The Twelve Days of Christmas Chapter 14: Mending the Rift, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Title: The Twelve Days of Christmas (13)

Author: Kun II Kya

Rating: PG-13

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

--/--

Mokuba's expression was purely sympathetic as he settled on the edge of their forest green sofa, gazing down at his woe befallen brother. He awkwardly patted Seto on the arm, considering the fact that any other part of the brunette's body was inaccessible and Mokuba really wasn't the type for incest.

Why? Seto currently was lying, face down, on the sofa, face meshed on to bundle of flesh that was his folded arms. His hair was mussed, for once out of its impeccably combed state, and only his frenzied breathing showed his angry state.

"Niisama," Mokuba started, words clearly proclaiming that he was nervous and didn't know what the hell to say. "Don't do this to yourself. It's not –" he decided to test out a word his health teacher had taught him today, "salubrious."

Seto raised his head from his folded arms and glared at Mokuba – as usual, his glare wasn't as intensified as the one he used to those he truly disliked. For now, he was just in a funk and needed someone to understand his pain. Sadly enough, his eyes were rimmed with a light red, although he refused to let his raging emotions weasel their way to the surface.

Seto Kaiba and crying was a lethal combination – it had never been heard of and he'll be damned if it ever became true.

He clucked his tongue disapprovingly, despite the fact that he was the one indulging in self-pity and Mokuba's point of view was more believable. "You think I truly care about being healthy right now?"

Mokuba propped both his hands on his hips, glaring at his older brother with all his might. Of course, it didn't work. Seto was expert in this family. "I don't care!" Mokuba snapped irritably, although the concern for his older brother was glaringly obvious. "Niisama, you can't let Jounouchi no yarou do this to you! He's just a person and he's obviously not worth your time if he doesn't realize how precious your love is!"

Seto eyed his brother suspiciously. "Have you been reading that imbecile Anzu's romantic novels again?"

Mokuba flushed guiltily, though his glare didn't waver. "Yuugi borrowed them for me. So what? You're the one whose life takes the course of an overly sappy romance novel – not me." His glare intensified as he scowled, remember who exactly it was that caused Seto to delve into his self-pitying mood. "Like I said, he's not worth your time. Jounouchi's a bloody baka if he chooses Honda over you – it's his loss."

Seto, despite himself, let a small smile flitter over his lips. Mokuba could be pretty adorable when he wanted to and sometimes without knowing it. The younger Kaiba brother, however, wasn't finished with his extended lecture. He was now pacing around the lush crimson carpet, feet shuffling through the furry coating while he slammed his fist into his palm in frequent intervals.

"It's not healthy for you to be like this! We should go out – I'm sure we can find a nice restaurant to settle down at, perhaps eat breakfast. I sure hope there's a place open on Christmas Day," Mokuba seemed oblivious to the fact that he was rambling unnecessarily. "Then we can take a walk around Domino Park; you used to love to play with snow when we were little." A small, content smile graced his lips without his knowledge. "I remember when you used to start snowball fights with me at the orphanage…"

Mokuba shook his head in an attempt to shake himself out of the trip down memory lane. It would do no good to reminisce on the past when he had a whole future to look forward to. Seto's eyes were now glazed; obviously having lost himself to the flashback of memories that assaulted him when Mokuba started his lengthy rant.

"Yeah," he murmured, pink tongue darting out to lick at his dry lips. "We should." His face hardened into that emotionless mask, blocking off the only thing that proved his humanity. "I don't need him."

Mokuba's eyes widened – almost comically, if you didn't consider the situation he was in right now – and he waved both of his hands in the air. No, he didn't want Seto to act like this!

"No!" The younger Kaiba brother exclaimed, clamping a hand over his mouth when Seto shot him an inquisitive look. "You do need him!" Seto's perplexed look onto deepened as he subconsciously caught his bottom lip between his pearly whites, nibbling on the piece of abused flesh. "Er – not that much," Mokuba sighed as he placed a comforting hand on Seto's shoulder. "What I mean to say is, Niisama, you shouldn't let this get to you. It's Jounouchi's loss, but perhaps Honda had some part in it. After all, wouldn't it be so easy for him to claim that the presents were from him…"

Mokuba's voice trailed off as he scratched his chin thoughtfully, looking very much like an esteemed detective. The hopefulness in Seto's eyes was too much to bear, considering the fact that he really didn't believe himself.

"Yeah," he murmured awkwardly, forcing a strained smile on his face. He wouldn't have to do this if Katsuya hadn't paired up with Honda in the first place. "Look, Seto, why do you go to the market and buy us some junk food? I need to go meet Yuugi at his house."

It was like twisting a knife into his conscience as Seto's eyes lighted up at the mere mention of Yuugi-tachi's hangout – the place where Katsuya would most likely be if he wished to brood. Or merely have fun.

Mokuba groaned inwardly, mentally slapping himself on the forehead. So much for getting Seto's mind off of Katsuya. "Okay, Seto?"

Seto nodded an affirmative, looking as if he had no idea what Mokuba just said. The sarcastic groan came again, although this time it was uttered audibly.

The perplexed expression was back again. "What?" He protested indignantly, brows furrowed. "What now?"

Mokuba clucked his tongue disapprovingly – it seemed like the roles had switched without any of them noticing it. "Just try to keep your mind off Jounouchi for the moment. We'll meet back here." He glanced briefly at the indigo colored digital watch Seto had bought him for his birthday. "At around noon."

It wasn't until Mokuba left that Seto shake out of his stupor. "Damn," he muttered dryly, glancing at his own watch. "He took the limo."

--/--

Yuugi's eyes opened blearily as he first heard the knocking, arms rising above his head as he stretched languidly. The knocking intensified, the impatience of the person practically radiating through the smooth surface of the door. Yuugi rolled his eyes as he trudged to the actual shop, scratching lazily at his arm. It itched horribly.

"Mokuba?" Yuugi asked sleepily, fists rubbing at his glazed eyes. It was way too early for him to wake up. "What are you –" He tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. "—doing here?"

Mokuba's frantic expression was enough to wake him up fully. The poor child was panting from sheer adrenaline, even though he had sat comfortably in the seat of the limo while the chauffer drove him over to the Kame Game Shop. Yami's – newly transformed – crimson eyes narrowed into sharp slits as he regarded the younger brother of his archrival.

"What's the matter, Mokuba?" He queried, voice alert, as if the very source of Mokuba's distress was in the room. "Something happen to Kaiba again?"

Now it was Mokuba's turn to glare, crossing his arms huffily across his chest. "No," he snarled, more out of anger at Katsuya's bluff than the former Pharaoh's mistrust of his beloved Niisama. After all, Mokuba had indeed called on mou hitori no Yuugi for help countless of times.

Speak of the devil – Katsuya wandered sleepily out of the other room, garbed in a pair of ruffled blue jeans and a cobalt blue t-shirt slung carelessly on his torso. It didn't look to be his – the collar was unusually large and exposed quite a bit of his pale shoulder. He rubbed his eyes blearily – much like Yuugi had done before – and blinked.

"Ergh? Mokuba?" His voice was strained, almost as if he didn't get much sleep. It wasn't too far off the truth – after witnessing Seto's desperate flee, he locked himself in his room before running to the Kame Game Shop, seeking Yuugi's advice. "What are you doing here?"

The raven haired youth shot Katsuya a very Kaiba-like glare as his hands shifted from their position on his chest to prop on his hips. He took an intimidating stance, much like one of Yami no Yuugi's poses as he was about to destroy an opponent.

"You, that's my problem!"

If Yuugi hadn't already woken up fully, he would've been now. Katsuya shuddered at the sheer resemblance between the two Kaiba brothers, although he couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement at this predicament.

Mokuba's eyes narrowed. "What are you laughing at?"

Katsuya clamped a hand over his rebellious mouth to keep the smile out of Mokuba's view; he couldn't help it, the youth was acting too much like his Niisama!

"Nothing," Katsuya muttered, instantly sobering up. It wouldn't do to disregard the face that Mokuba – despite his measly size – was a Kaiba.

"That's what I thought." Mokuba snapped irritably. "I need you to listen and listen well."

It made quite a comical sight as the considerably shorter one advanced on Katsuya, prodding a chubby finger into the blonde's chest at every step he took. Katsuya soon found himself backed against the counter of the Kame Game Shop, a slightly nervous look in his amber eyes.

"Seto," Mokuba murmured quite, although it didn't make any difference – Katsuya's eyes snapped to alert as the other's name was said, stiffening under Mokuba's unsaid accusation. "Is moping because of you. And I have never – ever – in my entire life, seen Seto mope. His motto was, 'Kill or be killed,' and he always, without fail, ended up at the top. He didn't dwell on the bad things, but merely got over it and developed new things that he could look forward to." His glare intensified. "And you broke that record."

Katsuya gulped nervously, Adam's apple bobbling comically.

"Seto's now at the supermarket, buying junk food for the fest I told him we were going to have tonight. A spur of the moment thing, really. I'd hate to break my promise – so you're going to do it for me."

The blonde didn't like the sound of this.

"You're going to drag your carcass to the supermarket, catch up with Seto before he reaches the checkout line, and ask him out on a date." Mokuba's voice was caught in the moment, never pausing to see Katsuya's reaction. "Tonight. I've seen the way you look at him, Jounouchi; the doe-eyed look, wanting etched on your face." Mokuba's eyes flashed. "And this is your chance to prove it, Jounouchi."

Mokuba let out a deep breath, drawing back as he closed his eyes.

"I want him to be happy, Jounouchi." His voice didn't contain its sharp edge anymore – rather, it was quite desperate and his tone reeked of helplessness. "He hasn't been happy for a long time, although he did show his sensitive side when he sent you those presents. And all this time –"

Katsuya's eyes widened as he did a rather acute impression of a fish out of water.

"Say WHAT?"

Mokuba tiled his head to one side, glancing inquisitively at the blonde. "Huh?" He eyed Katsuya's expression for a moment before realization – achingly slow – dawned on him. "You didn't know he sent you those presents?"

Katsuya shook his head vehemently. "NO! Honda told me that he sent them!"

Mokuba snorted, more out of bitterness than amusement. "You're amusing, really, Jounouchi. You think Honda would have enough money to buy those gifts for you? Think he really cares about you that much?"

"Huh?"

Yuugi had long since left the room, leaving the two to their privacy, and Mokuba had the chance to shed light on the whole situation.

"Honda's affection for you is just puppy love," Mokuba chided softly, lips twisting into a wry smile. "Agonizingly angst-filled puppy love, but puppy love nonetheless. Seto's love for you, however, is true love." The smile disappeared, replaced by an accusation that Katsuya knew very well. "You never felt anything for Honda, did you? You can't deny it – I know how you feel about Seto."

Katsuya slumped against the counter, the metal edge scratching a line from the middle of his shoulder blades to past his head as he slid to the floor. A barely audible thump was heard as he let his head fall back, hitting against the glass container.

"Kami-sama," he whispered, eyes wide and unseeing. "I never knew."

Mokuba smiled smugly. "Of course you didn't. That's why I came here to tell you."

Katsuya looked like he hadn't heard anything the younger Kaiba brother just said, legs drawing up underneath him as he made to sprint out the door. The bell chimed pleasantly as the door closed – Mokuba's last view of Katsuya was the retreating back, blonde head bobbing up and down as he ran in the general direction of the store.

Mokuba poked his head out the door of the Kame Game Shop, only to be greeted with the black rear of the Kaiba limo, trailing behind Katsuya. He shook his head amusedly.

"The limo door was open, too."

--/--

Seto clucked his tongue disapprovingly as he reached for one of the cereal boxes, shooting a disgusting glance at the crude drawing of a chocolate bunny on the front, munching on some murky brown spheres.

Hell, he could draw better and he wasn't a paid artist for the damn confectionary company.

The brunette snorted. Even in the midst of his self-loathing and pitying, he still found space to criticize the work of others. No wonder he was rather lacking in the romance division.

Seto sighed and stared at the yellow prop in the middle of the brightly lit aisle, eyes scanning over the black words for particular reason. Another sigh found its way out of his mouth. You are your own harshest critic – that surely applied with him, for, even without the help of a perfectionist stepfather, he still squeezed in time to make disgusting remarks about either his physical attributes or emotional capability

No wonder Katsuya chose that idiotic bastard, Honda, over him.

Seto angrily stomped on one of the cereal boxes that had fallen from its perched onto the floor, digging the heel of his boot into the middle of the cardboard container. There was a satisfying crunch as several sugar-loaded puffs smattered into smithereens, accompanied with the crackling of the plastic bag that enveloped them.

"Damn you, Katsuya," he growled, shifting his weight so that the pressure of his foot increased. "Even at the fucking supermarket, I think of you." He ran a hand through his usually impeccably combed hair, shoving a few wayward strands out of his eyes.

Seto stiffened involuntarily as the lazy drawl came from behind him, a teasing tone to the voice.

"I'm flattered, Seto. Really."

The brunette's shoulders slumped as he whirled around, trench coat whipping out behind him in the breeze he created himself. In his haste and discomfort at having the flamboyant blonde around, he had forgotten the abused box beneath his feet and the bright yellow sign that proudly proclaimed 'Wet floor'.

The sudden rush of air assaulted him by surprise as he lose his balance, impressive air disappearing rapidly as his eyes clenched shut. An overwhelming feeling of astonishment engulfed him whole as his eyes opened, after his sudden movement was stopped. No wet floor, no smacking sound, no aching pain through his back.

Katsuya grinned teasingly from his rather suggestive position – one arm wrapped 'round Seto's waist while the other was supporting his upper torso. He dropped a chaste kiss on the brunette's forehead while the blue eyed CEO tried to gather the remaining shreds of his dignity.

Seto eventually stopped and slumped against the metal shelf of the cereal, glancing tiredly at Katsuya.

"What do you want?" It came out more like a groan than the accusation he had meant it to be.

Katsuya's grin wavered and finally disappeared as his eyes flickered to Seto's own respective pair. He locked gazes with the other.

"I'm really sorry, Seto," he sighed, shoulders drooping with guilt. "I really thought Honda sent me the gifts and you didn't care about me at all."

He took small, tentative steps towards the brunette, hastening when he found out that Seto wasn't going anywhere soon.

"I confronted him about it and he confessed – he just took credit for your actions. And all this time, I thought he was the one that cared enough about me to buy those presents for me."

It was then that Katsuya decided words were too insignificant – he would do better by showing Seto what he meant. Taking in a deep breath, he cupped his hands around the brunette's face, thumb tips smoothing over the smooth ridges of the CEO's cheekbones.

Katsuya dropped a kiss on Seto's left eyelid, exposed by when Seto's eyes had fluttered close upon the blonde's first touch.

"Vous et Nul Autre."

Another kiss, a gazing touch, on Seto's other eyelid. "Vôtre pour toujours."

Katsuya knew very well that Seto understood French – he was, after all, the true giver of the rings and translator for the engravings. He couldn't keep the grin off his face as he brushed a kiss on the tip of the brunette's nose.

"Notre amour a été écrit dans es étoiles."

His left thumb was replaced by a lingering kiss. "L'amour prend deux."

Katsuya's right thumb moved now, trailing from the cheekbone to the nape of Seto's neck, gently caressing the silky skin. "J'ai besoin de vous."

The blonde tilled Seto's head to one side, placing a kiss at Seto's left earlobe. "L'amour construit des ponts où il n'y en a aucun."

The right earlobe was next. "Òu il y a l'amour il y a la vie."

For every huskily repeated French phrase, another kiss was placed on Seto's skin. The brunette was practically shivering with anticipation for the, undoubtedly, twelfth and final kiss.

Katsuya's mouth detached itself from a particularly sensitive spot at Seto's neck and eventually found its way to the brunette's mouth. It stopped before their lips came into contact – Seto could feel Katsuya's breath on his quivering lips.

"Aishiteru, Seto. Aishiteru."

Katsuya's eyes fluttered closed as he finally caved in to temptation and kissed Seto, full on the mouth.

to be continued