The final Chapter is upon us. This means that Honda and Seto will finally have their defining moment. I'm sure you're all excited to see that. This has been a wonderful journey and through all of it, it was definitely one of the best years of my life. I made this chapter twice as longer as the others. I figured it was something that I had to do to say thank you for all of your support. I really loved sharing this with you all. This is the conclusion of Ramune.

Chapter 23: Take Care

Everything had happened so fast. It seemed as if Jou's death had happened five seconds before the funeral and everything spun in circles around Honda's head. Yet, for some reason, it was almost like he was the only one who felt this way.

Life had turned back to normal by the time school was wrapping up. Honda had already finished his final exams and his classes were nothing more than his teachers ranting about the next year. Honda didn't care anymore. He just wanted summer to start.

Nothing particularly special happened during the summer holidays. Honda just enjoyed the freedom of being able to wake up when he pleased and do whatever he wanted during the day. To Honda, there was nothing better than sitting on your couch with a carton of his favorite ice cream on his lap and his favorite movie playing on the television.

One day, a week before the school closed, Anzu had approached everyone, "I'm having a picnic!"

Both Yugi and Honda's eyebrows went up, "Erm…Anzu. Do you think that's such a good idea?" Yugi asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Anzu asked with an evil gleam in her eye, her hands on her hips.

"Well, I think what Yugi's trying to say is…" Honda bit his lip, "remember how your Valentine's party went?"

"So?" Anzu said in her bossy tone, "Mai and I are fine. In fact, I'm inviting her and Isis."

Honda and Yugi exchanged uneasy glances, "Well…" Yugi said slowly, "If you want to, there's no reason not to."

"Yay!" Anzu cheered, handing them both pink slips of paper, "It's Saturday at eleven and bring something for us to snack on, alright?"

"Sure." Honda said and checked his watch, "Oh! Shoot. I need to go." He grabbed his backpack and stood up from Yugi's living room floor. He pulled his arms through the straps and waved, "I'll catch up with you guys later!"

"Where are you going?" Anzu asked. She always needed to know.

Honda answered without hesitation, "Work." He tugged on his shoes, and without another word, he was on his motorcycle and gone.

It was true that Honda had to work. The reason he was so excited about it was that he was still working for Seto Kaiba. Only, it was a bit more different than working at KaibaCorp.

"Honda!" Mokuba called out with glee, wrapping his arms around Honda's torso; successfully embracing the other boy tightly.

Honda hugged him back, "Hey, Kiddo. Where's your brother?"

"Upstairs, but you're here for me, right?" Mokuba asked with a bit of cheek.

Laughing, Honda ruffled Mokuba's hair, "Right. Did you do your homework?"

"What homework? There's never any homework at this time of the year." Mokuba grabbed Honda's sleeve. He started to tug him up the stairs, "I got this really cool new game yesterday! We can play it together!"

Honda smiled, "Sure. Let me go talk to your brother first, alright?"

Mokuba nodded, "Okay!" and he scurried down the corridor to his room. Honda watched him go and once the door was shut, he walked in the other direction. He knocked lightly on the dark stained door and said quietly, "Seto?"

"Enter." Replied the gruff tone that Honda had gotten used to. He opened the door and saw the CEO wasn't at his computer, but instead laying on his back on the couch inside the office. Seto had his eyes closed, his fingers at his temples. Honda frowned, "Poor thing. You're working too hard."

"I am not." Seto snapped, sitting up, "I just have a headache. It's not a big deal." He smiled weakly when he saw Honda's face, "Hi."

Honda tried not to laugh, "Hi yourself." Out of all the available space that was on the plush couch, he chose to sit in Seto's lap. Kissing the taller boy's forehead, he said softly, "What time will you be home tonight?"

"Not too late. It'll probably be nine the latest." Seto's voice was no longer harsh, but instead delicate and filled with fatigue. He sounded much too tired to be going back to KaibaCorp for four more hours.

Honda sighed, "I wish you wouldn't go. You should get some sleep."

Seto gently pushed Honda to the side, settling him on the couch, "Sleep is for quitters." He said to be a joke, but his tone was serious. He gathered his jacket and checked the pockets for his cell phone, "If I don't come home by eight, get Mokuba ready for bed. He gets tucked in at nine without exception."

"Yes, Sir." Honda said, standing from the couch. He wanted to ask Seto, but he felt like it wasn't important enough for the moment. Instead, he said, "Seto, I love you." He didn't know why he said it or why he picked that exact time to say it, but he felt like it was necessary.

Seto chuckled a little, "Honda, you know it's Mr. Kaiba when you're working." He kissed Honda's cheek.

Honda smiled big, "Sorry, Mister Kaiba." He cleared his throat. In a deep voice, he said, "I love you, Mister Kaiba."

"Don't mock me." Seto said, smacking Honda on the rear. He received a slight moan in return. The effect was pleasurable enough for him to leave the office and call down the hallway, "I'm leaving now, Mokuba!"

"Okay! Bye!" yelled a voice from far away.

Honda followed Seto out of the mansion, leaning against the front door frame with his arms crossed. Kaiba had gotten halfway down the front entryway's path before he realized what he had forgotten. He quickly turned around and stood in front of Honda, "Bye." He said shortly and kissed Honda fondly.

Honda smiled, "Be safe."

"If you say so." Seto saluted lazily and climbed into the car that was already in the driveway. Honda stood there and watched him go, waving as he turned out of the gates onto the street. He sighed and walked back inside the mansion.

He had been working as Mokuba's keeper since Honda went to the coffee shop with Seto the afternoon of Jou's funeral. He remembered how Seto had said that Mokuba was becoming lonely and he needed someone to take care of him while Seto was away. Honda could recall his response.

"Well, why don't you hire someone to be there for him? Almost like hiring a friend that will watch him."

Seto sat in the café's sleek chair with a pensive look on his face. He soon nodded and said, "Yes. That sounds like a great idea."

Honda smiled; pleased he could make his beloved happy, "Well, you should probably hire someone soon. School's almost out and people are going to be looking for summer jobs."

"Good point." Seto nodded, "I'll need someone around Mokuba's age, but old enough to be responsible…" he thought aloud, "It should be a boy so Mokuba will be more comfortable."

Honda agreed with each point, "That sounds perfect."

"Mokuba deserves nothing short of it." Seto said, taking a large drink of his coffee. His eyebrow suddenly twitched and he got a devilish look in his eye. He put down his coffee cup and said, "What about you?"

Nearly choking on his tea, Honda coughed, "W-what?"

"You're everything I just thought of…" Seto smirked, "including the 'perfect'."

Honda blushed, "Well…I suppose."

"HONDA!" Mokuba's voice shot down the stairs like a cannonball, "HURRY UP!"

"Oops!" Honda locked the front door of the mansion and ran his way up the large staircase. The last thing he needed was to lose another job with Kaiba.

x-x-x

Saturday came by very fast for Honda. He had woken up that morning and was halfway in his school uniform before he realized he did not have to go to school that day. Instead, he opened the refrigerator and pulled out the fruit salad he promised Anzu he'd make. He had been up last night with his mother cutting the fruit and making sure everything was perfect. It was an enjoyable evening. It had been a long time since Honda had spent real quality time with his mother.

He decided to walk to Anzu's. It was not too far away and he thought it was the best way to travel without putting the salad in danger. He was out the door and down at the street corner by the time he saw a familiar black car in front of his home. He turned around and began to walk back up the road. He looked up at his apartment door and saw the person he knew would be standing there, "Hey! Seto!"

The boy looked over the railing and saw Honda. With his hands in his pocket, he traveled back down, standing face to face to his betrothed. Honda suddenly felt stupid holding a bowl of fruit salad in his hands, "Umm… hi. What are you doing here?"

"I was going to take you to Anzu's."

"How did you know about that?" Honda's brow knit in confusion. He hoped that Seto was not stalking him.

Seto pulled a piece of pink paper out of his pocket, "Strangely enough, I was invited. I figured if I was, then you were as well."

"Well, yea, but…" Honda blushed, "I'm kind of out of your way to her house."

"So?" Seto walked over to his car and opened the door for Honda, "Let's go or we'll be late."

Honda nodded, "Okay." he said dumbly and climbed into the car. He carefully placed the fruit salad in his lap and smiled. He remembered the first time he had gotten into Seto's car. It was during the Christmas party and he was so nervous to be even in the same room as Seto; let alone his car.

He fumbled with the ring that Seto had bought him for Christmas. It was a little big on him, but he didn't trust someone to resize it. It was his most treasured possession. He couldn't help but laugh as he thought about how Seto had been so embarrassed to give it to him. It was well after Christmas at the time he had confessed his feelings for Honda.

"What?" Seto asked, taking the turn onto Anzu's street.

"Nothing." Said Honda, shaking his head. He looked out the window, watching people of all shapes and sizes walk along the sidewalk that everyone takes for granted. For once, he was just like those people. He didn't care about the sidewalk either. He didn't care about anything except the boy who sat beside him in the car. Honda reached over, not looking, and placed his hand over Seto's on the arm rest. He was finally coming full circle. He just hoped that Jou, wherever he was, could enjoy this happiness with him.

x-x-x

Anzu's party was nothing short of her usual ones. Everyone was there and it wasn't so much a picnic in her backyard as it was a complete fiasco. She made a huge sign on her front door that said, "PARTY'S TO THE LEFT THROUGH THE GATE!"

Honda was more that sure that she wasn't kidding. When he and Seto pushed the gate and walked through, they saw that they were of the last to arrive. The entire backyard, which was small to begin with, was cluttered with everyone that Honda had ever met. He nearly stepped on Ryou's foot as he tried to travel farther in. Seto held the fruit salad above his head so nothing would happen to it and they went over to the picnic tables, where Anzu was dancing on top of one with her party hat sideways. Malik and Yami no Yugi were at her sides.

"HI HONDA!" Anzu greeted much too loudly. She waved and beamed when she saw what Seto was holding, "OH GOOD! THE FRUIT SALAD!"

"What did you need fruit salad for?" said Yami no Yugi, swinging his hips to the music that was playing, "You have enough fruits here to have a fruit palace!"

"Only you would mention palaces." Malik snapped, rolling his eyes.

Honda laughed, watching Seto put the bowl down on a table that didn't have a party going on top of it. Hearing the music, Honda's mind began to conjure ideas. He grabbed Seto by the belt loop of his pants and pulled him into the crowd that was dancing near the picnic table. Seto instantly tried to fight him off, "No. I don't dance."

"You lie, Seto Kaiba!" Honda said, laughing hysterically now, "Mokuba told me you two dance all the time. Especially…" Honda leaned up and whispered in his ear, "to techno."

Seto gulped, his eyes wide. He sighed and smiled down at Honda, "Okay. You win, but only one song." He grabbed Honda's hips and began to move with the music, his eyes never leaving Honda. In a way, Honda supposed it was Seto's way of blocking everyone else out. It was his way of not getting embarrassed. Honda did the same, only looking at Seto. After awhile, it was just the two of them in their minds and that's how they both really wanted it.

X-x-x

Honda had planned on going home after Anzu's party, but Seto insisted otherwise. He was surprised at first, unsure as to why Seto would ask him to spend the night. Then, as he was on the phone with his mother, he had figured it out. Seto wanted to go the next step.

Out of all the times he had imagined it. He had dreamed of this moment for so long, it was almost like he waited his entire life. Honda was going to spend a night with Seto Kaiba; alone.

They got into the mansion, casually stepping inside and removing their shoes. Seto immediately went upstairs, unbuttoning his short sleeved collared shirt. Honda, who didn't know what to do, decided to followed.

He had never been in Seto's room before. He took in the luxurious wood floors and the high four-poster bed. Honda watched Seto disappear into a closet that was much too large for just a place to store clothing. He turned his attention back to the bed, where he knew he'd be spending the next ten hours or so. The top blanket was a deep blue with silver embroidery. Honda expected no less. He sat down on the foot of the bed and looked out the window. The moonlight was making the clouds glow in a giddy sort of way. Honda smiled. It was perfect.

Seto emerged from the closet, buttoning the cuffs of a white silk sleeve. The front had yet to be closed. Honda couldn't help but stare at Seto's fine toned torso. Honda expected it to be not from exercise, but from a lack of eating and excessive working. Still, Seto's stomach looked so flat and, Honda bet, that if he touched it, it would feel as creamy as it appeared.

Seto had been watching Honda's wandering eyes with a smirk, "I suppose you don't want me to button the front, do you?" he slipped the silk off of his shoulders and let it dangle from his elbows, "Here."

Honda was beyond words. He couldn't move. He couldn't do much of anything but stare at the strong lines of Seto's upper body. Seto took the advancing movements, getting so close to Honda that there was no space in between their feet. He grabbed one of Honda's hands, squeezing it to reassure him. He placed Honda's now trembling hand onto his heart and said, "Go ahead."

Seto's heart beat felt slower than most. Honda looked up in his lover's eyes to make sure that he was alright and he looked positively radiant. Putting his head back down, Honda traced the lines of Seto's chest up to the delicateness of Seto's collar bone. He continued to go up, tracing his fingers over Seto's surprisingly soft lips. He suddenly felt more embarrassed than he had before, "Seto, I-"

"Don't." Seto said, taking a hold of Honda's wrist and keeping his hand near his lips. He kissed each finger lovingly before whispering, "I love you, Hiroto." He held Honda's cheek with his free hand. He watched Honda's eyes slip close in surrender and he sealed the moment with a passionate kiss.

Honda wasn't afraid anymore. He was a virgin, but he had the confidence of a whore. Seto said that he loved him and he proved it long enough for Honda to know that it was true. Already halfway on the bed, he jumped up, taking a seat on the plush blankets. He pulled his own shirt over his head before capturing Seto's lips. He would never grow tired of feeling the pressure of Seto's want against his lips. He would always feel eager to taste his lover again and again.

Lips and hands were everywhere. As the clothes shed away from their bodies, their desires grew. Seto had already made Honda aware of his growing arousal beneath his silk pants. Honda, who was laying against the mountain of pillows that was at the top of the bed, was biting his lip with anxiety. He had been alright with being naked halfway, but something about showing him the bottom, the most private part of Honda's body, was making him nervous.

Seto undid Honda's belt, not even looking at it. He kissed Honda's forehead and cheeks as he popped the button through the hole and undid the zipper. He saw the panicked look in Honda's eyes as he started to pull them off. With a knowing expression, Seto kissed Honda. He whispered against his lips, "Let me see."

Honda turned his head to the side, staring out the window. He wasn't able to look at Seto while his pants hit the floor. He was afraid that Seto would rise off of Honda's body, put his shirt back on, and dismiss him from his life. It was a horrible feeling that burned his stomach. Honda was so mad. He felt like a girl. Honda squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the rejection to come.

"Beautiful." Honda cracked open one eye. He glanced over at Seto out of the corner and saw that Seto had sat back on his heels. His sapphire eyes were drinking in every bit of the other boy. Before Honda could protest, Seto's lips had made their way from Honda's navel to his manhood; something that only he has touched.

However, no matter how many times Honda had masturbated or fondled with himself, it never felt as good as Seto's lips or his tongue on the tip. Honda let out an innocent moan, his head rolling back. He had never experienced such a beautiful thing.

Seto said quietly, "Hiroto?"

"Oh please don't stop that." Honda panted, looking down at Seto's face. The other boy was holding Honda's shaft but his expression was completely serious. He asked, "What's wrong?"

"You waited for me, didn't you?" Seto asked, he wet a few of his fingers and placed one deep inside Honda's entrance.

"Ah!" Honda gasped. He nodded his head, his cheeks flushed from confessing such a secret, "Yes. I- I wanted to give myself to you before anyone else."

Seto was shocked. He crawled up Honda's body and pressed his forehead against his. He said, his eyes closed, "Thank you for the honor."

Honda felt tears in his eyes as he shook his head, "No. I should be thanking you." He reached up and cupped Seto's face, "I love you so much, Seto." He wrapped his arms around Seto's neck, "So much."

There were no words after that. Seto had prepared Honda, enjoying the moans and gasps that his new lover made. Finally, when he entered Honda with his own manhood, did he moan too. The heat that suddenly traveled through both of their bodies was immense. It didn't last too long. With Honda's lack of experience it didn't take too many of Seto's thrusts to make him see stars. Seto didn't wait too much later and the two laid silently underneath the crisp, white sheets. Honda, who was still catching his breath, looking out the window with his vision blurred from his orgasm. The moon was still shining, if not more brightly than it had before. Through the blur, Honda could still make out the clouds. He smiled, holding Seto's sleepy head against his shoulder. It really was perfect.

x-x-x

Though, when Honda awoke the next morning, he didn't feel as happy as he should have been. He felt Seto's chest rising and falling from sleep. Laying on his back, he looked around the room. The sunlight was pouring in, making everything be surrounded by an aura of light. Honda looked out the window and saw the clouds had disappeared. It was another gorgeous day. It was a Jou day.

Jou; the boy that had once captured the heart of Honda's present lover. Did Seto still think about him? Honda sat up and looked down at Seto's sleeping face. The business man was completely tuckered out. Honda saw the strong jaw line was somehow replaced with one that belonged to a young boy. It didn't look as if Seto had any problem in the world. It was almost a month, but still, Honda's heart ached for his best friend. Did Seto hurt too?

Honda decided what he was going to do next. He leaned down and kissed Seto's forehead. Grunting, Seto shifted in his sleep, but not really moving. Honda smiled, making a memory of Seto's angelic state while he had the chance.

He slowly rose out of the bed so he wouldn't wake him and grabbed his clothes. He got dressed and went downstairs. He found Mokuba sitting in the living room with a bowl of cereal in his lap. Honda smiled, "Good morning, Mokuba."

"Honda?" Mokuba asked, putting the cereal aside, "What are you doing here so early?"

Honda walked over to the couch that Mokuba sat on. He knelt down on the floor and hugged the boy tight, "I'm going away for awhile, Mokuba."

"What? Why?" The younger boy was shocked, "You can't go, Honda! How long are you going for?"

"I don't know." Honda said, "Probably until school starts. I have no idea, really."

Mokuba asked quietly, "Does this have to do with Seto?"

Honda shrugged, "In a way, yes it does." He ruffled Mokuba's hair, "Don't worry. I'll be back before you know it."

"Okay." Mokuba reached out, sticking up his pinky, "Pinky promise?"

Tears suddenly choked Honda as he gripping Mokuba's small pinky with his, "Pinky promise." He stood up and walked out, "See you later."

"Bye." And without another word, Honda was out of the Kaiba mansion. He ran off the grounds, not looking back. He turned onto the street and kept running. He figured that if Seto had seen him leave through a window, he'd better keep running so he couldn't chase him down.

He was completely out of breath by the time he reached his front door. He tried the knob before he pulled out his key and was not surprised to find it unlocked. His mother was in the kitchen, making herself toast, "Is that you, Hiroto?"

Honda slammed the front door shut, ran into the kitchen, and scooped his mother into a great big hug, "I love you, Mom."

"Goodness!" she cried, "Hiroto, Darling, did something happen?"

"I need to leave again." Honda said, disappearing down the hallway.

His mother followed, shutting off the toaster, "What? Where to? Why?" for once, she wanted to ask him the questions.

Honda shoved any item of clothing he saw into a backpack. He opened up his jar of keepsake money and threw it into the bag as well. He was in a rush. He didn't want Seto to catch up to him. He answered his mother, "I don't know where I'm going. I just need to think."

"About where you're going after high school? Next year is your last, Hiroto."

"It's more than that, Ma," Honda said, "but, thanks for adding that onto the list." He went into the bathroom and grabbed his toothbrush and a couple other items. He almost ran his mother over as he went back into the living room to find his motorcycle gloves, "I'll be back before school starts."

"O-okay." She asked, "Do you need anything? Money?"

"No, I'll be fine." Honda was halfway out the door before he realized he was still in conversation. He turned around and hugged her again, "I'll call soon."

"Be safe." She repeated what he always said to Seto. She smiled and added, "I hope you find what you're looking for."

Honda nodded, "Thanks, Ma." He grabbed his keys from the coffee table and left, not looking back to his home either.

He climbed onto his motorcycle and started it up. That was then he realized there was something else he needed to settle. With his backpack on his back, he sped off uptown. He needed to speak to someone before he left.

He traveled up the familiar steps and knocked on the door, "Otogi? Are you home?"

Otogi poked his head out of the door, already dressed for the day, "Honda? What are you doing here?"

"Pack a bag."

"What?" Otogi opened the door wider, a little surprised, "What for?"

"You're coming with me." Honda said, looking over his shoulder for any black cars.

"Where are we going?"

Honda shrugged, "Wherever. I just want to get away from here."

Otogi's eyebrows went up, "You slept with him, didn't you?"

Honda nodded, "There's no time for that. We need to get out of here before he tries to find me."

"You have what you wanted!" Otogi cried, walking back into his apartment. He was pissed beyond belief, "He's yours, Honda! Why on earth would you want to run away from that?"

"I don't know." Honda said, "But I'm going to do it anyways." He offered Otogi a hand, "Are you coming or not?"

There were a couple moments where anything could have happened. Otogi could have slapped Honda in the face or he could have ran up and kissed the boy silly. Instead, he glanced from the hand to Honda's serious face. He sighed and said, "Alright. Let me go pack."

Honda smiled wide, "Okay. Hurry up!"

Hurry he did. Otogi was on the back of Honda's motorcycle is less than ten minutes. With helmets on, the two of them eased their way into early morning Domino traffic. Even though he was driving, Honda still noticed the sights around him. The commuters and the school kids that littered the sidewalks made Honda smile.

He stopped at the traffic light and looked around. A group of girls were walking down the side walk, each holding their own bottle of Ramune. Honda watched with fascination as the girls took turns opening the bottles. The last girl, the smallest of them all, had trouble and ended up shaking her bottle as she opened it. As the marble fell, the bubbles rose and covered her hands and shirt with the sticky drink. As the other girls laughed, Honda could only sympathize. He could only think of one thing he would say to them if he ever saw them again.

Don't let the marble drop too far down.