Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Identity ❯ Meetings ( Chapter 2 )

Identity

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO

Summary: Secrets are dangerous things, especially if you're dealing with a false identity. All has gone well for Bakura Ryou, until Kaiba Seto comes into his life. A sort of medieval/Chinese sort of setting. Slash warning Kaiba Seto/Bakura Ryou.

Pairings: Kaiba/Ryou, Anzu/Honda, Jou/Mai, Shizuka/Yugi

Chapter Title: Meetings

Author's Notes: Another pathetic attempt at a YGO fic (though this time it's a chapter fic). Honestly, with the `success' rate of my first one, I seriously feel that I'm degrading the wonderful anime that is YGO. I also know that, while Kaiba/Ryou might not be that popular, I still think that it's a cool pairing and I'm going to write more about them.

---- Meetings ----

To say that Jou despised Mai would have been the understatement of the century - or even the millennia. Mai had a sharp tongue and even sharper wit and frequently got on his nerves. It didn't help that everyone else liked her - what with her honey blonde, naturally wavy hair and curves any female would die for, not to mention her outgoing and laid-back personality that made people just seem to `click' with her. Jou, however, simply could not `click' with this woman.

The matter was not, however, the fact that Jou was ugly. In fact, he was quite good-looking himself. He was, also, a very eligible bachelor, being the cousin to the crown prince himself and about to inherit the duchy his father owned in the country. Over the years Jou had known Mai, he began to compare himself to her more often. They both had blonde hair, though hers was distinctly a shade lighter, came from well-to-do families and had something to do with the royal family in some way.

For Mai, her connections were the fact that her adopted younger sister, Shizuka, was betrothed to the crown prince, Yugi. When the marriage took place, they would become cousins-in-law - if there were such thing - much to Jou's dismay. Mai frequently flaunted this fact to him, calling to him in a mocking voice `cousin dearest' and `when my younger sister marries Prince Yugi . . .' which drove Jou insane.

It didn't help things when Yugi was around. The crown prince was very responsible about his position and didn't like conflict. Being the peacemaker meant that he often had to come in between the two and placate them as best as he could. Only Mai came away from those sessions appeased, as she could sweet-talk her way out of anything and Jou was left to fume at her cheek and plot revenge he knew he would not be able to get.

"I hope you can settle things with her, Jou."

This was what Yugi always said after his cousin finished an argument with Mai. He kept pressing the importance of good links to her family, otherwise the marriage would be cancelled and they would have a blood feud on their hands. So the next time Jou saw his arch nemesis, he would grit his teeth, hold his head high and walk right past without even a word to her. She, however, liked to play games - ones that got him into trouble, especially - and would always taunt and provoke him until he was forced to fight back. Then they were back to where it all started.

"I'm trying to ignore her!" he would say defensively, whenever Yugi brought up the matter. "She just won't leave me alone! Come on, Yugi, you gotta believe me!"

"I trust you, Jou," Yugi would reply. "But you've got to keep your temper."

--------

It was against Kaiba's principles to leave someone, who was vulnerable to attack, to find their own way home. What he did was tail them at a safe distance - not too close for suspicion, and yet not too far away so as to be of little use. However, he DID have a pressing appointment with his new employer and he was cutting the time exceptionally fine by following this girl, Anzu, around. It would not leave a good impression on anyone if he were late.

"I guess I'd really have to get on my own way then," he muttered, as she turned right, into a smaller street. He was to head straight. "Otherwise I'd be late for my appointment."

So, unbeknownst to anyone, Kaiba slipped away and headed down the busy street, leading to the large castle standing on the other side. It was the well-known castle that belonged to the Bakura clan, its glistening white walls standing out amongst the solid, earthy colours the other structures were made of. He was used to seeing such splendours against the realistic face of the common city, but that didn't mean he approved.

"Stop right there!"

It was one of the guards in front of the huge gates in front of the castle. Kaiba saw, with disdain, that there were at least six guards lined up, one after the other, on either side of the open gate, leading inside. They were all armed with spears bearing the blue feather ornament of the Bakura family and wore armour emblazoned with the same blue feather, resting in the middle of a picture of the legendary Millennium Ring.

"State your name and business here."

"I am here to assume my position at this castle, under the service of your master, Lord Bakura," Kaiba said stiffly. "My name I would prefer to keep to myself."

"It isn't your decision," the guard retorted, barring his path with the spear. "The lord will not see you unless he knows first your name."

"Tell Lord Bakura that his friend, Lord Maxmillion Pegasus, sends a messenger with greetings and a mark of his continued alliance with the kingdom of Domino."

"Lord Pegasus!" the guard exclaimed. "I beg your pardon, sir. Please proceed."

"Glad of your cooperation."

Kaiba managed a nod of his head, fists clenched against anger, and walked through the now clear path through the gates. He hated throwing around his previous superior's name. It gave him the sense that he was relying on the man too much and could earn no respect other than the one Pegasus' name received. Especially not after his all-out claim that he could gain others' respect on his own, without having to slave away in an employment that did not even give him due credit for his labours. With a laugh, Pegasus had dismissed him to his own fate.

"This way, please," a pretty maid said with a shy bow. "Lord Bakura is resting at the moment, but he will receive you soon. Please rest in your assigned quarters and the lord will send for you when he is ready."

"Thank you."

From the way the maid talked, Kaiba deduced that the current Lord Bakura was a man who valued privacy above all things and may frequently pull rank on his servants. Nevertheless, he followed her to a spacious room overlooking the creek he had been at before. It seemed that the castle was not too far away from it - or otherwise his room was situated at a very high level, thus allowing him to glimpse it. He placed his sword on the table and looked around him

The whole place depicted finery. The wooden beams were polished and elegantly carved, as were the tables and chairs, which were of similar make. A mahogany bookcase stood to one side, against the far wall, next to the open window. The bed was a double, large and looked very comfortable, though a tad plain. Kaiba had no problem with it - sometimes, too much finery made him feel awkward and out of place, which was part of the reason why he had left the Pegasus household.

A knock came on the door politely.

"Begging your pardon, sir," a maid's voice said. "The Lord Bakura will see you now."

--------

"Lord Bakura!"

Anzu limped in to the study, where Bakura Ryou sat with his scrolls. After having gone to look for Anzu - and failing - the young lord had decided to trust that she would be back and went back to his paperwork. How he hated it! If it wasn't because he respected the Crown Prince and the Prince Regent, Ryou would rather practise his sword fighting techniques rather than be cooped up in his library and reading about the latest floods or droughts.

"Ah, it's you, Anzu," he said, peering over the top of the scroll. "Why are you so late back today? And why are you soaked to the skin?"

"I ran into some trouble by the creek, my lord," she replied. "I fell in by accident."

"And your ankle is sprained," he noted. "Best see the healer about it. Mika has been looking all over for you. If you know what's best, then you'd better disappear from her sight for a while. God knows you don't want to provoke her now."

"Right away, my lord."

She opened the door and stopped in her tracks. Standing there was the same man, Kaiba, who had saved her down at the creek. He looked down at her, equally as surprised, before she turned back around to look at Ryou. The lord stood up as well, greeting Kaiba with a small smile. Kaiba's attention was immediately caught. Even at twenty, Bakura Ryou looked femininely delicate, while the other young men his age were broad shouldered and muscular. However, his dark brown eyes held intelligence far beyond anyone his age and marked him as a philosopher and ingenious thinker.

"K-Kaiba!" Anzu stuttered. "Why are you here?"

"Have you met Kaiba already, Anzu?" Ryou asked the maid.

"Yes, my lord Bakura," Kaiba replied for her. "It was down at the creek only hours ago. Anzu here was being attacked by bandits and I happened to come by and intervene."

"Well, Sir Kaiba, then I must thank you sincerely for my maid's safe return," Ryou said, a hint of warmth creeping into his tone. "However, Anzu must be attended by the healer down at the servant's quarters and Sir Kaiba, you must remain for your briefing."

Anzu managed a small curtsy before limping out of the room. Kaiba continued watching Ryou until he caught himself in time. It was rude, he knew, but somehow he couldn't believe that this slip of a man was really the Lord Bakura Ryou almost everyone in Domino was afraid to know. In fact, Kaiba was sure that if he donned a dress and plaited his long, white locks, Bakura Ryou would pass as a fairly attractive young woman. As if reading his thoughts, Ryou managed a weak, humourless smile.

"I am not what the rumours say," he stated matter-of-factly. "I have heard several depicting me as a ruthless giant with blood red eyes. A bit exaggerated, perhaps, but that's what comes when you don't leave the castle often."

"I have never heard the rumour before, my lord," Kaiba claimed. "Though, to be frank, my lord looks best suited to a swordsman's work rather than a scholar."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Begging your pardon, lord Bakura, but your hands have given you away. Only swordsmen have strong hands, wrists and arms like yours and mine."

"You are well-learned in the arts of a swordsman, then?"

"I have no rightful claim to the art, my lord," Kaiba replied. "Only a loyalty and devotion to it. Unlike my lord, who has been born into a powerful family of swordsmen and scholars."

"Modesty," Ryou commented appraisingly. "It will get you to better places, Sir Kaiba. However, one must have pride in oneself as well as being humble. You are gifted with words and I have a feeling I will enjoy working with you."

"As with you, my lord."

---- End of Chapter Two ----

A/N: strange, I know.

Sorry, I can't really talk right now, so yeah.

REVIEW!

Bittersweet Angel Chika