A/N: Happy Holidays! Let it Snow will be about 6 chapters in total, with the last one estimated to post on Christmas Day (hopefully). Enjoy!

/Text/ Spirit to Host

/Text/ Host to Spirit

Chapter 1: All I Want for Christmas…

"Grocers are seeing a run on paper goods, as well as milk and dry groceries as all of Domino prepares to hunker down for the largest snowstorm the area has seen in years. Some small businesses have already closed early in preparation for the snowfall that's expected to begin tomorrow and continue throughout the rest of the weekend. A record 36" are expected in some locations. Motorists are advised to make arrangements ahead of time to avoid the storm…"

Mokuba Kaiba looked up from his position slouched on his brother's office couch and muted the television. "We're not going to get caught up in that, are we? You promised we would leave Domino for Christmas."

He was going to hold his older brother to that promise as well. The encounter with Dartz, and then the immediate jump into the Kaiba Corp Grand Championship Tournament and repairing the company image had taken its toll on them. Even after quelling the damage Zigfried had done to further destroy their image, Seto continued to work nonstop to get Kaiba Corp's numbers back to their former glory – a status they hadn't seen since the close of the Battle City Tournament.

There had been weeks at a time that he had barely even seen Seto. If it wasn't for the fact that he would get up in the morning for school and smell coffee in the kitchen every day, he never would have known his brother came home at night. Roland drove him to the café near the office after school every day to pick him up something to eat, because otherwise he was sure his brother survived on caffeine alone.

It certainly didn't help matters that Kingdom Quest, the company's new virtual reality game, was releasing exclusively into Kaiba Land's virtual arcade this week, just in time for the holidays. Early critic reviews had so far been positive, but that didn't stop Seto from going nearly line by line in the game's programming to quadruple check for any glitches or abnormalities that just weren't there.

The lack of sleep and poor diet had already started to take its toll. It had taken a great deal of persuasion on both his and Roland's part to get Seto to agree to take the time off that was so desperately needed.

"I'm worried about you, Seto," Mokuba had said once during one of his food-delivering visits. "You look horrible. If you don't slow down and take a break, you're going to get really sick."

"Kingdom Quest will be out soon," Seto had countered, "If there are any issues with the gameplay, or with the new virtual pods installed in the park…"

Mokuba rolled his eyes. "Seto, you've gone over that how many times now? Our systems have been secured twice over. You're going to make yourself ill over nothing. I, for one, don't want to spend Christmas with a grumpy face. You promised we would spend the holidays together, remember? So far, I can count the number of times I've spent quality time with you this month on one hand - with plenty of fingers to spare. That stinks. You owe me, big bro!"

This eventually led the young Kaiba to make arrangements for their arrival at their house up north, a good ways away from Domino City. It had been years since Mokuba had stayed there. It was the place Seto had retreated to after his first defeat to Yugi Muto, leaving the younger Kaiba temporarily alone at their mansion on the outskirts of Domino City. Originally belonging to Gozaburo, the second house was mostly used for entertaining while Noah was still alive, or so he had been told. He had only stayed at the house once.

Thankfully, with the upcoming weather, the house was far enough away from the bustling downtown that if Seto wanted to work, he would have to trudge his way back through the snow to get there. The vacation house was used so infrequently that any official documents or devices would have to be brought with them, and he had – by some miracle – gotten his brother to agree to leave the laptop at home.

Meanwhile, Seto put down the previous month's financial statement and leaned back in his high-backed chair. "I'm aware, Mokuba. The office is closing early tomorrow, and we're heading out right after. It wasn't my idea to place the final department meeting of the year on the last possible day before the building is shut down."

"But the snow…what if it starts early?" asked Mokuba. Secretly, that was exactly what he was hoping for – the sooner they got to their holiday destination, the better.

"It is supposed to start light and build up into the evening," said Seto, "The roads should still be fine for when we leave."

"Well, I can't wait!" said Mokuba, excitedly, "We haven't had a stress-free holiday in a long time, and I'm looking forward to going out in the snow." His eyes lit up. "Maybe we can make snow sculptures! Or have a snowball fight!"

Seto sighed. Christmas wasn't even a holiday they celebrated. Gozaburo made as little an effort as possible, unless he was entertaining foreign business partners. Only then did the mansion deck out in wreaths and tinsel and a large decorated tree was set up in the main foyer. But after their time in America, Mokuba had wanted to take part in the holiday, if at least once, so he would abide by his younger brother's request.

"What you're really asking for is to get yourself soaked in the cold and come down with a fever. That can't be how you want to spend the week, especially as this trip was set up originally as an intervention."

Mokuba pouted. "Are you going to be a Grinch for the whole time?"

Seto paused. "I did not just hear you compare me to a goblin in a children's story."

.

"Somehow, I thought this place would be busier," said Yugi, looking around the airport terminal, "Considering this is one of the last flights out to the United States before tomorrow's storm."

"I'm sure a lot of people left earlier or just decided not to go anywhere at all," said Grandpa Muto, "Are you sure you kids will be alright traveling home and roughing it for the holidays?"

"Don't sweat it, Gramps!" said Joey, "Remember the prize I won from that Duel Monsters Nationals tournament last month? We're goin' to be living the high life up at that swanky resort!"

"But Joey, I don't think you know the first thing about skiing," said Grandpa. "Or snowboarding, or whatever it is you kids do for winter sports these days."

Joey shrugged. "Eh. No biggie. I'm sure there's gonna be classes or somethin'. I'm just looking forward to getting out of town for a change. No monsters runnin' loose and no megalomaniacs to stop!"

"Getting out is something we're all looking forward to," Yugi grinned, "We'll take plenty of pictures for you, Grandpa!"

"Just be careful. I don't want you kids to be traveling right on the edge of this storm," said Grandpa, "Make sure to keep an emergency kit in the car and set out early, alright?"

"We promise, Grandpa," said Yugi, "Enjoy your visit with Professor Hawkins!"

Grandpa nodded. "I will!" He leaned over to whisper in Yugi's ear, snickering. "I'll even give Rebecca your regards!"

Yugi pulled a face at his grandfather as the other chuckled. "Grandpa!" He whirled around and glared at Joey, who was trying (and failing) at not laughing. Resigned, he covered his face with his palm. "She's just a friend, and you know that." I'm never going to live this down.

"Ohoho, you know I'm just teasing," said Grandpa, ruffling Yugi's wild hair. "Besides, we all know you've been eyeing someone else, haven't you?"

"Eh?" Joey elbowed his best friend. "What are you holdin' out on me, pal?"

Just when he thought it was safe to look at the two of them again, Yugi groaned and reburied his face in his hands. "Are they boarding for your flight yet?"

/Honestly, Yugi, I'm surprised you never asked Téa out on a date./

/Don't you start, too!/

"I'll send emails while I'm gone," said Grandpa, as his boarding gate was announced over the intercom, "I just hope Arthur knows how to do it. We old timers aren't as good with technology like you youngsters."

"Won't Rebecca be there?"

Grandpa chuckled. "Oh, no. Rebecca is off on a trip from her university. Arthur and I are going to relax and reminisce about the good ol' days."

"You mean the ones where you were gambling away your only means of survival while trapped in a collapsed tomb?" said Yugi suspiciously. He didn't bother to hide a sigh of relief. He wouldn't have to worry about being embarrassed from his grandfather's teasing if Rebecca wasn't going to be there.

"That's right!" Grandpa pulled Yugi and Joey into a quick hug. "Thanks for dropping me off at the airport, boys. Feel free to use the car if you need to for your journey." His eyes twinkled. "Just don't forget to come pick me up!"

"No sweat, Gramps," said Joey, "We got this – now go grab a seat before all the good ones are gone."

"Bye, Grandpa! We'll see you next week!"

"Good-bye, boys. Have fun on your holiday!"

They waved from the other side of the gate and stood by the window until the plane took off from the runway.

"We're…not gonna use Grandpa's car, are we?" Yugi asked nervously, "I don't think that's going to drive well in the snow."

"Nah," said Joey, "Téa took care of the car. I think her parents got us a rental or somethin'."

Yugi relaxed. "Okay. That's one thing we don't have to worry about. I've been dreading what would happen if we got stuck somewhere without anyone around to dig us out."

Joey snorted as they headed to the exit, "Hey, don't worry about it. With me behind the wheel, what could possibly go wrong?" He pushed aside memories of flooring the gas pedal in a lopsided truck while trying to escape four angry members of the Big 5, with Serenity screaming in the passenger seat, and Duke tumbling along the ground after flying out of the back. That was out of survival instinct and desperation. They weren't going to be running for their lives here. This was vacation. They could take their time and relax.

Yugi smiled. "You're right, Joey. So long as we head out before the snow really starts to pick up, we don't have anything to worry about." He slipped into the passenger seat. "You do know where this place is, don't you?"

"Téa's gonna print off the directions tonight," said Joey. "Seriously, Yug'. You're worrying over nothing! This is gonna be the best vacation we've had in a long time!"

.

Yami phased out of the Millennium Puzzle as Yugi put the last items into his suitcase that evening. "Have you packed everything?"

Yugi nodded. "I think so. I've never been to any sort of wintery resort before, but I know to plan for cold weather. Knowing Joey and Tristan, we'll probably spend half our time out in the snow, and the other half recovering from being out there."

Yami tilted his head. "You know…after all of this time, I still don't think I've experienced that."

"What, snow?" Yugi grinned, "It's fun. Cold, and wet, sure, but you can build sculptures in it and have snowball fights with people."

"Ah, so it's used as a game? Your grandfather seemed concerned about it though."

"Well, it can be dangerous too," said Yugi, "It makes the roads slippery when its coming down, like rainfall does sometimes. That's why we're going to try and beat the storm out of Domino tomorrow. But when it stops snowing and the ground is covered, then you can have fun in it!"

"I see…" said Yami thoughtfully, "I look forward to taking part in this then."

"Joey was right, this is going to be the best week ever," Yugi dropped his suitcase by the door and climbed into bed. "No crazy people trying to take over the world, no high-stakes Duel Monster tournaments, just time to unwind with our friends."

"Then you best get your rest," said Yami, "They're going to come by and pick us up in the morning. You don't want to start this week off tired."

"You're right." Yugi reached for his lamp to click the light off. "'Night, Pharaoh."

Yami turned to disappear back into the Puzzle when something caught his eye through the skylight window. A light showering of white flakes had begun to descend from the sky, disappearing into tiny water spot the instant they hit the glass.

Hm, Yami thought, we may have wanted to beat the storm, but it appears the weather may have other plans….

.

A/N: 36 inches is about 91 centimeters.