Damnit you guys, I'm sorry for taking so long. I've had a lot of family problems in the last year. But I'm hoping to get to update more.

Anyway, crappy pointless chapter. I really am rusty so hopefully my next update will be better…

-- perspective change

--- scene change

blah - Ryou's thoughts

blah - Kaiba's thoughts

Disclaimers: Dark-angel302 doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of it's characters! If I did, everyone would be gay! XD And Kura would dress sexier…

I'm Just a Kid

Chapter 5

Have you ever thought your heart just stopped beating? You don't think you can breathe yet you still are? Your mind went numb but was still racing. You can't hear but the sound of your heart is pounding in your ears? Time seems to drag endlessly, and you can feel someone staring at the back of your head. What is that emotion; fear? Embarrassment? Both? Heat spreads over your face so you know your blushing, and all you can do is stare at your feet. Quite a pathetic feeling, eh? Imagine how Kaiba feels.

His hand hadn't left the shelf. His face felt extremely heated and he couldn't find his voice. His embarrassment went farther than what he said, but also that he couldn't find a way to cover it up. The last thing he said kind of ruined all opportunities he might have gotten.

Ryou hadn't moved either, still trying to figure out what just happened. But he soon began to realize the number of minutes that had passed and Kaiba hadn't so much as twitched. He suddenly realized he had been holding his breath; letting it out he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Was Kaiba okay? And what did he mean by…

More minutes ticked by. This was getting ridiculous; someone had to say something, but neither of them could find what to say.

"Kaiba?" Why did that take so much effort? His voice had come out in almost a whisper, and it seemed to have no effect on the brunette across the room. Ryou wanted to try again, but he was finding talking extremely difficult. "K-Kaiba?"

Still no reaction.

Trying to subside his nervousness, Ryou shifted a little so he was on his knees, his hands resting on the back of the couch. Kaiba's current lack of movement was starting to scare him. Without even thinking he asked, "Are you okay?" Ryou could have sworn Kaiba tensed when he said that. Ryou's hands were shaking, why wasn't he moving! Licking his suddenly dry lips he tried the only thing he could think of that would get some sort of reaction out of him, "Seto?"

--

Kaiba blinked, what did he just call him? He had been silent, still trying to calculate a way to get out of his current situation. But absolutely nothing came to mind. The only one that might work would be pretend that nothing happened, maybe Ryou would play along. Everything else seemed totally stupid or unrealistic. This actually had a slight percentage of succeeding. Kaiba was about to open his mouth, tell Ryou he was fine, and hope things went well from there; when he heard a very familiar beeping tone.

Thank God! I left my cell phone on! His escape had made itself known.

--

He quickly answered his cell phone. "Kaiba." Ryou watched with curious eyes as an inaudible person spoke to the CEO. "Again! That's the third time this month!" he yelled into the phone. At least he was moving again. Kaiba turned around to see Ryou looking at him, leaning on the back of the couch. He held up a hand indicating Ryou was supposed to stay there and he stalked out of the room, cell phone still attached to his ear.

But Ryou got up anyway, and looked out of the doorway to see Kaiba taking the stairs two at a time while yelling at whoever had called him. Ryou suddenly felt very sorry for the person on the other line. He stayed there until he could barley hear Kaiba, and then the slam of a door was heard and the mansion was silent.

---

He had been flipping through the channels for the past 20 minutes and still hadn't found anything to watch. At least, nothing he could watch that would keep his mind off of the CEO upstairs. Ryou randomly stopped on a talk show that had a familiar person on it, but he didn't know their name. It hadn't been a minute or so later before his thoughts drifted else where.

Kaiba had called me' cute', he thought to himself, a faint blush once again creeping cross his face. The only people who call me cute are currently members of my obsessive/stalker fan club at school. Of course, there are other ways to take that statement. If you say something is cute, it could just mean you think it's …. cute… like you would call a kitten cute. What's another word for cute? Adorable? No, that means you actually… never mind. Kaiba would never think that about me; and either way I am certainly not cute. (A/N: Denial. You know you're cute Ry!)

Ryou shifted on the couch, his eyes never leaving the TV screen without actually taking in what was going on. People call other people cute all the time, it could mean absolutely nothing. I'm probably just thinking about this way too much… but a lot has happened today. This morning in the kitchen, Ryou blushed more at the thought. He has been acting really different. When we played video games this morning…. I don't remember ever acting like I was. Maybe when I was ten or so, but… and it was so much fun! I could tell Kaiba was having fun too. I don't think I've ever seen him so… happy. Ryou laid his head against a pillow, his eyes no longer focused on the TV. I got to see him smile… and laugh. I don't think anyone but his little brother has ever seen him laugh. It was kind of surprising, it seemed so foreign to me. But not to him, it's like he laughs all the time and it was just me who never noticed.

He always had this scowl on his face. At school, when he was working on his laptop, when he dueled, when he walked even; and just now when he was on his cell phone. He changed completely. Ryou curled up, eyes cast down to the swirled velvet pattern of the couch. There is such a difference, its almost like he's hiding who he is… wait. What was it that Mokuba had said this morning?

"He just trys to act tough, but he will change really fast sometimes…"

Is that what Mokuba meant? Ryou blinked, laying down completely on the couch; still looking at nothing in particular. I'm sure I'd get killed if I said this out loud, but he was kind-of like Joey. Minus the eating everything in sight, Brooklyn accent, goofy features and comments. But he had that, almost, happiness to him, similar qualities anyway; something that seems so foreign for the great Seto Kaiba. Ryou shifted again, finding the couch extremely comfortable but not wanting to fall asleep.

Maybe that is why Kaiba doesn't like Joey, Ryou thought randomly. Because they're too much alike in some ways, but Joey gets to be himself and Kaiba doesn't. Ryou sat up and looked over the back of the couch and through he doorway towards the stairs. He knew he shouldn't be making assumptions, but he felt he understood Kaiba a little bit now. He was trying to maintain an image, and he couldn't be himself. He was always this cold emotionless business man who's only passions seemed to be his company, duel monsters, and the well-being of his little brother. That's what the world saw him as, and that's the way Kaiba seemed to like it.

But why? Why would he want to pretend to be something he's not? Ryou let his mental question hang, still watching the stairs like the blue-eyed brunette would walk down them any second now. He would smile at him, ask if he was hungry; or maybe he'd come down complaining about whoever was on the phone, and then Ryou would ask what was wrong. Then Kaiba would vent to him about whatever was wrong at work; things would be… normal I guess you could say.

A door slammed down the hall. "ONISAN! I'M HOME!" The sound of Mokuba running closer to the room echoed, till he skidded to a halt in front of the stairs and saw Ryou. "Hi Ryou!" He ran into the room and jumped onto the couch. "Have you seen my brother?"

"Ano… I think he's still upstairs," Ryou answered, moving once again so the younger Kaiba could sit next to him. "He got a call on his cell phone; something about work I think. He wasn't very happy about it though."

"I'll bet," Mokuba said, breathing heavy from his sprint through the first floor. "He absolutely hates it when he gets calls on his days off." He continued as he took of his shoes, talking very fast. "He doesn't get very many you know. Ha, I'll bet whoever called him is deaf in one ear by now. Seto can yell really loud."

"Yeah, I could tell," Ryou looked back at the stairs. Trying to keep up with Mokuba's hyper-active conversation boosted his energy level a little, and his confidence a lot. "You know what, I'm going to go check on him," he found himself saying. "And you can just-"

"-stay here and watch TV," Mokuba finished for him, grabbing the remote before looking back at Ryou. "You and Seto talk alike." Ryou blinked. "You know, you say things the same. I know because I can always tell what Seto's about to say unless he starts talking like he's a walking dictionary." Mokuba slumped into the couch, flipping through the TV channels. "He does that just to annoy me sometimes," he pouted.

Ryou laughed to himself. If he had a vocabulary as complex as Kaiba's he'd probably do the same thing. Ryou headed out of the room, and towards the stairs had had been currently staring at only moments ago. A thought struck him suddenly and he turned around. "Mokuba? Where is your brother's office?"

Mokuba popped up from the other side of the couch. "Oh, go two floors up, and it will be five doors down on your right. It should be two big double doors with these really old fancy silver handles." He said this in what had to be about five seconds before turning around and disappearing behind the couch again.

---

Ryou hadn't noticed how large and grand the mansion was until he started up the stairs. Unlike the rooms he had been in, the entry way and staircase had a bright red carpet. The entryway itself was vast in size; the walls made of a polished wood Ryou couldn't place, and a crystal chandelier glistening from the ceiling. As he climbed the stairs, he let his hand graze the wooden banister, finding it flawlessly smooth. Everything gleamed or shined in the evening sun that filtered through the crystal clear windows.

When he reached the second floor, he glanced at it for a few moments. The carpet was still red, and the stairway opened into a large room. An unlit stone fireplace was laid into the wall, surrounded by what had to be extremely expensive leather chairs and couch. The walls were a red-wine color, and had golden framed paintings along the walls between a number of bookshelves. As Ryou walked towards the next set of stairs he found that further from the fireplace there were actually rows of bookshelves. Kaiba had his own library!

Ryou saw another entry way next to the stairs, where there was yet another hall that held many doors. He looked back at the other room, desperately wanting to stay and explore the private library. But he eventually turned and started up the next flight of stairs.

These stairs opened not into a room, but a hallway of it's own. The carpet had changed to the blue color it was in the rooms on the first floor, and the walls now a bluish-gray. Ryou counted the doors as he walked down the hallway, while also awing at the door designs. Who would put so much detail into a door? He finally reached the pair of large double oak doors in the very middle of the hallway, with antique looking silver handles. Ryou could faintly hear the sound of what had to be Kaiba talking to someone, and his rapid typing on a keyboard.

He stopped, outside the door, listening to the CEO's inaudible conversation. Ryou wondered whether he should knock or not, Kaiba seemed to be really busy…

Ryou sighed, why was everything suddenly so hard? I just need to get this over with, it's only Kaiba. I just ditched school with him, why can't I just knock on his door and go inside? Ryou argued with himself a little more for a few minutes, just staring at the polished wood designs on the door. Just do it! He snapped at himself. Taking an unneeded deep breath, he gently knocked on the door.

---

I hate Johnson. I hate his lack of computer skills. I hate the fact that I hired him. I hate my secretary for calling me. I hate everyone that should have been watching him. I hate the stupid computer system. I hate the stupid project. I hate my stupid employees who came up with the stupid project. I. Hate. EVERYTHING! Yeah, Kaiba was pissed. One of his technicians was still babbling in his ear about how they were going to fix the computer system that one of his employees just crashed AGAIN!

"Look, just hook up the hardware to the back up system and reboot the program," he said in a very low, very menacing voice. Why do people always have to make things so complicated?

"B-But will the system be able to stabilize-"

"Yes, it will." Kaiba hissed, interrupting the other man's stuttering. "I made the system." Which was pretty much code for 'Are you questioning that my system won't be able to run my programming?'. Any idiot would know the answer to that.

A knock at his door caused Kaiba to look up from his computer screen, which was currently scanning 'all' of Kaiba Corp.'s computer systems. Mokuba must be home, was his first thought. But since when did Mokuba knock before coming in his office? The door opened noiselessly (A/N: no squeaky door hinges, I envy rich people) and Ryou Bakura stepped inside. Kaiba blinked, what was he doing upstairs? Suddenly realizing that his technician had handed the phone to a different, more tolerable one; he turned his eyes back to his laptop screen and listened to the phone conversation he had purposely tuned out of.

"-so we need you to access the system for us," the technician finished. "Mr. Kaiba?"

"Yes, hold on a moment," he muttered, pulling up the system and typing in the password. He once again looked up to see the white-haired teen leaning against the now closed door, watching him with curious eyes. How long did I leave him down there? Kaiba looked at the computer again. Crap, it's been over half and hour. He motioned for Ryou to sit down somewhere, and started connecting the program software.

--

Ryou walked farther into the room, taking in every detail. The walls were off white; the carpet was a lighter blue, and seemed more thick and soft. The office had three large windows on the back wall that faced the back part of the mansion, over looking an extravagant garden. Along one wall was a bookshelf over flowing with what Ryou guessed were books on business and technology. Next to it was a short file cabinet with, to Ryou's surprise, a stereo on top. He looked at Kaiba questioningly only to find the CEO once again absorbed in whatever was on his laptop.

On the other wall was a TV and a leather couch in front of that; maple coffee table between them. The coffee table, floor, and walls had blue prints all over them; along with note book paper and printed out computer graphic models. The coffee table also had wires and bits of computer parts, along with a set of tools spread out over the polished surface. Kaiba's desk was in front of the windows, large and also made of wood. Not only did Kaiba have his laptop, but he also had a PC, which was currently playing a screensaver. Papers were stacked neatly on his desk, completely opposite of the rest of the room.

Kaiba was still talking on his cell phone; it was something about a program. Ryou couldn't really understand the conversation. Picking his way through the room, Ryou approached the stereo, to find a few CD's on top of the file cabinet. Does he really listen to music? Ryou thought to himself, though it was kind of a dumb question. Ryou looked over at the brunette, a thought dawning on him that should have been made obvious long ago. Even though Kaiba was smarter than just about everyone at school, and ran his own company, and was a complete jerk to just about everyone; he was still a teenager. Ryou guessed he was about 17, maybe 18 at the most. Their whole day together should have proven to him that Kaiba really was just like every other teenager in the world. He plays video games, watches horror movies, gets annoyed by his little brother, and listens to music; just like everyone else.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Ryou picked up a few CD's and skimmed over them. Psycho le Cemu, Green Day? Ryou blinked; the CEO had quite a world variety. He skimmed a few more before putting them back next to the stereo. Turning around he saw Kaiba was still typing away, cell phone attached to his ear. Ryou walked around Kaiba's desk to see what he was doing; the laptop was currently listing what looked like random numbers and letters at a very fast rate. All the while a computer blueprint was lighting up different parts of… what looked like a building.

"No, you'll have to reverse that." Kaiba said to the person on the other line, not seeming to notice Ryou was there. Not really wanting to just stand there; Ryou dropped to his knees and crossed his arms on the desk, so he was level with the computer screen. He watched it continue to list the numbers that must have some meaning to them, but Ryou didn't know what. The shapes on the building continued to light up; until everything was lit, and then it changed to a different building-looking-thing and started all over again. Resting his cheek against his arm, Ryou looked up at Kaiba only to find the CEO looking right back; and to his relief, Kaiba smiled at him.

---

"Yes, fine. I'll check on it tomorrow," and finally, Kaiba shut his cell phone. Ryou looked up at him again from the desk. The CEO was still watching the screen until the program closed; then he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. "I hate stupid people." Ryou smiled, laughing a little. He shifted his gaze from Kaiba to the window behind him, seeing the very faint orange glow in the distance. Sighing he slid on to the floor, bringing his knees to his chest.

"I really should be going home soon." It had been almost a whole day since he had been home. Ryou shuddered, Bakura was going to be so mad at him. He really didn't want to leave the Kaiba mansion, but he knew that he couldn't stay here forever.

Kaiba noticed the shudder, and wished he knew what had happened to Ryou. The white-haired teen had never told him; and it was now quite obvious whoever hurt him so much was either at home or somewhere near. He wanted to tell him that he could stay if he wanted, that he didn't have to go home. But he had only really known Ryou for a day. Was that all it's been? So much seemed to have happened; 24 hours seemed far too short. Looking at Ryou, he felt… worried. The only person he had ever worried over was Mokuba; but seeing Ryou sitting there, hugging his knees, eyes diverted to the ground. He could tell he was scared; and somehow he became scared too. Kaiba wanted to ask again, ask what had happened last night. But he said something completely different.

"I can take you home if you want," Kaiba said, he turned so he was looking out the window. The sun was almost fully diminished, now only an orange glow on the horizon. Ryou hadn't answered him, but he could feel the white-haired teen was watching him. He heard Ryou stand up, and then something unexpected happened. Ryou hugged him.

Leaning over the back of the chair, Ryou wrapped his arms around Kaiba's neck, embracing the brunette and burring his face in his shoulder. Stunned would have been an understatement on Kaiba's part. Locks of Ryou's white hair brushed against Kaiba's face as Ryou looked up, resting his chin on the other's shoulder. "Thank you," he murmured, hoping Kaiba knew how much his offer meant to him.

Kaiba gently grasped Ryou's arm; in his own odd way returning Ryou's embrace. "No problem," he muttered back. The two stayed there like that for a few minutes longer, watching the very last of the sun's rays fade to black.

---

"Mokuba, I'm taking Ryou home."

The raven-haired boy suddenly appeared in the room, though still trying to skid to a halt. "What?"

"I said I have to take Ryou home," Kaiba repeated, putting on a long black trench coat. "Do you have homework?"

The younger Kaiba shifted from foot to foot. "Just a little bit."

"How much is 'a little bit'."

"…three pages of math homework?"

Kaiba looked over at his brother. "Please tell me that you've got most of it done." Mokuba didn't answer. "Some of it done?" Nothing. "Even started…"

"Yes!" Mokuba said suddenly. Groaning, Kaiba dragged a hand down his face.

"Mokuba, it's almost eight. Go finish your homework; I'll be back in a little while," he ruffled his little brother's hair, only to have his hand smacked away. Kaiba put on a fake astonished look. "Did you just hit me?" Mokuba 'eep'ed, and was soon running in the opposite direction.

---

Ryou sat at the base of the stairs tying his shoes when a loud shriek was head from above him. Looking up, he heard even more noise as a thundering sound made it's way across the ceiling, and became louder as it made it's way down the stairs. Ryou started running up the stairs only to stop on the next floor.

Mokuba went streaking through the library, Kaiba close on his heels. Till Mokuba turned a sharp corner and was caught but his older brother. "LETMEGOLETMEGOLETMEGO!" Kaiba laughed as he picked his brother up, keeping him under one arm, and started back up the stairs.

"I'll be down in a second," he told Ryou, though a large smile was on his face.

"O-Okay." Ryou watched as Kaiba took Mokuba upstairs; the younger Kaiba still yelling at his brother, and Kaiba still laughing. Ryou couldn't help but smile, he really is different than what everyone sees him as.

Ryou waited in the entry way for a few minutes, until he heard Kaiba coming down the stairs. He was twirling a key ring between his fingers. "Come on, we'll go out through the garage." But before he even reached the foot of the stairs there was a buzz from the front gate. Quirking an eyebrow, Kaiba went over to the voice box. "Who is it?"

"Mr. Kaiba? Someone is here, I just let them in," said one of the security guards.

"Who is it?" Kaiba repeated.

The guard yawned. "I didn't catch his name." Someone knocked at the door.

Ryou was backing up slowly; eyes wide. It's not Bakura, it's not. He would never think I'm here. Kaiba didn't notice the white-haired teen's uneasiness and went to get the door; it being past eight and his servants were all off duty. But the thought that it was whoever had hurt Ryou was the first thing that came to mind.

Opening the door slightly, he was met with a familiar face. Lavender eyes looked up at him through messy blonde bangs, which the visitor was trying desperately to get out of their face with only one hand; the other hand currently holding a motorcycle helmet.

"Hi Kaiba, I was wondering if Ryou was here?"

I know that voice! The white-haired teen appeared next to Kaiba, opening the door all the way. Ryou gasped in astonishment as he saw who was standing there.

"Malik!"

TBC…

I'm soooooo evil! (Sry for the crappy chapter, I really need to practice or something…)

I really can't wait till next my next chapter cause I will add some real fluff between Ryou and Kaiba, I promise. But I also get to introduce a side pairing! XD I'm excited.

K, thakies to my reviewers (OMG there's so many 0.0) And apparently FF is not letting us respond to reviewers in our fanfics anymore. o.O I've really been away too long. So thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. You know who you are! This chap was for all my devoted readers. (Wow, devoted readers, that sounds weird coming from me)

I'll try really hard to update soon. I also have to work on all my other fics, so I'll get to those first. (And next time I'll bring back my prisoners, MWHAHA! Oh Kaiba, where are you…)

- Darkangel302