"He's early," the CEO grumbled, seemingly forgetting the other teen was present. Ryou was more than willing to grant himself this invisibility, but Seto chose to do otherwise.
"So, I imagine he's waiting?"
Ryou blinked, "Didn't you know he was here, Kaiba-san?"
"I know I had someone call him," Kaiba replied, "Didn't think he'd come early, if he even bothered."
"Hai…" Ryou muttered, "I made him come."
"Oh," Seto replied. Ryou couldn't tell if this was supposed to be an apathetic or annoyed statement.
"Did you not want him to—"
"No, but I was hoping he'd skip." Seto quickly explain in his cold, characteristic growl. Ryou was instantly convinced the CEO was frustrated with him.
"Gomennasai," Ryou apologized quietly, wondering if Seto was going to act on his disappointment.
"What'd you do?"
Ryou blinked at this, flabbergasted. Wasn't it obvious? He'd made Ryuuji show up for a meeting neither side wanted to attend. Apparently Seto the genius didn't realise this. Ryou was relieved, but also a bit uneasy. How long would it take Seto to finally figure it was his fault?
The prospect Seto didn't care was too improbable to even exist in Ryou's mind for longer than three hopeful seconds.
"You don't make sense, Bakura," Seto frowned, watching the smaller teen's reactions. He observed the other blush again, not understanding the point, but enjoying the appearance.
"Shouldn't you be talking with Otogi-san?" Ryou asked nervously, suggesting Seto leave soon. Seto, if he noticed, ignored the hint.
"I'll keep him waiting, he's deserved it," Seto replied frigidly. Ryou's composure nearly died, as he reminded himself not to sigh and roll his eyes.
Seto was sounding a lot like another tall, dark teen and Ryou was disappointed. He didn't want to talk with Seto, the CEO was, well, boring. Not to be offensive or anything, but Ryuuji was at least funnier (in his own overly flashy, klutzy way).
…And it seemed Seto had a very low intention of leaving to speak with the explosive dice enthusiast. How long 'til he finally left?
Not to be rude, but really?
Lettered Notes:
{A}: I like Ryou's sailor out fit. It's better than his Duelist's Kingdom bit. I though it was cute! Not many guys color coordinate their outfits. ::grin:: This chapter had that shirt without the blue blouse thing over it and the kakis (or were they white jeans? Otherwise, those are the tightest kakis I've ever seen…).
{B}: I quote myself, "Vertical stripes? Those as Hell better be your pajama's, Bakura—but then, why are you wearing them in public? Gah!" It was a shirt I saw in the manga (black and white, so I'm clueless on the color). Looked like PJs, I'm serious. I thought it was funny. Not as bad as the sweater (which looks like it has the Battle City over shirt under it—if that makes any sense).
{C}: [Not in chapter] I dunno what happened to the end of that chapter, but it wasn't what I planned. Ack! ::hates it::
Translations:
Note on Translations: No notes, really. Not many words either ::grin:: I didn't feel like defining too much. There's only one new word.
Hato – Pigeon
Next Chapter: Seto, the antagonist! ::nervous grin:: Uh, good intentioned antagonist?
Review, or I willistish boppish you! ::cough::will::cough, cough::
I speak fluentitish Ishish. ::cough::fluent::cough, cough::liar::cough::
In other news, ::becomes serious:: I'm starting to enjoy bopping way too much.
I scare me.
…And that's ignoring the birth of the Ishish language.
::bops Seto on the head::
{Seto: Is there something terribly wrong with you?}
Hey, least I wasn't caught rolling around the airship with Yami no Malik (not that I wouldn't want to, but still).
{Seto: I hate you.}
I ish not hearing you.
Randomness: I knew an old guy who owned pigeons. They all had tags on their legs and were tame. They were pretty and well taken care of. He even had a few turtledoves (not white) and three mourning doves. Don't know him anymore, but I remembered while writing this fic.
In fact, I told my friend, "I knew a guy who had pigeons." He said it sounded like a disease. "Aw, yeah, the poor guy had Pigeons…."
::grin:: It sounded funny.
Ling no Yong