Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh and Santa owns Christmas. Don't laugh! He really does! I asked him last year. ^^

AnimeFan: Merry Christmas! Ok, it's not Christmas yet but it's close enough! That's why I'm posting this short little story to bring us all into the holiday cheer.

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Title: Melting Fire
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Yami/Seto/Yugi
Content: Language, shounen ai, some suggestive themes
Summary: Angel Yugi and Demon Yami must melt the heart of Seto Kaiba and teach him to believe once again in Christmas. They have until the morning of Christmas day to succeed. If they fail, Kurisumasu will retire and Christmas will be lost...forever.
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AnimeFan: So, what do you people think? I guess it is a little to soon to ask that. You haven't even started reading. ^-^ Something I've learned is when you have writer's block, it helps to write these short stories. So this is a small story for the christmas time. I'll be focusing on it, while trying to get over my writer's block with the other stories like Behind the Veil and stuff. ^^

...Japanese Translation...

Kurisumasu = Christmas
Yurushi = Forgiveness
Iwaku = Past
Kitai = Hope

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Chapter One_Their Mission

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Every year the weather gets cold, snow falls in some places, and the sounds of people rushing to the mall for early and late shopping fill the air. Families and friends get together to celebrate. Charity organizations go about and collect money for those less fortunate then others. Every year the songs and smiles are brought out in the peoples faces. Every year there is a Christmas time.

But what is Christmas? Presents and food...or love and friendship? Sometimes we forget what this holiday really stands for, somewhere between aisle five and eleven. Somehow people lost sight of Christmas's true value, more caught up in what they receive rather then what they give. Maybe, in forgetting the true meaning of christmas, we forgot our own humanity.

Perhaps that was the last straw in the cup. But when all seems lost, there is always one person who comes and refills the container with new straws...new hope. And I guess...I was that person.

The angel and his demon partner stepped forward and knelt before a silken recliner. Before them sat an angel of the greatest beauty, dressed in flowing white robes with hair of the purest gold and eyes of the deepest green. This angel seemed to stare sadly down at a crystal bowl filled with water as still as glass before she noticed their presence and focused her soft gaze on them.

Why have you requested to see me? Her singsong voice asked, echoing around them.

The smallest of the two, the angel, straightened and looked questioningly at her with his cherub like violet eyes, We wish to know if the rumors are true. Are you really retiring, Kurisumasu?

Kurisumasu smiled at the small angel, I'm afraid they are true, Yurushi.

B-But! What of Christmas!? Without you, there is no christmas... Yurushi blurted out before realizing his mistake, Forgive my tone, Lady Kurisumasu.

It is quite all right, little Yurushi. You have a right to be startled, Kurisumasu stated softly, her smile turning into a sad frown, Yurushi...Iwaku...For the longest time now, I've been so tired. For an angel, I am old...and I can not remain the Christmas Angel forever.

Yes...we are aware of that, my Lady. But retire so soon? Shouldn't you wait for your successor to arrive in heaven? Iwaku spoke up, finally standing up to tower a bit over his partner.

Kurisumasu looked to the spiky haired demon, her frown deepening, I'm afraid there will be no successor this time, Iwaku.

What do you mean, my lady! Yurushi asked, his golden bangs falling slightly over his eyes from his sudden movement.

She smiled, a sad smile though, and once again turned to her crystal bowl, I have watched over Earth for five millennia's now, little ones. And as each Christmas has come and gone, I have watched the people of Earth slowly forget what Christmas is really about. It is nothing more then presents and money to them now. I'm afraid there is not one soul down there that still remembers, and so there will be no soul that comes up here who will be capable of taking my place.

Lady Kurisumasu...isn't there something that can be done!? Yurushi pleaded, troubled by this news.

My lady...without you, without Christmas, our jobs will be fruitless. The world will fall into a hell-like chaos, Iwaku added, just as worried as Yurushi.

Kurisumasu again smiled sadly at them, Yes, that may be the outcome. Iwaku, Demon of the Past, and Yurushi, Angel of Forgiveness. This time of year is your busiest. So many souls to lead back to the path of light. So many to save. What good is saving those souls, if in the end they fall back to darkness?

Many may fall...but there are still a few that make it. Those few make all the effort worth it, Yurushi stated softly, looking down at the misty ground.

Kurisumasu paused for a second, thoughtfully pondering Yurushi's words, Yes...the few that make it are worth the hard effort. Yurushi, you are very much right and you've given me an idea.

What, my lady? Yurushi asked, surprised at the sudden lift in her sad tone.

She stood up and looked down at the angel and demon, mind turning over her idea, Iwaku...Yurushi...if you truly wish to do something about this, then there may just be something you can do. I bid you, go to Earth. And if before Christmas day you can make one soul remember Christmas's true meaning, then I'll wait until that soul comes hear to heaven and takes my place.

Oh! You mean it!!! Yurushi cried out happily.

Iwaku smiled brightly and brushed aside a golden strand of hair, We'll do it! How hard could it possibly be?

Very hard, I'm afraid. You see, you can't just win any soul over, little ones, Kurisumasu stated seriously, staring down at her crystal bowl, It is simple to win a soul over, specially a child's or a woman's. But that won't do to lift my spirits and give us hope for the future. No, the two of you must win the soul of the most difficult person who is close to death. And I know just the human.

Of course! Nothing is ever easy... Iwaku groaned, crossing his arms with a displeased frown and fixing her with a crimson stare.

Kurisumasu smiled, amused with the demon's enthusiasm, Go to Earth, little ones, and melt the icy heart of the man known as Seto Kaiba. If you can win him over, then we need never to fear the loss of Christmas again.

*~~~~&~~~~*


Great...this is just perfect! I'm all for this plan, but couldn't Lady Kurisumasu have told us where this Seto Kaiba lives!? Iwaku gripped, scowling and speeding up a bit as they walked along the snowy sidewalks of downtown Tokyo.

Yurushi jogged a little to catch up to the demon, a bit distracted with seeing all the strange sights around them, Humans have really evolved, eh Iwaku? Would you look at how tall these buildings are!

Yeah, yeah...wow. Maybe they'll become so tall that they'll reach Heaven, Iwaku mumbled sarcastically.

Do you really think so? That would be neat! Yurushi exclaimed, his demon partner's sarcasm going in one ear and out the other.

Iwaku sighed and slipped an arm around Yurushi's waist, pulling him closer, Not as neat as you think, little abiou. Then we'd have to deal with all the tourists and crime. I think Earth is hell enough, let's not let Heaven fall that way too.

Yurushi smiled and giggled at his partner, snuggling close to him for warmth, I doubt you'd allow that, eh Iwaku?

Nope. I'd slaughter them all with images of the past, Iwaku half joked.

The two spirits stepped off the sidewalk and started across the empty street to the other side. Halfway across, a loud screeching shattered the snow filled air as a dark blue mercedes struggled to break on the icy road. Neither Iwaku nor Yurushi had a chance to react as the car came at them, hitting them directly in the back and sending both of them flying in the air.

*~~~~&~~~~*


Iwaku groaned painfully, struggling to recall what had happened to him. Why was it so dark and why did his left shoulder bone hurt so damn much? A small pained whimper came from next to him and his protective instincts kicked in once he identified the whimper as Yurushi's. Something cool and damp was placed on his forehead, then footsteps and another soft whimper from Yurushi sounded in his ears.

Finally realizing it was dark because his eyes were closed, Iwaku opened them and looked around at his surroundings. He was in a very spacious room, lying on a large silken bed next to Yurushi. Both his and Yurushi's left shoulder's were wrapped in bandages and a moist cloth was on his forehead. Oh, and a brown haired man was leaning over his Yurushi.

Wait a minute...

Who the hell--Get away from him!! Iwaku yelled and bolted to a sitting position, immediately regretting the action as pain shot from his shoulder throughout his body.

The man regarded the pained demon and leaned over Yurushi to push Iwaku back down on the bed, You shouldn't sit up yet. You haven't healed enough to go jumping like that.

Iwaku blinked away the pained tears and gritted his teeth, crimson meeting fiery blue, Who the hell are you? Where are we? What happened!?

The man frowned disapprovingly down at him, I'm the one who should be asking the questions. I looked but couldn't find any ID on either of you. Mind giving me a name or two?

Iwaku hissed out, pausing to settle down a bit. He had to think clearly. One of the top rules for an angel or demon in the human world is to never give away their true spirit name. That meant he had to come up with a human name for Yurushi and him. My name is...Yami. And he's...Ta...no...Yugi. Yes. His name is Yugi.

The brunette kept a steady gaze, giving Yami' the feeling that he was looking into his soul or something, Welcome to my humble abode, Yami. I'm the owner of the blue mercedes you ruined with your stupid stunt. Don't you know to never cross a road when the light is green, even if there are no cars present.

Humph. Aren't you the ice prince, Yami retorted, returning the other's soul burning gaze, So is your name owner of the blue mercedes' or do you have a more normal name?

The man narrowed his eyes, not pleased with being spoken to with that tone, Kaiba. Seto Kaiba. What are you two, foreigners or something? Illegal? You'd think you'd know who I am at mere glance.

Yami thought to himself, So this is the bastard we're supposed to win over.

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Animefan: Had you going there for a moment, didn't I? Started thinking this had nothing to do with Yami or Yugi? lol. Yami's true spirit name is Iwaku and Yugi's true spirit name is Yurushi. And I'm going to try and keep Yami and Seto's personality as un-OC as I can, but later on Seto begins to lighten up a bit and soften to a more kinder person. So I guess you could say this will have character development.