Reaching for Heaven

So folks, here it is, the first chapter to the sequel of my first multi-chapter fic, Melting the Snow. It's been written for a while now, but I haven't had the free time to type it up. But now that I've got a spare moment, I'm gonna do it! Muahahahahahahahahahaha!! Sorry, just on a bit of a sugar high.

Oh, a few real life updates that might also explain my abscence. I attended my first junior prom just over a month ago, and I got myself a new boyfriend! Yayness! (Hi Tim-kun!!) And I got a job at a local restaurant. The hours suuuuuucccckkk, but I'm not gonna complain about it, 'cuz I'm going on a two week vacation with one of my friends (Hiiiiii ChaoticKinkyCola!!) to North Carolina at the end of July! Beware, North Carolinians, beware! If anyone lives down there, gimme a shout out! Maybe I'll see you there! Haha!

Anyway, guess I better get to typing before you rabid fan-peoples eat my soul (too bad Mrs. Parker got it first)!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, but I do own this plot, as well as my cracktastic buddies Ari, Kenta, and Laine. Steal them and I'll EAT YOUR FACE!!

--

Fingers flashed across a keyboard with deft precision, while an intense gaze darted acros the screen, following the lines of words and figures that appeared. A lock of brown hair fell in front of ice-blue eyes before it was flicked back into place impatiently.

As the limo finally came to a stop in front of his mansion, Seto Kaiba, CEO and owner of the world-renowned Kaiba Corporation, shut his laptop, the click of the lid echoing the previous sounds made by the keys only moments before. Stowing the computer in its case, he hoisted it over his shoulder and stepped out of the vehicle. He made his way to the entrance with quick, even steps, pushing the large oak doors open. Walking briskly through the main hall, he stepped into the living room, and promptly collapsed into the nearest chair. Rubbing his eyes with the heel of one hand, he let his head drop back and let out a weary sigh.

Seto didn't fully relax until a warm pair of arms encased his shoulders and a set of soft lips captured his own. A few locks of hair, almost the exact same shade as his own, fell across his face, tickling his nose and cheeks with their feather-light touches. He let out a low-pitched hum of pleasure before the other person pulled away. Opening the eyes he didn't remember closing, he found himself gazing into bright green ones that seemed to radiate warmth and love.

"Hey there," Ari greeted him softly.

"Hey yourself," he whispered back, running a finger along the side of her face.

She smiled, taking his hand in one of hers. "Rough day?"

"You could say that," he groaned. "Some idiot in one of the lower levels screwed up one measly little detail, and it took me all day to find it and fix it."

Ari laughed. "Well, not all of us have your freakishly high IQ ya' know?"

Seto gave her a rueful smile. "I suppose not."

Lacing his fingers through the hair at the back of her head, he pulled her gently back down until their lips met once more.

"Ack! Get a room!"

Ari and Seto broke apart. The elder Kaiba glared at the two teens standing in the doorway, mischievious grins on their faces.

"Seriously, that's gross!" said the one with raven-colored hair, wrinkling his nose.

"Betcha's wouldn't think it was gross if it was you and Melody," Ari retorted, cackling with glee when Mokuba blushed crimson.

"Kenta! You promised you wouldn't tell!" the younger Kaiba hissed, glaring at his brunette friend.

"Dude, what can I say? My sister has evil powers! She forced it out of me!"

"Right," Mokuba scoffed. "Tickling is an evil power."

"Alright, alright, that's enough," Seto interjected impatiently. "What do you two want?"

"Oh, yeah! I wanted to see if Ari would duel me!" He brandished his deck, grinning lopsidedly. "How about it?"

"If you really want to get beat, then I guess I'll play."

Seto smirked as his younger brother huffed indignantly, before leading Kenta and Ari out of the room.

--

"Hey, Seto, you got a minute?"

Later that same night, the elder Kaiba had gone to his room to continue on a few things. Kenta had come up not long after.

"Sure, come on in."

The younger boy came in, quietly shutting the door behind him.

"I just wanted to make sure that everything's all lined up for tomorrow."

The older brunette nodded. "It's all taken care of. I've called Yugi, he agreed to get the guys up here early to help set up, Ryou promised to bring the cake, and Laine, Tea, and Serenity said they would keep Ari busy until it's time for the actualy party."

"And you're sure that my sister doesn't know about it?"

"Positive."

Kenta breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. This whole thing has to go off without a hitch. This'll be the first birthday party she's had since...you know." His smile faltered for a moment.

Seto grimaced, knowing full well what the other spoke of.

"She just...lost the will to celebrate for a while." Kenta laughed, but it sounded distant and hollow. "I'd be surprised if she even remembers that her birthday is coming up!" He shook his head. "Anyway, she's going to love it!"

"I hope so," Seto said, his brow furrowing in a look that the younger boy knew usually meant that he was contemplating something serious.

"So, what did you get her?"

The elder Kaiba reluctantly drew himself out of his thoughts. "That," he said matter-of-factly, "is for me to know and for the rest of you to find out."

"Aw, come on! I can keep a secret!"

"That's not a chance I'm willing to take."

"Fine! Then I'm not going to tell you what I got for her!"

"Too late, Mokuba already did."

Kenta threw his hands up in the air. "I give up!" he said exasperatedly, storming out of the room.

Seto chuckled as the door shut. Turning back to his desk, he reached down and opened one of the lower drawers. He stuck one hand in and pulled out a carefully wrapped bow, small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. The serious expression that had shaped his expression only moments before crept back into place as he turned the package in every direction, inspecting each facet with care. It was so light that he could have tossed it up in the air and caught it with ease, yet in his mind, it weighed more than a ton. There was so much riding on the little box's contents that he feared it would be crushed under the pressure.

His ears registered the sound of soft footsteps approaching. He put the box back in its hiding place and shut the drawer just as the door opened, this time admitting Ari. Before she could even glance his way, he took a few quick steps to her side, and swept her up in his arms. She laughed as he spun her around a few times, holding her tight. Tilting her face up, she pressed her lips against his, smiling slightly when he pressed back. They broke apart after a few minutes, and Ari tucked her head under his chin, perfectly content in the safety of his arms.

"I missed you today," she told him.

"I missed you, too. I still feel horrible about having to call off our lunch plans."

"It's okay," she told him, drawing back so she could look him in the eyes. "I know you were busy. I mean, you're running an entire company for god's sake! You can't always have free time."

"Sometimes, I wish it was someone else's headache, because I get so sick of dealing with idiots who can't even type, let alone try to organize anything, and a whole crowd of stuck-up, greedy little-"

Ari carefully drew out of his embrace and sat down on the bed as he continued his tirade, pacing up and down the length of the room. She had learned that when he was in a mood like this, it was best to just get out of his way. It would only be a matter of time until he ran out of steam. So for the time being, she just sat back and enjoyed the show.

As expected, Seto eventually calmed down and dropped onto the bed beside her, hiding his face in his hands.

"You done?" Ari asked.

"Yes."

"Good," she chuckled, pulling on his shoulders until he leaned back, resting his head in her lap.

She buried her fingers amidst the locks of his hair, loving the soft feel. After a minute or so, she moved one hand to cup his cheek. As she watched, his expression changed from one of annoyance to one of thoughtfulness.

"Watcha' thinkin' 'bout?"

Seto looked directly into her eyes, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.

"Do you know what tomorrow is?"

Ari blinked, a little surprised by the sudden change of topic.

"Um, Saturday?"

"No."

"The 16th?"

"The 16th of what?"

"The 16th of August, but I don't see-" She stopped herself, realization hitting her like a brick wall. "Oh...wow..."

She stared into space, looking at something that was visible to no one else. He reached up and took hold of her chin, turning her face back towards him. He gently ran his thumb over her lips.

"So, what do you want for your birthday?"

For a moment, she looked absolutely shocked. Seto thought back to what Kenta had said before, the simple fact that Ari's birthday hadn't been celebrated for ceveral years; of course being asked what she wanted for a gift would surprise her after so long.

"Ari?"

She opened and closed her mouth a few times, reminding him of a fish. "I don't - I mean, you-" Taking a deep breath, she started again. "You don't have to get me a present," she said quietly. "I don't need anything."

"I know you don't need anything. I asked about what you wanted. It is your birthday; you're allowed to be a little selfish."

Ari let out a breath of laughter. "Even if I was selfish, I still wouldn't ask for a gift. Anything - and everything - that I could ever want is right here."

Sero sat up with almost inhuman speed and captured her lips with his own. This kiss was more passionate that the others they had shared that day, more urgent. Ari wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as his hands settled on her hips. She let herself fall back, taking him with her, until her head hit the pillows. One of his hands found the edge of her shirt, slipping underneath and pressing against the small of her back. Her arms unwound from his neck so they could push his trench coat off of his shoulders. His hands left her for a moment to help, returning only seconds later. Every single touch seemed to be icy and scalding at the same time, intensifying each reaction.

When they finally broke apart, both of them had to take several deep breaths. Seto moved so that he lay at Ari's side, still holding her close. Once he could breathe without gasping, he took her hand, lightly kissing it.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," she whispered back, nuzzling against his chest.

A comfortable silence descended upon the room. The combination of warmth and the overwhelming sense of security made Ari's eyelids grow heavy.

When she realized that Seto had said something, she strained to stay awake. "Hm?"

"I said, you're getting kidnapped tomorrow."

"By who?" she yawned.

He chuckled. Laine, Tea, and Serenity."

"M'kay then..."

"...Are you falling asleep?"

Another yawn. "No..."

"I think you're lying."

The only reply this time was the soft sound of her breathing. Seto maneuvered carefully until he was able to pull the sheets over both of them, without relinquishing his hold on her.

"Sweet dreams, my love."

--

"A little bit higher, Joey!"

Yugi, Yami, Joey, Tristan, Ryou, and Bakura had all arrived the next day after the girls had come and taken Ari away. Ryou had brought the cake, as promised, and was spending his time making sure that Bakura couldn't get to it. Yami, Joey, and Tristan were hanging up the decorations while Yugi directed. Kenta and Mokuba darted back and forth, helping where they could.

Seto was a nervous wreck, though the only outward sign was his nonstop pacing.

"Yo, Moneybags! I think ya've gotten all da execise ya' need. How 'bout givin' us a hand?"

When the CEO didn't reply, the blonde began to get annoyed. "Hey! Yer da one who asked us to come ova' here in the first place! Least ya' can do is-"

"Joey, enough," Yami cut in as he tacked up another bunch of balloons. "Kaiba's obviously got a lot on his mind."

"He must be pretty worried about something," Tristan said. "I've never seen him pass up a chance to insult Joey before."

Seto remained oblivious to the conversation that went on around him. There seemed to be no way for him to calm down. His mind was in utter turmoil. When his cell phone suddenly went off, he practically had a heart attack. He pulled the device out of his pocket and flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Kaiba!"

He flinched away from the phone, the volume of the other person's voice nearly blowing up his ear drums.

"Laine, please, you don't have to yell."

"Awwwww, you're no fun! Fine, I don't wanna talk to you anymore! Put Bakura on, at least he's adorably cynical!"

"What do you want?" Seto asked with a weary sigh.

"We're heading back there now. It should only take us about...a half hour, so get your butts in gear, and finish the preperations!" And with that she hung up.

Seto closed the phone, shaking his head. "Alright, they're on their way back right now, so let's get this done."

"It'd be easia' if ya' helped!"

"Fine, mutt. I'll help."

--

"C'mon, birthday girl!" Laine crowed. "Get a move on!"

The girls had spent the entire day out on the town. All in all, it had been pretty fun, even when they almost got kicked out of one particular department store; Laine seemed to enjoy hiding amongst the clothing racks and jumping out to scare innocent passers-by.

"She's like Bakura with boobs!" Serenity giggled.

After a quick lunch, the blonde had declared that it was time to take Ari home.

"Laine, slow down!" Tea called. "It's not like Kaiba's going to move away in the next five minutes!"

"You don't know that for sure!"

Ari's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. So far, it had been the best birthday she could ever remember having. She had gotten to wake up in the arms of the man she loved, and spend the day with her best friends.

What more could a girl ask for? she wondered.

When they arrived at the mansion, Laine practically broke down the doors in excitement.

"Kaibey, we're home!" she yelled in a sing-song voice.

"Kaibey?" Ari bit her lip to keep from bursting with laughter right on the spot, though it barely worked.

It did strike her as odd, though, that no one was there to greet them. Usually, the boys would be hiding somewhere, just waiting for the chance to ambush her. Today, however, there wasn't a soul in sight.

Ari gave a mental shrug. Guess they decided to give me a break today.

Laine planted herself directly in Ari's path. "Since it's your birthday, you get to decide what we do next."

"Hmm...I say we raid the freezer for some ice cream, then find an absolutely horrible movie that we can watch and make fun of."

"Sounds like fun!" Serenity said cheerfully. "You look for the movie, we'll get the ice cream."

" 'Kay."

Ari made a quick trip up to her room to sift through the small collection of movies she had managed to salvage from her previous home. Selecting one, she went back down the stairs.

"Guys?" she called, looking around for the others.

"In the living room!" Tea replied.

"You guys better not have eaten all the ice cream," Ari muttered.

She quickly walked down the hall to the living room door, turned the corner, and-

Stopped dead in her tracks.

The entire room was decorated with a multitude of streamers and balloons. A large banner hung across the wall, bold, colorful letters proudly stating 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARI!' On the table in the middle of the room sat a small pile of presents, as well as a beautiful cake. All of her friends stood around it, smiling at her look of shock.

In the end, it was Bakura who broke the silence. "Get over here and blow out the damn candles already!"

--

The party was absolutely amazing. The cake was delicious, and everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves. But of course they all reached the peak of excitement when it was time to open the presents, waiting to see how much Ari would like each gift. Yugi, Joey, and Tristan had pooled their funds together to get her one of the new Duel Monsters cards that had just come out at the shop. Laine, Tea, and Serenity had also gotten her a collaborative gift: a cellphone.

"That way, you don't have to worry about not being able to contact someone if you get into a jam," Serenity said.

Ryou declared that the cake had been his gift, baked using an old family recipe. Yami had searched all over for an Eygptian-style amulet that he said brought good luck. Even Bakura had something to give.

"Hey, these look like the flowers Grandpa planted in front of the Game Shop," Yugi commented, peering at them closely.

"That's where I got them from," Bakura replied, grinning wolfishly.

Laine cackled with glee. "I like the way you think, Spikey!"

Next, Mokuba presented their gifts: an extremely well-drawn picture of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and a small, heart-shaped locket.

Finally, everyone turned to look at Seto.

"Alright, Kaib', yer turn!"

"Yeah, c'mon bro!"

For a moment, the elder Kaiba closed his eyes, mentally preparing himself. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the small box out of his pocket, handing it to Ari with slightly trembling hands. She smiled back at him as she began to unwrap it.

"I told you that you didn't need to get me anything."

He shook his head. "I got this weeks ago."

"What is it, what is it?" Ryou asked excitedly, craning his neck to get a peek.

Ari removed the last bit of paper, and opened the small, velvet covered box.

For a single moment, even the molecules of air seemed to come to a complete standstill. Ari's eyes grew wide, the disbelief they contained unconcealed.

Inside lay a single ring, only one diamond on the topmost curve of the gold band. Unfreezing for a mere moment, Ari looked up and found Seto standing directly in front of her. In a single, swift motion, he took on of her hands and dropped to one knee.

"Ari...will you marry me?"

--

If any of you couldn't tell this was what was going to happen since the beginning, then I disown you as my fans. Go on, go! Shoo!

Lol, jk, jk, my friends. Anyway, I'll start on the newest chapter ASAP, so keep your eyes peeled. Oh, and the blooper chapter for Melting the Snow will come as soon as me and the inspiration for Laine can get together for a little while, so watch for that too.

Ciao!