Chapter Five: Aftermath
AN: Bwahaha. More evilness. I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, but I wish I did. Stop rubbing it in, dammit! _ I'm keeping the chapters at a short to medium length to allow myself to update more often. Opinions on whether I should continue this practice are welcome.
By the way… //--// = Yami's thoughts
/--/ = anyone's thoughts
[--]=Yugi's mind link to Yami
[[--]] Yami's mind link to Yugi
The blond teen in question winced as an impatient, overworked doctor stitched a deep gash on the side of his face lining his cheek up. He had needed to leave his dog at the Motou house, because they weren't allowed in the hospital… but he would have loved to have the support. Tristan had driven him to the hospital after he had shown up at Yugi's after Yami had demanded that Joey get fixed up by a trained doctor.
This was going to be a long night… they'd only gotten to his neck after two hours, and they were working from the top down.
"Yami, do you not like dogs?"
The spirit glared at his hikari as the small boy giggled. He was pressed to the wall in a corner, trying to back away from Joey's dog. Seto was only a foot away, growling viciously at Yami with a menacing bark inserted into the mix every once in a while. "I don't like this one," Yami muttered, scowling and trying to avoid the sharp teeth that snapped at his hands. "Joey named him Seto, you know," Yugi said conversationally, giggling at the predicament of his darker half.
"I can see why," Yami replied sourly. The dog made a noise oddly similar to mocking laughter, and finally let Yami alone. Seto picked his way over to a couch and hopped onto it, knowing full well that Yami had warned Yugi not to let him onto the furniture. The spirit arched a brow when the dog's head turned his way, and Seto gave him a disdainful wink.
//Okay, that was NOT a dog-like thing to do…//
He looked the Dane over again with an annoyed expression. Yes… it was all there, and plain to see if one knew what to look for: found in an alley along with Kaiba's clothes and things, fur the same color as Kaiba's hair, eyes the same cold, detached blue…
Not to mention the same 'kiss my ass' attitude.
After six excruciating hours of being poked, prodded, and stitched up by doctors and questioned by social workers, Joey finally got a chance to slip out of the hospital without anyone noticing. Relieved at the prospect of finally being left alone, he caught a cab and gave the driver directions to Yugi's house.
Well, not completely alone.
He owed his dog, Seto, his life. He inwardly wished the real Kaiba was present, and allowed himself to imagine the feel of being comforted by the tall, lanky brunette. Would Seto Kaiba also have saved him if given the chance? Joey thought about that for a while before he stopped his train of thought, not wanting to depress himself.
Joey paid the driver when they arrived on Yugi's street a few minutes later, and hobbled over to the front door. He knocked twice and then waited.
Seto's head shot up several seconds before the knocks sounded. Thanks to his new and improved nose, he could smell Joey coming closer… and Joey's blood. He got off of the couch, nearly tripping in his haste, and started pacing at the front door, trying to see under it.
Yami, the only resident of the house still awake other than Kaiba, narrowed his eyes. He glared at the dog he suspected was actually the missing billionaire, then heard a few raps on the door and got up to open it.
Impatient and actually worried for someone else other than Mokuba for a change, Seto decided he wouldn't wait for the spirit's dawdling. He closed his large mouth around the doorknob and twisted his head and neck with a grunt, opening the door and pushing it out with a foot. Joey was standing in the doorway, and three seconds later was on his back on the sidewalk with a worried great dane on his chest.
Seto sniffed and examined the complaining blond thoroughly, and was satisfied after a few minutes that Joey was, in fact, okay. Yami came to the door while the dog was investigating and stared. As far as he was concerned, his hunches had just been confirmed. Dogs most definitely did not know how to open doors. The spirit watched as Joey grinned and ruffled Seto's ears fondly.
/He's okay! Thank the gods!/ That was the continuous chant that kept going through the preoccupied Seto's mind. Overjoyed that Joey was alive and safe, he cared about nothing else. In the far recesses of his consciousness, he asked himself why he cared so much about the mutt's safety anyway… but the thought was forgotten as waves of happiness swept them away.
The now very happy Kaiba bounded around Joey, barking loudly as the blond got painfully back to his feet and stepped into the house. Yami smiled to himself and shook his head, pleased as he was assured of Joey's well-being.
"Where'm I crashin', Yami?"
"The guest room you always use, Joey."
Dead tired, Joey gave Seto's ears one last scritch before heading down the hallway. The billionaire-turned-dog made to follow, but was pulled back as a firm hand caught hold of his collar. Kaiba's head snapped up, and he snarled viciously. Yami just smirked, unlike the fearful reaction that Seto had expected from the dog-hating spirit.
"Hello, Seto Kaiba."
Seto's eyes widened slightly. Had someone finally figured it out?! This could work to his advantage… Yami was by no means a weakling, and perhaps the ancient pharaoh could figure out a way to change him back into his normal body.
"I don't know how you got like this, Kaiba, but I'm very interested in finding out. Care to enlighten me?"
Seto rolled his eyes and immediately gave Yami a look that clearly said 'I'm a dog, you idiot, I can't talk'… a very Kaiba-like sarcastic expression, actually. Yami frowned. "Why did you save Joey?" he questioned, feeling a little foolish talking to the dog after Seto had given him that 'you've got to be kidding me' look.
The response was a burning glare.
Obviously, Kaiba didn't exactly want to share his feelings on the subject, and Yami figured that Seto would refuse to attempt communication. After all, he was still Kaiba, even if he was an oversized dog. Yugi's darker half sighed and let go of Seto's collar as he heard Joey's voice calling for Seto softly from down the hall. With a self-satisfied and very pompous look at the spirit, Kaiba trotted off in the direction of the voice.
A smile crept onto Yami's face.
//I'd love to see Kaiba's face when he realizes he's playing the part of Joey's loyal lapdog perfectly.//
Down the hall, Seto crawled onto the bed and lay down next to Joey at the blond's beckoning. The teen wrapped an arm about his 'dog' and smiled happily, blissfully unaware that he was actually hugging his rival. Under his fur, Seto actually blushed. After a few moments, Seto watched as the fatigued Joey slipped into a deep slumber. Seto moved a little closer to his 'master' and would have smiled if he could.
He had actually helped someone with no ulterior motives… and of his own free will. Actually, no. Not just 'someone'. He had helped Joey. And that made him feel good. In fact, he had wanted to help Joey, which was an odd feeling for the billionaire, but one he was quickly getting used to.
He remembered the rage that brushed aside his rational thought when he had seen Mr. Wheeler hurting the blond; the blinding anger that had spurred him into attacking the older man. Why did he like the mutt so much?
And Joey looked so innocent and beautiful when he was asleep…
Not realizing the very uncommon thoughts he was entertaining, Seto eventually drifted off to sleep himself, confused and a bit unsettled by all the emotion that had been shoved into his life in just a day.
***
The reviewers' corner for chapter four…
(Seto, Marik, Bakura and City sitting around a table with a pile of letters*
Seto: Why do we have to do this again?
Marik: Because City told us to. And I don't think we'd want to get her mad.
Bakura: Oooooh, crème puffs!
Seto: …crème puffs?
Bakura: *grabs a puff off of a platter* Yes!
City: Yeah. The crème puffs are my bribery for Bakura. Ryou told me his secret.
Marik: *pokes Bakura* You're addicted to crème puffs?
Bakura: *ignores Marik, keeps munching*
City: Seto, you do the first one again, kay?
Seto: *mutters but picks one up and clears his throat* 'Love it still. Good job. Can't wait till next chapter.' From Nanaka. By the gods, these people are crazy if they like this stuff…
Bakura: *sees a review and grabs it, grinning evilly* You'll like this one, Kaiba… *holds up millennium ring*
City: o_O
Bakura: *drags everyone to the shadow realm so he can torture Kaiba more effectively with illusions*
Kashu: *eyes sparkle* Kaiba is being protective of Jouno... Olala!
Seto:
I'm not being protective!
Kashu: Anyway... Usually people portray Kaiba as too
harsh... or not harsh enough... I could very well see him reacting like that...
Jouno too.
Malik: *snorts with laughter and pokes the illusion* I like this person.
Kashu: Although I don't really see him as a cowering
type, I suppose anyone would, having a broken bottle swung at them like that...
*winces* Ouchies...
Seto: He didn't COWER! He was protecting himself!
Bakura: Getting a little protective yourself, eh, Kaiba? This Kashu person is right about that. *picks up another review and makes another illusion* This one's worth seeing in action…
Kay and Fantasychick: *whips Marik back* Fun to torture him! More please!
Marik: *screeches*
City: *snickers* Hey, Marik, I didn't know your voice got that high.
Marik: Shut up! *red in the face*
Bakura: *sifting through the remaining reviews… and yet another person appears*
Tabs: Yay! Another chapter is done! *throws a marshmallow at Seto* Keep up the good work!
Seto: *marshmallow hits him in the eye* Itai! *rubs his eye with a hand and scowls*
Marik: …wuss.
Seto: *whacks Bakura on the back of the head, breaking Bakura's concentration and the illusion* Baka. I'll get you for this.
City: Hrm. Maybe I should get you to make some kind of virtual software to emulate reviewers, Seto. Fun. *grins*
Seto:
Yeah, yeah. *grabs the next review and speaks in a monotone* 'This is really
cool, I'm really enjoying it. In fact I read it and check for updates when I'm in
classes. It is a nice escape from the boringness of class...and that's saying a
lot, trust me. I'm enjoying your POV on Kaiba as a dog' *growls* 'Great Danes
are really cool, too...my aunt has one that is really loyal.'
Marik: *falls over laughing* I'd have to say that everyone likes you as a mutt,
Kaiba!
Kaiba: Shut up! *keeps reading* 'Well, I'm babbling again. I've really enjoyed this so far and I am looking forward to reading up on how (and if) Kaiba will return to normal...and Jou's reaction to when he does... Keep up the writing! Best of luck on all journeys!' That bit of torture for me was from malvolio1342. I know where you live. *glares*
Bakura: *half a crème puff in his mouth* Haaa! Kaiba might not be normal?
Marik:
Since when is he normal in the first place?
Seto: You're really one to be talking, Ishtar.
City: Anyway, that's all I've got for now. And because of the speed of my updates, if ya wanna get in on the RC action, you need to get reviews in quick. Thanks to all who reviewed! My new website is at www.angelfire.com/ego2/citybs/ . Go see!
Bakura: *points accusingly at City with a crème puff* SHAMELESS ADVERTISING!
City: Yes, that's the point, 'Kura. Anyhoo, if any of you want to reach me to chat or discuss whatever is on our freakish anime-loving minds, my AIM is CityBS2003. My email is now CityBS2003@yahoo.com. Ja ne!
Seto: It this keeps up, I'm going to kill something…