Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Everywhere and nowhere ❯ This way and that ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

This way and that    

It was well into the night by the time what had began as the playing of a single song and transformed into a full grown party began to wind down, the moon high in the sky and just about to disappear behind a set of distant, purplish looking mountains. Ryou, the pale little albino model and the object of many affections seemed to enjoy playing host to the little group who danced and laughed upon his lawn, even managing to whip up rounds of refreshments and not miss a single beat played by his favourite band, the foursome known as White Roses.    

Seto Kaiba, the youngest and, at least for tonight, the most content CEO in the world was happy to watch the teen flit through the band and even a couple of his Suit's like a silk moth, dancing and laughing with everyone, no one exempt from his charms. Even Seto had to admit it was amusing to watch a 6'4'' bodyguard blushing at the attentions of a waif like Ryou like some teenager with his first crush. What was more amusing, though, was when Ryou would blush in return. Kaiba wondered who would faint from a blood rush first.    

The brunettes mouth curved upwards at the corners as he hid beneath the bows of a leaf heavy oak, his broad shoulders resting against the rough bark of the thick trunk and his feet stretched out in front, crossed at the ankles. He looked a little out of place, it had to be said, surrounded by an old farm stead while dressed in a crisp, black suit complete with silver SK links through the button holes upon his cuffs. But considering the fact the CEO would obviously be adverse to dressing down, no one made any comments upon his attire. They weren't brave enough, for a start...    

Seto let his cobalt blue eyes follow the flashes of white that marked where Ryou danced his way through the rest of his company, his velvety giggles easily carried to where the CEO hid himself in the shadows upon the soft, warm breeze. After their brief but, undeniably, passionate kiss the boy seemed to be on some sort of high, and Seto didn't mind admitting it inflated his male pride to the point of bursting that he could have that effect on such a beautiful individual. It was definitely a heady feeling...    

The brunette lifted two fingers to his lips, tracing the smooth pads against the lower and fancying he could still feel the faint, tentative returning pressure of a certain albino's lips when he grew bold enough to return their earlier kiss. The tip of the CEO's tongue pressed against the front of his top teeth, and Kaiba didn't need any stretch of the imagination to taste the hint of honey and something else distinct but unidentifiable left by Ryou when he timidly licked him there. Although the excitement of before had died Seto could still feel it trickling through his veins like a fire waiting to be stoked, liquid heat running through the length of his body. Ryou lingered in every pore of his being, Seto felt like he'd been branded by his touch, claimed and owned all in the same instant.    

Oddly for the aggressive, dominant CEO, the idea was strangely thrilling...    

“Oof!”    

Seto had no idea when he'd let his eyes slip closed but they snapped open once more when something solid collided with his stomach, knocking the air out of his chest in a sharp exhalation of breath.    

“Oh! Oh, Seto I'm so sorry! Goodness, are you alright?! I was coming over and slipped on all those leaves!” The CEO blinked at the familiar, silk laden vocals, realising a moment later that the something solid that slammed into him had been a skidding Ryou, who was now sprawled across his lap, long pale hair spread around and between them like threads of white mist. What had initially been a scowl upon the brunettes face softened considerably as Ryou cupped both of his cheeks within his small palms, deep brown eyes bright with worry as they scanned his form for any apparent damage, a furrow of concern between his brows.    

“I'm fine, Ryou, don't panic so much.” Kaiba chuckled as soon as his breath came back enough for him to do so, his larger hand reaching up to cover one of Ryou's and press it more firmly against his cheek, turning his face to press a kiss against the teens soft, velvet smooth palm. Rewarded with a giggle and a rosy hue spreading across his cheeks visible even in the poor moonlight, the pair sat outside of the spotlights still shining and powered by Seto's limo, the CEO smiled. “Now, why did you come rushing over here in the first place?”    

“Oh, goodness, I almost forgot! Michilo told me that you've gotton them a contract with a record company and I wanted to thank you and, well, just to make sure you didn't do it just for me. I mean, I think they're wonderful and I know you know that I think they are but I know they really are and I know you could know that too if you listened to them and-” The albino's little tirade was stopped by the CEO's hand over his mouth, the brunette regarding him amusidly as he attempted to plead his case so passionately. The boy was gloriously innocent and, at least in this, gloriously easy to read.    

“Has anyone ever told you that you ramble when your nervous?” Seto smirked as the teen's blush from earlier returned full force, his lashes drooping to shield his eyes shyly, veiling the dark, chocolate coloured orbs. “I think it's cute.”    

“It's silly...” Mumbled the albino, eyes lowering further to become downcast, gazing without seeing at his hands where they'd slipped from the CEO's face to rest folded in his lap. The brunette shook his head, making a 'tch' sound with his tongue against his teeth in disapproval and reaching down to cup the boys chin within his hand, running the pad of his thumb again the outline of his lower lip.    

“It's cute.” He reinforced, waiting until the teens coffee brown eyes had risen curiously, if shyly, to watch the CEO through his lashes, Seto locking his cobalt blue upon the dark orbs and holding their unsure gaze steadily. He smiled softly, dragging down the albino's lip gently with his thumb just to feel the petal soft, peach coloured cushions once more beneath his touch, even if only for a moment. Seto wouldn't mind admitting he was addicted to the feel of the beautiful young albino beneath his finger tips, watching the slow blush that would highlight his delicate cheek bones and the way his lips would part to draw in breath though a small gap in the very centre when the CEO paid him this kind of affection.    

“You're cute, and at the risk of repeating myself I'm going to tell you again not to panic so much, Ryou! Yes, I know you like the band. Yes, they are good and yes, I know that already. I wouldn't have convinced a friend of mine to sign them up if I didn't think they were. I'm not one for building up the hopes of others falsely, disappointment isn't a pleasant thing. Besides, I've already given them a condition for taking this contract.”    

Ryou blinked at him owlishly and opened his mouth but the CEO beat him too it, telling the boy dryly “Michilo has to get that tattoo of your face off of his arm. At my expense, of course.”    

“Seto!” Whined the albino, a blush three shades thick settling upon his cheeks as he burred his face against the brunettes shoulder, the older teen gladly turning his face to hide his snickers within the whitenettes hair. “Did you truly have to remind me about that?! Michilo told me if he flexes his bicep, I smile. He even gave me a demonstration and I've never seen anything so ridiculous in all my life!”    

Seto couldn't hold back his snickers any longer and was faced with a pouting Ryou as the albino pulled back, so he did the only thing he could think of to appease his little obsession. He kissed the pout off of the boys lips, slipping his hand around to tangle strands of silky white between his fingers, cupping the back of his neck and holding him in place as he pressed their mouths together, watching as Ryou's eyes went wide before fluttering and slipping closed. The kiss was sweet and short, but already Seto could feel the fire of before churning in the pit of his stomach, making his entire body feeling flushed and excited.    

Ryou, on the other hand, looked a little drunk, and once more the CEO had to suppress a bout of snickers. The boys lids were fluttering, his lashes battering against his blushing cheeks as he tried to open his eyes, his mouth parted at the centre and Adams apple bobbing as he swallowed repeatedly. Finally blinking his eyes open the teen smiled dreamily, an expression that went straight to Seto's groin, leaning forwards and nuzzling himself into the CEO's chest. Seto smiled, looping his arms around his petite form.    

“Seto...” The whitenette began hesitantly, tracing his finger in a shy circle upon the material of the CEO's shirt. “Are you busy, tomorrow? I mean, you probably are and, well, goodness, I, it's just I was wondering, I mean you don't have to, but it you wanted to...”    

“What, Ryou? I'm not busy, I'll do whatever you want.” At least, he wasn't now. That was the advantage about being your own boss, no one was going to yell at you if you called in sick for the day.    

“Really? Oh, that would be wonderful! I want to show you something, would that be ok?”    

“Of course.” He agreed easily, and spent the rest of the night beneath the oak tree, an angel in his arms.      

[Scene change: Next day, Seto's limousine]      

After picking up the beautiful, internationally famous albino model known as Ryou from his little blue house in the middle of no where, Seto's driver followed the directions that he gave him as best he could, the pale little albino dressed plainly in jeans and a button up blue shirt as relayed his instructions, leaning over the seat in front so he could be heard with his head poked through the little window that divided this area of the limo from the drivers, kneeling up on the seat and presenting the CEO with a rather nice view of his denim clad rear. Of course, the albino could have just sat up front with the driver and made things a whole lot easier, but neither Kaiba nor Ryou seemed inclined to separate themselves again with that much distance for even a short while so soon after being back together. Besides, as mentioned already, the CEO was rather partial to the view. This was definitely better then any poster or picture the brunette had of his gorgeous teenage interest, and he wasn't planning on missing this opportunity to ogle him without him realising for the world.    

After about twenty minutes driving the Kaiba Corp owner began taking more of an interest in their surroundings, simply because he had no idea where they were. They'd left the main city centre a while ago, travelling down narrow lanes and small roads crammed in between oddly matched buildings, eclectic architecture ranging from western church like stone to modern, eastern glass and steel structures. Seto hadn't seen a fast food restaurants for the last quarter of an hour. They weren't in Kansas anymore...    

Eventually Ryou directed them up the drive of a single building, calling an excited halt to the limo and turning his attention back to Seto, flipping his white bangs from his eyes and informing the CEO happily “We're here!” Where 'here' was, exactly, Seto didn't have a clue.    

Scooting awkwardly across the leather seats the albino scrambled out of the car before one of the CEO's suites managed to open the door for him, waiting for Seto to follow along behind and shifting from foot to foot impatiently. As soon as the brunette stepped out of the limousine, with, it had to be said, a little more ease than his paler companion, his hand was taken by the whittenette and he was unceremoniously tugged towards the building. Ryou must be excited, the CEO reflected, judging by his behaviour and the infectious grin upon his features. Seto found himself smiling in return, and for all he knew they could be here for something as fun as getting inoculation jabs.    

The place he was being dragged towards was set just off of the main road, large wrought iron gates in between two stone pillars with the paint peeling off, orange-brown spots eating into the metal where they were rusting badly sealing it off from the rest of the world. The actual building reminded Seto of an old western school, the structure being of large blocks of grey stone, window ledges and the entrance way, two stone pillars and sloping porch roof a different sandy coloured stone. The tiles on the roof were a heavy black slate, two round chimneys at each end and small faces carved into periodically jutting out stone around the newly fitted guttering, small happy gargoyles watching their arrival. Ivy trailed happily up the walls, spiral fronds clinging to the brick work and framing the stones with rich greens and browns.    

The windows were large and arched at the tops, slightly murky panes held in by strips of thin black lead, a few of these bandings criss-crossed over one another to give simple diamond patterns against the glass. It took Seto a moment to realise that there were paintings on a few of the panes, simple childish designs of suns and flowers, stars and little snails, even a bee and a honey pot. It took him even longer to realise that through the windows, looking past the designs and peeking through the panes were numerous messy faces, splotched with paint and jam and other things that children get covered in peering out at them, turning and whispering excitedly between themselves.    

Getting more confused by the moment Seto turned back to Ryou, seeing him waving and grinning at yet more little people as they hung out of a few of the upper windows, the pair of them finally reaching the heavy, double wooden doors painted a deep russet red with a back iron letter box in the middle of the one on the right, the gold handle on the one on the left.    

“Ryou...What is this place? Why on Earth did you bring me here?”    

“We're here to see my children.” Replied the albino cryptically, smiling up at him as he opened the door, making his way inside. Seto followed along obediently, his body on auto piolet as his brain worked over time, blinking stupidly at the boys answer as he did so and seeing the faces that had been pressed against the windows a moment before rushing to greet his companion, squealing happy greetings.    

What the heck was going on?!    

Seto shook his head in wonder at the site before him, the pale albino he'd came with kneeling down in the centre of the room, being grabbed by grubby hands and pressed against sticky cheeks, laughing happily all the while. The children loved him, that much was obvious, and the CEO could see why. Ryou loved them back, it was as simple as that...    

The room they'd walked into was, as far as Seto could tell, some sort of grand entrance, a hallway stretching in front of the pair of them with open arches rather then doorways that led to other rooms and a large stair case at the end, the entire thing seemingly open-planned so you could walk straight through into any room and never have to open a door. The room just to the right of them, the one Ryou was pulled into excitedly by little hands, had wooden floor boards like the rest of what the CEO could see, a large, round rug in the middle with cream fringe around the outside that was badly fraying, toys scattered across the worn red and blue designs in the centre. A large fire place took up the entirety of the wall opposite the windows, wrought iron and soot blackened from constant use, the breast jutting out slightly from the wall.    

Making his way to the little mass of tiny forms from where he'd hung uncertainly in the doorway he stood just outside of the little ring of children, each and every one of them trying to monopolize Ryou's attention as he crouched in the middle of them by telling him about their latest 'owies' and how they'd drawn a donkey in chalk on the dining room floor.    

Seto counted around fifteen children in total, though he couldn't be sure of their exact numbers since they kept moving, and the CEO would guess their ages from around three up to seven. Although dressed well and obviously taken care of it was obvious they weren't just a few neighbourhood kids playing around in an old building, and that's when a few things began to fall into place.    

The CEO remembered reading that Ryou gave all of his modelling money to his fathers charity in support of less fortunate children, but after the albino had told him how his father worked in Egypt the brunette had unconsciously dismissed that tale as a simple rumour. Now that he thought about it, though, he'd also read an article that said it was Ryou who owned the charity.    

Could that be what this was?    

Did Ryou own this place and support these children?    

Was this Ryou's orphanage...?    

The Kaiba Corp owner was startled from his train of thought as he felt a small tug at the trouser leg of his usual, crisp black suit. Looking down he saw the material clutched in the small fist of one of the children who'd apparently given up on getting any attention from Ryou while the other, bigger children crowded around him. Looked like the CEO was second best, and certainly better than nothing.    

The little girl who looked up at Seto with big, round blue eyes had to be one of the smallest of the bunch, no older then four years at the most with pale, wispy blonde curls pulled into two tails either side of her face, big red plastic beads attached to the hair bands that held them in place. In the fist that wasn't clutching onto the CEO's trouser leg still she held a little grey stuffed cat with one shiny black eye and the other, apparently having gone missing at some point replaced by a small, navy blue button.    

“Can I talk to you?” Asked the little girl in an exaggerated whisper, tugging on his pant leg. “Ryou's busy but I'm only supposed to talk to people I know, but your Ryou's friend so it's ok if I talk to you, right?” Seto felt his lips twitch at the eagerness of the girls voice and he smiled softly, crouching down so he was on eye level with her. In some ways, he supposed, he was thankful he'd practically raised Mokuba himself. It left him better prepared for situations like this.    

“Right, but first you need to know who I am, don't you? I'm Seto.”    

“Marina.”    

&ldquo ;And who's this?” Seto tapped the grey stuffed cat on the nose with his finger, watching as Marina's face lit up into a delighted smile, the cat being thrust into his face so he could apparently get a better look.    

“Well he was called Smokey but then Kado pulled his eye off after he chewed on it and Mama couldn't find it so she sewed a button on instead so now he's called Buttons.”    

Seto blinked. “Mama?”    

“Mother, actually, but the little ones call her Mama.” Seto looked up to see Ryou smiling down at him, one little boy about Marina's age with chocolate coloured curls and scrapes on both knees balanced on his hip, clutching a fist full of the albinos pale hair and two bigger children clinging onto his hand and elbow, the rest surrounding him like a group of munchkin body guards.    

Coughing the CEO stood and brushed off his trousers, smoothing out the crease left by Marina's clutches and thankful he didn't flush beneath his tan after being caught paying attention to the little girl. Seto wasn't used to showing his softer side to any one but Ryou and Mokuba, certainly not to a room full of children.    

Catching Ryou's eye the CEO couldn't help his lips curving once more though as he was the albino's amusement, his dark expressive eyes dancing and a tilt to his mouth at one corner that clearly said 'Caught you'. Seto smirked. Ah well, no one was here but himself and Ryou, who was he trying to impress anyway? Besides, the albino's look had been nothing but tender, and maybe even a little proud, when he saw him talking to Marina, and even though the CEO never thought of himself as craving any kind of praise, to have Ryou proud of him filled his chest with an indescribable warmth. Anything was worth that feeling.    

“Would you like to meet Mother?” Asked the albino with a smile, and Seto watched amusidly as two children detached from his little entourage.    

“We'll get her!” They sang out in unison, and Seto only realised as they ran past that they were twins, two identical heads of mousy brown hair whizzing down the corridor. He shook his head slightly, still trying to absorb everything he was seeing.    

“Ryou, what-”    

“I'll explain later Seto, I promise, but first I need to get these guys off to the school room!” The albino laughed as the room erupted into whines and moans, several children miraculously developing stomach aches as they heard the dreaded 's' word. “No 'but's', you lot, come on!” Laughed Ryou, herding them off down the hall way with a dazzling smile for Seto as he passed, obviously enjoying their visit. “Mother would kill me if I made you late for lessons, you know how hard she worked to get you a tutor all of your own.” Reluctant agreements followed that statement and Ryou disappeared around a corner, leaving Seto to await the arrival of 'Mother', whoever she was...    

“Our own little angel, that one...”    

Seto almost jumped straight out of his Armani suit when a soft, feminine voice came from behind him, apparently from no where. Moving in front of him with two boys attached to each arm, the twins from earlier, the CEO blinked repeatedly as he was faced with an outfit of black and white. Seto felt somewhat of an idiot, he really should have guessed that 'Mother' was a nun...    

The woman was dressed in the usual black habit, an amber painted, wooden trail of rosary beads clinking together softly as she walked, draped over one hip from front to back, trailing over her left side. Mother turned out to be true to her name, a maternal looking figure in perhaps her late fifties, plump and smelling faintly of baked bread and spices, round and, for no particular reason, comforting. She smiled at Seto, cornflower blue eyes regarding him kindly as she shooed the two twins back to their lessons without a word.    

“I...I'm sorry?” The CEO berated himself for feeling like a small child again as he regarded her stupidly, trying to play at being a grown up while he attempted to work out what she was talking about.    

“Ryou.” Mother clarified for him, her smile growing in her round face and her blue eyes sparkling knowingly. “That boy has kept our orphanage open with his last donation, just over a month ago. As you can tell we haven't had a chance to do much, not yet, but Ryou come's back every week or so, just to see how we're all doing and to play with the children, make sure everything is going alright.” The short woman held out her hand, and before Seto knew what he was doing he'd let his own be embraced, her palm warm and soft and dry. “Come, I have a feeling you've a few questions.”    

'A few' wasn't going to cover it...    

[Ten minutes later]    

Seto sat at the large, wooden table in the orphanage kitchen, a earthenware mug of hot chocolate steaming happily as he cradled it between his palms, staring into the dark liquid as his thoughts drifted. Mother had told him that Ryou had turned up on the doorstep of the dying orphanage just over a month ago. With the other nun's having left and the government drying up the funding, the place was soon to close and the children due to be shipped off around the country to places that would take them. Ryou had, literally, saved the day by offering them a huge initial donation to fix up the building and hire a school teacher along with a cook, who busied herself at the stove, an old fashioned black range, while Seto sat across from Mother. He'd also set up a fund for each child, to give them a little something in the future, and had visited without fail every week since his first visit to play with the children and check up on Mother.    

The CEO's head swam. He knew Ryou was a good person, but this? Sure, Seto gave to a few charities he considered worthy of his time, but the brunette had never gotten so...Involved. He'd never even thought of it, and here was Ryou giving almost all of his earnings and alot of his time to support this place.    

He was dating a bloody saint...    

At that moment a familiar head of pale white hair poked around the doorway curiously, the albinos face lighting up as he spotted Seto at the table. “There you are!” He greeted happily, slipping into the room. “I looked all over for you! Did you two get along alright?” He asked playfully, smiling adoringly at Mother who returned the gesture with just as much affection.    

“Yes Ryou, your gentlemen friend and I got along wonderfully.”    

Seto smirked as Ryou blushed, puling a strand of hair over his shoulder and fiddling with the end shyly. “He's not mine, Mother...” He protested softly. The brunette in question snorted.    

“Of course I am. Now, come here.” Reaching out he snagged the boy around the waist, tugging and causing the smaller teen to topple into his lap with a surprised squeak, his blush darkening to a rich scarlet that spread right to the tip of his ears as the CEO pressed a kiss to his lips.    

“W-what...What was that for?” Asked a dazed looking Ryou as the CEO pulled back, looking up at Seto through dark sweeping lashes timidly, highly conscious of their position and company as his companion smirked.    

“For being perfect.”    

A silly smile formed upon the albinos features and he giggled softly, the silky sound causing the brunette to sigh contently as the teen pecked him on the cheek, apparently willing to forget their little audience in favour of showing the CEO a little affection for his praise. He really was lovesick, the brunette decided, but this was definitely a sickness he didn't want a cure for.    

Across the table, Mother smiled contently at the pair of them. “I think our angel belongs to someone else, now...” She sighed, and looking up from where he'd been gazing at Ryou the CEO did the only thing he could. He grinned, winking at the maternal looking nun.    

“Don't worry, I'll let you borrow him.”   AN   Thanks to everyone for the wonderful reviews, but, being the review whore that I am, I want more! Love ya!