a/n: If you don't like oc x canon, spare yourself some time, and don't read this. I'd rather have happy reviewers than angry ones. Even though nothing really happens in this. Just letting you know. Otherwise, please please read and review~!

/.../ = inner thoughts/talking to oneself

snowfall

The snow was falling quietly and heavily that night. Seto was finishing the last of his work before heading home. He closed several windows after saving a few, and listened to the humming of his computer slow and finally stop with a click as it shut down. Seto pulled out his cellphone to check the time. 1:52 A.M. He didn't really feel like bothering someone at the house to come and get him; he would rather walk in the cold than sit in the back of a car being driven by someone half-asleep, and through heavy snow. He would like to stay alive for at least a little longer. Slipping on his heavy white winter coat and blue scarf, he flicked off the lights and headed down to the elevator.

The streets were silent. Not eerily so, but peaceful and calm. The snow was heavy enough to either cancel out or at least muffle almost every sound. All Seto could hear was his own steps through the drifting snow, and the occasional plopping of snow as the branches of trees bent under the wieght of the sticky snow. Seto liked this weather. Quiet and cold; but not so cold that it was uncomfortable, just enough to turn his face red and allow his breath to hang in the air like smoke. He had always been amused by this as a child, as he had often pretended to be a fire-breathing dragon and chased Mokuba around the playground at the park. He let a rare smile cross his face as he continued under the softly glowing street lights, which added to the serene atmosphere. Passing several shop windows filled with Christmas decorations and signs, he realized he had yet to pick out anything for Mokuba. He made a mental note to himself as he decided to take the long way home, to enjoy the rare serenity of the city at night in winter.

As he turned around a corner, he was surprised to see not only one person, but a small group of people down the sidewalk, clustered in a circle. The circle consisted of maybe 4 or 5 men, who were laughing and shouting about something outside the doors of a bar. Seto then noticed that another figure was in the centre of the circle, attempting to break out of it. As he got closer, he could hear that the middle person was shouting and possibly crying, and it was the voice of a girl. Seto had no idea what came over him; maybe it was a spark in his spirit left over from Set in his own lifetime that stirred Seto's heart, as he suddenly felt a strong need to save this girl. He probably didn't even know her, and yet he was compelled to do something to help her. The men were obviously drunk, and she could be in real danger. He could more than handle a couple of drunk guys toying around with a hapless girl.

"Hey. What do you think you're doing?" Seto growled as he came to a stop behind one of the men, who slowly turned around to face the newcomer. Rather, the man had to look up to see who it was, which apparently pissed him off, as he threw a drunken swing at Seto, who easily avoided the misguided punch, grabbing the man's wrist and slamming him into the snow beneath him. The other three men looked bewilderdly at their fallen friend, and then to their foe, and quickly decided to shuffle off into the night, leaving the girl in collapsed in a ball, sobbing.

"Are you alright?" Seto asked, still standing and on guard as the drunk staggered to his feet and much to Seto's relief, scurried away without another sound. The girl was still crying, but she uncurled herself, and brushed the snow off of her skirt and tights. Her face was red with the cold and her tears, which had frozen strands of her red hair, sticking them to her cheeks. Reaching his hand out, Seto bent down to help her up. She shakily accepted the gloved hand, and wobbled to her feet. She was small and thin, and judging by her clothing as well as her size, Seto would have guessed she was still in high school. The girl still hadn't made any other sounds other than a hiccup or two, and some sniffling as she tried to wipe her tears and control her breathing. "Hey. Are you okay?" Seto asked, in a softer voice this time. He was rewarded with a weak nod.

"Yeah, I...I'm okay" she squeaked. "Th-thank you -hic- for helping me." She choked back another sob, and scrubbed at her eyes with pink mittens, bowing politely before looking up to see the face of her saviour. Her eyes were large and round, and were still shiny from her tears. Her hair was messy and disheveled, her pink spotted coat halfway unzipped, exposing the brown wool sweater beneath. Noticing that Seto was assessing the damage she had taken, she blushed, zipping up her jacket rather quickly and forcefully. "I'm fine, really." She began re-pinning her hair back into a ponytail. "They didn't get as far as they probably would have liked." She said, smiling weakily.

"Why the hell are you out here all by yourself? It's 2:30 in the morning." Seto scoffed, now irritated with the girl. /stupid girl. she was practically asking for it. she's lucky I happened to be here to save her. there's no telling what they could have done to her./

"Dunno. Got off of work about an hour or so ago," She sighed. "The city was so peaceful, I decided I'd wander around for a bit." The girl shrugged as she kneeled down to pick up her hat and bag off of the sidewalk. "Stupid idea, yes. I couldn't help it though. The snow was too pretty, the city too serene." The girl bowed again. "Thank you, again, for helping me out. You're very kind." She smiled and turned around, beginning her trek to wherever she was going.

"Wait." Seto stopped. What was he doing? "At least let me walk you home. You might run into those guys again, or maybe someone worse." The girl glanced over her shoulder, surprised at the offer. She had heard about this boy many times, and she knew that this was rare and fairly out of character of him. She stopped, and waited for him to catch up to her.

"You can try to walk me home." She replied rather flatly. Seto looked to her, confused. "I don't really have anyplace to go. I have no home." She nestled her head deeper into her coat, her pace slowing to a mere shuffle.

Seto could feel a pang of guilt deep in his stomach. Why did he care so much? He would on normal circumstances have just left the girl to her own means, and continued on his own way. But he understood on some level what she was going through. She was alone, and had no where to go, and apparently no one to turn to. Perhaps he felt guilty because he saw much of himself in her. He could tell she was a fighter, and could take care of herself for the most part. But he also saw that deep sadness in her. That cold, dark, empty feeling he often felt himself. That hatred he had for himself, which was spurred each and every day simply from looking in the mirror.

"You have absolutely nowhere to go?" Seto asked. The girl shook her head slowly. "hn." Seto thought for a moment, deciding whether or not that was the best option. His head told him no, that she was just playing with him and was being manipulative. But his stomach was wrenching itself in disagreement. She needed a place to stay. It was cold, and they were headed in that direction anyway.

Seto sighed. "Why don't you stay at my house for a bit then?"

He could feel the doubt, uncertainty, and lack of trust building in the back of his mind, and he bit his lip, questioning himself. Seriously? He just asked a girl he didn't even know to stay at his house. For how long? What for, other than out of pity and her need? He wasn't one to do much charity work, or so he told himself. But he felt genuine concern for her well being. And he already asked. It was too late to turn back now.

He was surprised to hear her giggling. The building sense of mistrust began to grow wildly. /See? I knew she was just playing around. But of course, you gave in because she played innocent and shot those big puppy eyes at you/ his conscience screamed. /she's just manipulating you. what the hell has gotten into you, Seto?/ He shook his head in equal parts anger and shame, and he turned to yell at her, but stopped as she began to speak.

"Really? Seto Kaiba is offering a complete stranger room and board. Are you feeling alright?" The girl looked up to him, just as confused as he was. She wasn't playing. "I'm not saying I'll decline your offer. Rather, I'll definitely be taking you up on it." She smiled. "I'm just a little shocked is all. I hear so many nasty things about you, and here you are kindly offering me a place to sleep." Seto's emotions were quelled, now that he knew she was truly innocent and wasn't toying with him. But it was just instinct for him to not trust people. He never had, and thought he never would.

"Sorry to disappoint you then." he smirked. The girl giggled softly again. "I guess my reputation hasn't gotten any better then, huh?" She shook her head.

"Not really. And I'm pretty sure no one would believe me if I told them you were actually quite nice and civil." She grinned. "You're really going to let me stay with you for a bit then?"

"I suppose it's too late for me to tell you otherwise, isn't it?"

The two shuffled along the sidewalk in silence, still separated by a wide space between them that was both a wall of insecurity and confusion, but it gradually shrank down to about half an arm's length as they reached the front gates of Seto's home. The two had not uttered another word to each other the whole way there, but instead concentrated on their own rampant confused emotions and thoughts on the situation, and had broken down several of the other's walls in the process, unbeknownst to either.

fluffy drabble is drabbly and fluffy. |D I tried REALLY HARD to keep Seto in character. I think I failed. pffft.

please review if you like, or if you don't like. I need to improve, you know. :D