I live, yes I do. And I want to thank everybody who read my last fic, whether you reviewed or not. I promised people I'd get something up by Christmas, so here's chapter one! I'm still working on the rest of the story and various Christmas presents not to mention wrapping them all, so I don't know when the next one will be up. Hopefully before New Year's. I said hopefully.

This fic centers on the Kaiba brothers. I know this has been done, but not by me!

Disclaimer: A Christmas Carol is not mine. It was written by Charles Dickens and since he's dead is probably owned by whoever represents him. I have never actually read any of the book but the first chapter – jeez, I need to do that – so if any phrases other than "it is the past" are written here, it's purely coincidence. I have seen (and memorized) the Muppet version, so if they used something from the book and I used it here I can't be sure. Kazuki Takahashi owns Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 1 – 'Twas the Night Before

"Seto!"

"Mmm." Seto Kaiba didn't look up but continued to type on his laptop.

"Seto, are you still working? It's nine thirty!"

"Mmm."

Mokuba bent to try to meet his eyes. "It's Christmas!"

"Tomorrow's Christmas," Kaiba corrected, not looking up.

"Close enough. Cut it out, Seto, it's late."

"It's early."

"For Christmas Eve it's late!" The younger boy bent over, hit the save key, and shut off the laptop.

"Mokuba!"

"That's enough for tonight. All the servants have gone home, and we're getting you out of this room." He grabbed his older brother's arm and began to drag him from the office.

Kaiba scowled as he was pulled forcibly out the door. "What's this about, Mokuba?"

"It's Christmas. We should be doing stuff."

"Doing what?"

"Having fun! Playing a game or something. Come on, wanna play chess?"

Kaiba sighed. "All right. One game."

He let Mokuba drag him into the lounge and shove him down onto a very squashy sofa in front of the chess table. The sizeable room gave the impression that a craft store had exploded and covered a florist's shop, with red, silver and gold fairly dripping from an assortment of trees, wreaths, garlands, and even a small bush. Mokuba had insisted on decorating the mansion for the holiday and as such much of the room was glowing with lights. Any casual visitor – if there had been any – would have stopped and stared at the brilliance and beauty of the place, but Kaiba took little notice. They were only his surroundings, after all.

Mokuba's chess game had greatly improved since the last time the older brother remembered playing him. He had to try a bit harder to beat him than he had before.

"Ha! Gotcha!" Mokuba laughed in triumph as he snatched the opposite castle off the board. "Are you loosing your touch, Seto?"

Kaiba raised an eyebrow at him. "Maybe…" Calmly he took his brother's bishop and put his king in check. "Or maybe not."

Mokuba stuck out his tongue and moved his king. "This is fun. Why don't we do this more often?"

"Because I have Kaiba Corp to run."

"Seriously, I don't think the company will fall apart if you take a day or two off."

"Mmm."

"Seto, you are going to take some time off other than Christmas Day, right?" Mokuba looked up into his brother's face expectantly.

"Maybe."

"But it's the holidays!"

"Which is the busiest time of the year for Kaiba Corp." Kaiba checkmated the enemy king and looked back up. "There's a lot going on this month."

"There's a lot going on every month," his sibling grumbled, crossing his arms and looking away.

"It's time for bed, Mokuba. If I could take time off, I would."

"Would you?" the black-haired boy demanded accusingly. "Would you really?"

"Bed, Mokuba."

"I'm not going unless you take time off!"

"I'll think about it. I won't make promises." Kaiba put a hand on his sulking brother's shoulder. "All the problems from the various Kaiba Corp. locations come through the Domino branch and I have to be there to limit the damage."

Mokuba wouldn't look at him. "Kaiba Corp's all you talk about these days, Seto. I just want us to spend some time together. I just wanna have fun with my big brother."

"We can spend time together after this season."

The younger boy looked him in the eyes. "Do you promise, Seto?"

"As soon as I can get away, yes. I promise. Now go on to bed."

Mokuba looked intently at him a moment longer, then nodded and began to head upstairs. "Okay. See you in the morning, Seto."

Kaiba watched him disappear up the staircase. Well, it was the night before a holiday. He supposed he could go to sleep early tonight. As he left the lounge he flipped a switch on the wall.

The beautiful lights and decorations switched off and the room was plunged into darkness.

First chapter's done and Happy Holidays to all!