Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ Voice of an Angel ( Chapter 2 )

Angel

by Dragondreamer and Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters.

Warning: Rated for sex and language. If you don't like it, don't read it.

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Seto: What's wrong Dragondreamer?

YD: She's pouting because we only got two reviews for this story so far.

Tristan: Well, it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

DD: *glomps Tristan* You can always make me laugh!

Bakura: When are we going to get to the good stuff anyway?

YD: Don't get your boxers in a knot. This is angst first you know.

DD: There'll be a lemon in the next chapter.

Bakura: *does happy dance*

Yami: MY EYES!!

~*~*~*~*~

Note: /../ Seto's thoughts

[..] Mokuba's thoughts

Author's Note: Okay, before you flame us, let us explain. We know Seto's not really Catholic. We don't know a thing about how orphanages are run in Japan. The only orphanages we're familiar with are the ones in the province where we were born that were run by the Catholic Church. We were raised in a Catholic environment so that's why we used it. Besides, we always wanted to hear Ryou sing the Ave Maria. We're not Catholic, nor even Christian. And we obviously don't see anything wrong with being gay. We are not bashing anyone's religion here..so please don't think we are. Any flames about this will be used to boil water for our afternoon tea.

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Chapter 2

Voice of an Angel

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Seto stood outside the huge oaken doors of Sacred Heart Cathedral. He could hear singing coming from inside the immense structure. A single voice. He couldn't make out the words.

Slipping through the door, he dipped his fingers into the font and crossed himself. He then lit and candle and said a quick prayer for the souls of his parents and the safety of his brother.

Moving further into the church, he stopped at the last row of pews.

The voice, sweet and crystal clear, belonged to Ryou.

Seto stood mesmerized as the hypnotic lyrics of the Ave Maria echoed to the vaulted ceiling. He allowed himself a small smile, remembering Sister Catherine, a nun from the orphanage, singing him to sleep as a child with the same hymn.

Et in hora mortis nostrae

Et in hora mortis nostrae

Ave Maria

"Ryou, I really wish you would reconsider."

"Thanks Father, but I can't."

Seto stood, still entranced, as Ryou made his way up the isle with the priest.

"Seto!"

"Ryou. That was..beautiful." He couldn't keep the awe from his voice.

"Thanks." Ryou flushed with pleasure at the compliment. "Father Connor lets me practice here. The acoustics are amazing."

"How are you Seto?" The aged priest held out his hands.

Seto took both of the man's hands in his, taking note of the strength of his grip despite the appearance of the arthritically twisted digits. "I've been well, thank you."

"It's been a while."

"I've been busy." He tore his eyes away from the probing stare of the clergyman, releasing his hands and turning to Ryou. "I didn't know you sang."

"I've been trying to convince him to join our choir for a year now."

"You know I can't Father." Ryou mumbled, uncomfortable. "I have to get going."

"I'll see you next week Ryou?"

"Sure thing. See you around Seto." Ryou practically ran from the church.

Seto looked at the priest, puzzled.

"He's an extremely shy boy. And modest too. That's the first time I've ever seen him accept a compliment about his singing."

Father Connor slid into a pew, genuflecting first, and patted the seat next to him. Seto followed suit, settling himself comfortably next to the old cleric.

"So have you come for confession?"

Seto smirked. "I think you know me better than that Father."

"That I do." The old man chuckled. "How is Mokuba? Sister Catherine said he was in to see her last week."

"He's good. Growing like a weed."

"So why are you here Seto? It's not like you to show up in the middle of a weekday."

"Can't I come to see an old friend?"

"Don't play at words with me young man. I've know you too long."

Seto sighed. Why had he come? Because he was lost, feeling confused, and like a child had run for the one constant thing in his life.

"I need some advice."

"That's why I'm here."

"I know. It's just that.." Seto paused, groping for words.

"Seto, forget for a minute that I'm a priest. I've know you since you were a little boy. You've always been able to come to me with your problems."

Seto sighed again. "There's someone..someone I'm starting to have strong feelings for.."

"And does this someone return your feelings?"

"I don't know. I hope so, but he..I mean this person.." /Shit! I'm toast. I just let it slip to a priest that I'm in love with another man./

Father Connor chuckled as Seto's eyes widened when he realized what he'd said.

"I told you to forget that I'm a priest, remember? I'll probably be excommunicated for saying this but..God made you the way you are Seto. Somehow I don't think He's going to punish you for living your own life. He gave us free will, and you've been traveling your own path to His door all your life. I can only assume He's pleased with His handiwork."

Seto was so relieved he was weak. The last thing he wanted, besides a lecture on how he was going to go to hell for being gay, was the disapproval of the one person whose respect meant something to him.

"Follow your heart, my boy. It's the only way you'll be truly happy."

"Thank you Father."

"You're welcome. I won't ask, but whoever he is, he's a lucky young man." He climbed slowly to his feet, shooing Seto out of the pew. "Off with you now, Mr. CEO. I have to get ready for Mass."

~*~*~*~*~

"Welcome home sir. Young Master Kaiba is in the den."

"Thank you." Seto handed his trench coat to the butler and headed straight for the den.

There he found Mokuba and Ryou, sprawled out on the floor playing chess.

"So move already."

"Lay off Ryou! I'm thinking."

Seto stood quietly in the doorway, observing the pair. Mokuba was sitting cross-legged, slate grey eyes narrowed as he contemplated his next move. Ryou was lying flat on his stomach, chin propped up on crossed arms, smiling at the younger boy.

Mokuba made his move. The second his fingers left the game piece, Ryou's smile turned into a smirk. Reaching for his bishop, he made his own move.

"Checkmate."

"What?!"

"I beat you again kiddo."

"Awwww, man!"

"Looks like you need some practice little brother."

"Seto!" Mokuba scrambled up, launching himself at the older Kaiba.

Seto lifted his brother up, hugging him and kissing the top of his head.

"Can Ryou stay for supper?"

Seto looked over Mokuba's head at the other boy. He was on his feet, nervously shifting from one foot to the other, looking everywhere but at the two brothers.

/Odd. What's wrong with him?/

"If he'd like, sure."

"Um, yeah sure. Thanks Seto."

Mokuba struggled out of his brother's arms. "Great! I'll go tell Rose!"

The youngster flew from the room, leaving a strangely uncomfortable Ryou alone with Seto.

"Can I get you something to drink Ryou?" Seto headed for the bar.

"No. No thank you." He shuffled his feet again.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Uh-uh. Nothing's wrong."

Seto took a soda from the bar's fridge. "Sure you don't want a soda or something?"

Ryou shook his head, hair whipping around his face. "Um..can I ask you something?"

"Anything." /Damn he's sweet when he's nervous. But what's he got to be nervous about? He hasn't looked me in the eye all week./

"It's kind of personal."

"That's okay."

Ryou took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "Seto, do you have.."

Mokuba bounced back into the room. "Rose is making tacos!"

[Uh-oh. I think I interrupted something.] Mokuba could almost see the anxious tension coming from his friend. He mentally slapped himself. [Timing's never been my strong point.]

~*~*~*~*~

Joey: * eyes as big as plates* Seto went to church?

Tristan: *same expression as Joey* And it didn't crumble around him?

Seto: *same expression* You didn't kill off these two losers?

DD: hehe

YD: Okay kiddies, knock it off.

Ryou: Dear readers, please review. Poor `dreamer's going to get really depressed if you don't.