Author's note: It looks like I won't get this finished by Christmas, but I just started my winter break so I should be done by New Year.
Reviewers:
Evil Furby Queen: I'm really flattered by your complement. Thank you for your review.
Warnings: Slight language.
Disclaimer: I'll own Yu-gi-oh when pigs fly, so until that day I have no ownership over said characters.
All I Want for ChristmasChapter 9: The Night Before
Taylor ResidenceMrs. Taylor was more then a little surprised to find two extra boys at the dinner table but didn't mind so much, seeing as how the house would have been pretty lonely with just herself and her son so close to Christmas.
Tristan was still a little apprehensive about letting Bakura into his house, but the tomb robber had been cooperative upon hearing the prospect of a warm place to sleep that night, that and the Taylor's were having steak for dinner.
If he could have his steak rare, Bakura swore on his ring that he would not stab, harm, threaten (you get the point), anyone while staying at the Taylor's.
Ryou was still feeling guilty about Duke, it was his own actions that had lead to the boy's sudden memory loss, and now it was Malik who had to take the teen back to his place to restore Duke's mind. To top it off he was even laying his own finical troubles on the Taylor's.
He had tried calling the University as soon as he arrived at Tristan's home, only to get an answering machine wishing him a Happy Holidays and that his message would be received after New Year.
/Stop worrying, we'll figure something out./ Bakura said in an uncharacteristically kind voice he rarely used, even to Ryou.
/I just didn't think I'd spend Christmas out on the streets./ Ryou replied.
/Who's living on the streets? I've lived on the streets, and this my delusional hikari is a rather nice house./
/We can't stay here forever Bakura./ Ryou said sensibly.
/You think that Taylor would kick us out on our bums before we got back on our feet? The fool's too softhearted for that./
Ryou was still unsure of what the future had in store for him and wanted to see if the thief had any legal ideas to get them out of their current predicament, but their conversation ended abruptly when Tristan showed them to their room.
"Here, you guys." The brunet said opening the door to his room.
"Whoa Taylor and I thought Ryou was neat!" Bakura exclaimed. "You are such a patsy!"
"Some people like to live in a clean environment, and I have allergies." Tristan said stiffly, taking a few things from his room that he would need for the night.
Bakura howled with laughter. "Come on Taylor, a little dust isn't going to kill anyone. Take some risks in your life."
"Where will you be sleeping Tristan?" The British teen interrupted.
"I'll be in the living room," Tristan replied. "Don't worry I sleep down their all the time when ever my sister and her family visits." He added at seeing a guilty look pass through his friend's eyes before leaving.
/Patsy./
/He invited you to stay at his house didn't he/ Ryou informed his darker half briskly.
/I'll pretend I didn't hear that./ Bakura said while an old baseball trophy in the room caught his eye. /Hmm… Shiny./
/You're hopeless/ The hikari stated.
While the tomb robber was distracted, Ryou took the opportunity to slip out of the room.
As soon as he shut the door Tristan, who had been in the hall pulled the British teen to the side.
"What's going on?" Ryou asked.
"I think I know a way to help you out." The brunet stated.
"Really?" Chocolate brown eyes opened wide.
"Yeah, but you can't tell Bakura, we both know he doesn't exactly like doing things legally." Tristan continued. "I would have told you and Malik earlier, but Bakura was there and I have a feeling Duke wouldn't understand what I was talking about in his current…condition."
Flashback (Alley)
"Thanks for helping with our bags guys." Ryou said still clearly upset from resent events. He nudged his darker half in an attempt to get him to thank the others as well.
Bakura was still furious, and no amount of prodding would make him say anything, however Duke's next comment did.
"No problem Robert."
"His name is Ryou you idiotic mortal!" The thief bellowed.
"Hey guys," Tristan said fidgeting slightly. "Can you three meet me and the others in Domino Park tomorrow?" He indicated to the three other teens present and left the tomb robber to sulk, most likely plotting revenge, further down the alley.
"What's up?" Malik asked.
"I'll give you the details later." Tristan replied.
"It's probably for the best." Malik remarked, "I have to get Duke to my place, hopefully Millennium Items can restore memories lost due to fallen fruit cakes."
(End Flashback)
"Ok, so here's the plan…"
Domino Train Station
Joey hopped around on the balls of his feet, staring at the clock on the wall every few seconds. A huge smile lit up his face, as he saw a train pull in to the station.
He waited as people started to exit the train, eyes giving each person no more then a glance as he searched.
His eyes finally came to rest on a girl of around thirteen with long auburn hair that trailed down her back. The girl was currently struggling with a large duffle bag on the boarding platform.
"Sis!" Joey cried nearly plowing down, and elderly couple and a nun.
"Joey!" The young girl cried with equal excitement as she dropped her bag allowing her elder brother to pick her up and spin her around a few times.
When the blond had set the girl down she was trembling with a fit of giggles. "Joey it's so good to see you!"
"You too Serenity. Man you're growing like a weed!" Joey commented, and indeed the girl had grown a few inches since the adventures of Battle City.
Joey stooped to pick up his sister's bag, "Man, what did you put in here rocks?" the boy teased.
Serenity laughed lightly, "No, but it's funny, it didn't feel that heavy bringing it down from my room." She commented.
"Go figure, anyway how's mom, why didn't she drop you off?"
"Mom wanted to come, but Grandma got sick, and she went to visit her."
"Tough luck, I hope Gram's gets better."
"So where's Dad?" the younger Wheeler asked.
"He's setting up the tree so we can all decorate it." Joey informed his sister taking her hand in his free one and giving it a squeeze.
Serenity's hazel eyes light up with excitement. "Wow, that sounds great big brother! I'm so glade I came."
"Me too sis."
"Oh wait, let me put my book back in my bag." Serenity motioned toward the book being held by her other hand.
"Sure."
A gasp escaped the young girl's lips as she started to replace her book back in its place.
"What's the matter Sis?" Joey asked in concern.
"Joey, I think I might have taken Mom's bag by mistake."
Gardner Residence
"Oh Tea." Mrs. Gardner called to her daughter.
"Yeah, Mom?" Tea answered heading down to the kitchen.
"Care to explain why my kitchen smells of smoke and there was a tray of charcoal cookies in it?"
"I had a little trouble while baking today. Sorry I forgot to clean up." 'I can't believe I forgot to take out the tray.' Tea scolded her self; "I'll take care of it now Mom."
"Don't bother with the tray it's unsalvageable." Mrs. Gardner commented.
"Another casualty due to Tea's backing?" Mr. Gardner asked.
"It's not as bad as the chocolate cake disaster. We only lost one tray." Mrs. Gardner explained.
"Not all of my cooking is horrible, is it?" The girl asked having started to clean up the stove.
"Dear, you could burn water." Mrs. Gardner said bluntly.
"My advice to you honey, marry someone who can handle him self in the kitchen." Mr. Gardner said starting to read a newspaper article.
"Don't worry dear, your good at plenty of other things." Tea's mom added gently.
'Ah well, everyone can't be good at everything.' Tea thought continuing her work. 'Man, maybe I should stick to take-out.'
Alleyway
A solitary figure noticed a parcel on the ground half way covered in the snow. Who ever this person was, stopped and examined the item and strode off with it.
Just when you think it's safe, the fruitcake returns!
Anyway that's it for this chapter. I might update chapter 10 today as well, but incase I don't have a Merry Christmas everybody, and/or a Happy belated Chanukah, and Merry Kwanzaa. (I apologize if I spelled any of these holidays wrong.)
As of now I just finished writing chapter 13.
Next chapter: We continue or look at the cast's Night Before. How will Malik get Duke's memories back? And who was the one who took the fruitcake from the alley? We'll have two guests cast members and also introduce Mai Valentine.