Christmas Chills

Chapter Nine: God Bless Us Everyone

(Written by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard based of phrase from the story "A Christmas Carol", 2009. First sung by Andrea Bocelli for the movie "A Christmas Carol", 2009."

Once the initial shock wore off, Yami found himself pounced on by an overjoyed Yugi, followed by Jonouchi, Anzu and Honda, who were all laughing and crying at the same time. Sugoroku soon joined the celebration and they all clustered together in a hug, as the two tri hairs examined each other in awe.

Suki and Kioshi were still watching in bewilderment and were really not sure how to react. They glanced over to the bed, where Seto was sitting and watching quietly, and tried to ask him what was going on.

The brunet just shook his head. "I find it best to not ask and to just go with it." He told them bluntly.

As soon as everyone calmed down, they all migrated into the living room, except for Seto, who was still tired and said he wanted to check his cellphone in case Mokuba had tried to call him. Yami could see that he was a bit uncomfortable with everyone's concern over him and was missing his brother terribly, so the Pharaoh convinced the others to leave him alone while drawing attention away from him. Though it took a bit more convincing for Suki and Kioshi to leave until they were satisfied that their patient was fine and unharmed.

Once in the living room, Yami was bombarded by questions about what happened in Kaiba's soul room and how he had a solid form. While he did answer some of them, he was very vague on some of the finer details concerning Seto's soul room and refused to elaborate on them. He simply kept what he had told them earlier and said that there was no fear of the 'bugs' coming back to cause further harm.

Yugi and the others did not press when they saw the stubborn look on the Pharaoh's face. They could see that something had caused the Egyptian teen to be protective of the CEO and figured it would be best to leave it between the two of them.

The newly freed Yami was questioned a bit more so by Suki and Kioshi. But most of the questions were more out of curiosity about him than interrogations. He answered what he could, despite the lack of memories, and allowed them to examine him to give them a peace of mind. He was declared to be in full health and showed no signs of side effects, which was a weight off to him and his friends. Then Sugoroku and Suki heated up a large plate of food for him that he eagerly scarfed down, almost crying at the fact that it was his first official meal in three-thousand-years.

It was not too long until Jonouchi started challenging the newly freed Yami to several games, which Anzu protested to, saying that their friend should at least be given more time to get used to being outside the Puzzle. But Yami happily and eagerly accepted each and every challenge, soon roping everyone into the many crazy games which later caused them to form changing teams.

While the Pharaoh and Yugi won almost all the one's they teamed up on, it was to their great surprise that both Katsuya's proved to be hard opponents when father and son were together. They were almost unstoppable…..except when they comically squabbled over some of the game pieces and the other's strategy.

The games also helped Suki and Kioshi to relax around the new house guest and for them to truly see that while the boy was an ancient spirit of three thousand years past, he was still a teenager, who had a great love of games. He was kind but competitive, much like Yugi, but perhaps a bit more extreme and intense when he played. He got along very well with everyone and they could see a very strong kinship between him, their sons and the other teens that solidified Yugi's story of their friendship.

They got to see even more of his good character when Seto later emerged from the guest room. He lingered at the doorway at first, but when Yami saw him and warmly beckoned him over, he walked in, trying but failing to not look bummed out about something. The Pharaoh did not question him about it and instead, coxed him to join them in the current game of Monopoly, which changed the game entirely into survival for the others, while Yami and Seto fought for the lead. Through the whole thing, the two bantered in a rather friendly manner and while it was rather fierce, it never escalated into anything else and made the game more fun.

What was really funny, was the kitten, who had attached herself to Seto as soon as he entered the room. She sat happily on his leg and would bat at the game pieces, which had both boys teasing her with them as they picked at each other during their turn.

When Seto finally won in the end, Jonouchi raised a fuss at first about Kaiba cheating, but was abruptly squelched to his and his friend's astonishment by a rather angry Yami, who jumped to the brunet's defense. Seto, to Suki's and Kioshi's amusement, just rolled his eyes and yanked the fussing teen down by his shirt, making him squawk and flail about as he plopped back beside the brunet.

"Thank you Yami. But I believe I am more than capable of defending myself from the likes of him." He said with a goading smirk.

Jonouchi growled and shook a fist at him. "What do you mean by that ya jerk?!"

"Oh, nothing." Seto said innocently, while still smirking as he pet his furry leg warmer as she purred. "Expect maybe the fact about you going bankrupt so quickly shows signs of slow development skills, which ironically, indicates that you have a brain the size of a walnut."

"A walnut! Why you!" The enraged blond lunged at him but was held back by Honda and Yugi, as he yelled several insults and swung his fist like crazy at the smug brunet.

Yami lightly slapped Seto on the arm. "Kaiba, what did I tell you about playing nice?"

"I was playing nice." Seto retorted as he rubbed his arm and collected his winnings. "Some people are just too sensitive."

"I AM NOT SENSITIVE!" Jonouchi screeched and he strained against his friends even harder.

The brunet grinned cheekily as he looked back over at Yami. "See?"

The Pharaoh just shook his head while trying to suppress a smirk.

The teenagers continued to play several more games, while the three adults eventually migrated into the kitchen for a cup of hot chocolate that Sugoroku was brewing. A few times the teens would get a bit loud, resulting in one of grownups to peek in the room to check on them then withdraw back into the kitchen.

Later, Yami and Seto broke off from the others and moved off to a corner where they started conversing quietly. The kitten sat contently in the CEO's arms, purring and rubbing her head up and down his arm as he scratched behind her ears.

"What's wrong Seto?" Yami asked in a hushed voice, having not forgotten that something earlier was bothering the blue eye teen.

"Nothing's wrong Yami. I'm fine." The brunet said at first, then saw his friend's stern look and relented surprisingly easily. "I just tried calling Mokuba back since I had several missed calls from him. But he wasn't answering so I tried my house phone. My housekeeper said that he told her if I called, she was to tell me that he was busy and would get back with me later." He said gloomily.

Yami frowned. "Well that's odd." He remarked. "Surely he would have taken your call if he's been trying to reach you."

"I know." Seto said. "I'm worried he might be mad at me."

"Mad at you?"

The brunet nodded as his expression become more somber. "I left my phone on vibrate so I didn't hear him calling. And I haven't spoken to him for a few days. He was already irritated at me, so this probably really set him off."

The Pharaoh tried to reassure him. "Maybe he was truly busy and will call you back later."

"Maybe." Seto still did not looked convinced. "I'll give him an hour or two, then I'll see."

The two hours became four and Seto still received no word from his brother. He tried calling him several more times and even tried Isono's phone, but finally gave up after receiving a text from his employee. It said that Mokuba was currently with him and promised he would talk to Seto soon but was busy with something and could not answer his phone right now.

The brunet sulked in an armchair as the day rounded into afternoon, a dark frown on his face as he pondered what on earth his brother could be up to. He had changed back into his blue dress shirt, dark gray dress pants and black socks, after feeling a bit ridicules walking around barefooted and in P'J's. A blanket was draped over his legs by Suki and a certain small ginger-white kitten laid curled up in his lap sleeping. He scratched her absent mindedly while he stared off into space, brooding quietly. Everyone left him alone, save for Yami and Yugi who sat on the couch by him and conversed softly, so as to not bug their companion while keeping him company.

It was not until lunchtime that Seto's mood lifted slightly, when the sound of machines outside the window signaled that the snow-covered roads were being cleared.

"Hey, look at that!" Honda exclaimed happily. "Looks like we're going to be dug out of here in no time."

"Do you think that means the power will come back soon?" Yugi asked hopefully.

"Maybe." Kioshi said after a sip from his cup. "The power lines would have had to been cleared before anybody could make it past, so the possibility is high."

"That would be fantastic." Sugoroku grunted grumpily. "Then we can turn the heater up. I'm freezing!"

Suki poked him. "Well if you would put a sweater on over your overalls."

Before her father-in-law could retort, there was an unexpected knock on the shop door downstairs.

"What on earth? Now who could that be?" Sugoroku wondered and quickly headed down to check.

"Do you think it's a worker? Because nobody but them could make it through the snow yet." Anzu remarked, as she sat down besides Yugi on the couch.

Her friend shrugged. "I guess we'll find out in a minute."

Though they did not find out in the way they expected. A flurry of feet was heard thundering up the stairs and a black blur darted into the room, making a beeline for Seto who had leapt to his feet as the blur jumped at him with a yell.

NIIIIII-SAMMMAAAA!

"ACK!" *WHUMP* *THUMP* "Oof!" "MREOW!"

The armchair laid backwards, as Seto lie on his back with his legs still propped on the seat stunned, a grinning youth staring down at him while sitting on his stomach quite comfortably happy.

"M-Mokuba?!" Seto squeaked out.

The younger Kaiba's grin widen and started hugging his brother around his neck tightly. "Merry Christmas Nii-sama!"

"Ack! M-Mokuba..T-too tight! Too tight!" Seto chocked and scrambled to loosen his brother's grip.

"Mokuba?! How did you get here?" The Yugi gang asked as Yami and Suki hurried to help Seto up. A disgruntle kitten scooted off to the side towards Anzu, looking rather upset at being unseated so abruptly.

"Oh, a snowplow driver. He cleared the way for Isono and me as we drove." The black hair child said excitedly. He then blinked when he noticed the different looking Yugi with gold jewelry. "Woah! When did you get a body Yami?"

Yami smiled. "It's a long story." He told the boy.

Seto finally managed to sit up with Mokuba still hanging from his neck. "Wait. What do you mean you guys drove here?!"

"Ah ah, me first Nii-sama." Mokuba said, waggling his finger in front of his bewildered brother with a frown. "You got really sick didn't you? That's why you didn't call me back right? For shame Nii-sama, for shame, making me worry about you!" The eleven-year-old scolded.

"Err, Mokuba. It wasn't that bad-." Yugi started to say, but quickly shut up at the dark glare.

"Don't try to kid me Yugi!" The younger Kaiba fumed. "I know my brother and you can't fool me that easily." He turned back to his silent sibling. "And I promise you mister that when we get back home, your grounded for a month from work. You hear me! A month!"

Isono, who had just entered with several bright packages in his arms, tried to calm the youth down. "N-now, now Mokuba-sama. Don't you think that's a little extreme?" He asked timidly.

"Hmph. Okay fine, half a month." The boy begrudged. "But! I'm going to be keeping an eye on you the whole time! And if you so much as look at a computer, I'll extended it to four more weeks and lock you in your room! And I'll shave your head if I have too and-!"

Mokuba felt the body under him quiver and he wondered if he had gone too far. "Err, well maybe not the head part and I guess I'll just extended it to two weeks and…..Nii-sama? Nii-sama are you listening to me?!"

He broke off when Seto pulled him into a hug and started laughing, loudly. His laughter startled everybody, due to it not being his gloating one, but a joyous one they had never heard from him before. He pulled back and started vigorously ruffling Mokuba's mane of hair, which caused the child to yelp and try to squirm free.

"Ah! Hey! No fair Nii-sama! Hahahahahah! Stop it!" Mokuba squealed. He broke free and jumped away from the brunet, scurrying out of the room with his brother at his heels. "Help! Murder! Mayday! Nii-sama's on the loose!" He laughed, ducking under Seto's hands and zooming downstairs.

As the two laughing boys darted down into the shop, the others blinked and watched in a daze. Yami, just shook his head and smiled after them broadly.

"Hmm. I say that Kaiba has recovered quite nicely. Don't you agree?"

/

The Christmas tree in the living room was surrounded by several presents that the Muto's and the gang had placed to open on the last day of the Christmas party. But due to the storm and Seto's sickness, they had been forgotten and sat idle the past few days. But now, on Christmas Eve they sparkled and shined, and many, many more were added by Mokuba and Isono, who had carried them with them from the Kaiba mansion and in Isono's car.

Jonouchi and Honda were drooling over them and begging for them to be allowed to open them. But Suki put her foot down and told them since it was the Eve before Christmas, it would not kill them to wait one more day. "Besides." She said. "We have more guest and they should be given the chance to settle in first."

Which Mokuba happily did, claiming the right side of the armchair and snuggling in very closely into Seto's side, while the kitten reclaimed her spot on the brunet's lap. At first, she shied away from the smaller boy, still upset with him for ruining her nap earlier. But over time, the black hair child won her over and earned her forgiveness after finding several good spots to rub her down.

Isono sat in another armchair close by, keeping an eye on his charges but relaxing in his seat now that both of them were in his line of sight. He still had his sunglasses on amazingly, but wore a dark grey sweater, black pants and brown dress shoes that made him look very casual in comparison to his typical suit.

Mokuba was also in different clothes than his Battle City outfit and had on a red sweater with several snowflakes on it. He still had a vest on, but this one was white with a silver KC emblem sewn on the front pocket and blue jeans with blue, black and white sneakers completed the ensemble. He currently had his shoes off and was kicking his feet back and forth while he chattered up a storm with Jonouchi and Yugi, who were filling him in on what he had missed. Everyone else was scatter about the living room enjoying the many types of sushi that Suki had made for that evening and talking about this and that.

"You really punched Nii-sama?!" Mokuba asked for the fifth time.

"I said I was sorry!" Jonouchi fussed. "I may have punched him but Yami was the one who possessed him!"

"Yeah. But Yami wasn't the one who sucker punched him and got thrown up on!"

Seto groaned and pinched his brow. "Mokuba. Can we just drop it please? It was an unpleasant experience for all those involved, and I 'really' rather not talk about." He scolded.

His brother grumbled about just being curious but did as he was asked. "But your eyes really turned purple when Yami took control? I would have figured you would have shrunk and had a deep foreboding voice with star fish hair!"

All the Muto males looked a little offended by the description. "It looks nothing like a star fish!"

Suki snorted and quickly ducked her head as her family frowned at her.

The Pharaoh ignored them as he explained. "Your brother and I's connection is different from Yugi's and mine. Also while Aibou looks similar to me, Kaiba does not, so I could only alter so much of him when taking control."

"Oh." Was all Mokuba said.

"And what a relief that was." Seto muttered.

Yami just stuck his tongue out at him and swiped a piece of sushi from the tray on the table.

"Well, I'm just glad it's all over and that Kaiba-kun is better." Anzu said happily. "It was really touch and go there for a while."

"Heh. That sounds like Nii-sama. Always going for the extreme." The younger Kaiba teased, though the touch of worry could be seen as he glanced over at his brother.

Seto just smiled apologetically and held him close. "This time was unintentional and will not happen again. I promise."

Mokuba looked satisfied at that and returned the hug. "It better not."

Suki smiled at the sight and rose from her footrest that she had been sitting on. "Alright everybody! I say that it's time to call it a night so we can get up early for presents."

All the guys, say for Yami and Seto, cheered and hurried to finish off their food before scrambling to the bathroom to get ready.

Suki and Sugoroku later directed everyone to where they would be sleeping, though it was a bit hard because of the many people in the small sized house that did not have many rooms. Eventually, Jonouchi, Honda and Yugi wound up in Yugi's room on the floor with pallets while Mokuba got the bed. Anzu had a pallet in Suki's room and Isono and Kioshi got one and the bed in the guest room, which Kioshi gleefully took the bed after Isono declined it. Seto and Yami would sleep in the living room on the couch and a pallet, while Suki and Sugoroku kept their beds.

Before he went to bed however, Seto pulled Sugoroku to the side.

"I need a favor."

/

That night was a peaceful one for the first time since the whole series of events had started. Everyone slept deeply, enjoying every minute of it as no dreams invaded their peace of mind. The snow outside was smaller and fell at a gentle and slow pace with hardly any wind stirring. A great deal of the roads around the neighborhood were cleared and power turned back on some time after midnight, much to the relief of the inhabitants who were still awake to notice at the time.

When the morning sun had begun to rise, the world was still white but at a more manageable depth. Youngsters, who had been snoozing, awoke to their internal alarm clocks and began prancing around their houses, darting into rooms to rouse the other sleepers with their shouts of joy and glee.

One said youngster bounced on the three lumps sleeping on the floor at the top room of the Kame Game Shop. He was met with complaints and groans but did not desist in his attempts to wake them.

"Come on you lugs! Its Christmas!" Mokuba squealed, grabbing a pillow from the bed to whack the heads poking out of the covers. "Get up get up! Its Christmas!"

"Alright, alright!" Jonouchi swiped at the kid with his own pillow. "Sheesh! Who fed you sugar last night?!"

"You did." Honda groan as he tried to straighten his hair back into a point.

Mokuba darted out the bedroom and made his made into the living room. He removed the kitten from her spot and started bouncing onto the lump on the couch that was his brother.

"Seto wake up! Wake up! It's time to open presents!"

"Ugh. Mokuba…Five more minutes." Seto whined and burrowed further under the covers.

Yami sat up with a yawn and scratched his head sleepily. "I don't think trying to barter with a hyper child on a holiday with gifts will work Seto."

"Worth a shot." Seto muttered and reluctantly let Mokuba yank his covers away.

Everybody soon assembled around the Christmas tree, wide awake and eager to see what was in the many pretty boxes and packages. While there were no presents with Kioshi's and Isono's names on them, both were good natured about it and sat back to enjoy watching everyone else open theirs.

Seto was a little surprised that there were several for him from Yugi and his friends. There were even some for Yami, who was delighted and eagerly tore the paper while Seto slowly peeled his away. The floor was soon covered by ribbon and bits of paper, which drew out a certain bundle of fur to scamper and pounce on the scraps while everyone laughed at her antics.

The reactions to the presents were amusing, Yugi's being one of the best due to his cheeks blushing a vibrant pink at the thoughtful gift from Anzu, which was a weatherproof deck holder that could be strapped on his leg or around his waist. It was a dark blue with his name printed on it in dark purple letters, with a nifty looking lock that sealed the lid shut tightly. Of course, Jonouchi and Honda notice his reaction and started wolf howling to the poor boy's further embarrassment, though Anzu shut them up real quick with a hard kick to the back of their heads that had Kioshi roaring with laughter.

Jonouchi got a couple of really nice Dual Monsters cards from his friends and, surprisingly, a really rare one from the Kaiba's, which had the dualist lunge hugging a disgruntle brunet that abruptly shoved him off. He and all his friends also got Kaibaland passes that would let them enter the park for free and have access to all the rides, games and food as much as they wanted. Both Kaiba's were thanked profusely, to which Seto just muttering that Mokuba talked him into it but accepted their thanks.

Honda of course, got several items that were motorcycle related and even received a new biker jacket with an expensive motorcycle name brand on it from Mokuba, to which he cried happy tears to.

Anzu was gifted several pretty bracelets and a pair high-quality dancing shoes. But what really shocked her was tickets to the Sleeping Beauty Ballet, which was to be performed in Tokyo that coming spring, from Yugi. The tickets were to the best seats in the theater that would have the ballet and were very hard to come by if one did not have good connections….Or a certain rival and little brother that knew a person or two. The tri hair teen received a kiss or two on the cheek for that.

Mokuba received several games amongst his various gifts while Sugoroku was given several puzzles and teas. Suki was also given some tea and special flavored coffee that she quickly tucked in the kitchen to brew later. Seto and Yami got some interesting little nick nacks and a few Dual Monster cards that they found would be useful in their decks. They also received glass figures of their trademark monsters, which they quietly tucked away to admire later when nobody was looking.

Soon all the presents were opened, and the tree was bare underneath, all say for one last box that was tucked in the far back.

"Hey we missed one." Yugi quickly fished it out. "And it's for you Mokuba."

"For me?" Mokuba took it and looked at the tag on it. "It has my name but who's it from?"

"You certain it wasn't from you to somebody else?"

"Jonouchi!"

"Kidding! I was just kidding!"

Mokuba ripped the paper off and cut the tape that was holding the flaps shut. Easing the flaps back, he could see a bundle wrapped in tissue paper and carefully pulled it out.

"What….?" He stopped as he removed the tissue paper, feeling his eyes grow large at the beautiful figurine that he had just unwrapped.

"Hey, isn't that-." Yugi started to ask but was gently shushed by a smiling Sugoroku.

Mokuba turned the piece of glass around carefully, admiring all the vibrant colors of the flowers and the amazing detail of the woman dressed in white. "She's, so pretty." He breathed in awe.

"She is, isn't she."

The child looked over to see a softness in his brother's eyes as he approached him. "Nii-sama?"

Seto sat down beside him and opened his locket, removing the picture of his brother to reveal a small key that had been hidden behind it and taped to the back. He pulled it out and gently placed it one of Mokuba's hands.

"Can you find the hole to where this goes?" He asked his bewildered brother.

Purple-gray eyes looked puzzled, but the boy turned back at the figurine and started carefully examining it. It took him about a minute before he noticed a small, almost unnoticeable circle at the front base of the stand and placed his finger on it. He heard a click and felt the surface slide, watching as a hidden cover move up to see a small keyhole that had been hidden. He inserted the key in and turned it, surprised to find it could turn several times before it stopped and started to turn itself in the opposite direction.

A tune began to play in musical chimes. It was slow but had a steady rhythm, making it sweet sounding and happy at the same time with a touch of melancholy.

Mokuba looked over at Seto, seeing his eyes glisten slightly as he gently took the figurine from him and held it as the music played. "What is this Nii-sama?" The boy asked. "And what melody is that?"

"La Vie en rose." Seto told him softly. "It's a French love song that Mom always said was her favorite…..She listen to it all the time."

"Mom did?" The child leaned a bit closer to get a better look at the figurine. "Then this…belonged to Mom?"

"Yes Mokuba. It did." The elder Kaiba sighed and met his brother's eyes. "In fact….this was made t….to look like her."

Mokuba's eyes widen, his heart feeling like it stopped as he took in his older sibling's words. "M-made t-to…?" His voice failed him as he studied the glass woman's face more intently.

Everyone watched silently as the black hair child reverently touched the figurine's hair, letting his finger trail off as his face became solemn. He removed his hand and placed it on his quiet brother's arm, his eyes stinging as he begun to fill the pieces that he had been missing.

"…..This is what you were doing, wasn't it Nii-sama. You were….looking for this, weren't you?"

Seto had to swallow a lump down before he could answer. "Yes….little brother…..This is, what I was doing." He sighed and wrapped an arm around Mokuba's shoulder as he continued to speak.

"Our Father had this made by a friend in France, who specialized in glass figurines. But he was the one who built the music box inside of it and picked the song. He was, always very good at building little complex creations in his spare time. He actually met our Mother in France, during a time he used to live there as a translator, while she was there on tour as a singer, since she was one back in the day before she married Dad. They were in a café that was playing La Vie en rose when he bumped into her. They started talking and she had asked him for the translation of the song, wanting to include it in her show. One thing led to another and then they started seeing each other. They moved back to Japan when I was a baby and lived there ever since."

Seto held up the figurine, letting the ceiling light shine off of it for a minute. "He commissioned this as a wedding present and as a memento to what brought them together. So it's the only one of its kind." His eyes stung and he had to take a couple of breaths before he could finish. "I….I wanted you t-to have it Mokuba. Because, while I know I've not talked about them much, I still want you to….to know, that I haven't forgotten them and…and…"

Mokuba could see his brother's struggle and leapt in his arms, burrowing his nose into his neck as he held the older boy tightly. Seto set the glass woman down and returned the hug, hiding his face in his brother's mane of hair as he sighed deeply.

"Merry Christmas, Seto."

"…..Merry Christmas, Mokuba."

The two brothers embracing made for a heartwarming sight. All the girls had wet eyes while the guys watched quietly, but all of them had smiles on their faces as they felt honored to witness such a sweet moment.

Yami, who was standing off to the side, heard a little tinkle sound and glanced over to the figurine on the floor. The eyes glimmered a bit, then faded way, as if the strange light had never been there.

The Pharaoh grinned, hugging Yugi close to him as he whispered quietly in the air.

"Merry Christmas. To all you guardian angels hanging around out there."

/

"….."

"Hey Jonouchi. You remember saying something about it having to freeze over first before you saw Kaiba a good guy?"

"…"

"Ah shut up Honda."

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

The End

Thank you all for reading my story and many, many thanks to all of those who reviewed, followed and favorited.

Bonus Chapter will come out soon