The days had become warm…too warm for his tastes. That was what Seto Kaiba, the young CEO was thinking while typing on his computer. Even if the barely turned 20 years old President of Kaiba Corporation was living up to his name as a "workaholic" having a large window right behind him, the sunlight filling the entire office plenty and bright and with the warm days that had come, even he had found trouble concentrating to his work and wouldn't help the temptation taking glances outside over his shoulder. It was spring and the cherry trees had bloomed almost completely, painting the gray city of Domino with their white and pink color. What a beautiful sight…

"…for stupid romantic thoughts!"

Seto Kaiba immediately said inside his head, snapping himself back to reality and the statistics in his computer. People who knew him (and those who didn't) knew he was a bright young man indeed. He had taken the company over from his stepfather since the day he was only fourteen years of age. He had turned it into a gaming company from a gun company at the age of 16. He had made his company the largest company for games in the world when he was 18 and now in his 20s he had managed to open and entire chain of amusement parks all over Japan and two in America. No one could say he wasn't charismatic, not even his enemies. He was a person to be feared by his enemies and even adored by his colleges (not for any other reason but because of the money he was bringing to them and his intelligence). However the amount of pressure he was receiving every day had made him rigid, cold and arrogant, caring only for himself and his little brother Mokuba. His little brother adored him and admired him almost like God. Seto knew it, this was touching his frozen heart from time to time…

And he was handsome. Really handsome. Tall with icy-blue eyes, was a man every woman desired to have by her side but no matter what, Seto Kaiba never showed any other interest to anything else but his work and brother. Seto Kaiba seemed like a dream and nightmare at the same time, depending on how someone looked at him. Mokuba was the only one who knew how deeply his brother had suffered his entire life or how much he has been through in order to protect him or how much their stepfather, Gozaburo Kaiba, had mistreated him. Only he knew, and Seto Kaiba didn't need anyone else to know.

While Seto seemed ready to drift in his world of thoughts once more, his office door opened brashly to reveal a short, black-haired boy with black eyes (the exact opposite of him, maybe), who dashed within the room with a happy smile to his lips.

"Nii-sama!" he called out

"Mokuba!" came Seto Kaiba's rigid voice without even taking his eyes off his computer screen, "Be more quiet. It's a company here, not a playground"

Mokuba's lips formed a pout but only half-serious. He knew his brother never showed his affection (at least not in public) therefore he was used to his harsh behavior.

"Well…I'm here to ask you, can we go to Kyoto today?"

This sure did the job and Seto raised his eyes to look at his brother in disbelief.

"And why in all hells that might exist would I leave my company to go almost to the other side of Japan?"

His baby brother, though, wouldn't give up that easily.

"Well…it's the Ohanami Festival today so I thought we could go to the night festival together…you know…like family"

Kaiba fixed his blue tie that was giving color to his white suit.

"Not interested" he simply said

"Oh, come on! Today, I read in the newspaper, will be the brightest full moon of the century. There going to be lots of facilities there, and dancing performances everywhere! And perhaps many good-looking girls!"

Kaiba cocked up a brow.

"Aren't you a little too young to think about girls, Mokuba?"

"Oh, come on! Just for once! We won't have the chance to see a moon like this for one century!"

"Mokuba…"

"Please, Nii-sama! Please! Just for this once!"

Kaiba looked at him. He had clasped his hands together in a pleading movement and he had fastened his black eyes inside his blue ones. He knew first-handed that if Mokuba had something in mind, he wouldn't stop till he got it, and for some reason this time was one of those.

"Oh, alright!" he said in an annoyed voice (but in reality he was just defeated), "But only for this once and no exceptions! Heard me?"

Mokuba's face beamed with a bright smile and his eyes also sparkled happily.

"Thank you! Thank you so much, Nii-sama!"

Seto Kaiba sighed towards the ceiling, leaving his brother…celebrate his success with his happy applauding and hopping around feeling his own head ready to explode.

"This is going to be a long day!" he thought miserably

It was late in the evening and the streets of Kyoto were packed with people walking side by side, sometimes having to push their way through. The lights of the countless benches with stuff were of all kind of shapes and colors, turning the night into day. Even in the dying twilight the pinkish flowers over their heads seemed to be making their presence known, yes, even now…

"Nii-sama! Let's go there next!" Mokuba said barely holding his excitement.

He was dressed in a traditional way like many people around him. He was wearing dark blue hakama with a baby-blue montuki that was decorated with yellow flowers. He had finished his appearance with white tabi shocks and joori.

"Stay close to me, Mokuba!" Seto Kaiba called trying really hard to keep up with his enthusiastic brother.

It was easily said than done cause Kaiba had trouble walk through so many people with his height while Mokuba was small and flexible like a small cat. He could easily move through the crowd and he didn't really mind it when he stepped over someone's foot or bumped into anyone in the process. Seto Kaiba was dressed in his usual white suit. He didn't want to change in a traditional outfit no matter what his little brother had said. The trip into their personal Blue Eyes White Dragon jet was fast and effortless however five minutes with Mokuba in the festivities and the young CEO felt as if he had run a marathon instead.

Mokuba was pulling him from one bench to the other. First they went for the traditional ice-cream cones (snow with syrup in other words) and next stop was the sushi bar. After that they had gone to buy squib baked on fire like the old times and after that for cotton candy. The day had passed really fast but for Seto Kaiba appeared like an eternity. He never was a fan of big crowds and people pushing each other but now here he was…trying seriously not to start yelling his lungs out to the next person who would bump into him, or the few people who would stop in their tracks to take another look at him, making sure he was Seto Kaiba in the flesh before continuing (thankfully) their walk without coming at him asking questions. Meanwhile, sometimes the cherry trees would start to "dance" in the rhythm of the wind, showering them with their white petals as they walked under their branches. A huge mass of crowd appeared to be moving in a human river towards the high stairs, which led towards a shrine; Akazakura Jinja. Mokuba was already close to the crowded stairs as he span around once to face his brother, who was coming right behind him, and tell him:

"Come on, Nii-sama! Hurry! We'll miss the show!"

Seto Kaiba sighed once more (he had lost counting how many times he had done it that evening) and walked towards the stairway. Soon they reached the top. The sun was long gone behind the horizon. As they reached the shrine, Mokuba insisted on going till the bell of the shrine to pray. Seto Kaiba did not believe in any god. He had stopped believing long time now. What it mattered to him was this world. Not some other up there. Even if the idea of waiting in an endless queue to throw a few coins there, ring the bell and pray wasn't at all attractive to him, he decided to do the favor to his little brother once more. So he waited with his hands in his pockets, without making the slightest sound of protest. When finally their turn came, Mokuba took out a few coins and threw them in the deep basket. He then pulled the thick rope to ring the bell once. He then clapped his hands together trice to make his presence known to the spirits before remain there to pray for a single moment and then left, to give his turn to the next person waiting behind him.

"What did you pray for, Mokuba?" Seto asked more out of common courtesy rather than real interest, since he didn't believe in prayers.

"For Mom and Dad be well where they are, for us be fine and always together and…" he looked up and his eyes sank within Seto's and for the first time that evening seemed so serious and concerned, "…and for you to find happiness at last…"

Seto sure thanked and congratulated himself, deep inside cause sure Mokuba had startled the wits out of him with that, but he didn't say a word. He only stopped in his tracks and the two brothers kept staring at each other when finally Seto broke his gaze away from Mokuba's saying.

"Of course we'll stay together. I will not let anyone take you away…as for happiness…I don't need it. I am just fine by myself…and with you"

That was all he said. Nothing more than that. Mokuba saw from the look of his eyes, and the way he started walking once more, that he didn't want to discuss it anymore. So he followed him and they both started to walk towards a platform where the dance performance of the shrine would take place… The moon had started to come out as if it was hiding right beneath the shrine and now was coming to this world…full and bright and huge even in its first moments…

A pair of Hyoshigi started giving the slow rhythm and soon the other percussions and soon flutes and samisens started giving the traditional melody. Right away many geisha girls dressed in pure-white kimonos with golden and pink details appeared on stage. Their hair was caught up in delicate buns and decorated with silk, white flowers. They started to dance perfectly synchronized with the music and with each other, moving airily and holding pinkish-white fans in their hands, moving them skillfully. The gathered audience was staring at the beautiful girls with the white faces and red lips. The first song ended and the dancers and musicians were applauded they way they deserved. Mokuba was enthusiastic once more actually. Seto was one of the few that didn't applaud but remained there with one hand in his pocket, simply staring at the stage, that had the full moon as background and the cherry blossoms all around as scenery. Suddenly the new song began to play. The dancers moved in a new formation but soon they opened way and a new figure appeared. The person was wearing a white mask of Noh that covered the face and characteristics. The person was wearing a kimono in an orange-red color like the color of fallen leaves in autumn and perhaps a hint of fire. His or her presence was so powerful on the stage that even Seto Kaiba couldn't help but stare pleasantly surprised. The new dancer suddenly flapped one of the two fans open and then the other one. All it took was two strong yet elegant moves to do so. Seto Kaiba realized how deeply he was staring holes through the new dancer cause he had managed to catch up the small detail of a pair of powerful, crimson eyes beneath the Noh white mask. Meanwhile the dancer was moving around with so much elegance that even the dancers from before seemed nothing in front of him/her. The talented artist seemed to be putting all the passion that existed in the world only to walk around and make the kimono flow around him/her as if he/she was flying or floating over water without sinking. The hands seemed to be moving as if having free will as the artist started to spin the fan on one finger while the other fan seemed t be staying still in front of the masked face.

Right after completing a full 360 degrees of turn, the dancer joined the fans together, forming a big fan, and started to move it as if the fan had transformed into a fish and was now flattering to get away from the fisherman's grip and get back into the sea and safety. As if Kaiba's legs had their own will, he found himself walking closer to the stage as the dancer had now thrown one of the fans in the air, using the second fan to do so, and caught it to his/her other free hand. The audience had left out a cry of surprise and impress as he/she did so. As the artist was moving that body right and left, back and forth and the fans appeared to be following, not the other way round, or perhaps it WAS the other way round after all. Seto Kaiba didn't know. Cherry blossoms and petals were showering the dancer like pure-white snow. Seto Kaiba was now observing the dancer with every detail.

His/Her body was small, barely the average of height even for Japanese person, and delicate like the petals falling around but Seto Kaiba couldn't say if that person was a female. On the contrary, for some reason there was so much power and determination in the masked artist's moves that Seto thought it would belong better to a male rather than a female. The soft, white tabi shocks and the reddish kimono were hiding the dancer's legs and feet. The glimpses of flesh to the person's wrists he took, made him wonder who their owner was, cause they weren't a pair of rough hands and arms of a male but delicate like female but once again, their grip onto the fans was so strong and determined that he didn't know. In his hands those two fans would turn from delicate rose petals going by the wind to sharp and dangerous like knives weapons from one moment to the other. What indeed looked interesting on that person was the strange tri-colored spiky hair he/she had. It looked like a wig. It should be a wig, Seto Kaiba thought.

The music became faster and more powerful and the next thing Kaiba knew was that his heart was flattering in his chest as if it wanted to beat its way out of his chest and join the dancer on the stage and…the music started to lower and the dancer finished by holding the two fans one parallel to the other, one over the other and finished with a small bow. For some reason Seto Kaiba felt a huge hole in his heart, as if it desired to be filled once more with this talented artist, as if Kaiba didn't want the dance to come to an end…

The audience was now ecstatic as they burst out applauding louder than any other moment that night and Seto Kaiba realized he was applauding with them, without even feeling himself moving his own arms and hands to do so.

"The dancer was incredible!" he thought he heard Mokuba's voice over the ecstatic rumbles and unstoppable applauding of every man, woman and child gathered there.

"Yes…" he barely mumbled, never taking his eyes from the masked dancer who was now offering small bows to his/her admirers, "…Indeed…"

And then the dancer removed the mask to reveal the most handsome male face Seto Kaiba ever laid eyes upon. The young man didn't seem older than 16 years old however his eyes were deep and sharp as if they could gaze deeply in his soul if the man wanted to and they were crimson red like fresh-drawn blood, perfectly toned by the red kimono he was wearing. His hair was indeed tri-colored and spiky in magenta, black and with bolt-like golden bangs framing his face… The full moon behind him was making his white skin look more than silver or porcelain and less than human flesh, as if the man himself was work of art.

Even after he had made the final bows and left the stage for good, Seto Kaiba found himself unable to turn his gaze anywhere else but the direction towards which the dancer had disappeared to. Even Mokuba's voice or the constant mumbling of the crowd around him seemed like a distant echo in his mind…and for the first time in his life Seto Kaiba was drawn in a world of silence with only one desire in his heart: See that dancer once more…

His feet were now leading him as though they had their own will and fast as if they had grown wings. He had left Mokuba wait for him or better…sleeping inside the jet while he was walking his way back towards the shrine. For some reason he was sure whatever he was searching for, could be found in there. The streets were now almost empty since the festivities were over. Even so, Seto Kaiba was pushing his way through, even if that was only one or two people walking there still. For some reason he felt so impatient that even an ant would appear in his way he would get frustrated… And so he marched as fast as he could and climbed the stairs once more…

Akazakura Jinja was now silent and only showered by the pale moonlight. There was a person in the empty yard, sweeping the remains of the festivities that took place in the afternoon. Seto Kaiba marched at him and held him by the collar harsher than he wanted to, but his impatience for some reason was growing fast and hard, like a thirsty man that seemed to be a meter away from crystal-clear water.

"Where is the man that danced here with the red kimono? Do you know?" he barked

The old man surpassed his first surprise and rasped out:

"Yes, of course…he…he lives here…in Akazakura Jinja…he…wait, young man wait!"

But Seto Kaiba was already storming towards the entrance of the shrine and opened the doors with one determined move. He marched his way down to empty, wooden hallways that reminded him of the old-fashioned palaces he had seen in history books, he had long ago left behind him the statue of Amaterasu, the goddess of Sky and Sun behind him in the main shrine as he had walked deeper into the rooms and hallways and here he was now, walking in a labyrinth of rice-paper doors and wooden floors with only his racing heart and a strange hunch guiding him. His footsteps led him towards a rice-paper door. He opened it and…he came face to face with that delicate back…the back dressed in the red silk…and the figure turned around to reveal the same face…but now he was not dressed in moonlight but with the weak flame of a candle close by and was not framed by cherry blossoms but from the rice-paper walls. For some reason Kaiba thought that the half-dark, fire's warm color and the simpler background suited the man more than the previous scenery but he seemed gorgeous nevertheless. He came face to face with those blood-colored eyes once more…

The tri-colored haired male seemed surprised only for a brief moment. Apparently he was ready to undress and perhaps prepare himself to sleep, however the surprise passed before his eyes as fast as the glow of the candle and gave its place to a small smile, or perhaps the illusion of a smirk hiding self-confidence, arrogance and beautiful, hypnotic power.

"Konbanwa…" he whispered in a deep charismatic voice that sent chills down Seto's spine, "How could I humbly offer you any kind of service that is in my power?"

Seto Kaiba noticed he was using the full forms of verbs and the polite way of saying "I" but they sounded foreign or unfitting for the voice he was hearing, in Seto's ears.

"There is no need to use the forms of speech that do not suit you!" Seto Kaiba said harshly, hoping his beating heart wouldn't betray him, "You better speak the way you usually do"

The boy's lips pulled up in an illusion of amused smirk.

"Oh is that so?" he said again, "So, you desire me to speak the way I usually do?"

Seto Kaiba had noticed that he changed it immediately. Now he spoke to a more straightforward way…a more powerful way… Yes, he was beautiful…oh, so beautiful…arrogant…elegant…

"That's better" Seto Kaiba said again coldly (not at all in harmony with his racing heart and blood)

The boy only smiled again.

"Well, how can I help you then?" he asked once more, "I never thought that someone would come to congratulate me for my performance in my home"

Seto Kaiba remained silent. The boy answered this silence with yet another amused smirk.

"Seto Kaiba, right?" he said, "I have seen your face in the news"

Seto Kaiba fought back the urge to throw some cold comment such as 'Oh so you know what news is?' judging from the 100% traditional environment around and the simple furniture so he only spat coldly.

"What's your name?"

…To earn another smirk…

"Is that a fan's question?"

"Will you answer all my questions with questions?" Seto Kaiba lost his patience, "I asked your name"

"It's Yami" the boy said amused, "Muto Yami"

"Yami?" Seto Kaiba raised a brow

"I know" Yami smirked, "Awkward right? Someone name his child 'darkness'…but I never really minded it anyway"

"Yami…" Seto Kaiba left the name run smoothly on his tongue and echo pleasantly down his soul. The ice around his heart had the first crack.

After a moment of silence passed between them, the boy named Yami spoke once more.

"So, how can I help you? Can I offer you something? Some tea maybe…?"

"Tea?"

"That's right. I always think it is good time for a nice cup of tea but the night tonight seems perfect to be ended with a proper Tea Ceremony. Please…"

He was now showing Seto Kaiba the tatami to sit. Seto Kaiba had to admit it was all the more hard to resist the offer.

"Fine…" he said kneeling to the tatami, "Tea sounds fine…"

Yami left him alone for a moment only to return with a box. Seto noticed that even his moves were elegant, as if he was about to perform some sacred task. Yami kneeled gracefully opposite Kaiba and started placing each one of the tools needed for the ceremony; the natsume (the tea-box), the tea whisks, the cups and so goes on. He carefully set them to place in front of him on the tatami and bowed in respect deeply with his forehead almost touching the floor. The harmony and the calmness were everywhere in the atmosphere and Seto Kaiba found himself partly returning the bow. When Yami rose once more started performing the tasks one by one carefully and absolutely concentrated to the every move as he started warming water up and setting the instruments in front of him into move.

Seto Kaiba might not be a fan of history but he had read it pretty well, plus he had been in one or two geisha parties with his company so he knew what Yami was doing, however he realized, surprising even himself, that he was finally seeing everything other men were seeing to those girls, onto Yami. For example taking a small glimpse of Yami's naked wrist (of course by Yami's deliberate move) sent shivers down his spine with some hint of ghost pleasure or…the will for more…? Next were the sacred moves Yami was making, the calmness…the dim light… Meanwhile Yami placed two small doses of the green dust inside either of the two teacups and then added the burning hot water to them. The bittersweet smell filled the room making Seto's senses travel and swim for some reason. Yami stirred the mixture skillfully till it formed the foamy green drink. He placed it on the tatami and then pushed it softly towards Seto Kaiba with a bow. Kaiba accepted it and Yami rose once more to take his own cup to drink.

Seto was never a heavy tea-drinker but for some reason he couldn't refuse this. He raised the cup to his lips but he was taking glances over the porcelain cup at Yami who was now softly blowing his tea and drank, the same gracefully he had made it. He subconsciously drank a small sip himself (his eyes never leaving Yami though) feeling the bitter drink warming his insides and toning him up. The calmness that was circling them…was almost magical…and Yami…so beautiful… Yami felt his eyes fastened onto him so he lowered his cup a little to look at the young CEO with his sharp eyes.

"What?" he asked smirking

"Nothing" Seto Kaiba blinked snapping out of it, trying to cover it, "It is just I see you make the Tea Ceremony so…so…" he couldn't find the proper word he could use aloud.

Of course the word "wonderful" that was closer to the truth was out of question. Therefore he drank another small sip from his tea. Yami smiled watching him drinking.

"Well? How's your tea?" he asked in his alluring voice

"Drinkable" Seto Kaiba spat bitterly

The boy just chuckled one more time and Seto Kaiba had this unpleasant feeling that he could see right through him and his lie.

"So…" he said clearing his throat and placing his teacup onto the tatami, "How come and you live in here? In this shrine?"

Yami smiled softly and placed his own teacup to the tatami as well.

"I own it" he said with a self-complacent smile, "Akazakura Jinja belongs to the Muto family for many generations. Our family is a really ancient one in Japan. Our family tree goes even 1000 years back in time."

He poured a little more tea in both teacups. This time he didn't do the entire tea ceremony thing but he made the tea with the boiling water and tea-dust the same skillfully and fast. He placed Kaiba's cup in front of him once more and took his own as well to take a sip.

"They say that more than 500 years ago, a man and a woman in order to live their love as they should, killed each other to these very fields where a small shrine lay. It was the season for the cherries to bloom that time and so, the cherry blossoms below them were painted by their blood" he raised the cup to his lips once more and added before drinking, "And so this is where the shrine's name came from" and drank

Now Kaiba got it. "Akazakura" meant "Red Cherry Tree"

"I see" he said plainly

"Yes" Yami also pointed out, "And so, this shrine is special. Instead of this shrine to pass down generations from Miko to Miko, it passes down to the males of the family. The temple was built for the great goddess Amaterasu so, she is the only female that can live in this place"

"So…in other words you are supposed to be the miko?" the ironic comment had reached Kaiba's lips before him being able to stop it.

To his surprise, the boy didn't seem at all insulted. On the contrary he smiled softly.

"In a way…" he said smirking, "Now, it's my turn to ask. How come and you came to these festivities. I doubt you came all the way from Domino to our shrine just to pray."

"My little brother insisted to come" Kaiba snorted, "He didn't seem to take no for an answer"

"Oh…" the boy's lips formed yet another smile but this time nostalgic, "A little brother, huh? That's nice…"

"Don't you have any relatives?"

"No. I am an only son. I inherited the shrine by my grandfather, Sugoroku Muto"

"Not your father?"

"No. My father wasn't really religious. He preferred to take the path of business and so he became a lawyer. So my grandfather kept the shrine and I took it after he died recently"

"And you like this life? Staying inside this old building and stuff?"

The boy smiled for billionth time that evening.

"You're asking too many questions" he said calmly, "Why?"

Really. Why? Seto Kaiba had never asked so many questions all together in his life, yet alone for the personal life or a person he didn't know in the first place!

"I gotta go" he said hitting the cup on the tatami harsher than he wanted to and rose up to his feet at a blink of the eye.

"So soon?" Yami had already stood up too

Damn him! He was playing with him again.

"Not your damn business!" he spat harshly, "I have left my little brother after all! Don't bother to accompany me to the door! I know my way out" He turned his back at Yami and added, "Thanks for the tea" but it was only typical words, or at least that was what he wanted to make it sound like.

Despite his protests, though, Yami walked him till the shrine's door and opened them for him. He then made a bow at him saying:

"Take care on your way back and I was glad to meet you"

Kaiba's answer was a low growl as he started walking away, without even taking a single glance over his head. He didn't trust his fortitude for the first time in his life. When he finally reached the bottom of the stairway he dared to look up and…even then he had the impression he could still see the reddish color of Yami's kimono, glowing by the moonlight somewhere up there. He was sure, this kimono was going to hunt him in his dreams…

He had no idea what had gotten into him. He had no idea when it has started to get into him in the first place. What he did know was that he was walking at fast pace towards the Akazakura Jinja once more. Now that the aromas of the small city were getting mixed in his nose, causing him a strange feeling of euphoria, Seto Kaiba was trying to put his thoughts in order along the say. Most likely it had started right after he had left the shrine and went to the jet, where Mokuba was waiting half-asleep. He noticed that even then he had started to miss him… After that he let a few days pass (three to be exact) and he started to think this feeling of emptiness without him was unbearable. Therefore he had left a message to his employees he would live for a trip, took off his suit to change into green shirt and green pants and finish his appearance with a purple trench coat and he went straight for his jet to fly to Kyoto once more.

As he was walking up the stairs he realized he had no freaking reason being there in the first place! What could he say? That he went to pray? No one would believe that. Then what? Donations to the shrine? Maybe. That worked for now. Whatever the reason he walked up the stairs to find himself to the empty shrine yard. The calming sound of a Sakuhachi flute was driving him to a strange Nirvana state. He followed the sound and found himself to the back yard of the shrine. The cherry blossoms were still there, purely white and pink…and beautiful. And there…among them, was Yami, kneeled onto a small pillow below a cherry tree, and framed by many others, playing the flute having his eyes closed. It was as if he was some kind of spirit and he was the one who was commanding the breeze to blow with his flute. He was dressed in different kimono. He was dressed in red hakama and white montuki, while wearing joori and white tabi shocks. A red ribbon lay on the ground around him. This was technically the appearance for a Miko however Kaiba remembered last night Yami had told him he was something like a "miko" for the shrine.

The petals were falling around him like snowflakes and the light breeze was making them travel around him… Seto's breath was caught in his throat and swallowed in order his dry throat to be set into move. Sometime the boy stopped to play and opened his deep crimson eyes to look at the new arrival. A smile spread to his lips.

"Good morning and welcome to our temple…again!"

"Shut up, Muto!" Seto Kaiba said harshly, perhaps more than he should but his heart was beating like crazy and he was thankful Yami was now playing with his nerves cause he didn't trust himself anymore of how long he could stay there staring at him

Yami Muto stood up once more and picked the red ribbon up. Gently he tied it around the tree behind him.

"Pretty isn't it?" he said looking up at the bloomed tree

"I guess…" Seto Kaiba said…but he was looking at him

Yami turned to look at him and smiled.

"I always liked staying here playing an instrument or dancing. Especially in a season like this one, when everything is bloomed and beautiful"

"Now you sound like a girl!" Seto Kaiba said

The boy looked at him and Kaiba's heart skipped ten beats. An odd thought crept in his mind before he was able to stop it. He wanted to grab him in his arms and hold him there forever…

"I was ready to make some breakfast for myself. Shall I put you some?" he asked

Seto Kaiba realized he was hungry indeed. He just remembered he had left without having breakfast in his haste to be here fast.

"Okay" he only said and followed Yami inside.

The inside of the shrine was as beautiful as Kaiba remembered. Well to be honest it was the same beautiful because Yami was there. Yami led him to a traditional dining room where Seto Kaiba kneeled waiting for the breakfast to come. Yami soon brought two disks with fresh and hot miso soup, steamed rice and some vegetables. He also brought two cups and a teapot with green tea. As he poured the warm liquid for them both, the icy-blue eyed CEO couldn't help himself but stare once more. Even the common jobs he was making, he was making them gracefully and artistically. He just couldn't get it. He never knew he was into men like this but seeing Yami making all moves a geisha would make, but causing him emotions ten times stronger than he had ever felt before with a single gesture of his hand, with a single glance. Even when he started to eat, his moves were gentle and tender. However no matter how gentle his moves were, his face hid strength so powerful that even Kaiba felt himself shudder under their power. He had never seen such a male before! Yami finished pouring the tea and made a small bow whispering:

"Itadakimasu" thanking for the food and then started to eat

Kaiba followed his example and started from the thick miso soup. It was nice, warm and salty and really welcome as it went down his throat and inside his stomach. The rice was nicely cooked as well. He didn't ask whether he had made them. It was obvious after all. They ate in silence. When they finished Yami made another gesture and mumbled the usual thanking for the meal before getting up to gather the dishes. Seto didn't fight back his curiosity and followed him into a nice and kind of modern cuisine.

"Ah so you DO use electricity after all!" he commented leaning against the door frame

Yami chuckled.

"Well…I do but I don't use it too much. I prefer the candles instead"

Figures, Kaiba thought, this guy was helpless! It felt as if he was living at the previous century or something! He checked his watch.

"Got to go" he said dryly

Yami turned around while mopping his hands in a kitchen towel (he had started washing the dishes)

"Oh." he said. "I understand"

In a deja-vu Seto Kaiba was walked till the door by Yami and then he left…with an even greater emptiness in his heart than before. He felt like addicted to drugs…and he knew…he knew very well there was no way of detoxification…

Three days later…it was afternoon and he was once more walking towards the temple. The sky was painted in colors of orange, red and yellow as the sun was going for yet another trip towards far away West where no human ever been to disturb his sleep… Seto Kaiba was walking once more, upwards once more…up to the shrine once more. This was getting serious and he knew it…but he couldn't help it. He wanted, no, needed to see him once more…hear his voice! When he reached the top of the stairs he saw him, dressed in his usual shrine-attire and he was sweeping the yard. When he realized the taller man's presence he raised his eyes towards him and an amused grin beamed all over his face.

"I don't believe it!" he said half-kidding, half-serious, "Here again?"

"Shut up!" Kaiba said once more but he just didn't have any other thing to tell him

"This is getting serious!" Yami Muto teased again making Seto Kaiba want badly either punch him or making him 'shut up' with a more…efficient way!

He mentally slapped himself for this thought. The sun was now a liquid, red circle at the end of the horizon, showering them both in his dying light…making Yami's eyes look like rubies…liquid rubies…

"How can I become useful to you this time?"

Kaiba didn't answer. He was simply startled by the scene that he didn't even find the words to speak. He blinked to get him (even momentarily) out of sight so he could focus on his words.

"I didn't come here to pray, if that's what you're asking me!"

Yami smiled (damn his perfect smile!)

"Is that so? Then perhaps I could offer you something… How about a glass of sake? Do you drink?"

Seto Kaiba was never fond of alcohol but he had to admit that the prospective of a drink, if anything, would calm him down from this strange emotions overflowing him once more.

"Sounds fine…" he said coldly

"Then come in…" Yami said politely, leading the way inside

Kaiba had realized that he knew this temple by heart till now. He's been in there so many times. He kneeled inside the tearoom he spent the evening the first time. Soon Yami brought the sake bottle and the small glass for him. He kneeled in front of him and placed the bottle into warm water. The way he was moving reminded Seto Kaiba a geisha once more…and he had seen those ladies once or twice, like we said. The way he held up the small glass and gave it to him, the way he revealed "by accident" part of his wrist as he did so, the way his sharp, piercing eyes were staring into his…all those made Kaiba feel something like electricity running through him.

"Here you are…" Yami whispered as he poured him some warm sake in his cup

Seto looked at it.

"Won't you drink?" he asked

Yami smiled trickily.

"I'm a minor, remember?" he said playfully, "Just enjoy yourself…" he said getting up, "don't mind me"

Seto took a sip. The sake was rich and good and was leaving a nice warm sensation down his throat. Yami meanwhile walked to the other corner of the room and took a samisen. He then returned and kneeled opposite Kaiba once more. He took the musical instrument in his arms and started tuning it. It didn't take him more than a minute to do so. He bestirred himself and started to play. As Seto Kaiba was drinking he couldn't help but feeling impressed. The boy could dance, could play the flute and now samisen too? Seriously how many things could this man do? He remained speechless for a moment.

"…What are you? A geisha or something?" he finally said, glad he sounded like his old self

To his surprise the boy didn't even frown. On the contrary he let out a small chuckle.

"Well…my mother was a geisha, before meeting my father that is. She taught me what she knew about her work. But I was particularly charmed by the art of Tea Ceremony. I still enjoy it like a good night's sleep."

That he could believe, Kaiba thought

"And what about your mother? Doesn't she live in here?"

"She died" Yami said simply as he stopped playing but his voice was steady and calm, "Years now. I barely remember her."

That was unexpected, Kaiba thought again.

"How did she die?"

"After giving birth to me" Yami said and before Kaiba could ask what on earth he was talking about he added, "Her system was never the same after giving birth. She became weaker and weaker and she was getting sick easily till one day she died out of tuberculosis. Not even medication treatment didn't help her…"

Kaiba swallowed hard.

"What about your father?"

"He died too, in a plane crush" Yami said once more calmly, "He was to go to a business trip and on his way back here, his plane crushed"

If Kaiba was someone else, then he would have looked at him with sympathy, however he wasn't. But the ice around his heart had started to melt already.

"I am an orphan too" he said before stopping himself, "My mother died when gave birth to my brother Mokuba. I barely remember her face…"

Yami stopped playing and looked at him.

"I'm sorry…that must have been too hard…"

Kaiba shrugged.

"My father also died in a car crush too so…we were both sent to the orphanage. We were adopted by Gozaburo Kaiba…but as you know he committed suicide."

It was the first time he actually spoke to someone else about his past, for some reason it felt so right talking to Yami…the way they were alone…and the cicadas had started singing softly in the serene of evening (it was warm that night). Yami placed the samisen to the floor next to him and placed his hands on his knees. He had a melancholic smile to his face.

"I was lucky to have grandpa raising me. I owe him too much. It was he the one who taught me to love this temple…this job…what I do…"

He looked up and locked eyes with Kaiba…they seem like reading each other…

"Something wrong?" Kaiba asked after a few seconds but there was no malice in his voice, just soft, genuine concern

"Nothing" Yami whispered softly, "Here you go…" and added some more warm sake to Seto's empty glass.

They were talking for hours. The moon was already painting the Earth silver, as if it wanted to give to humans a little bit of its silver. Seto hadn't realized how late it was till Yami stood up to gather up the empty bottle of sake and the glass. Only then he looked outside the window and noticed the late of time.

"It's late" he said, "I must go"

Yami looked at him.

"Why don't you stay here for the night?"

"I beg your pardon?!"

"It's too late. You've drank and…you seem tired. It wouldn't be wise for you to live tonight. Stay here the night and you leave in the morning, after having a good breakfast. The shrine is big enough to host many people if it has to. I could even prepare a nice bath for you"

As much as Seto wanted to argue and yell at him 'what nonsense are you speaking!' he had to admit that the offer was so tempting he realized it was becoming all the more hard to turn down. The thought of having a good sleep and a relaxing bath was indeed tickling him.

"Alright, alright, alright!" he said defeated.

"Good. I'll prepare everything for you" Yami said smiling and left Kaiba alone

He sighed and hid his face in his arms.

"What in the world have I put myself into?!" he thought

It was only two hours later (after enjoying a good meal) when he found himself into the steaming bathhouse. The tub was already full with hot water and the bucket was waiting in the corner. He started to undress slowly and placed his clothes to the corner. He was about to start to wash himself when the small knocking on the rice-paper door made him gasp a little and Yami entered the bathhouse holding a few towels in his hands. He was dressed in a white yukata, ready to go to bed.

"I brought you some clothes to wear to sleep and some clean towels.

"Thanks" he said coldly to show annoyance but he had the feeling he was failing miserably.

Yami approached him from behind as he was sitting upon the wooden bucket.

"Let me wash your back" he said while taking the ribbon out of his yukata sleeve to tie the sleeves up with

"I am perfectly capable of taking a bath myself, thanks!" he retorted sharply

Yami only smiled. "I know" he said, "But it is also a custom someone to help the guest with his bath"

"Goodness Muto! Can't you wait to see me naked?"

His ironic comment only passed over Yami without touching him. Yami approached him and took the bucket next to the bathtub. He took water from the tub with it and poured it over Kaiba's back. Kaiba couldn't hold back a sigh of relief as the hot water ran onto his sore body. Yami took the shampoo and started washing his hair. His long, skillful fingers were applying pressure to the right places, massaging the pains and fatigue away and getting Kaiba almost at the point of moaning out in pleasure. Damn Yami and his skilled fingers! After washing the shampoo away, it was his body's turn. Yami started washing him with the sponge and then with his fingers, massaging his sore shoulders and back. Kaiba leaned his head back, biting his lip to stop the moans that were coming up to the surface… He was praying Yami wouldn't notice how damn amazing he was making him feel.

Luckily Yami didn't notice, or at least he pretended he didn't. He poured warm water over him once more and then walked away.

"There" he said, "I'll leave you relax now and I am going to prepare your room" he said and so he did.

When Kaiba heard the door close, he sighed and stood up. For a moment he couldn't believe what had happened… He stepped into the bathtub and let himself relax. The moon was illuminating the gardens outside the window. The silence was absolute…

He would have fallen asleep if something inside him hadn't reminded him to move. He got out of bath and dried himself with towels. He dressed himself in a yukata and stepped out of the bathhouse…

He entered the room and saw that Yami had already prepared the futon for him. When Yami felt his presence he span around.

"Was the yukata the right size?" he asked

Kaiba nodded.

"Thank goodness" Yami whispered, "It was my father's. I didn't have a better one to give to you. Mutos are not so…famous for their height!" he winked at his own joke

Kaiba was so tired he could barely hold his eyelids open. And Yami noticed.

"I'll leave you rest. If you need anything…my room is right next to yours"

He bowed his head.

"Goodnight" and left

Kaiba had anticipated taking a glance of his yukata slithering around his ankles gracefully… He was minding the way he walked…even now…even now he had the ability to make his heart bound her way out of his chest! Kaiba saw Yami blow the candle on his way out and so he was left in the half-darkness and moonlight. For one moment he looked like lost and was wondering what he was doing there in the first place. But then the other part of his mind asked the complete opposite:

"Where have you been all this time? Why weren't you here?"

He was feeling half-dizzy in fatigue and confusion. For the first time in his life he was feeling so empty without having someone by his side, and having him next-door, so close and yet so far, was making him shudder in anticipation even more.

"This isn't getting anywhere" he said to himself.

He slowly got into his futon and pulled the covers up to his chest. He lay there for a little, gazing the stars out of his half-open rice-paper window. Soon sleep took over him…like death…

He saw him dancing there, in his red kimono…the cherry blossoms that were falling around him were red as well…but the redder of all…was the pair of eyes he had. His eyes that looked like rubies, like fresh-drawn blood. And he danced…danced and danced…and soon darkness came…and his sleep was dreamless like death…

PLEASE READ:

This is the first part of the birthday gift for SlytherinTonks (DA) (Χρόνια πολλά)

She likes Prideshipping and when I saw a picture on DA I was so inspired for this...I am sorry it might be plain and I apologize to those who do not like yaoi but this is a simple romance for yaoi. Prideshipping: (Kaiba x Yami)
I know it sounds strange having Yami being the..."uke" of the relationship or acting like that but I think I liked the idea seeing him like this. Seto Kaiba is the CEO while Yami is the owner of the Akazakura Jinja. He dances and plays instruments.
The first idea was a one-shot but it turned bigger than I expected!

Japanese words:

Joori: Japanese sandals like our flip-flops
Hakama: Traditional Japanese pants
Montuki: Japanese cloth, worn over hakama pants, shirt, blouse
Tabi shocks: Shocks where the grand toe is separate from the other toes so the Joori can pass between the fingers
Jinja: Sindoism temple, shrine
Hanami: Celebration in which Japanese see the flowers of cherry trees bloom (sakura) and they eat below them
Hyoshigi: Pair of woods that are hitted with each other, traditional japanese instrument
Tatami: The 'carpet' covering a traditional japanese floor
Konbanwa: Litteraly means "Good evening" and it is the greeting japanese people use from early evening till late at night
Miko: Shrine Maiden, priestess
Futon: Mattress on the floor instead of a bed in traditional japanese houses

Story Trivia:

Akazakura Jinja is a name I created. It is consisted by Akai which means red and Sakura which means cherry tree/flower so litteraly this means "Red Sakura Shrine" or better "Red Cherry Flower Shrine".
The "myth" behind the name is also mine. I chose the city of Kyoto because Kyoto is the old capital of Japan and it is famous for its sightseeing. The story takes place in some imaginary place outside the big city of Kyoto. Domino is somewhere close to Tokyo in this story

When Kaiba refers to the way Yami firstly spoke to him he meant that Yami had used the full form "masu" of the virbs (for example "mimasu" instead of "miru" which means "see") and the courteous form of adressing himself with "watashi" while Yami uses "ore" to adress himself and the infinitive forms of verbs to speak in reality. However Yami as a...geisha's son and a dancer and shrine owner spoke courteously to Kaiba when he first saw him. He changed to his usual self after Kaiba told him to speak the way he usually does.

The chorography was inspired by the real geisha dances and from the movie Memoirs of a Geisha
The song that isnpired me for Yami's dance is this watch?v=chwADnoFDng

Tea Ceremony is a real fact and it is done with specific steps. watch?v=7tt7NBIVeMY the scenery was inspired by this Tea Ceremony video watch?v=7EcrbUc3iYs [I mean the light and stuff]

The song that inspired me for the scene was this watch?v=5AYp10MzosQ [Memoirs of a Geisha OST Dr. Crab's Prize]

Yami was more or less playing this to the Shakuhachi watch?v=chwADnoFDng

Story by me
Preview image by Black-Wren (DA) (permission taken) please go and see this at her account

Please comment

Shall I make part two?

Enjoy!