Disclaimers: I don't own Yugioh. All I own is this story and my original characters.
Dedication: To all my Reviewers esp. to those faithful to my first chapter story, Accidentally In Love. Thanks for reviewing my stories. I owe it all to you. I love you guys!!!! Also, I would like to thank clarity for clearing up the Jou name thing. Thanks!!! ::hugs Clarity::
Pairings: Seto/Jou (main) others may pop up.
Warnings: Shonen-ai. Fluff and Angst (lethal combination). Also, if there are grammatical errors, I'm sorry. I'm half-awake.
A/N: My very first Christmas fic (every author needs one, ne?). I hope you'll like it. It's divided into three chapters and I intend to put it all up before Christmas but I'm not promising anything. The rough draft is written and all I need is to type them. As for AIL, I lost the disk so I have to rewrite the chapppies. I may post after this story is finished. On to the fic then.
Summary: Fifteen years had passed. Two teens, trying to find the perfect gift, found a story that will change two lives that yuletide season. Can old flames rekindled? Can the love return? Will they hear, that Christmas day, the heart's melody?
The Heart's Melody: A Christmas story
Chapter I: The Grouch of Kaiba Manor
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Domino City. December 23, year 2021
"Blasted Weather!" a young boy, blonde hair and piercing brown eyes kicked the snow covering the pavement. He let out a grunt only someone who's been out in the cold for three hours trying to find the perfect gift.
He then thought of the person he'd be giving the present. The mere thought of those ice-cold blue eyes and soft brown hair was enough to make his anger disappear and smile like some lunatic. But he doesn't care. After all, who wouldn't be if you were inlove?
"One year…and it's our first Christmas too." He sighed as he turn to look at the big Christmas tree located at the center of Domino.
He's still dreaming when somebody bumped at him.
"Hey!" he exclaimed. The man just looked at him with the coldest stare before walking away.
"Man! Even Saji's eyes couldn't match those!" he then noticed a notebook lying in front of him.
"A journal?" he examined it. The notebook was covered in fine blue leather and locked with the strangest lock he's ever seen.
"The man must've dropped it." He gave thought of Saji and knew instantly that he should return it.
"Now let's see." He turned it around and found a small sticker at the back complete with address and the name of the owner.
"Hmm…Property of Kaiba Seto.
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He looked up at the dark gloomy manor and felt that he wanted to run away.
"No. Saji wouldn't run away. She'll knock at the door and return this to its rightful owner. The owner would thank him and she'll be proud of him. I want her to be proud of me so I'll do the same." Making up his mind, he rang the bell before he did run.
"State your name and your business with Mr. Kaiba." A cold voice spoke from the intercom.
"Akihiro Kein. I would like to return something owned by Mr. Kaiba." He said trying not to choke up. A light pointed at him and right there and then, he knew he's being scanned for identification.
"Very well, you may enter. The den code is 2314. Leave as soon as you're finished." The large gates opened and Kein all but ran towards the front door. It opened again automatically leading him into three doors with signs 'Den', 'Hallway', and 'Office' hanging in front. He turned at the right door with the sign 'Den' and entered the code. It opened, leading him into a corridor and another big door.
"Geez, what's with all the doors?" he muttered to himself He opened the large oak doors with abandon letting himself in a cozy room.
The walls are painted beige and the draping are rich earth colors. The color scheme is autumn giving off the warm chill before winter yet the heat after summer. There's a large chair infront of the fireplace, a couch, a coffee table and a side table. He saw a hand reach out for the wine glass at the side table letting him know another presence in the room.
"State your affair and be gone boy." A large and intimidating voice commanded.
Kein frowned but held his tongue.
"I'm here to return this, Sir. You've dropped it earlier this afternoon downtown." He showed the journal.
The person just waved his hand.
"Put it at the coffee table. Now leave, you dog."
"I'm not a dog!" Kein slammed the book so hard that he felt the table shook. The person sitting on the chair abruptly stood up before turning towards him. A gasp was heard and the noise of a broken glass followed.
"Kaiba-sama, are you alright?" two armed men entered the room and looked at Kein. He gulped knowing he had done something bad.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have slammed your journal." A sheepish grin appeared on Kein's face and the next thing he knew the other man was trying to hold back his tears.
"Katsuya…" he heard the faint whisper. A blur of brown and blue walked pass him, authorative voice was heard again.
"Bring Akihiro-san to my secretary and tell her to rewards this young man. After that, escort him outside the manor. I'll be up in my study if you need anything." The door then closed.
"You heard Kaiba-sama. Follow us." The two men left. Kein let out a breath shaken from what happened earlier. He then eyed the journal lying at the coffee table. Something nagged him that there's something that connects that man and the one named Katsuya and the only way to find out is in that diary. He picked it up and turns towards the door. He then saw a card lying on the floor. He got it and gaped at it.
It's none other than the Supreme Red Eyes White Dragon.
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"That Grouch. Now I've got nothing for Saji." He eyed his milkshake with the stink eye. He had spent the good part of the afternoon going at the manor and now it's too late to buy his girlfriend a present. He turned his gaze at the journal and card infront of him pondering on what happened at the manor. He took the journal and examined the lock. It has a slim rectangular hole as a keyhole.
" A Duel card could fit in there." He stopped and looked at the card. He took it on one hand and held the journal on the other.
"Could it be…that simple?"(1) He entered the card into the keyhole and it opened. The pages are worn out and there's blotches indicating that at some point the writer is crying while jotting down at the journal. He turns to the first page and started reading the neat handwriting.
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December 25, 2004 Dear Diary,Christmas again. Yay. (Note the sarcasm.) As usual, Mokuba asked me (and when I say asked, he literally bite me just to make me agree) to hold a Christmas party. I tried to decline but that would leave me with bite marks and could cause me to have yet another set of rabies shot, so I agreed. Little did I know that the little de—I mean angel was planning something. (I had seen that evil glint again in his eyes but being the kind and loving Oniisama that I am, I ignored it. Big mistake.)
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Domino City. December 23, Year 2004
His mansion is yet again full of people. He sighed knowing all too well that the Yugi-tachi would be there as well. That means the pup is somewhere inside his manor partying.
Seto glared at anyone who turns his way before deciding that he needs to find his little brother. After ten minutes of searching, he found him sitting beside the Christmas tree together with the Yugi gang.
"Big brother! Join us, we're exchanging gifts now!" Mokuba invited. And the only space he could occupy is between the tree and the mutt. Hurrah for him.
"I don't—" Seto's resolve quickly crumble at the mere sight of Mokuba's puppy dog eyes. "Fine." He grudgingly sat beside Jou who's miraculously silent.
They continued giving gifts to one another and surprisingly, everyone got something from Kaiba. He doesn't want to at the first place but Mokuba insisted that he had to give ALL of them presents instead of just one of them. He didn't expect to get gifts either but the whole gang (due to Yugi's insistence) gave him one, even the so-called mutt.
The clock struck ten and the party ended on Kaiba's assigned party curfew. The exchange their goodbyes and went on their way.
"Well, big brother, I'm off to bed now. Goodnight." Mokuba kissed him on the cheek before going up to his room. He ordered one of his maids to carry Mokuba's gifts to his room and another one to carry his. But before the maid could pick up Jou's gift, he took it and said that he'll be the one to carry it.
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I opened Katsu-chan's gift last. It was small, about a size of a greeting card and about an inch and a half thick. It's wrapped in a green paper with a red ribbon on top. I'm going to keep those as remembrance.
I looked inside the box and found bandanna with the picture of the BEWD as its design. It's hand-painted and I instantly knew that Katsuya drew it. I look at it with amazement in my eyes. I'm going to have this framed.
But what caught my attention most was the tiny paper at the very bottom. It just read,
10:00 P.M., December 24, Domino Square, beside the large Christmas tree.
I didn't know but something tells me that this would be good.
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Domino Square. December 24, 2004. 10:15 P.M.
'Where is he?!' Seto inwardly screamed. He's been freezing about an hour ( he arrived quarter to ten) and Katsuya's still not there.
Footsteps are heard running towards him and he stood up, ready to lash out at the mutt. But the mere sight of him made his heart stop. Jou's clad into tight-fitting jeans and tight-fitting green turtle neck. His coat is about knee-length and his scarf is wrap loosely around his neck. His cheeks are all red from all those running, hair tousled into a messier look and he's panting as he tries to catch his breath.
"Sorry Kaiba. My dad didn't let me out until I've cleaned out my room." He apologized, a sheepish grin appearing on his face. Seto's face softened for a moment before turning cold once again.
"So what's up with this meeting, mutt? And I expect this to be important." He said with a scowl. Jou growled at the dog comment but didn't answer back.
"Kaiba, it's Christmas eve. Can we not fight? I'll be civil to you and vice versa. That includes dog comments." Jou looked at him with weary but determined eyes.
Kaiba can't help but just nod.
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That day was the best day of my life. We had gone skating and we ate different kinds of food. At around midnight, he gave me a bell and led me towards the largest Christmas tree in Domino. I then noticed the other people placing similar bells at the tree. I mimicked them but Katsuya stopped me.
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"Make a wish first." He answered to lessen my confusion. He then held his bell near his heart and closed his eyes. Seto did what he did and wished for that one thing he had always dreamed of.
Katsuya's Love.
Yes, he, the great Kaiba Seto, inlove with the mutt. He didn't know when or how. He just woke up one day realizing that all the confusing emotions he felt with Jou is Love. Yet, he's afraid to dwell on that. So he taunted him more thinking it would drove Jou away and him falling out. It just got worst, he fell in love more.
He then felt Jou's hand on his arm and motioned him to place his bell. He did and let Katsuya drag him towards the nearby fountains.
"It's only a minute before midnight. Legend says that when a bell rang on the exact Christmas Eve, the one who owned the bell will have his wish granted." Katsuya as lights started to dance in his blonde hair. Seto can't help but admire the boy next to him. As the clock struck twelve, the Christmas tree lit up making Jou look more surreal. And Seto knew it was the time.
Before they both knew it, Seto kissed Jou and he returned it. They pulled apart for air as Jou linked his arms around Seto's neck and Seto's found their way on Jou's waist.
"Look, my wish did come true." Jou said with a smile. Kaiba nodded understanding what Jou meant. "I love you."
With that, Seto's eyes start to well up with tears. " And I love you." They kissed again, pouring the love they had for one another. At the back of their minds, they could hear the faint ringing of bells.
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Kein stopped for a moment to order another milkshake and burger. So the Katsuya person is Seto Kaiba's boyfriend.
"Just like me and Saji. We had the same anniversary too." He looked at the date and noticed that it was written seventeen years ago. He also noticed that the entries have random dates proving that either Kaiba's too busy to write or he's just writing down the important events.
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October 25, 2005
Dear Diary,
Greet me! It's our tenth monthsary and MY birthday today. Mokuba had planned a little party with the Yugi-tachi (which I tried to be civil with but the white haired albino and those two blonde Egyptians are plain psychos. Not to mention Otogi who had his eyes at MY pup. Ok, calm down Seto. Remember, Katsuya wouldn't want you killing those lunatics or poking Otogi's eyes out.) As I was saying, there's a small party. But it doesn't mean they didn't create a big havoc.
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Kaiba Mansion. October year 2005
Seto walked towards Jou who's currently being cornered by Otogi.
"Pup." He called catching the attention of the two boys. Katsuya let out a sigh of relief before going towards his lover.
"Thanks for saving me." Jou whispered. Seto smirked.
"Anytime mutt." A reply that earned him a jab on the stomach.
"Enough with the dog—oh my, Yugi?!" Jou all but yell as he saw Yugi sliding down the manor's stair railings.
"Wha—Mokuba?!" Seto pulled Jou towards the stairs and tried to save Jou's best friend and his brother.
"WEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yugi squealed that Mokuba mimicked. Good thing they came just in time to catch the two. But the two giggling boys ignored them and ran towards the kitchen.
"Ok, who gave them sugar?" Jou turned to Anzu and Yami who's currently pointing at each other. Jou let out a sigh when he heard Honda screamed.
"HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M BEING ATTACKED BY SUGAR INDUCED MONSTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
and then by Otogi
"HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'M BEING ATTACKED BY RABID MANIACS IN SUGAR RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
and lastly by Mai
"I'M WARNING YOU KAIBA! IF YOUR BROTHER OR JOU'S FRIEND COME NEAR, SO HELP ME, I'LL—ACK!!!!! COME BACK HERE YOU BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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If only things end that minute. But there's a far more horror coming our way. And we didn't see it.
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After an hour of head bashing, running after sugar-rushed monsters, hair pulling and one pool diving (On Seto's account. Don't ask.). Mokuba and Yugi's energy left them. Seto (dripping wet), together with Jou (covered with flour), Yami (part of his shirt is nowhere to be found), Anzu (lollipop sticking out of her hair), Honda (part of his hair chopped), Mai (lipstick smeared all over her face) and Otogi (Lollipop sticking out of his hair AND honey used as his hair gel causing his hair to go up just like Yami's) laid on the living room exhausted. They tried to get back their energy when suddenly sweet Ryou appeared.
Oh let me rephrase that, sweet and drunk Ryou showed up. Not to mention, he had a drunk Malik too. The group groaned knowing they'll create a lot more mess than Yugi and Mokuba.
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That Bakura and Malik! How could they let their Hikari's drink if they have zero alcohol tolerance? So as punishment, we locked them (the two psychos) together with their hikari's ( a lot deadlier now they're drunk) inside one of the many rooms in the manor. Now that I've think about it, I'm gonna have that room cleaned then locked forever.
But even if my birthday party was a disaster, Jou had his way of making it all worthwhile.
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"Happy Birthday Seto. And happy monthsary too." Jou kissed him before turning towards the horizon. Seto just hugged him and whispered his reply back.
"It's the best because you're here with me. I love you."
"Me too Seto. Me too."
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Kein raised his eyebrows. It seems that they have a happy relationship. But why does the man he saw before looked like the life is sucked out of him? Took a bite at his burger before continuing.
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December 29, 2005Dear diary,
It's our first anniversary. I'm so happy. Who would've thought that someone could last a relationship with me? Something nagged me that I should make our relationship public. For once in my life, I don't want to hide anymore.
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Kaiba Corporation, Main Hall December year 2005
"Seto, where are we going?"
"You'll soon find out."
Seto led him towards a room that as soon as they opened the door, camera flashes blinded them momentarily.
"Seto?" Jou's eyes are clouded with confusion as he sat beside Seto infront of the media people.
"Trust me." Seto took his hand and started his announcement.
"Minna-san. I, Kaiba Seto, CEO of Kaiba Corp, would like to introduce to you my boyfriend Jonouchi Katsuya." After that all hell break loose.
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The media are vultures. They had feasted on our relationship. But we stayed strong. Kaiba Corp wasn't held down by that fact. And I'm proud of Katsuya, he held it like a man.
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October 25, 2006
Dear Diary,
Another birthday with my love. This time, Mokuba gave us plane tickets to Hawaii. He knew last year was a disaster and to make amends he let us have this vacation.
As I watch Katsu-chan sleeping on the nearby bed, I've made up my mind. I'm gonna propose to him on our second year anniversary.
I'm gonna marry him.
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Kein frowned as he turns to the next page. That's where the blotches started. Why is he crying when he's gonna propose. Unless…
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December 25, 2006
Dear diary,
I want to die. He said no. That we can't. After that he flatly broke up with me. That jerk! How could he leave me?! On our anniversary no less!!! Damn him! Damn him to hell!
How could he? I love him! And he loves me…he said he loves me…
What if…he never loved me? Then what does our time together mean?! Is he just playing?! Well, nobody plays Kaiba Seto and gets away with it. I'll show him… I'll show you Jonouchi Katsuya!
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Kein closed the journal. Now he knows why the man, Kaiba Seto, was a grouch. From what he have read, he's a reserved type of guy that when falls inlove is a hopeless romantic. Just like Saji. She's a loner at first and doesn't want to make friends with others. But he saw past that icy exterior and knew that there's a girl inside wanting to belong.
He stood up and paid for his meal. He looked at the clock and it's already seven. He's meeting up with Saji at around eight.
Maybe he could ask for her help. Help on finding Jonouchi Katsuya.
-end of part 1
A/N: I'll upload the next chapppies later this day or tomorrow. Happy Holidays!!!