The Twelve Days of Christmas Chapter XII, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Title: The Twelve Days of Christmas (12)

Author: Kun II Kya

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Twelve days, twelve chances to prove his love.

--/--

"On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree."

--/--

Katsuya rubbed blearily at his eyes, which narrowed into sharp slits in an attempt to recoil from the bright lights that suddenly assaulted them. A heavy moan forced its way out of his mouth, despite the cheery fact that it was Christmas Day – a day in which celebration ensues and presents were unwrapped.

A pair of fingers tweaked his nose playfully. Isis' face came into view, an oddly satisfied expression on her face.

Katsuya's eyes twinkled merrily, despite the fact that he just realized he shouldn't have had trusted Mai to make the supply of eggnog yesterday.

"You got laid, didn't you?"

Isis blinked innocently, as if she didn't know the meaning behind the simple word. It was rather hard to do, however, as the large hickey on her neck blocked part of Katsuya's line of vision. The other part was blocked by the huge grin that seemed too large for her face.

Mai chose that time to saunter out of the room they shared, sporting a flimsy nightgown that left little to the imagination. Isis shot her a dirty look and promptly sent the female blonde back to put on a night robe.

She soon returned, graciously receiving the simple kiss Isis bestowed on her. They settled back on the armchair – Isis sitting in Mai's lap, looking very much like a Cheshire cat.

"Let's open presents!" The curvaceous blonde exclaimed, twirling her fingers in Isis' sleek raven hair. "I want to see what I got from Isis!"

Katsuya eyed the loving couple which what could be considered jealousy in his eyes, but reluctantly agreed. He, however, stopped as a through struck him.

"Where are the others?"

Mai snorted. "Egotistical, aren't you? You seriously think they'd stay with you for Christmas?"

Katsuya returned that snort with a louder one of his own, as if he couldn't believe that Mai was saying about his ego. "You can't talk, Mai."

She continued, deftly ignoring him as she absentmindedly gathered a bunch of Isis' hair and braided it. "—they all went home, Lord Jounouchi. They spend Christmas with their families, at home, away from you, Your Highness. And," she concluded, pressing her forehead against Isis', "the only reason I'm staying with you is because Isis is." A small smile graced her features. "And home is where the heart is."

And considering the corny jokes Mai cracked on a daily basis, this was a pretty good line. It certainly worked miracles on the love struck Isis; she beamed at her flirtatious lover and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.

Katsuya waved a hand idly in the air. "That's all fine and dandy with me. I'm just glad Anzu isn't complaining about how someone like me can receive such good gifts."

Mai tilted her head to the side and regarded Katsuya with a lazy expression. "Don't mind her, Katsuya. She's jealous, as you can see. And bitter because Honda doesn't like her."

Katsuya's eyes snapped open wide. "She likes Honda? No wonder she hates me!"

Isis clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "Sometimes I wonder what goes on in that mind of hers. I don't know what she sees in Honda; he's a coward and certainly doesn't deserve your affections."

Katsuya bowed his head, staring guiltily down at his lap. "I'm sorry." And truth be told; he didn't know what exactly he was sorry about.

"You better be sorry," Mai snapped promptly, earning herself a jab in the ribs from Isis. "I just hope you realize your mistake soon."

Isis plastered a smile onto her face. "Let's open presents!"

Nobody commented on the sudden change of subjects. It seemed that Isis' fake smile wasn't needed anymore; the mood had shifted and lightened considerably at the mere mention of opening presents.

Isis swore softly under her breath as the doorbell rang thrice; a choppy, impatient technique to announce one's arrival. It only suited one person and she wasn't particularly glad to see that person right now.

It seemed that Honda had taken the unlocked door as an invitation and he was soon in the living room, sipping the eggnog Mai prepared exclusively for special people. Said blonde kept shooting dirty glances at him – both for drinking her specially prepared eggnog and sending awestruck looks at her girlfriend.

Mai jabbed Isis in the ribs. Honda could be heard protesting loudly in the background, but neither gave him any mind.

"I hate this," the blonde proclaimed in her girlfriend's ear. "He keeps looking at you. What the hell did you do to make him have such a change of heart?" She waved a perfectly manicured hand in Katsuya's direction. "He's not even swooning over Katsuya anymore!"

Isis shrugged and shot Honda a coy smile, much to the dismay of the blonde wonder by her. "I honestly don't know. But at least it's keeping boy wonder over there from manipulating Katsuya any further."

Mai let out a creative string of swears that earned her another jab in the ribs from Isis.

Katsuya looked up from his glass of eggnog – which was cradled protectively in his chilled fingers – and cast Mai a questioning look. Funny, he hadn't made a sound since the moment Honda arrived.

Mai shook her head and settled on sulking by the front windows, taking languid sips from her own dainty glass of eggnog. And, unlike Katsuya's glass, it was mixed with the heaviest rum they had on stock in the house.

Katsuya, bent on ignoring the tense silence that had settled between the two female lovers, took a stab at striking a conversation with the oddly silent Honda.

"So, Hiroto," he trailed off, not really knowing what to say. "I remember seeing you last night – but you never came in. What happened?"

Honda stared guiltily up at Katsuya from his position, as if apologizing for ignoring his beau, admiring Isis' figure through her nightgown, and not visiting last night.

"I had…difficulties." Honda's brown eyes darted from Katsuya's perplexed expression to the smug one on Isis' face. She knew exactly what difficulties he encountered.

Katsuya tilted his head to one side, staring at Honda with those large amber eyes of his. The brunette wasn't sure if Katsuya was trying to burst his façade on purpose or if it was just a part of his personality. "What type of difficulties?"

Honda's jaw flexed as Isis tried unsuccessfully to stifle her snickers. Mai was still off to the side, ignoring the three of them with an intensity that they never knew she possessed.

"I'd rather not say, koi," Honda explained softly, reaching up to caress Katsuya's cheek. He didn't notice the slight flinch and trailed his hand down to those full lips. "How about I make it up to you later?"

Katsuya reluctantly nodded and pushed Honda's hand away subtly.

At least he wasn't being ignored anymore.

What a petty victory.

--/--

"NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISAAAMAAAAAA! PRESENTS!"

Occupants of the Kaiba mansion – which, during the holidays, had singled down to Seto, Mokuba, and their trustworthy butler – weren't pleased when they were rudely awakened from their slumber by such a war cry.

Seto involuntarily winced as a blur of obsidian barreled into his large four-poster bed, singing Christmas carols in an off-key voice. He made an unsuccessful attempt to burrow back into the downy comfort of his bed.

"Please," Seto muttered in a voice that wasn't like his usual immaculate self at all. "Leave me be. I'm trying to get my beauty sleep."

With strength Seto didn't know he possessed, Mokuba tugged the covers off him and flipped him over on his back. The raven haired youth settled himself on his brother's stomach. Two hands came up to pinch both of Seto's cheeks in an undoubtedly childish way.

"Aww, Seto. You're not going to get any sleep with me around." A lopsided smile graced Mokuba's face. "And you've already very, very…beautiful?"

Seto growled, although in a playful manner, and pushed Mokuba off him. He did cave in to his brother's antics, however, as he swung his lengthy legs over the edge of his bed. The brunette stretched languidly. Laughing at his success, Mokuba forcefully dragged Seto downstairs by the hand.

The younger Kaiba brother jumped into the pile of presents beneath the Christmas tree.

"Ouch," came his voice, muffled by the colossal brightly wrapped packages. "This is performed so much better in movies."

Seto snickered.

Mokuba's head poked out from between the presents. "You're not helping any," he protested with a pout. "It's time to unwrap presents, Seto!"

The wrapping paper protested with a mild crackle as the raven haired child dived back through the presents, rummaging for the gift he had bought his brother. All the numerous others were from Kaiba Corp. employees and firm owners that wished to get on Kaiba Corp.'s good side and, therefore, not of any importance to Seto.

Sounds of Mokuba digging stopped. Then, a delighted cry, "Hey, Seto! Jounouchi bought something for you!"

Seto's head snapped to alert as he reached out greedily for the package. Mokuba, grinning broadly, handed it to him. Inside, nestled between crinkled lavender tissue paper, as a gleaming gold necklace. Somewhere amidst the intertwined gold links, a small trinket was connected; a small, cobalt blue colored orb that matched Seto's eyes perfectly.

With a small cry of surprise and happiness, Seto latched it around his neck. The orb settled on the small dip between his long, aristocratic neck and chest.

Mokuba's gloating face floated into view. "You like it, don't you, Seto?"

Seto – something he hadn't done in years – stuck his tongue out at the raven haired child.

Mokuba arched an eyebrow at the childish act. "Oh, yes, Niisama. Very mature, I assure you."

Seto's lips twisted into something that could be considered a grin.

Mokuba rolled his eyes and dived back into the pile of presents, rummaging through the packages in search for the present he bought Seto. He didn't notice several packages he trampled on in his attempt to find his own and he didn't particularly care.

"Yessssssss!" Came Mokuba's excited exclamation, followed a small wrapped gift, elevated into the air by his hand. "From me, to you."

The first one was followed by another, a considerably smaller one. A small thump was heard as Mokuba lost his balance and toppled off his knees. The presents disappeared.

Chuckling to himself, the brunette reached towards his younger brother and grabbed both of the presents in one hand. The other occupied itself by dragging Mokuba out of the pile by his ankle.

Seto handed the smaller present to Mokuba, "Here, Mokuba. From me to you."

Mokuba squinted in no particular direction as his greedy hands roamed all over the rectangular shaped package, pressing at random points and shaking it. His eyes twinkled merrily.

"It's a video game, isn't it?"

Seto plastered an innocent expression on his face. Oh yes, it was a video game, but that didn't mean Mokuba wasn't going to be surprised by its contents.

The wrapping paper protested loudly as it was torn off its center. Mokuba stared at the video game, mesmerized, with a light flush on his face. For, portrayed broadly on the cover, was a live photograph of Mokuba and Yuugi, snuggling on one of the park benches. In the corer, etched in Seto's recognizable color pencils, as a heart with both of their chibi-like heads in the middle. Mokuba tried to operate his mouth correctly.

"You…made this?"

Seto grinned impishly as he nodded, priding himself in his technology skills. After all, what was the use of being the CEO of a game company when you couldn't make one for your younger brother? Seto gently pried the container out of Mokuba's hands and pointed at the thing.

"I'm sure you'd love to play it, Mokuba," he chided in a playing tone. "The main characters are these two boys – Motou Yuugi and Mokuba Kaiba. They're hopelessly in love with each other and are full of insecurities." Seto's eyes twinkled. "I'm sure Yuugi would appreciate his copy. After all, it's a virtual pod game."

Mokuba made a strange gurgling sound at the back of his throat. Seto, however, seemed satisfied with the effect his game had on Mokuba and hummed as he tore into his own present. The dice dangled from his index finger as Seto eyed Mokuba with a dry smile.

"Wow, Mokuba. I didn't even know these existed. Fuzzy dice with Blue Eyes on them."

Mokuba smirked. "They didn't. I made them."

With a low chuckle, Seto tossed the wrapping paper at Mokuba's head. It, miraculously, got itself tangled in the boy's raven tresses.

Seto eyed his younger brother critically. "Oh, yes. They're a nice touch."

Mokuba glared. "Are you talking about the dice or the wrapping paper?"

"Both."

Mokuba growled. He didn't have the chance to do anything, however, as Seto stuck some curled ribbons on his head and ran off, laughing loudly. His eyes narrowed into sharp slits as he took off after his brother.

"You are so going to get it!"

--/--

"Let's open presents!"

This time, it was Honda who suggested the prospect, eyeing the package he brought Katsuya greedily. Knowing Kaiba, it was probably something expensive. The bastard always liked to go off with a bang.

Katsuya nodded absently. "Uh-huh. Let's open presents."

Honda, taking the chance, darted off his position right by Katsuya and grabbed his present. He presented to the blonde with a huge smile, as if he were the one that bought it for real.

"Open mine first. I got you something good."

Mai snorted, draining the last of her eggnog. The tossed the glass carelessly aside and wrapped her fingers around another glass. Isis was glaring distastefully at the glasses Mai already drained, but the blonde wasn't paying her any attention.

"You're not supposed to tell the person you got them something good," Mai chided in a sarcastic voice, taking another sip of her eggnog. "You're supposed to let them decide that by themselves."

Isis' glared intensified. Mai still wasn't paying attention and slumped back against the window frame, staring forlornly at the glass panes.

Katsuya nodded. "Okay. I'm sure you got me something good." He sent Honda a wry smile. "You got me good presents ten times before."

Honda flushed, although Isis wasn't sure if it was guiltily or from pleasure at a compliment from Katsuya. Possibly both.

Katsuya carefully peeled the tape off the solid colored wrapping paper and tore the wrapping paper off. It was a black box, closed. The blonde carefully took the lid off, gasping when he saw the contents. Eleven closed ring boxes, each with a tiny bow on the lid.

A piece of paper fluttered out from the box and landed in Honda's hand. Katsuya waved for him to read from it. The brunette squinted at it for a moment before speaking, his French accent atrocious.

"Number one. Vous et Nul Autre – You and no other."

Katsuya opened the first black box, labeled with the Roman numeral on the lid. Inside was a gleaming golden band. It was rather plain, no diamonds, but the words engraved on the inside was what truly touched his heart. Like Honda mentioned, the words were 'Vous et Nul Autre'.

Honda continued, a sly smirk creeping up the edge of his face. "Number two. Vôtre pour toujours – Yours forever."

Katsuya snapped the second box open, only the find it the same as the first one, only the words were different. He snapped it closed and clutched it to his chest a moment before putting it back with the others.

"How thoughtful," he murmured appreciatively, closing his eyes. "I love them. It's just a shame I can't wear them all at the same time."

Katsuya stretched out his hand to Honda. "May I please see the list?" He enquired politely. "I don't need to see the other rings, I love them all."

Honda handed the blonde the list, an oddly satisfied gleam in his eyes. Just think of it this way – he had won Katsuya's heart and he didn't even have to spend any money. Poor Kaiba, he must've spent hundreds on these rings. And not the mention all the other presents that he, Honda, had taken credit for.

Katsuya's tone was happy and a little awed as he read off the remaining definitions.

"Number three. Notre amour a été écrit dans es étoiles – our love was written in the stars. Number four. L'amour prend deux – love takes two. Number five. J'ai besoin de vous – I need you. Number six. L'amour construit des ponts où il n'y en a aucun – love builds bridges when there are none. Òu il y a l'amour il y a la vie – where there is love, there is life. Maintenant je sais que quel amour est-il' – now I know what love is. La vie sans l'amour est comme un arbre sans les fleurs ou comme le fruit – life without love is like without blossoms or fruit. L'amour enlève masque que nous craignons nous ne peut pas habiter sans et sait que nous ne peut pas habiter dans – love take of masks that we fear we cannot love without and know we cannot live within."

The last one evoked a lovesick sigh out of Katsuya as he clutched the now crumpled paper to his chest. His closed his eyes and recited it without looking.

"Aishiteru – I love you."

The moment was interrupted, however, as the doorbell rang. Mai didn't look up from the glass panes.

"I'll get it."

So, a little unsteady – due to the numerous amounts of eggnog she consumed, she wobbled to the door and answered it. The dull murmur of conversation could be heard inside the living room.

"Kaiba!" She yelled. "Should I let him in?"

"Hai!" Isis hollered back, casting a furtive look at Katsuya to see his reaction.

The blonde was frozen stock still in his chair.

Honda smirked; this was a perfect opportunity to show Kaiba what was really his. He tapped on Katsuya's forearm and grasped a clump of mistletoe out of his pocket. He held it above their heads.

"How about a Christmas kiss?"

Without waiting for Katsuya's reaction, he pulled the blonde into a kiss. Katsuya complied and opened his mouth, much to Honda's enjoyment.

A gasp, however, stopped their kiss from making much progress.

Katsuya looked up and immediately flushed a deep crimson. Mokuba was standing at the archway that led to their living room, several large presents gathered in his arms, and eyes opened wide. Seto was standing right behind him, cerulean orbs hardened to an icy exterior. His stance was stiff and unresisting as Mokuba pulled on his forearm.

"Let's go, Niisama. I just wanted to drop off Jounouchi's presents."

Seto nodded crisply. "Yes, let's go."

The brunette turned to Mai, a small smile gracing his features. He handed her the pieces of papers he had in his hand.

"Can you throw these away for me, Mai-chan? I'm afraid I have no further use for them."

He took the packages from Mokuba's arms and handed them to Isis, who was rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet beside Mai. "They're presents for the three of you." He graced Isis with a warm smile. "I wanted to thank you for all that you've done for me – Merry Christmas."

And, without any further ado, left with Mokuba's hand in his.

An awkward silence filled the air. Then, Mai gasped, a true exclamation of shock. She was reading the papers Seto had handed her.

"What is it?" Katsuya questioned cheerfully. "What's on the papers?"

Mai wordlessly handed them to Katsuya and watched as his eyes grew wide as they scanned over the words. There, in the most precise calligraphy, two simple words. Aishiteru, Katsuya. They were repeated on twelve pages, in the same flawless handwriting that was on the other presents.

"Twelve," the blonde murmured to himself, "On the twelfth day of Christmas…"

Katsuya shot a confused look at Honda, who avoided his gaze. Without saying another word, he shot out of the chair and ran to the doorway. Seto was nowhere in sight. Sighing, Katsuya took a step out onto the porch, careful of the snow that lay in layers outside.

A small crunch was heard. Katsuya looked down and abruptly felt his eyes water.

There, cracked and wet on his porch, was the necklace he had given Seto for Christmas. The cerulean orb that matched the brunette's eyes so perfectly…was the item he stepped on.

"Oh, Kami-sama – what have I done?"

to be continued