Melting the Snow Chapter 14: Lullaby for a Stormy Night, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Melting the Snow

Okay, I'm back with yet another chapter!

Before I begin, I would just like to address one of the reviews I got. It said that Seto was acting OOC. Just a reminder folks: this is a fan FICTION. It doesn't have to stay true to the characters' actual attitudes. As long as I say I don't own them, I can bend them to my will! So get over it!

Anyway, onto the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its original characters, but Ari, Kenta, and this plot are mine, so don't steal them.

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Chapter 14

Ari stirred in her sleep. Her mind couldn't process exactly where she was, but she knew it was warm, so she snuggled closer to it's source.

Suddenly, she was aware that whatever was radiating the comforting warmth was breathing. For a minute, she thought that Kenta might have had a bad dream, and had crawled into bed with her.

Unfortunately, there were two facts that contradicted this theory:

One, whereever she was, it did not feel anything like a bed.

Two, whoever was next to her did not feel like her little brother.

Ari opened her eyes blearily, blinking to clear her vision. To her surprise, she saw that she was still in the limo. Even more surprising was the fact that she had her arms around Seto.

With childlike fascination, she watched his chest rise and fall in sync with each quiet breath he took. His features were completely relaxed, giving her a much different image of him than the ice cold, nothing-but-business image he always portrayed himself as to the public. Without his coat on, Seto didn't look quite so sharp-edged and untouchable. Ari's eyes wandered girlishly over his lightly muscled arms, then back up to his face, lingering on his lips.

Blushing with embarassment at her own actions, she tore her gaze off of him, and attempted to pull away from him completely. Still fast asleep, the corners of Seto's mouth twitched into the semblance of a frown, and his grip on her waist tightened, pulling her firmly against his side once more. With no other option, and sleep clawing at her consciousness once more, she decided to overlook it for now. Leaning into his embrace again, she drifted back towards the realm of sleep.

Seto did not wake in his usual manner, his mind automatically switching into work mode. No, this time, he woke slowly, as if still in a dream-like state. He opened his eyes blinking to clear the sleep from them. Realizing he was still in his limousine, he made a move to open the door, but was stopped by a weight on his side.

Remembering that Ari had fallen asleep against him, he quickly sat back against the seat, hoping he hadn't awakened her. Luckily, she was a sound sleeper and was not bothered by his sudden movements. For the first time, Seto noticed that his hand, previously situated on her shoulder, was now sitting comfortably on her waist.

As he contemplated whether or not to move it, a barely audible whimper met his ears. His brow creased, and he looked down at Ari, seeing a pained expression passing over her face. She unconsciously move closer to him, gripping his shirt tightly in her fingers.

Is she having a nightmare? he wondered.

Another soft whimper confirmed his guess. Gently, he tightened his grip, bringing his free hand up to stroke her hair. After a moment he began to run his fingers through her soft, brown tresses, surprised at how soft they were.

Gradually, Ari's face smoothed over as she calmed down, her fingers unclenching. Seto heard her take a deep breath, and her eyes fluttered open again. She looked around sleepily for a few moments, before looking up at him. Seeing how close they were, she smile a little, blushing a deep crimson.

Before she could speak, Seto loosened his hold enough to get a proper look at her, his eyes steely as he searched her face.

"Have you been having nightmares?" he asked in a voice thinly veiled with concern. "Is that why you were so tired today?"

Ari's smile vanished in an instant. She quickly pulled herself out of his arms, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Ari."

"It's nothing, okay?" she snapped. "It's...nothing. I've dealt with it on my own before, and I can deal with it on my own now."

Her voice became extremely quiet as she finished her sentence., gathering her forgotten bag into her arms, holding onto it tightly.

"I don't need...any pity or anything. I've always been able to deal with this kind of stuff. And I've always had Kenta. He hasn't left, so...I'll be fine."

Ari sounded as if she was close to tears. Somehow, Seto was sure they weren't just talking about her nightmares anymore, but he decided that he would have to let it go for now. She would talk to him if, or when, she wanted.

"Come on," he said, making to open the car door again. "I don't know how long we've been in here, but Mokuba and Kenta are probably worried about us."

She followed him, still deathly quiet, eyes glued to the ground. As they walked into the main hall, Seto kept glancing at her. Her silence was really disturbing. It was an ominous silence. The kind that came right before the most destructive part of a storm hit. Or right before a killer took his first victim in a horror movie.

Before he could intrude upon the unbearable void, stifled laughter accented the air.

Seto looked up. Mokuba and Kenta sat on top of the stairs, watching their siblings with amused eyes.

"Look, Kenta! If it isn't the little lovebirds!"

Kenta giggled. "Aren't they adorable?"

Both boys burst out laughing, clutching at their sides.

"That's enough out of you two!" Seto snapped.

With a squeak of fear, they both ran off, their laughs echoing throughout the halls.

Seto shook his head. "I swear, those two will be the death of me, but what can you do?"

The last part he directed at Ari, but didn't even give any indication that she had heard him. As silent as ever, she walked up the stairs and down the hall, obviously intent on getting to her room.

Seto merely watched, his face a mixture of concern, sadness, and his usual emotionlessness.

Hopefully, Ari would perk back up when dinner time came around. After all, she hadn't had anything for lunch, so maybe her hunger was just catching up with her. She was probably just hungry.

At least, he hoped that was all.

Kenta and Mokuba both walked into the dining room, chatting happily. Seto was already sitting down at the table, his own food untouched. Though the smell coming from the plate was mouth-watering, he had restrained himself.

You just didn't want to eat without Ari, his inner voice teased.

For once, Seto didn't reply, for it was actually very close to what he had been thinking. He had wanted to wait for Ari, who usually arrived just before the boys, but was now nowhere in sight.

"Kenta, where's your sister?"

Kenta shrugged. "I went to get her for dinner, but she said she wasn't hungry," he replied, picking up his fork. "She looked really tired, so I think she's gonna go to bed early or something."

Seto frowned. It wasn't like Ari to skip a meal, even if she was falling asleep in her food.

Without a word, he picked up his plate, along with the one that had been prepared for Ari, and walked out of the dining room, leaving two curious teenagers in his wake.

Seto tapped lightly on the door with his foot, seeing as how his hands were full.

"Ari?" he inquired softly.

There was no answer.

Luckily, it was slightly ajar, so he was able to shoulder it open.

Ari was curled up on the bed, her back towards his, and, to all appearances, asleep. Seto approached her quietly, gently setting the plates down on the bedside table, before sitting next to her on the bed. After a moments hesitation, he reached out to give her a little shake, his hand hovering over her shoulder, when she suddenly spoke.

"I'm awake," she said, turning over to face him.

"I brought you some food," he replied, gesturing towards the two plates.

She shook her head, causing a soft rustling noise against the pillow. "I'm not hungry."

"Come on, you have to eat something," he urged.

"I'm not hungry," she repeated. "Just tired."

"Then why don't you get some sleep?" he asked.

An almost invisible flicker of fear crossed her eyes, and she gripped the comforter in one of her hands. Seto felt his stomach clench.

"This is about the nightmares again, isn't it?"

The fear grew a little, the green orbs trembling as she tightened her grip.

"Whenever Kenta had nightmares," she began slowly, quietly, "I would let him sleep in my room. But I can't ask the same from him. I'm the big sister. I'm the one that has to be strong."

Seto nodded. "I can understand that train of thought. It's the same way with me and Mokuba. But it's a big burden to carry. It can't hurt to rely on others sometime, even just a little bit."

Ari drew herself up into a sitting position. Pulling her knees against her chest, she stared at him, head cocked to one side slightly.

"...What?" Seto finally asked.

Ari smiled. "You always act so tough and mean at work, and whenever you have to appear for the public. But then you let out little bits of kindness when I'm around. I just wanted to say thanks."

"For what?"

"For letting me see that softer side," she told him. "I'm really glad you trust me that much."

"Well, you're an easy person to trust. For some reason, it's not that hard to let down those defenses when I'm near you. You're a lot like Mokuba; you don't judge people based on first impressions."

A low growl interrupted their conversation, and Ari clutched her stomach.

"Well, I guess I am hungry after all!" she laughed.

Seto shook his head and passed her one of the plates that were still sitting on the table, grabbing the other one for himself.

Ari sat back against the pillows, patting her stomach and sighing contentedly.

"That was good."

Seto nodded in agreement.

"The cooks really outdid themselves."

"I'll say."

Seto picked up both of the plates carefully. "I'd better take these back downstairs," he said, standing up.

"M'kay," she replied sleepily.

He frowned. "You get some sleep. You definitely need it."

Ari looked away, avoiding his gaze.

Comfort her, dumbass! his inner self hissed.

Setting the plates down once again, he walked over to Ari's side of the bed. He placed his hands on the sides of her face, gently turning it up so she would look at him.

"Just promise me that you'll at least try? Seto asked, a hint of pleading in his otherwise stoic voice.

Ari smiled at him crookedly. "I'll try."

Seto felt something stir inside of him. A warm feeling spread from his head to the very tips of his toes. His eyes were transfixed on her face, and soon her cheeks began to heat up under his intense gaze. Lightly, he brushed his thumbs across the pink-tinged skin, which was quickly becoming red. He had to admit, she was cute when she blushed. Hesitating for a moment, then leaned forward.

Cautiously, almost timidly, Seto pressed his lips to Ari's forehead.

Ari remained absolutely still. She was afraid to move, afraid to breathe, afraid to even think, lest he hear her every thought.

After what seemed like an eternity, though in reality was only a few seconds, he pulled away. For a moment, their eyes met.

Then Seto looked away, a faint blush adorning his own face. He removed his hands from her face as if was on fire, which it practically was at this point. He mumbled what sounded suspiciously like an apology, before picking up the once again forgotten plates and hurrying out of the room.

As soon as the door snapped shut, Ari released the breath she didnt' realize she had been holding the entire time. She sat there on her bed, dazed and confused. Was this how Seto had felt after the incident at the pool.

Slowly, she raised her hand to her face, lightly touching the spot where his lips had been moments before, then let her hand fall to rest on the spot above her heart. It beat wildy in her chest, as if it was trying to escape the prison that her ribs created.

Seto sat in his room, head in his hands as he tried to reign in his own heart. After he had left Ari's room, he had quickly handed the plates to a passing maid, all but ran to his own room and locked the door.

Now his emotions had formed a raging hurricane that was now reaking havoc inside his mind and body.

Every emotion was swirled into one. Anger, fear, sadness, happiness, and...

Something he couldn't name.

Some kind of foreign emotion that seemed so alien, yet so familiar at the same time.

It whispered its own name in the back of his mind, desperate to be heard, yet danced out of his reach when he tried to grab hold of it.

Ari wasn't sure how long she sat there, lost in thought, but by the time she looked up, rain had begun to slide down the panes.

A little startled that she hadn't noticed the rain starting, she watched quietly as the individual drops followed their own twisting paths down the glass, merging into larger drops when they happened to meet, splitting apart at random spots as if they had run into invisible blades, continuing to the bottom edge of the smooth surface, only to begin yet another long fall, this time all the way to the ground below.

There was a bright flash of lightning, cutting a jagged wound across the dark sky. It was quickly followed by the rumble of thunder, so much like the growl of some terrible, ancient beast.

While most people were afraid of these wonders of nature, as Ari had once been when she was small, she now only smiled at them. Even though these noises had accompanied the destruction of her home, they still brought back memories.

Memories that wiped away her current worries.

Happy memories.

-14 years ago-

"Ari? Ari, what's wrong, baby?"

A woman with long, flowing, black hair and kind eyes sat down on a bed, next to a quivering lump of blankets. As a loud crash sounded, the bundle jumped, then curled up even tighter.

"Are you afraid of the storm?" Ari's mother asked.

"Mm-hm!" came Ari's muffled reply.

Smiling, the woman pulled back the protective layers, gently drawing the child into her arms.

"You know, I used to be afraid of storms, too."

Ari looked up at her mother, curious eyes still wide with fear and bright with unshed tears.

"R-really?" she asked.

"Uh-huh," the woman replied seriously. "But you know what my mother used to do for me?"

"What?" Ari asked.

"Well, she always used to sing me this one song."

The memory of her mother's beautiful voice brought tears to Ari's eyes once again.

She had loved it when her mother sang. It had always calmed her down when she was upset and she had often fallen asleep to the angelic sound.

As the rain continued to fall, Ari hummed to forgotten tune to herself.

A loud crash sounded outside, and Mokuba jumped a foot off his bed, scattering the cards that were part of his current duel with Kenta.

"Jeez, Mokuba! That's the fifth time you've done that!" the other boy stated exasperatedly.

Kenta gathered up the cards, attempting to put them back in their proper places. He looked up to find Mokuba staring at the window intently. As the lightning flashed again, the younger Kaiba jumped off the bed completely, landing on the floor with a yelp.

Kenta scrambled over to check on his friend.

"Dude, are you okay?" he asked.

Mokuba rubbed the back of his head. "I think so."

"What's up with you? You keep freaking out everytime there's even a tiny bit of lightning or thunder. I mean, it's like you're..." He blinked in sudden understanding.

"You're afraid of the storm, aren't you?"

Mokuba sat up, keeping his face hidden as he nodded.

Without a moment's hesitation, Kenta pulled his friend to his feet and proceeded to drag him out of the room.

"Kenta! What the heck are you doing?!"

"Just come with me."

"Where are we going?!"

"We're going to see Ari," he replied simply.

Ari heard the commotion coming from outside her room, and turned to see Kenta come through the door, dragging somewhat reluctant Mokuba behind him.

"You two okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, we're fine!" Kenta said cheerily. "We just wanted to make sure you weren't freaked out over the storm.

Ari and Mokuba just stared at him.

"Kenta, you know storms haven't afraid of storms in years," she said, just as lightning flashed outside again.

Before Ari could even blink, Mokuba had lept onto the bed, hiding his head under the pillows.

Finally understanding, Ari smiled, winking at her brother.

Gently, she sat down on the bed, placing a hand comfortingly on the younger Kaiba's back.

"You know, I used to get scared when it stormed when I was younger," she told him, pulling away the pillow that hid his face.

Carefully, she draped an arm over his shoulders, pulling him close.

"My mother had this song that she used to sing to me, and it always helped."

Kenta crawled over the bed to curl up against her other side. "Do you think you can sing it for us, sis?"

Ari closed her eyes, recalling the harmonious lyrics and melodies. "I'll try."

Seto didn't so much as blink when the explosion-like lightning came from the skies.

Suddenly, his head snapped up.

While he had been busy being immersed in his own thoughts that he had overlooked one important fact:

His little brother feared storms, and he was probably all by himself in his room, cowering in fear.

Immediately, Seto was dashing out the door, walking at a brisk pace down the hall.

As soon as he got to Mokuba's room, he threw open the door.

His brother was nowhere to be seen.

Seto tried Kenta's room next.

That, too, was deserted.

And the only other place Seto knew they could be was the one place that he wanted to avoid for the moment.

But he was willing to do anything for his beloved little brother, so with dread in his heart, he headed back to Ari's room.

As he drew closer to her room, he heard several voices coming from inside.

Seto silently opened the door just a crack. There, huddled together on the bed, sat Ari, Mokuba, and Kenta.

"Do you think you can sing it for us, sis?" Kenta asked.

Ari closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the headboard. "I'll try."

She took a deep breath, and began to sing.

"Little child, be not afraid

The rain pounds harshly against the glass

Like an unwanted stranger

There is no danger

I am here tonight."

Seto stood outside the door, just as entranced by Ari's voice as the two younger boys were.

"Little child, be not afraid

Though thunder explodes and lightning flash

Illuminates

Your tear-stained face

I am here tonight."

Ari's voice lifted an octave as she began the refrain.

"And someday you'll know

That nature is so

The same rain that draws you near me

Falls on rivers and land

On forests and sand

Makes the beautiful world that you see

In the morning."

She paused for a moment before continuing, voice low again.

"Little child, be not afraid

The storm clouds mask your beloved moon

And its candlelight beams

Still keep pleasant dreams

I am here tonight.

Little child, be not afraid

The wind makes creatures of our trees

And their branches to hands

They're not real, understand

And I am here tonight."

Seto listened with rapt attention as Ari sang on. Her voice was so beautiful that he wished he could silence his own heart, just so he could hear the beautiful melody more clearly. Mokuba and Kenta had already begun to drift off.

Ari's voice dipped into a mere whisper, and Seto had to strain to hear her.

"For you know...

Once even I was a...

Little child...

And I was afraid...

But a gentle someone always came

To dry all my tears

Trade sweet sleep for fears

And to give a kiss goodnight.

Well now I am grown

And these years have shown

That rain's a part of how life goes

But it's dark and it's late

So I'll hold you and wait

'Til your frightened eyes do close."

Ari hummed the last verse, hugging the two sleeping boys closer to her. After a moment, she looked towards the door.

"You can come in if you want."

Feeling a little embarrassed at being caught, Seto opened the door all the way. "How did you know I was there?"

"To be honest I guessed. Whenever I end up in the same room as these two, you're never far behind."

"Am I really getting that predictable?"

Ari chuckled. "For me you are."

"And you're the exact opposite."

Ari blinked. "What do you mean?" she asked, a little louder than she intended.

Mokuba stirred, mumbling unintelligbly in his sleep.

Carefully, Ari removed herself from between the two sleeping figures, drawing the blanket up over them. She grabbed Seto's arm and dragged him out of the room, flicking the light switch off, before shutting the door and releasing him.

"What do you mean?" she asked again.

Seto collected his thoughts for a moment before he began. "You said that I keep getting more predictable for you. But in my case, you just get more confusing. Just when I start to think I've got you figured out, you do something completely unpredictable, like dragging me out here. I mean, you seemed completely content just staying in your room, but you still got up just to talk to me. I honestly did not see that coming."

Ari began to laugh quietly, and Seto frowned. "What's so funny?"

"You," she giggled. "Apparently no one told you; we girls live to confuse members of the opposite sex."

Seto shook his head. "That may be true, but you're still different somehow. I don't know what it is, but you confuse me more than a lot of other women I've met. I meen, I can even understand that friendship-obsessed girl that always hangs out with Yugi. But you...I just don't get you."

"Is that so?" she asked quietly, head tilted to one side.

Before he even had a chance to stop himself, he had raised his hand halfway to her face, as if he was going to stroke her cheek again, but he caught himself. He dropped his arm again, letting it hang lifelessly at his side once more.

A semi-awkward silence descended on them. It was a few moments before Ari could gather the courage to speak again.

"Well, I guess I better find something to do," she finally said, laughing nervously. "I don't think I'll be getting any sleep with those two taking over my bed."

Seto blinked, a little surprised at the sudden change in topic. "I suppose you're right. So, what do you plan on doing?"

Ari looked thoughtful for a moment, before letting a wide grin spread across her face.

"How about a we go downstairs and find a good movie?"

A while later, both of them found themselves sitting on the couch in front of T.V. as their chosen movie played.

Unfortunately, Seto seemed unable to grasp what was happening and Ari had to keep explaining it every five minutes.

"Wait, I thought Taira was in love with Tansei."

Ari sighed. "Alright, look, this is the last time I'm going to go over it. Tansei went to the train station where Taira worked every day on the way to his job. Since she got to see him all the time, she began to fall in love. On one day, he slipped and fell onto the train tracks and was knocked unconsciuos. Taira jumped down and saved him. When he was taken to the hospital, they wouldn't let her go into the back with him. When one of the nurses was walking by, she overheard Taira saying she had been going to marry Tansei some day, so the nurse believed she was his fiance. The family was so grateful to her for saving his life, and so happy that he was going to 'marry' her, so they invited her to their home for Christmas. While she was there, Taira met Tansei's brother, Ikasu, and they began to fall in love with each other."

"Oh." Seto still didn't get it.

Ari had found the movie among the few things she had salvaged from her house. It was an older movie, one that her mother had said she would be able to appreciate when she got a little older. The woman had been right, of course, and Ari was now completely absorbed in the lives of the characters as they went through their complicated lives. She didn't even notice herself gradually scooting closer to Seto. As the plot thickened, and a new, more devious character appeared, she gripped his arm, staring intently at the screen.

When Seto looked down and saw Ari holding onto him, he had a sense of deja vu as the warm feeling from before washed over him once again. He turned his attention back to the movie, so he could attempt to follow the storyline.

As it drew to a close, all conflicts settled, and the protagonist happy once more, Seto turned to Ari to ask her just how it had happened again. He found that she had once again fallen asleep against him, eyes closed and a peaceful smile on her face, as if she knew all had turned out well.

Gently, he pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over her prone form, smiling as she snuggled closer.

Okay, I know it's seems kind of dumb, to have Ari fall asleep near Seto again, but you know it's adorable!

The song mentioned earlier was 'Lullaby for a Stormy Night' by Vienna Teng, which I don't claim to own. You can find it on so just go look it up.

The movie that I mentioned was 'While You Were Sleeping.' All I did was change the characters names, I don't own this either. It is really an awesome movie, though. Check it out sometime.

This chapter was originally two chapters, but I decided to combine them since I had already made you guys wait so long.

Anyway, time for school, gotta go!