Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 10: Thanksgiving

Part One: Family

November (Year 1)

Anzu awoke, but only let her mind register the fact. She wasn't ready to open her eyes yet. Heck, her alarm clock hadn't rung yet, so she was safe until it rang.

She felt a tad chilly, and reached out for her covers. What? No covers? What was this?

Her bed shifted slightly, beneath her.

Anzu's eyes snapped open, remembering last night. She sat up immediately and saw Seto lying next to her, with his eyes closed, having finally gotten to sleep some times later in the night.

She blinked. How…strange…. She had slept on the roof with Seto Kaiba? Talk about a GREAT anomaly….

Still, she couldn't help but to admire how calm he looked at the moment. His head was turned, lying against the roof itself, and his bangs were all blown over his eyes. One arm was resting across his stomach and the other had been under Anzu as she had lain there.

He actually looked…cute.

Anzu shook her head. Talk about waking up in the wrong side of the roof…. This was definitely a first, and most likely a last. Never again would she see Seto Kaiba this…openly, and calmly. He actually wasn't cracking any rude remarks or yelling at anyone or anything.

Anzu then wondered what time it was. She spotted a watch on his wrist. Anzu carefully turned over his hand to look at the time. She gasped.

"Kaiba! Kaiba, wake up! We have to go now!" she shook his shoulder.

Seto just rolled over, trying to get away from the noise and the shaking. "I'm up…just five more minutes…" he mumbled.

Anzu sighed and rolled her eyes. Who knew he was the typical guy? "No, get us NOW! School starts in five minutes!"

"What!" Seto shot up. He looked at Anzu, then around at their surroundings. Sure, he remembered everything after a moment, but then he realized something else.

"You just said that to make me get up, didn't you?"

Anzu shook her head, "No. School actually starts in five minutes."

Seto blinked, "Well what are you waiting for, Mazaki? Get up and get going!"

"I'm up!" Anzu stood up, making sure not to fall off the roof, like last time. Below them, the sidewalk on the second floor jutted out more than on the rest of the building. She carefully walked up to the edge, sat down on it and began edging her way off to touch the railing.

Seto just rolled his eyes and jumped down onto the concrete. Anzu scowled as she continued to get down the hard way.

"Just jump," Seto sighed.

"Are you kidding?" Anzu retorted, "I could kill myself!"

"Fat chance," Seto replied. "Just jump…and I'll catch you or something."

"I don't trust you that much, yet," she replied. She trusted him to an extent. But trusting him with her life in an unnecessary circumstance was out of the question.

Seto narrowed his eyes, "Who saved you last night?" He had a point.

Anzu frowned, "Fine. But don't complain I'm fat or anything or I'll have your head."

"It's harder than that to threaten me, Mazaki," Seto held out his arms. Anzu jumped off and not a second later, she was in his arms. "There, see? Nothing to it."

"Nothing to what?" Both students whipped their heads around. Alister was standing there, narrowing his eyes at Seto. Anzu quickly pulled herself out of Seto's grasp and stood next to him for a second, before saying:

"Well, I should get ready. School starts…soon, you know," and she ran off downstairs for record time dressing.

"What were you two doing up there?" Alister asked suspiciously.

"Heh, nothing," Seto replied, "She just got stuck, that's all. I was there to get her out of trouble. Girls can't do anything themselves."

A shoe suddenly flew up from below and socked Seto in the head. "Ow!" He rubbed his head as a smirk broke out onto Alister's face.

"Girl's can't do anything, eh?" Alister picked up the small show, "Well, I'd say they have pretty decent aim."

Seto scowled and trotted down the stairs to get ready, himself. Alister looked back at the show. What were those two doing up there? I don't like the look of this…. Especially with Kaiba. I mean…there are two possible explanations. Kaiba could – no, he resigned himself from doing that. But Anzu? What would Anzu want with Kaiba? She couldn't…like him, could she?

In a slight flare of jealously, Alister's grip tightened on the shoe, She's too good for him!

For some reason, that feeling of protectiveness –a feeling that Alister hadn't felt in years- sparked up again.

"YES!" Valon cried out, rushing to the door of the gymnasium, "One o' clock is here, and SCHOOL IS OUT! WHOO!" he laughed, throwing the doors open wide and dancing out into the hallway.

"If you can't keep any ounce of dignity," Alister came out behind him, "Please at least lose it when I'm not watching."

"Ha!" Valon laughed, "You just wish you could express yourself like this without looking like an idiot! I, on the other hand, have expressed myself this way from day one, so everyone is comfortable."

Alister sighed and rolled his eyes, "Sometimes I don't believe people like you can even exist. Come on: we've all got to get ready-"

"Why do we have to get ready?" Valon sighed and dropped his arms, "After all, it's not like our parents or families are coming! I mean…mine are locked up –thanks be to God- and yours are…well…dea-"

Alister rounded on him, "DON'T JINX ME!" Valon blinked as Alister recomposed himself.

"What? Jinx you?"

Alister sighed and ran a hand through his red hair, "My parents and my brother maybe gone," he clenched his fist tightly, "But I'm not giving up hope on Ann."

"Ah, Ann. That's right," Valon nodded. He cocked his head, "I'd really like to meet her someday."

Alister raised an eyebrow, "Why? To ogle her? 'Cause you know I'll pummel you if you do."

Valon laughed good-naturedly, "Well…partially, I suppose. I won't lie and say that didn't cross my mind. But more so, I want to see if she's anything like you. It's hard to believe people like you and Kaiba exist," Valon grinned, using Alister's own words against him.

Alister sneered, "Don't compare me with that slime ball. Besides…Ann isn't like me. We don't even look alike, even though we're twins. Heck, she defied me-"

"Hello, good students!" Anzu walked through the doorway, pushing the doors open to their greatest extent. She breathed in deeply and immediately coughed up the air. "Ugh…I forgot this is PE smelling air. Best go outside to do that…. An-y-way!" she smiled, "Are you ready for an extra-long-weekend!"

"You bet!" Valon jumped in front of her and gave her a high-five. Alister just rolled his eyes. Great, he thought, another Valon. Just what this school needs…. Still, he laughed about her antics.

Anzu waited nervously on the front grounds of the school, along with the rest of the school body. The student were all dressed in clean uniforms, and showered (after their PE class). They were waiting for their guests to arrive for the Thanksgiving holiday. Well, most people were. However, Mr. Pegasus had declared that, as usual, he wanted the whole school body outside to greet everyone. After all, as Anzu's classmates had said, those who didn't have families felt like members of others' families.

The first car rolled up – a limousine, obviously brought from the airport. To Anzu's surprise, it was Professor Dartz who walked quickly down the steps.

"Daddy!" a girl with reddish-brown hair tied up in braids emerged from the limo quickly and ran into Dartz's arms.

"Kris!" he smiled happily, hugging her tightly, "Oh, how I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too, Daddy!" Kris gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

"Dartz, darling, how are you?" another lady –Kris' mother, obviously- came out from the limo.

"Miona," Dartz smiled and walked over to her, kissing her quickly. He pulled back and looked around, "Is Father not coming?"

"Ironheart had to go on some bizarre geologic conference in Africa," Minoa shook her head, "He says he's terribly sorry, but he won't be able to be with us this year."

"A shame," Dartz sighed. "Well, come now, let's get your things."

Anzu was shocked. She hadn't really thought the professor had a family – much less was married with a child! She had figured that those with families would live here, at the school. After all, Yugi's grandfather was here, as were the Ishtars.

"Hey!" Yugi suddenly shouted out, coming up to Anzu, "I think that's my mom and Rebekah coming!"

"Rebekah?" Anzu cocked her head.

"That's Professor Hawkins' granddaughter," Yugi turned to face her, "He and my grandpa have always been close friends. My mom always brings Rebekah along with her when they visit for Thanksgiving."

"That's neat!" Anzu smiled. As the limo pulled away, a blue rental car pulled up into a parking space. Anzu frowned though, "But how would you know it's your mom?"

"She rents the same type of car every year," Yugi smiled, "And blue is her favorite color."

"Interesting…" Anzu nodded.

"GRANDPA!" Rebekah –so Anzu assumed- a blonde haired girl with bright green eyes that sparkled behind half-moon glasses ran up the steps and flew into her grandfather's arms.

"Good to see you again Rebekah!" he held her tightly.

"Hello there, Rebekah," Mr. Muto smiled and patted her shoulder.

"Mom!" Yugi was suddenly bolting down the steps. Anzu smiled. He was such a happy kid. And his mother obviously meant so much to him.

Behind her, she heard sniffing. Anzu turned around and say Valon blinking rapidly, trying to wipe something from his eyes. Alister was next to him, patting his shoulder lightly and rolling his eyes at the same time. Not convincing sympathy….

"It's just so…happy!" Valon chocked as he tried to be a man and not cry.

"Valon!" Anzu exclaimed, "I never knew you were this…emotional…." It just didn't seem right on him.

"Good Lord, this is nothing," Alister replied, looking straight at Anzu, "You should see him during half the movies we watch! He's bound to find something sad or "happy" in there." Anzu just giggled. She really could not picture the Aussie crying like that.

Meanwhile, Yugi –and surprisingly Yami- were at the bottom of the stairs, hugging the life out of their mother, who was walking at the same time to say hello to her father-in-law.

A couple minutes later, a brown car pulled up, stopping in a space. Everyone waited patiently to see who would climb out. Those still waiting for family member(s) were Anzu, the Bakuras, Duke and Tristan. It was Joey's sister's turn this year to have the parents for Thanksgiving. He was just minding his own business watching Noa and Mokuba playing a card game.

The door opened, and a pretty girl with long brown hair walked out of the backseat, looking up at the stairs, beaming.

"Oh my God!" Anzu spun around and saw Joey gaping at the girl, "SERENITY! YOU'RE…HERE!" Joey flew down the steps and caught his sister in a hug. "I didn't think I was gonna see ya for another month!"

"Joey!" Serenity exclaimed, hugging him back, "Can you believe it? Our first Thanksgiving together in years!"

"What are you doing here!" Joey held her at arms length. "Shouldn't you be in that crappy girls' school?"

Serenity smiled, "I convinced mom and dad to bring me here, for once, instead. Surprised?"

"Are you kiddin'? I'm beyond surprised!" Joey laughed.

"Hello there, Joseph," a feminine voice stated.

"Ma!" Joey smiled as she came to hug her son.

"What about me?"

"Dad! I didn't expect you guys at all this year!"

"That was all part of the fun!" Serenity laughed.

Anzu smiled. It was all so touching. Behind her, she heard Valon crying just a little harder. She shook her head, disbelievingly.

Duke's and Tristan's parents arrived near the same time, and while they were talking, the others were bringing their families around to introduce them to Anzu. Only the Mazakis and the Bakura's cousin was running a little late.

"Anzu," Joey approached her, with his sister in his arm, "Dis is my sista', Serenity. Serenity, dis is Anzu: she's the new student here."

"Really?" Serenity looked at her in awe, "You mean you haven't run away yet? I thought everyone else did that!"

"No chance," Anzu winked, "I'm not leaving this place until my job is done!"

"See what I mean?" Joey looked at his sister, "I told ya! She's da best!"

"Mai's here!" Ryou's voice erupted suddenly.

"Oh no…" Bakura groaned audibly, holding his head.

A stylish blue convertible was riding up the street towards the school.

"Always has to ride in fashion, doesn't she?" Ryou scratched his cheek.

"That's what makes her so annoying!" Bakura growled. Ryou smacked his brother's head. "Ow!"

As soon as the car was parked, Mai Valentine –the Bakura's cousin- literally hopped out of the car, vaulting over the door. Ryou walked down the steps to greet her.

"Ryou!" she laughed coming up to pull him into a hug, and then mess up his hair, "How are you, kid?"

Anzu blinked. That was Ryou's cousin? Talk about a diverse family. Of course, that was evident enough with the differences between Bakura and Ryou. Maybe Ryou was just the odd man out….

Bakura sighed and walked down the steps, having received a light glare from his headmaster. He had to greet his cousin….

"Mai stepped away from Ryou, who was desperately trying to pat down his tangled hair –an impossible task, as it had been tangled beforehand. She looked over at the approaching twin and her smile turned into an emotionless line. She nodded her head. "Ryo."

Bakura scowled, "Bakura." He sighed and then nodded his head back, still having his arms crossed, "Mai." He stopped, and they stared at each other for a few seconds.

Anzu raised an eyebrow. Such different greetings between the two twins….

Suddenly, Mai hopped over and scooped up her cousin into a hug – her face having broken out into a smile. Bakura winced and scowled, with his arms still crossed, as Mai laughed and hugged him some more. "How are you, you old rascal?"

"I've been better."

Mai sighed, "You and you're misanthropic ways."

"I'm not a misanthrope!" Bakura snapped. "Well…at least, not entirely…."

Anzu laughed and looked over at Joey. He was silently staring at Mai. Serenity just rolled her eyes and leaned over, whispering to Anzu, "He does that to every pretty girl he sees."

Anzu huffed and pretended to look hurt, "Well now I'm offended. He hasn't stared at me like that this year."

Serenity smirked, "Be thankful." The two girls shared a laugh. Anzu had to admit that it felt good to be surrounded by some females again.

So now, that only left one family.

The Mazakis.

The long awaited family. The one family that was going to be dealt a surprise.

Mrs. Pegasus –her name was Cecelia (as you can see, she's not dead in this AU fic) had long ago since arrived. The only reason she was not staying at the school with the principal was because of her modeling job. It had taken her places during the past few months. But Mr. Pegasus voiced aloud –perhaps not meaning to, but he said it anyway- that now that she was back, he go resume painting again.

Anzu had never thought of her principal as an artist type. You learn something new everyday….

Coach Raphael had declared he didn't have a family anymore, and Anzu had felt a pang of pity for him.

All around her, families were greeting the students. All of the students who had had families come had immediately brought them over to meet Anzu, "the new girl." Now, Valon was happily talking to the Wheeler parents, who admired his enthusiasm. Duke's parents were talking lightly with Seto, as he too was the owner of a major gaming corporation, which related to their son, who had created the Dungeon Dice Monsters game. Anzu had found this out a few weeks into the school year, and had been very surprised to hear that she was at school with quite a few celebrities….

Finally, a lone car began coming down the small road. Anzu made her way to the top of the stairs and watched it come down the lane. The students all stopped chatting as the car started coming down. They remembered what Anzu had said about not having told her parents about the whole "guy" thing. They were determined to put on their best behavior: for Anzu's sake.

And theirs. They wanted Anzu to stay too.

Mai whispered into her nicer cousin's ear, "Why's everyone so quiet?"

"Those should be Anzu's parents. We're acting our best for them. They…don't' know about us all being…guys yet, you know? We don't…want her to be taken away."

"They wouldn't pull her away for something that stupid!" Mai retorted. Ryou gave her a look that said, Do you really think that? Mai reconsidered. With society today…okay, maybe she could believe that.

But she couldn't believe that the whole student body was standing behind the idea of keeping Anzu here. She detected hidden motives….

Anzu reached the bottom of the staircase as the car came to a stop and turned off. Anzu held her breath. They were here….

Both doors in front opened, and out stepped the Mazaki parents. Her father turned around and smiled at her. "Well hello there little lady. Aren't you going to come greet us?"

Anzu smiled and broke into tears as she ran to her parents. It had been four months too long without seeing her parents! A high-schooler just wasn't ready for that sort of thing….

"Mom! Dad!" she cried, running into their embraces. As cliché as this seemed, seeing as most of the others had done this to their families too (could anyone blame them?), she still found the need to do so, and hugged them tightly. She loved them after all. They had taken her in. Although…oh, never mind.

"Hi there, Anzu," her mother rubbed her head and kissed it, "How have you been?"

"I'm fine," Anzu sighed, hugging her parents once more. She then noticed just how big her mother was getting. She had been serious when she had told Anzu over the phone that it seemed really different to have all of this extra poundage on her. Anzu almost laughed.

"How are you?" Anzu asked her mother.

"I'm just fine," she smiled back, "So is the baby."

Anzu turned around, but still looked at her parents, "Let me show you-" she looked ahead of her and stopped. All of the boys had gathered right there, in front of them (Malik and Bakura being there too, astonishingly). Anzu froze.

The group all gave a small bow, simultaneously, "Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Mazaki."

Mr. Mazaki cocked and eyebrow and laughed, looking at his step-daughter, "What? Suitors already, Anzu?"

"Dad!" Anzu hissed, hitting him on the shoulder playfully, and blushing as red as a cheery. A couple snickers broke out in the group of boys, but where silenced after a few "ow"'s were heard.

Anzu took a deep breath. "Actually…Mom; Dad. …Meet the entire student body of Oknuhu Private."

Not an exciting chapter, I know, but it passed the "passing for a chapter" mark, and I decided to stop it there. This is only Part One of the Thanksgiving chapters. Next will be the continuation: Part Two. I hope this part was at least enjoyable. It did build up some characterization and have some significance. Anywho, just be thankful it was a quick update! PLEASE REVIEW! And please advise on parings!