Christmas in New York.
The show was amazing. Yugi really enjoyed seeing Anzu dance on Broadway, even if it was only a small role, she had still achieved her dream of dancing on Broadway. He felt so proud of her. Normally she would watch him while he duelled, so it was nice for him to be able to watch and support her in something she enjoyed doing for a change.
He and Atem had been given family passes, which enabled them to go backstage. Pushing their way through the crowd of people all milling around, they were shocked to see Kaiba standing there talking to the director.
"Kaiba! What's he doing backstage?" Yugi nudged his brother and pointed.
"Dunno, lets find out." Yami boldly marched over to Kaiba. "Well, well, Kaiba. We meet again?" His voice took on an important air. Yugi was always impressed that his brother could come across commanding and confident. Yugi tended to be a little more unsure of himself in these situations, and would never have the guts to just march up to them like that.
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "I might have guessed you two would be here."
"We are just as surprised to see you Kaiba." Atem responded.
"I am one of the main sponsors. I have come to inspect my investment." He smirked when Yugi and Atem's jaws hung open in surprise, leaving them both momentarily speechless.
Yugi eventually managed to respond. "Really? I didn't know." Yugi wondered why Anzu hadn't said anything.
They were joined by Anzu and Mana. Yugi hugged Mana quickly and then hugged and kissed Anzu. "You were amazing!" He told her.
Atem meanwhile, hugged Anzu, and then, without thinking about what he was doing, hugged Mana and kissed her on the lips. Suddenly realising that he was perhaps being too forward, he pulled away.
"S..sorry I.." He was prevented from finishing when Mana threw her arms around his neck and planted another kiss on his lips.
Anzu beamed when she saw the two of them kissing and hugged Yugi. "Oh, Yugi I'm so pleased. I just knew those two would hit it off, they're made for each other."
"Y yeah, if you say so," he laughed. Girls and their matchmaking!
"Hello again Mr. Kaiba." Mana, full of excitement, and happy that Yami had kissed her, decided he needed to cheer up a bit and threw her arms around a rather frosty looking Kaiba hugging him.
He politely took her by the shoulders and removed her from himself. "I admire your forwardness, but I don't hug."
"Shame, Sarah told us you needed to relax more. Why don't you both join us for Christmas day?" Mana beamed. Yami was unsure if she was just being innocently naïve or was deliberately winding him up.
"Oh! She said that did she?" kaiba smirked, "I don't think we will be joining you. Christmas is a waste of my time."
"God Kaiba, can't you relax and have fun for just one day?" Anzu was perplexed. "I don't know what Sarah sees in you. She's a lovely girl and you should make it a special day for her. I know Mokuba would love you to have more fun too." Anzu scolded him.
He smirked even more. "I know how to keep a woman happy. So I suggest you save your advice for someone who doesn't." He glared at Yami, who didn't have the best track record, having cheated on his last girlfriend.
Mana quickly found a piece of paper, scribbled their address down and handed it to Kaiba. "Hmph.." But to everyone's surprise he took it a pocketed it, before turning and walking off.
"Well that was interesting. I thought he would scrunch it up and throw it back to you!" Yugi said.
"I hope you two bought the extra groceries like I asked, because if they do come, we won't have enough food!" Anzu worried.
"Yeah we did," Yami replied and then added. "I hope he doesn't come, because I don't think him and Jonouchi in the same apartment would be a good idea."
"C'mon, we should go?" Mana laced her arm round Yami's. "Mai and Jonouchi are waiting outside. If we hurry, we can all make it in time to see the carol service at Rockafella."
They found Mai and Jonouchi waiting for them outside, and made their way to Rockafella Plaza, where there was a huge Christmas tree. A group of carol singers, accompanied by a small brass band were standing in front of it singing. There were quite a lot of people watching and enjoying the service.
"What are those?" Yugi pointed to where a man was standing over a fire cauldron, serving people with some small brown things in paper bags.
"Roasted chestnuts," Mana answered. "We should get some."
"Yeah," Jonouchi was first to get there. "Hot! Hot!" He burnt his mouth.
"You idiot," Mai scolded. "Of course they are hot!"
After they had eaten their roasted chestnuts and listened to the choir for a bit they all felt tired. It had been a busy day, so they made their way back to the apartment.
"So where are we gonna sleep?" Jonouchi asked as they all sat drinking a bedtime drink of hot cocoa, with an added extra! Mai had brought a bottle of brandy with her and added a generous measure to each drink. None of them apart from Mai and Yami had drunk much alcohol before and they soon became merry.
Mana and Yami were now snuggled together quite closely and without thinking about what she was suggesting due to the alcoholic buzz, Mana spoke. "Yami could always sleep in with me, and you and Mai could go on the sofa bed?"
"Mana!" Anzu giggled like a naughty school girl, her face was slightly flushed from the alcohol.
Yugi looked at his brother and raised an enquiring eyebrow. He knew his brother was not one to turn down an offer like that from a pretty girl. He hoped he would not take advantage of her.
"I. If..erm. That's if you don't mind. I mean.." Yami wasn't sure what he should do. He really wanted to sleep with her, but he liked her too much to take advantage of her. These feelings were not something he was used to. He had never felt this way before, and he had never been worried about whether or not he was taking advantage of a girl. It was usually just about the sex!
Once they were alone in Mana's room, he took her hands and sat her down on the bed. "Mana, I... I really like you, a lot! And I want to but..." Their eyes locked and it was taking all of his resolve not to ravish her. "I think that maybe we should get to know each other better first?"
Mana laughed nervously. "You're right Yami. I..I didn't think when I suggested it. I really, really like you. But I'm not sure if I'm ready to yet." She cupped his face in her hands and smiled. "You are so considerate."
He shrugged and leant into her touch. "No.. I'm not normally so considerate. Rebecca was right, I was a bastard to my last girlfriend. But I feel different towards you. I respect you and I want to look after you. You're special. I promise I won't try anything without your consent." He was sincere.
"Just cuddle me okay?"
"Just cuddles then," he smiled. "I will let you change while I go to the bathroom." He grabbed his pyjamas and toothbrush and left to get ready for bed.
They snuggled up in bed together and Yami was true to his word. He cuddled her and together they fell asleep, feeling a warm closeness that neither had ever felt with anyone else before.
::::::::::::
Meanwhile, Anzu and Yugi were also cuddling up for the night. As they pulled apart from a deep passionate kiss, Anzu asked. "Do you think Yami and Mana will, you know?"
Yugi looked at her with lust filled eyes. What a strange thing to ask when they were about to, you know! "No. I know he has a reputation, but no, he won't. He's crazy about her and that's why he won't take advantage of her. Not yet anyway." He then started nibbling and kissing her neck.
Anzu giggled, his little caresses tickled and his breath was warm on her neck. "How do you know?"
Yugi stopped kissing her neck, looked at her and rolled his eyes. "I know my brother. Anyway, he asked my advice on what he should do. That's how I know."
"Oh," she said sheepishly, sensing his annoyance. "Merry Christmas Yugi." She locked lips with him, kissing him lovingly while wrapping her legs seductively around his waist.
::::::::::::
Christmas Day.
Everyone was woken at eight in the morning by an over excited Jonouchi skipping around.
"Wake up Mai? IT'S CHRISTMAS!" He yelled in true Noddy Holder fashion. He threw open the curtains. It was quiet outside and everything sparkled under a layer of thick frost.
Mai groaned. "Come back to bed? It's too early to get up yet."
He ran over and jumped on the bed landing on top of her. Before she had time to reprimand him for his behaviour, his lips met hers in a passionate kiss. How could she resist him?
After a few minutes they ran out of air and pulled apart. "Ugh, morning breath!" She grimaced.
"You are so romantic Mai," he said deliberately breathing on her.
"I'm romantic? Says Mr. Disgusting!" She pushed him off and climbed out of bed. Grabbing her toiletry bag she headed for the bathroom, leaving him sprawled on the bed.
"Nah.. don't leave me Mai," he joked, reaching his arms out towards her. "Not when I need ya!"
"Moron," she muttered, shaking her head and laughing.
"Could you be any louder Jonouchi? Some of us are still trying to sleep." Yami staggered into the sitting room. He was still half asleep and his usually sculpted spikes were all messy and drooping.
"Someone had a good night? Nudge nudge, wink wink."
"None of your business." Yami snapped back. He grabbed a cushion and threw it at Jonouchi. "Is Mai in the bathroom?"
"Yeah, she will be ages, so I hope no one's desperate," Jonouchi joked, although it was no joking matter, she really could spend all morning in there!
Luckily Mai had realised that everyone would be waiting and was, showered and dressed within fifteen minutes.
By then Yugi had appeared, looking every bit as dishevelled as Yami was. "Merry Christmas guys," he beamed. "Is there a queue for the bathroom or can Anzu go next?"
"Nah that's okay, she can go next," Yami replied.
"Cheers guys." He disappeared back to the bedroom and then both he and Anzu came back out and went into the bathroom together.
Once everyone was showered and dressed they decided to open their presents.
"Hey! You lot tryin to tell me I smell or something?" Jonouchi had received a bottle of aftershave from Mai, and Anzu and Mai had got him toiletries and a pack of Simpsons boxer shorts.
Mana was extremely impressed and amazed when she opened her present from Yami. "Oh Yami! How did you know I wanted a new GPS? It's just what I wanted. You are so kind." She leant forward and kissed him earning a wolf whistle from Jonouchi.
Yami beamed as he opened his present from Mana and Anzu. They had given him his favourite aftershave, along with a black T-shirt. They had also bought him a pack of boxer shorts with Ice age cartoon figures on them. He held up a pair with a Woolly Mammoth trunk on the front and they all collapsed in hysterics. "I will be psychologically damaged for life if I wear these?!" He pouted.
Yugi cringed when he saw that he too had a pack of boxer shorts. "Spiderman?!" He shrieked. He was happier when he saw that they had given him his favourite aftershave along with two new leather studded wristbands.
Anzu was a little upset when she couldn't find a present under the tree from Yugi, but she didn't say anything instead she got up. "Well, that's it for the presents. Who wants coffee?"
Yugi noticed her disappointment and decided that it was time to make his move. "Anzu?" He stood up nervously and went over to where she was standing.
She turned to face him and was shocked when he went down on one knee in front of her. He took her left hand in his and produced a little red box with a sparkling gold ring with a dainty diamond mounted on it and two smaller diamonds on either side. He took a deep breath and spoke nervously.
"Anzu Mazaki. Will you marry me?" He looked up at her expectantly.
Without any hesitation at all. "Yes. Yes. Oh Yugi! Of course I will marry you." She bent down to kiss him. He took her in his arms and stood back up holding onto her.
"Thank you," he whispered. "I will love you always." He slipped the ring onto her finger. It fitted perfectly.
Everyone cheered. Atem got up and embraced Anzu first and then hugged his brother. "You kept that quiet, you little devil," he laughed and ruffled Yugi's hair.
"Way to go buddy. This calls for a real celebration!" Jonouchi grabbed Yugi in a bear hug.
"Er.. need to breathe..." Yugi gasped.
Just then there was a knock on the door. "I'll get that." Mana ran to answer the door and gasped when she saw who was standing there. "You came?!"
"Only because they insisted." Seto Kaiba replied.
Mana welcomed Seto, Sarah and Mokuba into the Apartment. "Where's Rebecca?"
"She was unable to come." Mokuba sounded a little disappointed. "Her parents insisted she spend Christmas with them."
"Don't you dare." Mai hissed at Jonouchi through gritted teeth when he was about to say something that would anger Kaiba.
"Okay, okay. Best behaviour." He promised.
Sarah kicked Kaiba and whispered in his ear, when he was about to say something nasty to wind Jonouchi up. "Christmas truce?" He reluctantly held his hand out for Jonouchi to shake.
No one noticed that after they had shaken, Kaiba took out a handkerchief and wiped his hand.
"You arrived just in time. Yugi asked Anzu to marry him and she said yes," Mana said cheerfully.
"Congratulations Yugi. I didn't know you had it in you." Kaiba shook Yugi's hand.
Sarah smiled and congratulated them. She looked at Seto lovingly, hoping that he would propose soon.
"I always hoped you two would get married." Mokuba was exceptionally happy. "And we brought some food as well." Mokuba held out a cool bag and a separate bag containing the still warm meat. "We guessed you might not have enough."
"Thank you Mokuba. Shall we take this stuff to the kitchen." Anzu lead him into the kitchen.
"There's two bottles of finest champagne in there. I suggest that it might be appropriate to open it now and propose a toast to the happy couple?" Kaiba suggested.
Mana rummaged around in the cupboard and found some plastic cups which they had bought for the festive season.
"Are you telling me you are going to serve the best French champagne in those?" Kaiba made his displeasure obvious.
"Why don't you let your hair down for once Kaiba? And see how normal kids live for a change." Mai teased him.
As soon as they all had their plastic cups filled, Atem stood up. "I won't bang on about how long it took for Yugi to even ask Anzu out, because you all know about that. What I will say though, is that I think the world of my little brother, and of Anzu. I am really happy for you both, as I'm sure everyone else is."
"Yay! To Anzu and Yugi." Jonouchi raised his cup, knocked it back in one and then belched loudly making Kaiba snarl. He was desperate to say something disparaging.
Everyone pitched in and helped to prepare the Christmas dinner. They had a large Turkey crown that Seto Kaiba's chef had cooked earlier to accompany the rolled and boned Turkey joint, bacon and sausages that Anzu had bought. They cooked roast potatoes, chestnut stuffing, parsnips, carrots, broccoli and of course the dreaded brussel sprouts. They washed it all down with yet more champagne.
It was cramped and cosy as they all sat around the not overly large table, but somehow they managed it.
Everyone except Jonouchi was too full to eat any of the chocolate cake that was for desert.
At the end of the meal, Seto Kaiba, much more relaxed and rather merry on all the alcohol he had drunk, stood up to make a toast.
"I know I am always shlarc... slarcas serstic. (he couldn't get his tongue round the word sarcastic) Oh fuck it. Horrible to you lot." Everyone burst out laughing; this was not the Kaiba they were all used to.
He re-composed himself. "Ash I wasss saying..I don't really hate you all. In fact I love you..." He laughed. "But not you Jonoooshi.."
Jonouchi laughed and stuck his middle finger up jokingly. "I love you too Kaiba," he sniggered.
Kaiba glared at him. "Anyway. I wanted to wish everyone here a very Merry Christmas. Cheers!" He raised his plastic cup.
"CHEERS!" They all chorused. "MERRY CHRITMAS!"
The end...
Best wishes for the festive season.
I don't know if anyone got the little nod towards roast chestnuts. Kuriboh is actually Japanese for chestnut!
Also, if you don't know who Noddy Holder is. He is the lead singer of Slade. They sung the well known song Merry Christmas Everybody. He has a loud voice.
Please review.
Have a lovely Christmas and a peaceful New Year.