An Xmas story for all of us fangirls out there! Merry Xmas, girls, and hope there's magic under the mistletoe! XD

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters (do you even have to ask?)

He looked out the windows. Snow falling in neat curtains of smoky whites and grays, mixing with the dusky twilight. The dissipating cloud of fog that appeared on the window came and went. The young boy sat on the cushioned window seat, dreaming of the coming Christmas celebrations.

"Come here, Mokuba, I'm in need of your help." The young Kaiba turned and addressed his older brother Seto with a inebriated smile. How Mokuba loved the holidays, and particularly this holiday most of all. He was looking forward to this year, all his friends were coming to their cabin retreat in the Rockie Mountains and spending their Christmas there, exchanging gifts and reveling in merriment. But Mokuba also knew that Christmas wasn't about all the lavish gifts that the elder Kaiba gave him. Although he wasn't an avid church-goer he knew there was some meaning behind the whole festival...but who knew what that was? Christmas joy in a manger bed, hallelu, hallelu...

He got up from his comfortable perch and sauntered casually to wear Seto was hanging boughs of pine and holly above the doors. Seto was shaking slightly trying to maintain his balance on the stepladder without falling and taking the decorations with him. Mokuba rushed over to hold the ladder still as Seto finally pinned the last of the pine in place. The teen sighed contentedly, he loved the holidays as much as his younger brother did; but of course his reputation forbade him from truly expressing his ecstasy. He looked down on Mokuba and reflected the smile that was permanently plastered to his innocent face. And deep down inside Seto also couldn't wait to see their friends show up at the cabin; especially the blond and shaggy puppy...Jounouchi.

"Are you done decorating, Seto? When can we set up the tree?" Mokuba's small voice brought him out of his daydreaming. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and smiled. He hopped off the stepladder and brought it back to its place in the storage room, lugging out several more boxes of Christmas decorations including more pine and holly boughs, wreaths, tree decorations, lights, and several sprigs of mistletoe.

"What are those white berried things, Seto?" Seto chuckled quietly, how Mokuba! He was so young, so absorbed with all the glory and splendor, he never knew what mistletoe was for. He bent down and took a sprig, showing it to his brother.

"This is mistletoe, Mokuba. It's a Christmas tradition in the Kaiba household, did you know that?" The boy shook his incredibly shaggy black head. Seto said, "This is to be hung in the doorways of the cabin. When two people walk in under the mistletoe tradition says that those two people must exchange a kiss." Seto burst out laughing when Mokuba's face was screwed up into a mask of disgust.

"Kissing? Ew, Seto, that's just so gross!" Of course, Seto thought. He's still at the age when he believes girls have cooties. Seto ruffled Mokuba's hair affectionately and carried the boxes into the cozy sitting room where the tree would soon stand. He sighed heavily as he looked out the window and realized that night had come already; time for Mokuba to head off to bed, as if he'd sleep anyway.

"Okay, little brother, it's time for you to go to bed." He hugged Mokuba and murmured his good-nights. The small boy yawned and rubbed his eyes as he disappeared down a hallway.

Now he was alone, but what to do? The other decorations could wait until morning, he couldn't go out and cut a tree without Mokuba (he'd never forgive Seto for such treason) so what could he do? Seto trudged to the big armchair that was placed in front of the fireplace and sat down. He looked up on the pine crested mantle and observed the pictures. There was one of their parents, one of Seto and Mokuba together, one of the whole group together last Christmas...and one that Seto coveted most of all. It was Jounouchi in his Santa costume, the fake beard drooping on his face and his brown eyes sparkling.

"Oh, Jounouchi...I wish you were here right now. I need somebody to play with," Seto murmured to the quiet space around him. He started a fire and sat before it, basking in its heat. He was beginning to think of his puppy when his cellphone vibrated. It was Jou! He flipped open the phone and spoke quietly into the receiver.

"Hello? Mutt, is that you?" Seto tried to keep his voice as calm as he could manage. An exasperated huff erupted on the other line.

"Jeez, Kaiba, we've been over this! My name is Jounouchi, not Mutt! Man, you can be so frustrating!" Although his puppy sounded angry Seto could almost hear the smile creeping over his face.

"What do you want...Jounouchi?" He deliberately used his name, hoping to smooth the conversation onwards.

"That's better Kaiba! Now, the gang wanted me to call you to say that we'll be joining you at the cabin a lot earlier than we'd originally planned." Did his puppy's voice waver with excitement?

"How early will you be arriving?" The excitement in his own voice was barely enough to handle.

"Uh...tomorrow." Jou's voice came in short. Seto jumped up from his seat and ran to Mokuba's bedroom. Bursting through the door, much to a stunned Mokuba's surprise, Seto started jumping up and down like a school-girl.

"Mokuba, Mokuba! I can't believe it! The gang is going to be here tomorrow!" His smile was matched emphatically by his brother who too started to dance around.

"Hooray, Seto! This is going to be the best Christmas ever!"

Yeah, I know...Seto's a little out of character this time but I like imagining him as having a soft side! XD Please R&R for Part 1, maybe include some ideas for Part 2!