CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Story

Serenity laid on her bed in Ashberry France, wishing that she could just get to sleep.

I miss Joey she thought. I wish Pierre would go away and stop hurting Mommy! she thought.

She started to cry.

Meanwhile, in their bedroom Pierre and Laura Ackman were having an argument.

Laura Ackman, formerly known as Laura Wheeler, had divorced her husband William and took their daughter Serenity to France.

There she had met and married a Frenchman named Pierre Ackman.

It was the worst mistake I ever made! she thought.

After they married he had been the kindest sweetest man she thought she had ever met. But she was wrong, for after they married Pierre started drinking and beating her.

I've got to get out of here! she thought I can't let Serenity live like this!

She listened to Pierre's rantings and ravings, wishing that he would just go away and leave her alone.

When I get out of here, I'm going to make things right with Will, and maybe we can be a family again. But first, I have got to get Serenity out of here! but how?

*

Ryou sat on his bed thinking. His shoes were off and his shirt was undone but he wasn't in bed.

He looked across his room to his desk where the wooden box lay open.

Was the Ring glowing? Yes it was! And here came that spirit of the strange young man again.

He had said his name was Norin.

Who was he really? Ryou wondered.

His father had given him the Millennium Ring as a present from an archaeological dig in Egypt.

Ryou had taken the gift, but still hadn't been happy that his father had lied to him about his mother, and kidnapped him from his sister.

Norin came out of the Ring and yawned. He looked at the boy.

"Are you still not asleep yet?" he asked. Ryou shook his head.

"Why not?" Norin asked, folding his arms and frowning.

"I'm just not sleepy that's all" he said. He suddenly sat up.

Norin turned around, where the Millennium Ring was glowing.

"Why is it glowing like that?" Ryou asked.

"I'm not sure" Norin said, still looking at it.

Two of it's needles were pointing southward.

"What's it pointing to?" Ryou asked. Norin picked it up.

"I'm not sure" Ring, take me to what you're pointing to!

Norin went out the door, down the stairs and out the front door silently.

Ryou followed him as best he could, doing his best not to wake his father.

When he finally caught up with him, he was out of breath and across the street.

"Don't you ever slow down?" he asked.

Norin looked at him and smirked. "I'm surprised you kept up"

Ryou grinned then looked up and gasped. He grabbed Norin's arm and disappeared.

"What in the world are you doing?" he asked.

"Shh! Quiet! He'll hear you!" Ryou had tuned invisible, and grabbing Norin's arm had made him do the same.

Walking down the street, was Ryou's 12 month acquaintance, 8 year old Seto Kiaba, along with his 3 year old brother Mokuba.

It had rained last night and now Mokuba was jumping in every puddle he could find.

"Mokie stop!" Seto said. "You're going to get all wet and Mom's gonna get mad!"

Mokuba looked up at him and grinned. "No she won't" he giggled and jumped in another puddle, this time splashing Seto.

"Augh! Cut it out or else!" he cried.

Mokuba stopped and sniffed, tears welling in his eyes. "Don't tell Daddy!" he cried.

"I won't" Seto said. "And besides, they're not our real..."

he was going to say 'parents' but stopped himself.

Mokuba was just born when their parents died in a car accident.

The orphanage had tried to get a hold of their relatives in Italy, but the boys' mother had been disowned long ago for marrying an American, so both boys had been written off as orphans.

About three years later, a man name G. Kiaba came to the orphanage, and after talking to the boys, told the director to draw up the adoption papers.
Now they were living in France.

Ryou let out a breath and let go of the power he was using.

"Your socks are drenched" Norin remarked with a smile.

Ryou looked down and rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter, my father won't care anyway, and even if he did, why did he kidnap me from Tea and my mother?"

Norin shrugged his shoulders. "Who is Tea?" he asked.

"My half sister" Ryou said. "She lives in Lancaster County Pennsylvania with my mother. That's why I'm dressed like this. We lived in an Amish village."

Norin shuddered. "I heard of them, no technology or electricity, it's scary"

Ryou scowled. "No it's not! I had good friends back home!"

Norin raised an eyebrow.

Ryou sighed. "Neither England nor France never has nor ever will be my home for as long as I live"

Norin grinned and patted his head, then he disappeared.

Seto suddenly came over to Ryou. "Hi" he said.

Ryou looked at him and smiled. "Hello again...Seto, right?" Seto nodded.

Ryou looked at Mokuba. "And poor little Mokuba... You guys are soaked!"

Seto glared at Mokuba who gave him a cheeky smile. Seto looked at Ryou's socks.

"Your socks are wet too." he said. Ryou nodded. "Yes, I know...I snuck out because I thought I heard something."

Seto nodded. "Are you guys walking home?" he asked. Seto nodded. "Wanna walk with us? " he asked.

"Sure... my father doesn't even know I'm out of bed yet" he grinned at Mokuba mischievously.

Mokuba saw him and grinned too. As they were walking, Ryou asked Seto questions about his family, friends and school.

"I don't have a lot of friends yet...Mokie does though, he's in preschool." Ryou nodded.

"How old are you again?" he asked. "8. How about you?" "I'm 9. I'll be ten in September."

Seto frowned. "Man, you're lucky! I have to wait till December! Mokie's is in February... he just turned 3"

Ryou nodded again. He suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" Seto asked.

"Shhh! Do you hear that?" Seto stopped and listened, then shook his head.

"Sounds like somebody's crying." Ryou said. He followed the voice to one of the houses.

Seto came over to him. "I hear it! sounds like a little girl!" he said.

Ryou nodded. "Why's she crying?" Mokuba asked loudly.

"Shhhh!" Both boys covered his mouth. The crying continued.

"I've got to get Mokie home. We'll be toast if my parent's find out."

Ryou nodded. "I thought you said you were adopted!" he whispered.

Seto nodded. "I am... have fun finding out who it is!" he said with a grin.

Ryou nodded. "I will!" he smiled.

"Wait" Norin said. "You're not doing anything until you look presentable."

he grinned, and held out Ryou's shoes, jacket, and wide brimmed hat.

Ryou groaned and got 'dressed'. He finally got up and knocked on the door.....

*

Laura Ackman woke up at hearing the knock on the door. Unfortunately,

Pierre woke up too. "Who is zat in zee middle of zee night?" he grumbled.

"I'm not sure" Laura answered, putting on her night robe. "I'm going to find out."

Pierre sat up. "I'm going with you" he said.

Laura shook her head. "No, it's alright go back to sleep. You need your sleep for work tomorrow."

Pierre scowled. "You're lucky I'm azleep and zober. I'd zlap the devil out of you!"

Yeah just for the fun of it! Laura thought bitterly.

She walked out the door and down the hallway to the front door.

She moved her suitcase away from the door. (she always kept it packed for when she'd leave)

Tonight Lord? she thought. Laura had been brought up as a devout Christian in her younger years, but when she was older she began to doubt her faith.

After she married Pierre, she started going to church with Serenity, and the sermons she heard,

she felt still gave her hope that God had never left her, but was still watching out for her.

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

Laura recited her favorite memory verse in her mind from 1 Chron. 16/25.

Taking a deep breath and tying her robe, she opened the door.

"Hello" said the woman, looking slightly bewildered and sleepy.

"Hi" Ryou said with a smile. "My name is Ryou, and I just wanted to let you know that I heard crying in your house. I know it's late, and I'm terribly sorry, I just thought you should know."

Serenity! Laura thought. Ryou turned around.

"Wait just a minute, young man" Laura said. "My name is Laura Ackman. Won't you come inside?"

Ryou hesitated.

"It's alright," Laura said. "I won't hurt you or anything, besides, it's ten o'clock at night, and I'm home with my husband and daughter. Why would I want to kidnap you?"

Ryou smiled and nodded; he stepped inside. "You have a lovely home." he said.

"Thank you" Laura said, as she closed the door.

Ryou suddenly took off his shoes and hat. Laura looked at him curiously.

"My shoes were wet" he said. "I didn't want to get your floor wet."

Laura nodded and smiled. "Well, careful walking on the floor. Our maid Marie waxed the floor the other day."

Ryou nodded. The crying persisted.

"Oh, my!" Laura said as she went into a bedroom.

Not long afterward, she came out with a little girl who looked like she'd been crying, she looked sleepy too.

Laura walked over to Ryou and put her down. "This is my daughter, Serenity" she said.

Ryou looked at the little girl, who looked up at him miserably.

"Mommy!" she cried. "It's ok, honey. This is Ryou. he won't hurt you."

Serenity peeked at Ryou with one eye while the other was buried in her mother's chest.

She's pretty! Ryou thought.

It was true. Serenity was the mirror image of her mother with long auburn hair and big brown sparking eyes.

"Hello" he said with a smile, holding out his hand.

"Hi" Serenity said shyly. She hesitantly took his hand and shook it.

"I'm Ryou" he said.

"My name's Serenity" she answered, a small smile coming to her face. Her eyes were turning yellow. Ryou gasped a little.

"Serenity, put it down, now" said her mother.

Ryou turned and realized that a heavy, metal baseball bat was being picked up by itself.

Norin? he called.

What? Norin asked, coming out of the Millennium Ring.

Wait! If you're there, then, how is that bat moving?

Norin shrugged. He looked at the bat, which had now landed gently on the stair.

"Serenity," her mother whispered in a warning tone. "Don't use your Telekinesis powers like that again."

Serenity looked at her mother innocently. "Okay Mommy, I'm sorry"

Laura smiled at her daughter. Though born in sin, Serenity looked as pure and sweet as an angel.

Ryou was thinking the same thing. "How old are you?" he asked.

"6" she answered, yawning. "What about you?"

he smiled at her sleepiness. "I'm 9" he answered.

Suddenly the back bedroom door opened. Laura gasped in alarm.

Pierre was coming! Serenity moaned, and clutched at Ryou. He held her protectively.

"Ryou? I have an important favor to ask you. Will you come with me, please?"

Ryou nodded and followed her to Serenity's bedroom.

"Now, I have a small suitcase packed here for Serenity." she whispered.

"I'm sorry to do this on such short notice, but I've got to get her out of here, it's the only way she'll be safe." Ryou nodded.

"I think I know of a place I can take her" he answered.

Norin raised an eyebrow. You do? he asked.

Ryou nodded at him.

Wait here. Norin said. I will return shortly. Ryou nodded and turned back to Laura.

She went over to the night desk and opened a piggy bank. Opening it, she handed him several dollar bills.

"Now there's 50 right there. I know it isn't much, but it's all she has left of her birthday money from her father."

Ryou nodded. "When is her birthday?" he asked.

"In May" she said quietly looking down at the floor.

"She had wanted to fly back to Chicago to see her dad and Joey, but I couldn't afford or allow it."

Ryou noticed the pain in her eyes just then.

She looks very upset! he thought.

Laura shook her head quickly, and handed Ryou the small case.

He took it without hesitation.

Just then Norin came back.

Whew! That was close! I got very few of your clothes. I didn't realize your father was such a light sleeper! I ought to send him to the Shadow Realm!

Ryou grinned. Keep him here for the time being! he pleaded. Norin growled and nodded.

Laura grabbed a small cloak from the closet and walked out of the room, with Ryou behind her.

Serenity was on the couch, asleep with an old teddy bear in her arms. Laura went to the couch to wake her gently. She got up and moaned.

"Shh, sweetheart, it's ok." Laura worked quickly, trying to get the cloak fastened around Serenity's neck.

"Mommy, are you crying?" the little girl asked, confused. Laura shook her head

"No, baby I'm not crying." she sniffed. Ryou put the case down.

I'll take over from here. Norin said. Ryou nodded.

They switched places before Laura could look up.

Norin watched as the woman said goodbye to her little girl.

What was this strange feeling coming up on him? Sympathy?

He shook the vision from his head furiously. He listened as Laura said goodbye, tears streaming down her face.

Pathetic mortal! he thought, but then recanted himself because of the boy.

"...Now Chrissy I want you to be a good little girl for Mommy & Ryou, ok?" Serenity nodded. "Promise? No using your powers?"

Serenity giggled a little and nodded. She sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Ryou took over again.

Laura hugged Serenity one more time before scooting the both of them to the door.

Pierre was coming. It was inevitable this time. If he caught even one glimpse of Ryou, there was no telling what he'd do.

Once she closed the door & locked it,

Laura turned around to see Pierre glaring at her, a beer bottle in one hand, & a gun in the other.

Laura froze Pierre was going to kill her!

*

Serenity started to cry as she jiggled the door handle.

"It won't budge!" she cried. "Mommy!" she wailed. She started to bang on the door.

"No!" Ryou said, grabbing her by the waist.

"Let go!" she yelled.

Ryou grunted as he turned around & put her down, covering her mouth.

"You have to be quiet!" he hissed. "It's ten o'clock at night and you're going to wake all of France up with your yelling and screaming."

Serenity rubbed her eyes. Though she tried to stop them, tears were streaming down her face.

Good Lord! She's only 6 years old, and has just been separated from her mother, and I'm scolding her! he thought miserably.

"Kind of makes you feel guilty, eh lad?" Norin chucked. Ryou frowned. He hated being questioned of his guilt by this... thing.

When all settled down, Ryou gently took Serenity by the hand. he kneeled down to look into her eyes.

"Now then love, I'm sorry" he said quietly, reaching up to brush away the tears.

"I'm scared, and sleepy, and..." her voice trailed off. Ryou nodded. He knew she was scared for her mother.

"Hey, ye're mum's going to be alright, love, I promise. That's why she asked me to take ye, so ye'll be safe. Aye?"

Ryou smiled at her confusion. He always felt that if he were in this type of situation, he would speak in Irish, his mother's native tongue.

I miss you Mum, he thought. You too, Tea. He wondered what they were doing now.

He also wondered if his Egyptian step-father, Tea's father, Anule, had been released from his confining cell in Egypt.

Ryou thought it disgusting how his father chose to separate Tea's parents, so he could have their mother.

After they were happily married, Anule & Auma had been together on their honeymoon night.

Unfortunately, before they had met, Ryou's father Daniel, had been Auma's guardian on the expedition,

& had threatened to send her back to Ireland, or worse, if she had escaped from him.

Coincidentally, Anule had been spying on Daniel and had been attracted by Auma O'Neil's coughing.

Anule had 'kidnapped' her and taken her to his home. Then for that night and three months later, she had stayed with him and his family.

They had fallen in love and married. When they were on their honeymoon,

Daniel and his men had found them together. Daniel, out of fury, had had
Anule taken away to an Egyptian prison.

But Anule wouldn't go without a fight. He ranted and raved and screamed and kicked, like a child being taken away from a favorite toy.

Auma had screamed and cried, trying to get up to get to her husband.

Daniel had grabbed her first by her arm, and then by the scruff of her gown, and threw her to the floor.

As Daniel had told Ryou later, he had attacked her, making true to his promise.

Auma, being a Christian, had felt shamed and had flown to Pennsylvania, where she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Ryou Josiah, 9 months later.

When he was two, she had flown back to Egypt and had been able to see her husband.

She had told him about Ryou, feeling shamed all over again.

Anule had held her and told her to never blame herself for being attacked.

After all, they were Christians, & the only thing they could do was forgive.

Daniel would have his day with the Lord.

Sometime later, Auma had flown back to Pennsylvania again, and 9 months later, had given birth to a healthy baby girl, Tea.

She had been overjoyed and sent word to Anule.

He had sent her a love letter back, saying 'I wish I could see my young children'.

Auma had been overjoyed, and thankful that he'd accepted Ryou as his own.

One night after Ryou's 9th birthday, he, Auma and Tea were all asleep in the cottage they stayed in, not far off

from Samuel and Sarah Adelman, the Amish couple who had taken Auma in when Ryou was born.

They were a middle-aged couple with 5 children, 3 grandchildren, and another on the way.

Presently, Samuel looked up from reading his devotion in the Good Book in the book of Ezekiel, at hearing a strange noise outside.

Fully dressed from a meeting with the brethren, hours before,

Samuel grabbed his straw hat, from his grandfather's oakwood dining table, got up and walked to the door.

Suddenly he stopped and listened.

Satisfied that something was amiss, he walked over to the hearth and brought down his brand new 35-gage shotgun and opened it.

Walking over to the bookcase, he selected a hallow book that had a box of ammo inside the hollow pages.

Selecting two bullets, he locked and loaded the gun as quietly as he could.

He was thankful for one that his family were such light sleepers,

and for another thing, that the Dawdy Haus was a few feet away, instead of a few steps away.

Samuel knew the brethren protested about guns, them being of the Englichers and all,

he also knew that his father was a respected member of the brethren, as well as the whole Amish community.

In a way, it pained him, knowing that it shame his father.

Ach! Samuel thought

I'm a grown man! And besides, it's not like I'll be an Englicher overnight, jah?

It wasn't as if the Amish hated the English, they just didn't agree to their modern ways.

If an Englicher were in Samuel's place right now, wouldn't he do the same thing?

Jah! Samuel thought. After all, I am protecting my family... and my friends!

he thought as his mind worried over Auma and her precious children.

It's for a just cause, ain't? Samuel nodded to himself as he made his decision.

He dawned his hat, grabbed his gun, and made ready to approach whoever was lurking around in the night....

*

Samuel lifted the rifle to where he thought the intruder was hiding, in the bushes.

He aimed and fired, birds flying everywhere.

He aimed one more time, and fired. Then all was silent.[

I] Jah! I must have got him![/I] he thought with satisfaction.

Samuel put the rifle on his shoulder and walked back home with a gait in his step.

*

Ryou woke up at hearing what he thought was a gunshot, and then jumped at hearing another.

Must be thunder, he thought as he lay back down.

He looked at the clock: 2:30 Good, another 2 and a half hours to go.

Ryou turned around to see his sister, Tea, fast asleep.

He smiled. She would be 7 soon, come harvest time.

He lifted his head where their mother slept above them.

She sounds so peaceful, he thought, She seems so sad as of late, I wish Papa were here for her and Tea

Ryou smiled to himself.

He had gotten used to calling his step-father, Anule, Papa.

He and Tea both did, it their portions of letters that Mama sent to him in Egypt.

I want to go to Egypt someday with Tea and ride a camel! he thought with a grin.

That would be fun! He giggled quietly to himself.

Ryou then shut his eyes and then drifted off to sleep....

He was awakened by his mother's shriek and went to see what was wrong.

"Mama!" he cried rushing to her side.

There in the doorway was a man he had never seen before.

"What's on God's good green earth are ye doin' here!" Mama shrieked.

"I want my son!" the man said, in an accent that sounded exactly like Ryou's.

"Nai!" Mama yelled as she blocked the man from grabbing Ryou's shoulder.

"Still speaking in that barbaric language I see!" the man snarled, slapping Mama.

"Hey!" Ryou yelled. "Don't ye ever hit my mama again!" Ryou kicked the man in the shin.

Daniel Stevens roared in pain.

Knees buckling from the blasted gunshot wound, he toppled to the floor.

He watched as his son gently comforted a little girl who came up behind him, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

The girl had dark skin and light blue narrowed eyes, just like the barbarian!

Daniel realized what Auma had done.

He got up slowly, painfully, and met Auma's gaze. "You went back?!!!" he roared.

Tea cowered in fear, and clung to her brother desperately.

Ryou held her protectively.

"I miss Papa!" he heard her whisper. "I'm scared!"

"I know, love" Ryou smiled affectionately, smoothing her hair.

"It will be alright. I promised Papa I'd watch you and Mama"

Tea nodded, a grin coming to her face. "Friends forever?" she asked, sweetly.

"Friends forever!" Ryou promised. holding her hand.

Then Tea watched in horror as the man pushed her mother to the floor, and made a lunge for them.

He shoved Tea to the floor and grabbed Ryou quickly, limping out the door.

"Josie!" Tea screamed.

"Anie!" he yelled, trying frantically to get out of the grasp of the man of who he knew now to be his father.

Tea tried to run after them, but her mother stopped her, holding her tight.

"He's gone, Mama! I'll never see him again!" she sobbed.

"Shhh, love, it will be alright.... Right now there's nothing we can do, but we'll see him again, someday"

Tea continued to sob until she fell asleep in her mother's arms.

"Please, Lord, Help Ryou to obey his father, to be respectful, and Lord, help Daniel, I pray father, save his soul, Lord. Ye said in ye're Word that any man to force a woman shall pay, but I'm willin' to forgive for my sake, and the sake of my family. I pray that ye would help Tea, not to be heartbroken, Lord Jesus, Help her to know she'll see her brother again in Your time Father. Lord, bless my husband... He's been through so much these many years. Help us to reunite and learn to be a family again, Father... In Your Name I pray... Amen."

Auma finished rocking Tea, put her back in bed.

Scooting in next to her, she held her daughter, letting her know that she was safe and loved.

A kiss to Tea's forehead, Auma lay down and drifted off to sleep....

*

Ryou held Serenity's hand as he led her down Wood Oak St to a huge mansion at the end of the street.

When they got there, Ryou rang the doorbell, and young Seto Kiaba opened the door, wearing blue cotton pj's.

"Yeah?" he asked, sleepily, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"Hi," Ryou smiled guiltily. "I found who we were looking for,"

Seto was now wide awake. He looked at Serenity.

She moaned, and placed her head in the crook of Ryou's arm.

"It's all right love," he said quietly, kneeling down again.

"This is Seto Kiaba, and he's a friend of mine."

Suddenly without warning, tears streamed down Serenity's face.

"Kinda bit of a baby, don't ya think?" Seto asked, a mean smile coming to his face.

Ryou glared at him. "She's not a baby, Seto, leave her alone. You would do the same for Mokuba, wouldn't you?"

Seto was silent.

There was a slight pause before Seto backed up to allow them inside.

"You guy's wanna come in?" he asked. "We have extra rooms, ya know"

Ryou nodded, stood up and grabbed Serenity's hand and suitcase.

"Gosh, that looks heavy. Let me take that for you" Seto offered, taking the case from Ryou's hand.

"Thank you" Ryou said.

Serenity looked around, an awed look on her face. "Wow!" she grinned at Ryou. "This is big!"

Ryou nodded and smiled back.

Seto came back from putting the case in one of the guest bedrooms upstairs.

"All done" he said. "You guys can stay in the two bedroom's next to mine and Mokie's room"

The little girl cocked her head in bewilderment. "Who's Mokie?" she asked.

"That's my little brother, Mokuba, He just turned 3 not that long ago" Seto answered.

"What's your name?" Serenity looked hesitant.

She looked at Ryou, who nodded. "Serenity," she answered shyly. "Serenity Wheeler."

"I'm Seto" the boy said with a smile. He held out his hand. She shook it hesitantly, the way she had done with Ryou not long ago.

"How many rooms does this house have again?" Ryou asked.

"Ten" Seto said proudly. "Eleven if you count the guest bathroom"

Ryou whistled. Serenity suddenly giggled hysterically.

"What's the matter with her?" Seto asked, trying not to laugh.

"She's just tired, that's all" Ryou said, chuckling a little.

"Isn't she the same one....?" Seto asked.

Ryou nodded and walked over to the little girl. "Serenity, love, it's bedtime" he said gently.

Serenity looked up in horror. "Do I have to?" she asked timidly.

Ryou nodded gently, beware that she was still afraid of Pierre. She nodded, and took his offered hand. Seto led them upstairs.

"Here are your rooms," he whispered. "Good night"

Ryou nodded. "Good night, Seto, and thanks alot." He pointed to Serenity.

Seto looked at her and nodded at Ryou. "No problem. See you in the morning!"

Ryou nodded and led Serenity into one of the bedrooms.

He worked quickly, untying her cloak and hanging it on the door.

He also took her suitcase and opened it.

Finding a clean pair of pj's, he set them on the bed and went into the bathroom.

He didn't realize that Norin had slipped out of the Ring.

Finding what he wanted, the Spirit grabbed the clothes, and went into the bathroom, placing them on the sink.

"You're sure about this?" he asked,

Ryou shook his head as he turned on the bathwater and plugged it. "No, I'm going to find a female maid."

Norin smiled impishly. "Good luck finding one at this time of night"

Ryou rolled his eyes and left. He came back with a tall woman in a black dress who looked at Serenity, and smiled.

"Did you find the maid?" Norin asked smiling.

Ryou shook his head. "No, but I did find Mokuba's nanny, she said her name was Emma"

Emma turned around at hearing her name. She looked at Ryou for a second, and shook her head.

"This will not do," she said, "I am afraid, young man, that you will indeed need to be patient and wait for the child." She nodded to Serenity.

Ryou nodded and walked out of the bathroom. "I'll be right back." he told Serenity.

She nodded. About twenty minutes later, Ryou tapped on the door, after taking his own bath, and changing into fresh pajama's.

Emma motioned him in, and smiled a little.

She stepped back and there stood Serenity, in a long sleeved, white nightgown, that went down to her feet.

Ryou raised an eyebrow. Serenity giggled a little and yawned; her nightgown was getting wet from her hair.

Emma led her to the queen sized bed, and with Ryou's help, she climbed on.

"Now then," Emma said, with a sweep of her skirts. "If that is all, I shall return back to my bed."

Ryou and Serenity both smiled and nodded.

When Emma left, Ryou looked in Serenity's suitcase for her brush.

He found it and helped her off the bed.

Ringing out her hair with a towel, they chatted a little while about her family, namely her dad and her brother, Joey.

"I really miss him." she sniffed. Ryou nodded. He knew how she felt. He felt that way many times about Tea.

"Where were you born?" she asked suddenly. He hesitated for a second or two.

"In Pennsylvania" he answered, gently brushing her hair with soft strokes.

"Tell me if I'm hurting you love, all right?" he said.

She nodded.

Norin cleared his throat. "I'm going back" he said.

Ryou nodded. "Alright then, see you in the morning."

Norin nodded and disappeared.

Ryou continued brushing Serenity's hair, it was soooo soft.

Like the sheep after shearing! he thought.

He suddenly felt homesick. He shook his head as he finished brushing Serenity's hair.

"All right love, time for bed." Serenity yawned, her big hazel eyes drooping.

"But I'm not sleepy"

Ryou grinned a little. "Oh, yes you are,"

she giggled as he started to tickle her. "No, stop!" she cried.

"Shhh!' Ryou giggled as he covered her mouth.

"Hush, love!" he gasped. "You'll wake everyone up!"

She quieted down.

Ryou got off of the bed and pulled back the covers. Serenity crawled over to him and under the covers.

"Now then dear, let's say our prayers." he said.

Serenity bowed her head and closed her eyes.

"Dear Jesus," she started.

"Thank you for today. Thank you for waking us up, and helping us today. Jesus, please forgive me for the bad things I did today..."

Ryou nodded in agreement, all the while praying a silent prayer.

Lord, help this child as she is away from her mother. Father I pray she would not fear anything as she goes through these trials. Help me to protect her as she goes through this time, separated from her family... In Jesus Name I pray... Amen.

They finished at the same time. Ryou opened his eyes and smiled at her. She smiled back.

Er, wrong forum.

That's all for now, I kinda have writers block. Help! Please read it and tell me what you think! Thanks

really?

Yes. Fanfiction goes in the "Writing" forum along with original pieces. It has been moved; no harm done.

As for the piece itself... I would hope you had paragraph breaks originally and they were somehow stripped when copy-pasting into your browser? Right now it is terribly difficult to read. Standard form is to leave a line break between paragraphs (as seen jusa few lines up). Modifying your previous posts will take a bit of effort, but you're much more likely to get responses.

Hey thanks. You're right. I kinda messed up Will update soon!

christianqueen

She's so pretty! he thought.

He watched her as she sighed, lay down her head and went to sleep.

She had had a long night.

Me too Ryou thought as he yawned and stretched.

He turned around for his own brush.

Trying to brush his own hair was difficult, especially because it was so thick!

He finally finished and got under the covers next to Serenity.

He smiled as he brushed her soft hair with his hand.

Suddenly, he leaned over, kissed her forehead and nuzzled her cheek with his nose.

Ryou was suddenly overcome with a feeling of protection that he'd never felt before, not even with Tea!

You're in puppy love!

Ryou thought he saw Norin smile and wink. He brushed the thought away. No I'm not! he thought.

Irritated, He rolled over, put the pillow over his head, and went to sleep....

*

Ryou woke up the next morning groggy and disoriented. He rolled over and felt for Serenity.

She was gone. Ryou shook his head. He looked around and suddenly remembered where he was.

At smelling the scent of bacon, he quickly got washed and dressed, carefully taking the steps one at a time.

Seto looked up at him and grinned. "Morning! Thought you'd never wake up!" Ryou smiled. "Good morning"

He walked down the rest of the stairs. Serenity was at the table, eating some toast. She looked up at him with a guilty smile.

"Sorry" she said. "I would have waited for you, but I was hungry" Ryou grinned and walked over to her. "It's alright, love" he said. "I seriously thought you were the one who was going to sleep late."

Serenity giggled and shook her head.

Seto was watching them, and now he cocked his head. "Why do you always call her that?" he asked, skeptically.

"What?" Ryou asked. "Love" Seto answered, a frown on his face. Ryou shrugged. "I don't know, I guess it's just a habit I had from being around my mum and sister."

"Oh" Seto said, disbelievingly. "Where is the rest of your family, Ryou?" Ryou hesitated again. It was never easy talking about his family.

"They're in America" he answered.

"Why so far away?" Seto pressed.

Ryou fidgeted, uncomfortably. "My parents just don't get along, that's all"

That was mostly true, seeing as Auma Gardner and Daniel Stevens were his biological parents; and they hated each other's guts.

"Ok.. but why....?"

"Seto, that's enough!" said Mr. Kiaba. "If Ryou wishes not to talk about his family, then he doesn't have to, am I clear?"

Seto put his head down. "Yes, sir" he muttered.

He hated being told what to do. Especially when it had to do with something interesting, like this little girl for instance.

She's really pretty! he thought. I hope we can be friends!

Norin watched him, unseen, shaking his head.

Whatever plans this young foolish mortal had, didn't hold Serenity's well being in high standards.

Norin disappeared. He would talk to the boy the very next chance he'd get.....

Seto looked out of the window and groaned.

It was raining outside and there was nothing to do.

His step-father had gone to work, and his step-mother was at the store with the maid getting groceries, and doing other errands. They wouldn't be back for at least an hour or two.

Emma had put Mokuba down for a nap, and had retired to her bedroom.

Seto looked over to where Ryou was helping Serenity try to read. She was doing pretty well.

Hmmm I wonder what her full name is? Seto thought. He went over to them.

"Hey, Serenity?" she looked up. Seto looked down at his feet. "What's your full name?" he asked.

Ryou turned to her. "Yes, you never told me love," he smiled and she giggled a little.

Oh, brother! Seto thought. Serenity looked at Seto shyly. "My full name is Serenity Christine Wheeler" she said.

"Oh," Seto nodded his head. "That's a pretty name." Ryou nodded. "Yes indeed" he grinned.

After a few more minutes, Seto shifted a little. "Hey, you guys wanna watch a movie?" he asked.

Ryou nodded. "Sure, which one?" Seto smiled mischievously. "It's called The Phantom of the Opera"

Ryou cocked his head. "Never heard of it... what's it about?" Seto told him.

Ryou looked at Serenity. "What's it rated?" he asked.

"PG-13" Seto grinned. Ryou shook his head. "No... let's not do that untill your parents get back."

Seto frowned. "Aw, come on, Ryou! There's no cursing and stuff like that!" Ryou shook his head again.

"No Seto! I promised her mum I'd take care of her. and that includes what she watches!"

Seto pouted. "Pleeeease? All that's in it is a sword fight and only two kissing scenes!"

Ryou shook his head adamantly. "No! Absolutely not! I'm not even allowed to watch that kind of stuff!"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Emma is here! We can watch it with her!"

Ryou sighed. "Alright, let's go see what she says."

"Yes!" Seto grinned. He ran upstairs, only to come down with a frown on his face and his little brother in tow.

"You two are just the same! Are you sure she isn't your mother?" Ryou grinned and shook his head.

"What did she say?" he asked.

"She said no, and to wait untill my parents came home!" Seto looked mad. "She said put something in like Mickey Mouse or Bambi" he made a face.

Ryou covered his mouth to hide his giggle. Norin heard him and smiled. "Young lad not getting his way?" he asked. Ryou shook his head and smiled.

By the end of Bambi, Serenity had fallen asleep on the couch.

Ryou had gone upstairs to get a blanket for her.

When he came back down, he saw Seto standing over her, on one side of the couch, brushing her hair out of her face.

Ryou stood stock still as he listened.

"You're really pretty ya know" Seto whispered. "When I get older, I'm gonna find you and take you on a date!"

Ryou gasped. Norin took over as Seto whirled around.

"What are you doing?" Norin asked in a husky voice. He looked mean.

Seto gulped. "N-nothing!" He inched away from the sleeping girl.

Norin nodded. "That's right, come away from the child, nice and easy." his eyes were shadowed.

Seto stopped and looked at him defiantly. "Why should I?" he asked, clenching his fist.

Norin cocked his head. "Ever heard of a place called the Shadow Realm?" he grinned evilly.

No! Ryou cried. Why not? Norin asked. I will not allow you to risk Serenity's life! Ryou yelled.

My, my aren't we protective! Norin smiled mischievously.

For the last time I am not in love! Ryou screamed. Norin chuckled at his display.

I'm taking over! Ryou said. Norin shrugged and nodded. Ryou took over again.