Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

How to Raise a Well-Mannered Puppy	By : Rroselavy Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 12679 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh!, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
A/N: Thanks to the following for the early reviews: Kodachi, Lee, ahriman & takky!
I do not own or profit in any way from Yu-Gi-Oh

CHAPTER 2

The weekend had been nothing short of blissful. He had spent every waking moment with his sister, and the time together had been a balm for him. Only Shizuka knew how hard it was for Jou living with their father, how it had torn Jou apart when their mother and she had moved out. How hard it was for him not to believe that his mother just loved him less, or just not enough.
"Jou, you know Mom loves you! It's just Dad needed a dependent in order to qualify for social aid. Plus someone has to look after him." Shizuka patiently explained for what seemed to be the thousandth time.
"Y'know Sis, I can't help but think there had to be a better way than this," Jou replied dejectedly. He thought it unfair that HE was left behind as caretaker. After all HE didn't marry the old man. 'In sickness and in health' and all that. But he did love his father, and knew he was working hard to control his alcoholism. He'd even started taking on some of the household chores that Jou had shouldered, mainly cooking and cleaning, as Jou didn't trust his father with their meager finances, or the checkbook yet.
They hadn't done anything special during her visit, dinner with their desperately trying to stay sober dad, and two days of hanging out at the park with Yuugi, Honda, Anzu, Ryou and Otogi. He knew Shizuka enjoyed the attention his friends, especially Honda and Otogi lavished on her, and the time spent with him, away from her overprotective mother.
He faced Monday morning now with growing trepidation that he was sure to be paying up for his behavior on the previous Friday. Hopefully that meant he would only need to face his teacher's ire, and not that of Kaiba as well.
He sighed, wondering what exactly it was about him that the other boy detested so. He certainly did not hate Kaiba. As a matter of fact, he liked him. Really liked him. As in he was into him. Not that Kaiba couldn't use some help in the personality department. He could definitely loosen up a bit, maybe crack a genuine smile once in a while -- not that triumphant little smirk he wore after he kicked your ass from here to there and back again. But where looks and brains were concerned, Kaiba had it all going on.
* * *
Apparently, he needed to exercise more patience. Far more patience. He'd been going about it all wrong. Kaiba sighed and rubbed his temples. He'd generally treated Kobi's various misbehaviors in one of three manners -- by chasing after and bellowing at the animal, smacking him with a rolled up newspaper, or shoving his nose in his business. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
"Your puppy does not want to misbehave! When he makes a mistake, he needs to be corrected in a firm but gentle manner.
"Angry outbursts and corporal punishment will only serve to create a fearful, frightened dog, one prone to aggressive, impulsive behavior. Punishing your puppy long after he has misbehaved may cause him to become anxious and mistrustful."
He hated being wrong. Despised himself when he erred. It brought a flood of hideous emotions bubbling up from the depths, threatening to overwhelm him. Threatening his carefully crafted stony demeanor. It took a long time, years, for him to realize that the voice that berated his mistakes was that of Gozuboro. The only one, only thing he hated more than being wrong.
It did not matter that it was unreasonable for him to believe he should have innately known how to treat the dog. He knew he had to cycle through the wave of panic and self-loathing that encompassed him. It had been so ingrained in his education at the hands of his adoptive father.
"How could you get that question wrong?! This is totally unacceptable, you stupid, stupid cur! You will never amount to anything! You will be lucky to earn a living as a janitor!" Gozuboro roared, looking over young Seto's lessons.
"I'm sorry, Fa--" his apology silenced by the back of Gozuboro's hand.
"KAIBAS DO NOT APOLOGIZE! KAIBAS DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES!! YOU WILL NEVER DESERVE THE NAME KAIBA!!! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT. NOW!!!"
Seto picked himself up and skulk away, vowing that some day he would get his revenge.
He shuddered from the memory. He did get his revenge. Gozuboro never saw it coming, because he actually did believe he was infallible. Seto was able to outmaneuver him and take over control of the Kaiba Corp. Board. And when Gozuboro realized his mistake, that he'd succeeded in making his son in his own brutal image, he killed himself. Coward.
But what Gozuboro never learned, was Seto's salvation. He understood the necessity of mistakes. Even as he worked through his twisted past, he knew that mistakes bred innovation. So as much as he could hate himself and rail at his own stupidity, he could internalize it and move forward in the proper direcction. He would never lay a hand on Kobi again. Knowing his temper as he did, he could not promise he would never yell at the dog, but it was a goal to work toward.
He stared down at the puppy contentedly asleep at his feet. Kobi was laying flat out on his side, ribcage gently rising and lowering in even breaths. God how he wished he could sleep so well. It was the sleep of the innocent.
He had no idea why the dog actually sought out his company. Dogs were supposed to be able to sense whether or not a person liked them. Most of the time Seto could barely stand to be in the same house as the unruly animal, yet he trailed Kaiba around whenever he was home. Perhaps the damn thing was just trying to ingratiate himself to Kaiba, hedging his bets that it was he who decided who stayed and who was sent away.
It was late, and he was tired. He nudged the dog gently with his bare foot. Kobi roused and shook his entire body awake. He turned to Seto, placing his soft muzzle on his thigh, brown eyes gazing up at Kaiba searchingly.
He was reminded of another's brown eyes. Jou. His puppy. He patted Kobi's head, gently scratched behind his ears. Was rewarded with a soft lick on his hand.
He thought about his interactions with Jounouchi. How he deflected Jou's friendly overtures with snide remarks and insults. He was endlessly irritated by his attraction to the other boy, yet a small part of him wanted to explore the possibilities therein. He had no doubt that he wanted to dominate the Jounouchi, but just as he'd been wrong in his dealings with Kobi, perhaps he needed to modify his behavior toward Jounouchi.
What could be the harm in that, he wondered as he prepared for bed.
- 1
- 2
- 3
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

How to Raise a Well-Mannered Puppy