Melting the Snow

Okay, this is my first fanfic. I originally planned to start out with something based on Naruto, but a friend of mine turned me onto the Yu-gi-oh Abridged Series on youtube, so I decided to do something with Yu-gi-oh.

So, anyway, please be nice in the reviews because, personally, I need a bit of a confidence boost. I've never really considered myself a good writer, but I really wanted to give it a try. So please, no flames...because I might just end up hunting you down...and killing you in your sleep...yeah. Sorry, sorry, I'm on one of the biggest sugar highs of my life. No, seriously, I'm writing this at like 3:30 in the morning!!!! I seriously have no idea how I can stay up this late without my friends! We stayed up until 7:00 a.m. one time!!!

Alright, anyway, in this story I've paired Kaiba up with an original character with a tragic past so they can relate. Kaiba is 19, my character, Ari, is 18, her little brother, Kenta, is 14 and Mokuba is 14.

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.

Well, that's about it, so onto the story!!!!

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Chapter 1

Seto Kaiba typed on his laptop with almost inhuman speed. His blue eyes were focused on the screen, following the words as they appeared. The young CEO of Kaiba Corp was completely focused on his work, as always, and showed no signs of taking a break anytime soon. One could only pity the poor soul who tried to get him to stop for anything that did not relate to business. The person would probably suffer one of the young man's legendary glares, enough to give anyone nightmares for weeks.

The only one who might be able to get away with interrupting him was his beloved little brother. No matter what Mokuba did, Seto could never be truly angry with him. Their bond was too strong for that.

Looking at the clock, Seto realized that it was almost time for him to go and get Mokuba. He saved his work, got up from his chair, put on his long, white coat, and headed out the door of his office. When he finally reached the first floor of the building, he walked out of the building and to his car. He pulled out of the lot and headed toward his brother's school.

He finally arrived at the school, running late as usual, and pulled up to the front, where Mokuba was usually waiting impatiently. Today, however, Seto did not spot his little brother in his usual spot. He frowned and got out of the car, scanning the area for the young boy. He finally spotted him, sitting on the stairs with another boy of the same age.

"Mokuba!" he shouted.

Mokuba looked up and saw his brother waiting for him. Seto watched as he turned back towards the other boy, said something quickly, then got up and ran to where his brother was waiting.

"Hey, bro!" he exclaimed happily as he got closer.

Seto glanced back and the other boy, then back to Mokuba.

"Who were you talking to over there?" he asked, nodding his head towards the stairs.

Mokuba's smile dropped as he turned back toward the other boy.

"Oh, that's my friend Kenta," he stated, "His sister hasn't come to get him yet. She's usually one of the first people here, but she didn't show up today." He looked up to his big brother, not hiding the sadness in his eyes. "I was worried about him. I don't think we should leave him here by himself. There are a lot of thugs that come around after school."

Seto saw the concern in his younger brother's eyes and sighed.

"Fine," he said, "we'll stay until his sister comes."

Mokuba's face was lit by another grin, and he hugged the older Kaiba.

"You're the best big bro!" he exclaimed happily.

Mokuba raced back over to Kenta, while his brother followed at a slow walk. Mokuba sat back down next to the other boy, and went back to talking to him, telling him not to worry, and that his sister would come soon. Seto glanced over at the two boys. Despite his younger brother's encouraging words, Kenta's eyes were still filled with sadness, and he buried his head in his arms.

"Kenta!"

A loud cry came from across the street. All three of the boys looked up and saw a girl with shoulder-length brown hair waving at them, or more specifically Kenta, as she ran towards them.

"Ari!" Kenta cried back, running to meet his sister. He buried his head in her shoulder as she kneeled down so she was level to him. She returned the embrace with just as much force, if not more.

"Why were you so late?" he said, looking at her with tear-filled eyes, "I was really worried y-you weren't g-g-gonna show up!" he said between sobs.

"I'm so sorry, Kenta," Ari replied, "I couldn't get out of work today. I'm sorry"

Kenta hugged his sister even tighter.

"It's okay," he replied, "I'm just glad you came!"

Mokuba and Seto watched this from the background. Mokuba sighed with relief. He looked up to his older brother, only to find that his brother was staring at Ari, an unreadable look on his face.

"Hey, Seto?"

Quickly regaining his composure, Seto turned and began to walk towards the car. Mokuba grabbed his backpack off the stairs and ran after him. His brother's strange behavior was worrying him.

They got into the car, and drove off. Seto glanced out the window at Ari and Kenta as they began their walk home. He focused on the girl's face for a moment, but then looked away.

As the car went further down the street, the conversation between the brothers remained nonexistant. Mokuba wondered why his older brother had been acting so strange since he had seen Kenta's sister.

"Hey, Mokuba?"

He was startled by the sudden break of silence.

"Yeah, Seto?"

"Does your friend live with his sister?" he asked.

"Yes," Mokuba replied, slightly suspicious as to why his brother would want to know about his friend's family.

"Where are their parents?"

Mokuba sighed sadly.

"Their parents are dead," he replied, "Kenta said they died about three years ago. He and Ari were bounced around to several different foster homes, but as soon as Ari turned 18, they got a place of their own. Apparently it's really small and run down, but it's all they can afford right now. Ari's been trying to find a good job, but she can't seem to find one that suits her well. She just got a new job a little while ago, but Kenta hasn't said anything about it."

He paused and looked up at his brother, but Seto was apparently deep in thought now. Mokuba sighed and returned to staring out the window at the passing buildings.

Seto was completely lost in his thoughts.

So that's why she's been leaving early, he thought.

--Earlier that day--

Ari tentatively knocked on the door of his office.

"Um, you wanted to see me, Mr. Kaiba?" she asked.

Seto turned his attention to the girl who was now standing in front of his desk. He stared at her with the same, cold indifference that he regarded all his employees with.

"It has come to my attention that since you started working here two weeks ago, you've left before your shift is over every day."

"But sir, I can explain-"

He glared at her, his eyes cold.

"I will not allow this to continue. Either you stay and finish your shift, or you can find somewhere else to work. Do I make myself clear?"

Ari struggled for a minute, thinking frantically if there was any way around this. Finally, she sighed, defeated.

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba."

"Good," he said, "You may leave."

Ari left the room silently, her head hanging slightly.

--End Flashback--

Seto felt like a complete jerk. She had only been leaving early so she could pick up her little brother. She was the only family he had, after all, and he was counting on her to be there for him. Seto felt like groaning at his own stupidity, but Mokuba was in the car, so he kept the urge under control.

He mentally sighed for what felt like the fiftieth time in the past half hour. He would have to talk to Ari again tomorrow, and tell her it was okay for her to leave early, if it was to pick up her brother. Family ties were very important, as Seto knew. If it hadn't been for Mokuba, he might not have gotten to where he was. He might have died from loneliness in his younger days. Even when times were hard, he knew his little brother was counting on him, so he kept going.

Yes, he'd have to talk to Ari again tomorrow.

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Okay, I know, it was short, but I just wanted to kind of set up the plot for you. So, please review and if you have any suggestions or requests, let me know and I'll see if I can work them into the story. Once again, please no flames. I might go emo sniffle. Lol, anyway, tell me what you think so far so I can decide if I make an okay writer. Talk to you peeps later!