Warnings: Angst, shonen-ai, knives.

Extra: The Christmas Party

As soon as the Christmas Eve's morning arrived, the Amun household was full of running around and arrangements. It was today that they would be holding the party, and everything had to be ready when the guests would arrive. Atemu and Akunamkanon were cooking in the kitchen, and Yami and Heba were cleaning around the house. Although Heba still had to be careful with his ankle, he turned out to be a great help in the tidying. He was very effective in it. He told Yami he'd mostly done cleaning during his servant years, as he had needed to be given lighter work to do at the palace.

At lunchtime, the group of four males had a some sandwiches before they went back to their works. After Heba and Yami had finished all the cleanup, they began putting up the decorations and the Christmas lights to the ceiling. Yami put up the decorations as Heba handed them to him and held the ladder Yami was standing on still at the place, so they wouldn't waver and make the paler boy fall. After finished with that, they dug out the presents from where they'd been hiding them, and put them under the Christmas tree that they had decorated the day before. The normal lights in the living room were dim, and the gorgeous tree looked like it was sparkling with many colourful stars.

After the house was fully prepared, Heba went to help Atemu and Akunamkanon in the kitchen as he, too, could somewhat cook. Yami was left with nothing special to do, as he was completely banned from the kitchen. For that, he went to fetch an empty box big enough, some red and green wrapping paper decorated with golden stars, matching golden ribbon and some toilet paper to use so the thing he was going to pack in the box wouldn't waver inside it and break. Then he went up to his room, locked the door and started going through his closet. After a while he found the two things he'd been looking for. The smaller one of them he put into the box after wrapping it in the toilet paper. Then he enclosed the box, put the wrapping paper over it and finished the deal with the ribbon.

Afterwards he stood in front of the other thing he'd taken out. It was the home altar that he'd bought when he was 13. It was for that reason he had started to work at the Kame Game Shop in the first place. He had seen this altar in a store once, and had got the greatest urge to buy it in his mother's memory. He knew his allowance would've never been enough to buy it, so he had looked out for a job. Sugoroku had offered him one, and he'd accepted with gratitude. But he'd stayed working in the shop even after he had got enough money to buy the shrine, because he had found it very convenient. By working there he could earn more money, and got to spend more time around Yuugi without it being weird.

Yami smiled softly at his memories as he opened the small doors of the home altar, revealing some of its formal decorations, among with a picture of a woman in her mid-twenties sitting in a swing in a lovely, sunny and green garden. She was wearing a dark blue summer kimono decorated with cherry blossom petals, among with a light pink belt. She had azure blue eyes with the same shape as Yami's own, except maybe just a bit rounder and softer. Their faces were of a similar shape as well – slightly sharp – although the woman's also had round and cherry cheeks. Her hair was in the same colours as Yami's own, except that hers was down on her shoulders, with a small flower hair clip on the side of her head top as an adding. She was smiling gently and cheerfully to the camera.

"Hi mom." Yami began, speaking to the photo. "Merry Christmas." He smiled softly, sadly. His mother's grave was back in Egypt, and for that he had never had a chance to visit it after he had been just a boy. So he used this altar when he wanted to feel closer to his mother.

"Sorry I haven't talked to you for a while. It's been kind of busy lately, but I'm sure you already know that by now." He chuckled to himself. "I still really miss you mom, and so does dad although he won't say. I'm getting a bit worried about him, actually. The other day he told me that you had sent your love for me. I think he's getting a bit senile in his old age." He had meant it jokingly, but in truth his heart hurt in fear. His dad wasn't young anymore, and although Yami always tried to shake his thoughts away from it, he was terribly afraid Akunamkanon would die and leave him too before he was ready to be by himself.

"But anyway, I decided I'd give that thing you told me to give to my true love away this year. I hope you won't mind. But I don't think you will. Really mom, if you were here, I'm sure you would've loved Yuugi. You're a lot alike, actually. Kind, gentle and sweet, but also very stubborn and strong-willed, never giving up." He could feel tears beginning to sting in his eyes, but he didn't bother to wipe them away. After all there was no one to see him right now. What were a few more tears? "Still, I always wonder…what would you have thought if you were here now? Your only son, dating another guy…" He felt the tears roll down to his cheeks. "My heart tells me you would understand and even approve, but…I'm still so scared. What if you hadn't approved? What if you had wanted to try and stop us from dating each other? What if…" His voice broke off into hysterical yet quiet sobs.

Yami wasn't sure how long he'd spent crying when he heard a knock on his door, and Atemu's voice speak through it: "Yami, the guests will be arriving soon. You need to start changing your clothes."

"'Kay." Yami murmured back at his big brother figure, wiping his eyes and cheeks. He put the home altar back into his closet, and took out a clean pair of blue jeans and the dark violet jumper shirt his father had got for him. Atemu and Heba would be wearing similar ones, but in red and green colours. Yami changed from his worn clothes he had been dressed in while cleaning the house to the ones he'd picked out, took the box he had just wrapped into his hands and unlocked his door, stepping out.

Atemu stood right in front of the door, already dressed in his own red jumper and black jeans. Of course, he'd put some chains hanging from his pants and lying on his right hip, but Yami was still pretty glad he was just wearing regular black jeans instead of leather. Despite this being just a friendly gathering, he thought it was the best if all of them dressed somewhat appropriately.

Suddenly the look on Atemu's face became the one of concern and surprise. "Have you been crying?!"

"No!" Yami abruptly replied. He didn't want Atemu to ask why he had been wailing. He couldn't deal with confessing that to anyone. They'd just think he was stupid, and give him useless words of comfort, telling his mother would never think that way about him. But how could they know? They hadn't known his mother. Hell, Yami himself hadn't known his mother, he'd been so little back then. Otherwise he wouldn't be asking himself these things. He would've already known the answer.

Thankfully Atemu seemed to understand how he was feeling, so he didn't push it. "Come on then."

And Yami followed Atemu downstairs.

-

About an hour later, almost everyone had arrived. Yuugi and Sugoroku had been the first, as they lived only across the street. Yami had greeted Yuugi with a small kiss on the cheek and a hug, and shaken Sugoroku's hands as Atemu had hugged Yuugi as well, brotherly. Yuugi had then shaken Akunamkanon's hands. But when he'd come to Heba, he'd hesitated. He didn't exactly know the ancient boy that well, and Heba was staring at him pretty coldly. What would be the appropriate gesture?

To Yuugi's great surprise, Heba had walked over to him, and given him a small, but tight hug too, patting his shoulder afterwards and smiling slightly. Yuugi was sure that wasn't his truest smile, as Atemu had once told him that that smile could make anyone feel like angels were singing above you, but it had been quite beautiful nevertheless. He had smiled back with all he had.

Anzu and Mai had arrived next, soon followed by Honda and Otogi. Some ten minutes later came Jou, Kaiba, Mokuba and Shizuka among with the Ishtars. Femi, who had her short and messy hair tied slightly back by the pink ribbon at the back of her head – Ishizu's work no doubt – had happily glomped him (or more like his legs, as the girl was still so tiny) and given him her brightest smile, before going over to hug everyone else as well. By this time, about everyone had begun a conversation with someone and taken themselves some snacks and drinks.

It took about half an hour before the doorbell rang again, and Yami went to open up. Behind the door were the only people missing, Ryou and Bakura.

"Sorry we're late. We took a cab and got stuck in the traffic." Ryou politely explained.

"It's okay. And welcome." Yami replied with smile.

"Formalities aside, Prince. Got anything to eat?" Bakura spoke, smirking as Yami glared at him slightly, due the fact the taller man had called him by his unofficial and disliked title.

"Onii-chan! Behave yourself!" Ryou scolded.

Heba, who had been in the kitchen getting a second mug of hot chocolate, heard the voices in the hallway. His eyes widened and he felt the chills go through his body at the sound of Bakura's voice. It couldn't be…it possible couldn't…

He tip-toed to the kitchen doorway, and his eyes widened in awe and fright by what he saw. Though he tomb robber was looking paler, had longer hair, different colour of eyes and different style of clothes, there was no mistaking that hair colour and identifying the man he still sometimes saw in his nightmares.

Slowly, the look of fright in Heba's eyes turned the one of burning rage and hatred. He looked out in the kitchen for anything sharp – anything would do – and ended up grabbing the meat dagger left in the sink.

Then, with flames in his eyes, he ran out to the hallway, and threw the knife right straight towards Bakura, not even caring Yami and the smaller white-haired boy he briefly recognised from the day when he'd been brought back to this earth were in the way.

However, the knife thankfully didn't exactly hit anyone of them. It did drag Bakura stand right in front of a wall and next to the front door, and cut off quite a thick lock of his hair, but didn't do any real damage, despite scaring the heck out of Yami and Ryou.

"Bakuraaaa!" Heba spoke with rage-filled voice, his eyes still in the cold fire of hate as he panted.

"Well, if it isn't the little prince." Bakura said, seemingly unaffected by the fact he'd just nearly been knifed. "Ryou told me you were brought back to life for a while. But looks like you haven't changed. Still a shrimp, you are."

By now everyone had arrived to the hallway or the living room doorway, their attentions having been taken by the noises. It didn't take a genius to realise what had happened. But the realisation of that wasn't what sent the shivers down most of their spines. It was the cold look in Heba's eyes. It was hard to believe someone who looked so much like Yuugi could have such a great look of hatred so obvious in his eyes.

"Don't push it, thief." Heba spoke coldly. "I'm this close-" he showed about half a centimetre long distance with his index finger and thumb. "-from torturing you to death. But if you stay still nice and cool, I might just kill you without too much pain."

Bakura huffed, crossing his arms. "Like you are capable of killing me. You were pathetic in battling me 3000 years ago. Besides, I don't think the softie-Pharaoh's lover has the guts to kill anyone."

Heba's eyes hardened even more. "Don't underestimate me by what you saw in that battle." He spat out. "Or do you think I've just been slacking the past 3000 years? I'm in my full power now. And even though I've never done it unless I've really had to, I, to correct you, am very capable of killing someone. It isn't something I haven't done before."

That was the final straw. Although Atemu would always love Heba no matter what, he certainly didn't want to know how many people he'd killed and why. So, he stepped up and went behind Heba, putting his hands on his shoulders.

"Love, please calm down-"

"Calm down?! Calm down?! He killed Teacher!" Heba screamed, shaking his lover off and looking at him desperately over his shoulder. "And if he had never come to us, Akhenaden-sama wouldn't have ever revived Zorc and been possessed by him, so therefore he's also indirectly responsible for your, Jono and Teana's deaths!"

Jou immediately reacted, grabbing Seto's arm and therefore preventing his fiancé from going and killing Bakura right there with his bare hands. He knew Seto couldn't remember everything about their pasts, so this must've come as a new information for him. Indeed, the blonde felt Seto try and struggle away from his hold, but Jou kept holding him still firmly.

"Everything was supposed to be fine!" Heba continued, tears starting to form into his eyes, and he didn't even care that everyone could see them. "Your reign of ruling should've been the best in ages! We had so many magicians, and even a healer for the first time in 200 years! But he ruined it all!"

"Heba, it's been 3000 years since then. How can your heart still cry out for revenge?" Atemu tried to reason with the smaller boy as calmly as he could. But deep down he knew it would be no use. Heba forgave people very badly, and especially those who had hurt the ones he cared about. Bakura had pretty much caused the deaths of many people dear to Heba, and by that hurt even the ones who had survived. Even Atemu himself often had troubles being around Bakura without feeling the immense need to slit his throat, despite the fact he knew he'd been possessed to do all those things…

By this time, Bakura had taken the knife Heba had thrown off the wall, and now threw it towards the softly tanned boy. However, he was taken off by surprise when Heba, who to him hadn't seemingly been paying attention, easily caught it between his index and middle fingers. And not even the look on his face winced. "You'll pay for that." Heba spoke rather calmly, but still so coldly that everyone in the room once more had to suppress shudders. Then, Heba out of nowhere rose his left hand. His hand was open and he began pointing its palm towards Bakura, and somehow making him get slammed against the wall.

'I…I can't move!' The former thief thought in awe. He tried to fight back with his own magic, but found it was no use. The spell Heba had on him was way too strong. 'That kid is no ordinary magician!'

"Say goodbye." Heba spoke, raising the hand in which he held the meat dagger.

"Onii-chan!" Ryou yelled, quickly clinging to Bakura's still body.

"Get…away…Ry…" The taller white-haired boy managed to mutter. "He'll…kill you…too…"

"No! I'm not allowing us to get separated again! I won't live on without you! I won't lose you again!"

Unknown to the two, Heba's eyes slowly softened as he watched them. He lowered his knife, and motioned the hand he was holding up to hold Bakura still towards another wall instead, therefore stopping the spell. Bakura fell off the wall limp and into Ryou's arms, slightly weakened.

"Heba…" Atemu murmured.

But the said boy gave him no explanation. He merely began walking towards the living room.

"Wait!" Bakura yelled. Heba stopped. "Why didn't you kill me?"

Heba turned around, looking straight at the thief. "Don't think it's out of mercy for you. In my eyes, you don't deserve any." He spoke coolly. "You can only thank the one holding you even now for the fact you get to keep your life. He loves you – why, I probably won't ever understand, though – and I don't want to make him suffer by losing you, or kill him with you. Like I said, I only kill if absolutely necessary, and in my eyes he is completely innocent. He doesn't deserve to die just because he doesn't want to live without you. And even if he did want that, believe me Bakura, I know what it is like to live without the one you love. I've seen what it did to Seth and Mana, and I've felt it what it did to myself. He doesn't deserve it just because you deserve to go to hell in my eyes. In truth, I probably wouldn't even give you that punishment if it were up to me. No one deserves that. It's the worst punishment imaginable."

With that he began walking off again. But then he suddenly stopped, rose his hand into the air and clicked his fingers. With that click, the straw of Bakura's hair that had been cut off grew back, looking just as it had been before.

-

After that incident, the evening progressed pretty peacefully. Bakura did wisely and stayed at least two metres away from Heba at all times. He had to admit, the younger man had scared him rather badly back in the hallway. He definitely hadn't been slacking all these years. He was a man now, not a boy. A full mage, not a student. And a really powerful one at that. He had probably surpassed his Teacher years ago already, and Mahado had actually been one of the few people who had managed to frighten Bakura with their skills.

Heba was at the moment sitting on the couch, sipping his orange drink. Yuugi, who had just come from the kitchen from getting some food, spotted him. He hesitated for a moment, but then began approaching the tanner boy. If he truly wanted to be friends with him, he couldn't always chicken from the chances to speak to him, no matter how intimidating the ancient one could at times be. Besides, if the older boy would question him about it, he had an excuse in his pants pocket.

When he reached Heba, the said boy looked up to him. "Hey." Yuugi greeted.

"Hi." Heba greeted back, softly, but not coldly. Good sign, Yuugi guessed.

"Can I sit here?"

"If you want."

It wasn't a complete acceptation, but not rejection either, so Yuugi seated himself next to Heba, watching the older boy sip his drink again as he poked his food with his fork. The silence was awkward.

"You did really greatly." Yuugi began. Heba looked up. "You know, by sparing Bakura's life."

"Don't think I'm some sort of saint because of it. Like I said, I only spared him because of his lover. In my eyes he would've deserved to die. And like I said I have killed in the past."

Yuugi felt really uncomfortable thinking about the lives Heba had taken, although he was sure deep down that Heba had only taken them for a greater good. So he decided to change the subject: "How is your ankle? Yami told me you sprained it."

"It's better, thanks." Heba replied. Yuugi smiled at him, but Heba didn't return it. "I've had worse pain."

"Why do you have to turn every conversation into such a depressive one?" Yuugi whispered to himself. He hadn't meant for Heba to hear it, but…

"I'm sorry." Heba said, blushing in embarrassment. Yuugi looked quite surprised at the red on his cheeks. He had had no idea Heba was capable of blushing. The other boy always seemed so calm and collected…"You don't need to keep me company if I'm speaking about things you can't handle. I understand. You're so pure, you care about every human being on this earth. And I'm just…dark."

"I didn't mean it exactly like that." Yuugi hurried to explain. "But I just don't really understand you at all. One moment you seem so warm, the next so cold…why do you act like that?"

"It's something I can't tell you." Heba responded, but his voice didn't sound angry at the question. "I haven't told it even to Atemu."

"Why not?"

A sigh. "I'm afraid what he might think of me if he knew." Heba answered, his eyes suddenly much darker. But this time not with anger but with immense sorrow. "Atemu is everything to me. Living without him because of his sacrifice was hard enough, but I know I wouldn't be able to take it if he ever left me because he was disgusted by me or didn't love me anymore. I don't know what would happen to me then, really. I can't die, since I'm already dead. But I do think I would break so badly that my soul would just wander into nothingness that holds nothing but pain and torture."

Yuugi frowned. Heba really did love Atemu. He'd proved that many times enough already, but it still didn't cease to amaze Yuugi. He wondered if he really did love Yami as much as Heba clearly loved Atemu. Would he really be ready to go through such awful things just to be with him?

Heba's voice interrupted his thoughts: "But if you want to know why it's you specifically that I act strangely around…I think I can answer that."

Yuugi looked up. "Really?"

Heba nodded softly. "You just…remind me of what I could've been. You're so open, so sweet and innocent. And you show your affection so easily, whether it is to your friends, family or Yami-san." He quietened for a minute. "I was never like that. I'd like to think I ceased to be normal only after that thing happened, but deep down I know it's not true. I was always misplaced inside. I can't express my love well because I was never loved as a child. Even after Atemu and I were married, I was still so scared around him. I wanted to touch him so badly and feel close to him, but I wasn't sure whether that was appropriate or not. And it broke my heart every time I was with him. I wanted so much to show him just how much he truly meant to me, how much I truly wanted him to stay with me, but…everything that had happened to me in my past just always stopped me."

Yuugi wasn't sure what to say. He was afraid to say anything, really. He felt that anything he'd say might just hurt Heba further, and he didn't want that. And so, as he couldn't say anything, he merely leaned to wrap his arms around Heba in a friendly and comforting fashion. He was surprised to find Heba hugging him back tenderly. Yuugi rubbed Heba's back soothingly. They hugged there for a moment, before parting.

As Yuugi looked up to Heba's face, he found the ancient boy smiling at him. His eyes widened slightly at the sight. Heba's smile was so…honest. So soft and tender. This was his true smile, his true face. Though shocked, Yuugi smiled back.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Yuugi then suddenly exclaimed, taking out a small packet from his pants pocket. "Here, I got this for you. Merry Christmas."

Heba took the gift, looking stunned. "You got me a present?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I have?"

Heba smiled at him again, this time even more tenderly. "Thank you very much." He said, rather formally.

Yuugi blushed a bit, feeling a bit shy all of a sudden by Heba's kindness. "You're welcome. Open it, I want to see what do you think of it."

And Heba unwrapped the gift, finding a slim white box inside. He opened it. Inside the box was a black necklace that was to be worn right around his neck like a slim collar. From it hung a small golden upside-down pyramid, resembling the Millennium Puzzle.

"So you can always remember Atemu when you're separated." Yuugi explained, as Heba could do nothing but stare at the necklace. Then, the older boy slowly took it into his hand, and began putting it around his neck.

"It's lovely. Thanks, Yuugi-kun." Yuugi beamed brightly at the informal manner Heba was speaking to him.

A bit farther, Atemu and Yami were looking at their lovers with smiles.

"Looks like they're getting along well." Atemu said softly.

"Yeah." Yami replied. He knew what kind of effect Yuugi had on people. He could melt the ice around anyone's heart. That was one of the many reasons Yami loved him so much.

Atemu then put his lips on his cup, which was coke, and drank very fast.

But almost right the moment he'd put the liquid into his mouth, he split it out, turning everyone's attention on him. The carbonic acids had been burning his mouth so badly he hadn't even been able to swallow the drink. "What the crap is up with this stuff?!" He yelled out loud.

On his seat, Heba was staring at his lover, who was looking startled and still had some coke running down the side of his mouth and dropping off his chin, with wide eyes. He stared…stared…and…

Cracked up laughing.

"Ahahahahaha!" He laughed, now turning everyone's attention on him instead. He pointed at Atemu, still laughing, and holding his stomach. "Y-your face…" he managed to mutter between his chuckles.

Everyone could do nothing but stare as he laughed. It was the most beautiful sound anyone of them had ever heard. Heba's laughter was pure, honest and sweet sound nothing could compare with. There was nothing pretended in that laugh. Among with the sight of his smile, Atemu couldn't even bring himself to be upset that Heba was laughing at him. He was just so happy right now…to finally hear that sound again.

-

Sometime later, someone knocked at the Amun front door. Yami went to open up, although he was confused. Everyone was already here, so who could it be? Not Santa now, would it?

He opened the front door slightly, but saw no one. Instead, when he looked down, he saw something. A rather big present standing in front of him. It was wrapped in white paper covered with yellow stars, and decorated with lavender ribbon.

'No way? It really was the Santa?' He joked to himself, and then bent down to read the card attached to the ribbon. "To: Femi Ishtar" it read.

'For Femi-chan, eh?' Yami thought to himself, as he grabbed the present, and dragged it inside. "Malik!"

"Yes?" was his reply from the other room.

"Can you bring Femi-chan to the hallway for a while?"

"Sure!"

After a while, the father and the daughter arrived, the latter holding the first one's hand, or more like hanging from it. It was kind of cute, Yami thought. Sometime, he'd like to adopt a kid too…someday.

Yuugi followed after the two, obviously curious to see what was happening. Yami blushed a bit at seeing him, shaking off his previous thoughts.

"What is it, Yami?" Malik asked, tilting his head.

"This." Yami pointed at the present. "It's for Femi."

Femi stared at the present for a moment. But then her face spread into a wide grin. "Oh wow! It's huge!" She exclaimed, letting go of her father's hand and rushing to the gift. "Can I open it Daddy? Please, please, please!"

Malik just chuckled. "Of course you can."

"Yay!"

As Femi started unwrapping the gift, Yuugi asked. "Who's it from?"

"I don't know." Yami shrugged. "The card only says it's to Femi, but it doesn't say who sent it."

"Strange…" Malik muttered to himself, his chin in his hand. Then, he started looking quite frightened. "What if it's something dangerous?! Like a bomb or something?"

"I don't think so. It's not ticking. Besides, why would someone want to send a bomb to Femi-chan? She's only three, she can't have done anything to hurt anyone, right?"

Malik laughed a little, sounding embarrassed. "I guess so, sorry. This parent stuff is starting to get to me…"

"It's alright. That's natural, right?" Yuugi asked, smiling at the blonde.

"Wow…!" Femi's voice took the attention of the three teens. "It's…it's…it's my dolly!" The girl exclaimed in surprise and happiness, pulling out the doll she'd seen at the store window from the packet, and hugging it tightly.

"But how…?" Malik voiced what they were all thinking, approaching the packet the doll had been in. He peaked inside it, and what he saw gave him quite a surprise, as he took it into his hands. "My wallet…"

"Say what?!" Yami cried out. Then he took a deep breath to calm himself. "Was anything stolen from it?"

"No, all my money is here…" Malik muttered, exploring the wallet. But then, something caught his eye inside the thing, and his eyes widened. "Guys, look at this." He took a piece of paper from inside the wallet, and handed it over to Yami. Yuugi also leaned to look at it over his lover's shoulder. They were both shocked by what they saw.

On the paper was drawn a very accurate-looking picture of the Millennium Rod.

"Malik, this is…" Yuugi murmured.

"Yeah." The tanned boy replied shortly, wiping the corners of his eyes from the happy tears. Then, he took a glance outside from the front door window. 'It's snowing…snow is winter's rain. Femi came to me when it was raining. Maybe you're a bit closer to me during the times it rains, my beloved.'

And with that, he smiled serenely.

-

The evening progressed slowly. After everyone were full, for some reason Heba called everyone around himself to the living room.

"Most of you in this room were helping to get me back, even for this little while, and for that I am grateful." He told them with a small, grateful smile. "That's why, I want to give a special gift to all of you. And also because you've all been so good to Atemu while I haven't been here."

With that, the ancient boy rose his hands to the air, and began to move them in slow but elegant movements. As he did this, something dark slowly started forming around his arms and hands. The shadows. They softly left him and rose up to the air, to the near-ceiling, starting to dance there. Among with the dancing, everyone could hear a quiet, calming melody being sung by the shadows. It was sung in a mysterious and strange language none of them had heard before. But the song was so beautiful and peace-bringing that it didn't really matter whether they understood the words or not.

As Heba moved his hands again, the shadows danced some more. His eyes were only half-open and looking serious. There was a strange cloudiness and glow in them, as if he'd been in some kind of trance.

No one knew exactly how long the show lasted. Just that that after it ended, they all felt at peace. It felt as if all their worries had been lifted away.

Heba, however, was looking as serious as ever.

-

Later, Heba had asked Akunamkanon to come to the kitchen with him.

"You need to tell Yami something." The ancient boy began.

"About what?" Akunamkanon asked, a bit confused. What was this all of a sudden?

"About his mother. Yami-san is worried that his mother wouldn't approve of his relationship with Yuugi-kun if she was here."

"How do you know that?" Akunamkanon questioned, startled.

"When I was playing with the shadows earlier, I was connected to all of your minds. I didn't mean to peek, but this emotion was so strong in him that it forced itself through to my soul. You need to confront him about it, before the evening ends. Otherwise he won't do something very important."

Akunamkanon frowned. "But…"

Sympathy filled Heba's eyes, and he placed a soft, comforting hand on the older man's arm. "I understand that it is painful to you. Really, I do. I've lost the love of my life too." He said. "But you have something left behind to this world by your love, something I didn't have. And he needs you right now. He needs to know what his mother really would think of his relationship with Yuugi, and you're the only one who can tell him that. The only one who knew his mother well enough to." And with that, Heba walked out of the room, not looking back.

Akunamkanon stood still for a moment, dumbfounded. But only for a moment. After that he walked out of the kitchen and to the living room doorway. "Yami, could you come over here for a second?"

Yami, who had been chatting with Anzu, looked up, soft confusion visible in his eyes. "Sure dad."

Yami followed his father to the kitchen. He didn't even have the time to ask what was it, when Akunamkanon said: "Yami, do you honestly think your mother wouldn't approve of your relationship with Yuugi-kun?"

"Huh?" That had come so suddenly. And how had he known? "How do you know about that?"

"It doesn't matter." Akunamkanon responded. "Just let me tell you a little story, Yami.

"Your mother and I had a lot of trouble getting a child at the beginning of our marriage. It was tough for us both, but Haruka was the one who suffered the most of it. She was so sad, thinking something was wrong with her because she wouldn't get pregnant. I tried to comfort her that most likely it was me who was causing the troubles, as I was already getting a little old, and…well, you know." Yami blushed.

"But when your mother finally got pregnant with you, she was thrilled. She would spend hours talking to you in her stomach, already deciding to call you Yami by then. However, after a while there came up some…complications." Yami blinked.

"Your mother wasn't too young anymore. She was already 30. Plus, she shared your small figure. The doctors told her the birth would be extremely painful to her, and that it might kill her. But she just said she didn't mind. She told them and me that she'd wished to have a child for so long that she wasn't going to give this one up to spare herself from the pain."

He paused. "Then came your birth time, and she spent almost two days in labour to get you into this world. I honestly thought she would die from all the pain, but she had always been a fighter and managed to pull it through. If the fact how much pain she went through by bringing you into this world doesn't tell you how much she loved you, and always would love you, I don't know what will."

Yami felt tears in his eyes. He bent his head down to hide them. "I know…I never really told you what really hit me so badly in mom's death, did I?" Akunamkanon blinked. "The day mom died, I was sitting at the hospital seats across mom's room, while you were getting drinks. Mom was still alive at the time, but just barely. I was scared and confused, and didn't understand what was happening to her. Then I overheard some nurses talking. They were coming to take care of mom. They said things like: 'Poor thing. She's still so pretty young too', and the other replied to that: 'This is exactly why I always say giving birth when you're over 30 is a bad idea. It weakens the body immensely'." Akunamkanon's eyes widened. He had had no idea…

"Less than hour later, mom was dead. I was always so sure…it had been my fault. That probably hurt the worst. Mom was a good person…she didn't deserve to die. That's why…I thought I had killed that gentle person, when I couldn't find any other reason why she would've died." Yami said nothing more, as his father pulled him into a strong hug. Being somewhat shorter than his father, Yami's head only his father's chest like this, but he didn't mind. He just cried.

"It wasn't your fault, Yami." Akunamkanon whispered. "Haruka…wasn't ill. Not exactly. She had cancer. And although I'm not a doctor, I don't think giving birth can cause that. Those nurses didn't know what they were talking about." Yami looked up slightly. He'd never learnt exactly what his mother's illness had been. "Besides, even if it had been your fault, I don't think Haruka would've minded. I think she would've gladly given her life for you. She really loved you Yami. Believe me when I say. And no matter what kind of choices you make with your life, she always would. And so will I."

Yami nodded to his father's chest, feeling a lot better now. He cried a few moments more, before slowly calming down.

"Thanks dad." He smiled at the older man.

-

By the time midnight arrived, everyone thought it was better that they started getting home. The Ishtars left first, as Femi was still so little that she had ended up falling asleep on one of the armchairs in the living room, her new doll curled tightly into her arms. Ishizu had of course at first scolded her little brother, thinking he'd bought it against her will, but when all three; Yami, Yuugi and Malik himself confirmed her that wasn't the case, she had believed them.

Jou, Kaiba, Shizuka and Mokuba left next, as the younger ones were also starting to get pretty sleepy. Jou wished them all merry Christmas, as he invited them to the New Years Party at the Kaiba Mansion. When Yami had asked how he had managed to convince Kaiba to hold a party, the blonde had merely winked slyly at him, and said: "Secret!"

Yami decided he didn't really want to know.

Honda, Otogi, Ryou and Bakura left next, Otogi offering the 'brothers' a ride home. Bakura had protested, but everyone knew he couldn't resist Ryou's puppy dog eyes.

Yami called a cab for Anzu and Mai, so they wouldn't have to walk in the snow in the middle of the night. Although knowing Mai, she could probably easily kick the ass of any pervert or drunk that would try to harass either one of them.

Finally, it was just him, his dad, Atemu, Heba, Sugoroku and…Yuugi. Yami felt his heart start beating faster and his face get heated up.

"Well, we're off to bed." Atemu said, picking an already-sleeping Heba up into his arms in bridal style. The littler tanned boy had fallen asleep on the couch. "Good night everyone. And Merry Christmas Yuugi, Sugoroku-san."

"Merry Christmas Atemu." The two replied with smiles.

Noticing his son's blush and nervous quietness, Akunamkanon also retired into his own bedroom. Noticing the same, Sugoroku quietly exited the house, telling Yuugi to follow after him, and walked across the street to his own home.

Now that the two young lovers were alone, Yami was getting even more nervous. But he knew he had to do this.

"Wait here." He said, and walked to the living room and to the Christmas tree. From under it, he took two presents, one bigger and one very slim and small. Then, he came back to his beloved, and presented him with the smaller gift and a crimson face. "Here. Merry Christmas, Aibou."

Now Yuugi blushed too, but took the gift with a soft "Thank you." He opened it with shaky fingers, revealing a slim white box. He opened it. Inside was a small necklace. It had the Ancient Egyptian Ankh-cross on a silver chain, with a note: "For you, who gives me a reason to live.

Love, Yami"

"Y-Yami…this is so beautiful…thank you…" Yuugi murmured, taking the necklace into his hand, feeling happy tears in the corners of his eyes.

"A-Aibou, please don't cry. You know I hate it when you do…"

"Silly, these are happy tears." Yuugi murmured, wiping his eyes, and putting on his new necklace. Then, he reached for his bag that he had left to the hallway earlier. He started going through it, and took out a small white bag tied closed with a violet ribbon. He handed it over to Yami, who began opening it with a flush and slightly wider eyes. What he saw inside was a really cute Black Magician doll. He took it slowly into his hands.

"Returning the favour from my birthday." Yuugi explained with a small embarrassed smile.

Yami stared at the doll in awe for a rather long while, before he hugged it to his chest. "It's really lovely. Thanks, Aibou."

"You're welcome." Yuugi smiled a bit more widely.

But then, Yami's eyes widened in shocking realisation, and he abruptly grabbed Yuugi's wrist, staring at his fingers. "Yuugi…is this why you had all those cuts in your fingers? Did you make this yourself?"

Yuugi frowned in slight shame. "Y-yeah…I wanted to surprise you."

"You shouldn't have done it. I'm not worth of you getting hurt."

"Yes you are!" Yuugi suddenly yelled, holding his head up again. But then he got embarrassed by his outburst. "Sorry." He murmured as he shyly looked sideways, blushing and rubbing the back of his neck. "But it wasn't really that bad. After Atemu helped me out and gave me tips, I no longer stung myself. The cuts have already healed too."

Yami softly placed his hand on Yuugi's cheek, making him look up again. Yami's eyes looked so tender to him, so full of love…"I just hate you getting hurt. Especially if it's because of me."

Yuugi merely stepped forward and pulled Yami into a hug. "You're worth it."

Yami held him back, nuzzling his head on the smaller boy's shoulder. There they stood for a while.

After a moment, Yami pulled back. "I have one more present for you." He stated softly, and picked up the present he had wrapped in the morning. He handed it to Yuugi, who curiously observed it for a while, before starting to open it. The wrapping paper revealed another box, which he opened.

"A glass ball?" He voiced quietly, taking the said object from the box. It was pretty large, probably as tall as his face, and somewhat heavy too. He made sure not to drop it. Inside the glass ball was a small blonde girl-angel dressed in white, and smiling gently at him. The pedestal the ball was attached on was light green and decorated with plastic rose vines. It was truly beautiful.

"It's not just a glass ball. May I have it for a moment?" Yuugi handed him it, and to his surprise Yami turned it upside down and put his hand on it's bottom, starting to move it in circles. A small creaking sound was heard as he did. When he was finished pulling, he turned the ball around once more. The angel inside the ball had started swinging around in circles, and a soft melody of a song Yuugi didn't recognise could be heard.

"It's a music box?" The smaller boy asked in awe as Yami handed the ball back to him.

"Yeah." Yami nodded. "My mother gave it to me when I was little."

Yuugi's eyes widened. "Then I can't possibly take it from you! If it was given to you by your mother…!" he stopped when Yami grabbed his hands, preventing him from giving him the ball.

Yami shook his head. "I think she would've wanted you to have it." He paused for a moment, before he began: "Mom was always sickly, or as long as I can remember. She always went in and out of the hospitals."

He paused again, as if to think what to say next. "When I turned four, I think she already knew she was going to die soon. She used to say a bunch of stuff I didn't understand, like that she would always be there even if I couldn't see her, and that she was sorry for something…and her visits to the hospital became slightly more frequent, until she eventually had to move there permanently."

He took in a breath. "But before she did, she ordered this from a store in Switcher Land. The song you hear is called 'Santa Lucia', or 'Saint Lucia'. It's pretty famous in Europe, I think. Mom used to sing it to me instead of lullabies when I couldn't sleep. She had always been interested in other cultures, and had learnt this song in French while taking French lessons in High School." He explained. "She gave me this before she left to the hospital permanently, and told me to listen to it when I would miss her singing to me. But, she also said: 'Listen to it only until you really need it. And when you don't, give it to the person who made you not need it anymore'." He smiled tenderly at Yuugi. "I haven't listened to it for almost half a year now, not since we first began dating. That's why I want you to have it."

Deep blush covered Yuugi's face now. Not only because of Yami's words, but also because Yami had for the first time in the 12 years they had known each other, told him about his mother. He felt so utterly honoured. But then, a small insecure feeling reached his brain. "Do you think…your mother would've approved our relationship?"

Yami pulled the smaller boy into his arms again. "I was scared about that too. I was really afraid I would've made my mother ashamed of me. But according to what dad told me, I think she would've approved. She would've only wanted me to be happy." He paused. "Before she died, mom said she was sad she couldn't be there to prepare me for my first date, nor ever meet the one I had fallen in love with. She never spoke about that person as a 'she'. I always had the feeling like mom knew more than she should've…so maybe she did guess I would never be interested in girls."

Yuugi pulled slightly back from the embrace, so he could look at Yami's face. "Your mother sounds like a wonderful person."

"She was." Yami smiled softly.

"I wish I could remember my parents…" Yuugi's parents had died in a car accident when Yuugi had been only two, so he didn't have many memories of them.

Yami pulled him closer once more. "I don't really remember much about mom either. I just treasure the memories I have, and keep them close to my heart."

Yuugi held Yami a bit tighter as well. "Then that's what I'll do too."

After that statement, the two boys pulled a bit further to look into each other's eyes again. They slowly leaned their faces closer to each other and closed the gap into a soft but passionate kiss, clinging to each other tight.

After they parted, they slowly let go of each other, and Yami walked Yuugi to the door.

"Good night. And Merry Christmas." Yami said, and hesitated for a moment, before adding: "I love you." He was still a bit embarrassed when it came to saying those three words.

"And I you. Merry Christmas, Koibito." Yami was slightly shocked. Yuugi had never called him with any sorts of pet name before. But 'Koibito'…he kind of liked that. He quickly pecked Yuugi's lips once more before the smaller boy exited the house.

Yami also retreated to his room, and changed into his pyjamas, getting under the warm covers of his bed with a wide grin on his face. This had been a very merry Christmas season indeed.

Okay, this chapter was pretty Yami, Yuugi, Atemu and Heba centred, but I just love those four so much that I can't help it!

Whoa, I put many people crying, didn't I?

Heh, you didn't think Heba wasn't still angry with Bakura, now did you? :D. Bakura technically DID kill many people dear to Heba after all. Heba's attacking could've had another turnout too, in which Bakura tells him: "Why are you doing this? To ease your conscious of the knowledge you couldn't save them all, even though you're supposed to be both Protector and Visionist?", and Heba would break down at that. But it would've needed a real fight for the two of them, and I kind of wanted Heba to show how strong he is, and also the fact he has become righteous in his many years. So chose that other turnout of events.

Please, PLEASE don't comment on Haruka's-illness-thing! I'm not a doctor! I don't know anything about what can cause cancer and what can't! Please don't correct me if I'm wrong! I don't want to be embarrassed about it!

Waah! Sorry for the delay! I actually wrote this ages ago already, but the idea of sacrificing my precious computer time to editing it didn't feel appealing . I'm so sorry!