'A Painted Canvas'

By:: KnotofRibbon

At the 'Skylight' modeling agency not all is as it seems. Jounouchi Katsuya, passionate photographer finds something hidden deep within his client. Once the secret is unraveled from the strings of fate, will the young blonde be able to save a rain drop, a rose, from a dangerous darkness threatening to swallow him, and his gorgeous blue eyes, whole?

Chap. 1

'Prelude'

"Okay. We're finished." A grinning, gruff, looking man spoke as he began to pack away his camera. He approached a young brunette who was slipping into his original clothing.

"Nice job today, Seto. It makes me sad to think that it's my last day here." He gave a low, sorrowful, chuckle. Seto turned his head, nodding to the photographer slowly, his blue eyes dull.

"Take care of yourself." He gave one more smile before walking towards the exit, camera hanging off his shoulder by a thick string. Seto sighed as he watched the man disappear. He was a model, but not by his choice. Every photographer he had met had moved on to other clients. Seto supposed they just got tired of looking at him.

With one more deep sigh, Seto pulled on his jacket, and walked out the front doors to wait for his ride home. No, you couldn't really call it a home at all, actually. He leaned his back against the brick wall behind him, slipping his hands into his pockets to keep them warm. His tender gaze slid up to the cloudy sky, a slight breeze making his hair dance about his face. In a strange way, that darkness in the sky made him feel at ease, comforted. It reminded him of how he felt inside, like he wasn't alone.

"Hey?" A voice called softly to him. The sound was slightly distant, and a bit nervous.

Seto blinked from his reverie, and turned his attention to the source of the disruption. A young man clad in worn jeans and a thin long sleeved fabric covering his upper half stood a few feet away. He had honey brown eyes and blonde messy hair.

'He must be cold…'

Seto thought as he observed this stranger. There was something deep within those eyes, yet he could not place it. The other bowed politely, then returned his gaze to Seto. He held a newspaper in his left hand, and an old camera with a thin black string hung from his neck.

"Um…" He hesitated, locking his dark orbs with Seto's bright.

"Could you tell me where the 'Skylight' modeling agency is?" Seto rose an eyebrow at the question, staring at the other for a moment. The blonde shifted un comfortably under the blank stare.

"Right in front of you." Seto stated simply, monotone. The other blinked, and blushed embarrassed as he quickly began to move toward the doors, muttering quietly under his breath.

"Thanks."

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The front desk was clean of any papers, the marble floors shining underneath his beaten sneakers. The room was large, and resembled a hotel as there was a staircase, elevators, and many doors about.

"Hello. My name is Jounouchi Katsuya, and I'm here about an add in the paper…Asking about a photography job?" Jounouchi knew this was his passion, and he didn't care about whatever people had to say.

"Ah, yes." The young lady at the desk chirped. She looked through a couple of papers with a smile at her lips, tracing a couple of lines Jou presumed were names.

"It seems we only have one client that needs a photographer. His left just this morning." She returned her gaze to Jounouchi and winked. He nodded furiously at her words, encouraging her to continue.

"I'll have to talk to my boss about it, alright? Could we have a number to reach you by?" The young lady handed the eager blonde a pen and some paper. He quickly wrote down the number, pushing all worries to the back of his head. His father was hardly ever home any how.

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When Jounouchi emerged he saw the young man he had met before still leaning against the wall as if he was waiting for something to happen. Seto leaned forward a bit, glancing left to right, then with a sigh he went back to his previous position. His blue eyes glistened with something Jou couldn't place.

"Eh! You waitin' on someone?" Seto, slightly startled by the sudden call, whipped his head around to look at the other. Once he realized it was the blonde from before he nodded slowly, then focused his blue orbs back on the road.

"I can keep you company until they get here, if you'd like?" Seto's form visibly stiffened as he sharply shook his head, dark bangs bouncing about his face. Jounouchi blinked, then shrugged, continuing to travel his way home, giving the other a quick wave.

Seto tore his eyes from the rode to watch the fleeting form of the stranger just as a limo pulled up in front of him. A chauffer stepped from the drivers side, walked briskly to one of the back doors, and opened it, allowing Seto to slip inside.

"Hello, my boy." A brown (slightly turning gray) haired, plump, man spoke between drags off of his cigar. Seto bowed his head politely, as the chauffer shut the door.

"Hello, father Gozaburo." The cruel man's eyes snapped at the mention of his name. He reached across the small space, back handing the young sixteen year old. Seto winced in pain, but didn't dare show anything more, in fear of much harsher punishment.

"What did I say to call me in private?" Gozaburo's dark eyes flashed dangerously at Seto. The brunette stared at the floor of the limo, knowing of his mistake.

"Master…" Seto whispered. Gozaburo rested back against the leather cushions, puffing off of his cigar once more. They sat in silence for a couple minutes, both lost in thought, waiting for the Kaiba mansion to come into view.

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Ah… The birds are chirping outside this window. It's so relaxing, so beautifully tormenting. It is a comfort to think these feelings, yet it reminds me of last night that much more. I try not too remember the pain, and yet…

"Hey." A voice called from the door way. Seto, who was lying on his bed staring out the window, rolled from one side to the other. There, his eyes met with honey brown. The boy in the door way grinned stupidly, causing Seto to roll his eyes and sit up tiredly.

"What are you, a stalker?" Seto stretched his arms up above him, tilting his head to the side to give the blonde a side ways glance. Jou furrowed his brows in confusion, but then shrugged and advanced toward the brunette. Seto's arms dropped as his reply came quickly at the others actions.

"Don't move. Stay there." Jounouchi's eyes widened slightly at the command, freezing mid-step. He lowered his head a bit, observing the blue eyed beauty. Seto sat there un moving, his gaze locking with Jou's. There was an unnerving silence that passed between them, neither one moving an inch.

Finally, Jou decided to clear his throat, his foot finally landing on the plush carpet, frame straightening. He held out his hand politely, forcing a stupid grin once more.

"My name's Jounouchi Katsuya. I'll be working with you from now on." His smile grew into a genuine one as the gorgeous brunette sitting upon the bed rose an eye brow. Seto simply stared at the other for a long moment, before his face dropped, and with a groan he replied.

"Seto. Knock next time. Now, get out."

((A/N:: Ah… New fanfics always put me in a bright mood. Especially if I have it all planned out, and enjoy writing it. Haha Hope you guys like this one. I'm working on the first chapter, and hopefully I'll have it up soon. ))