Thank you to everyone who is following this little festive story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.
Let it Snow
Chapter 3
After they had finished skiing for the day, the friends all decided to go for some apres-ski.
Shizuka suggested they all go to a bar that had been recommended to her during ski-school. Apparently, they served really good hot chocolate there.
Everyone enthusiastically agreed.
As they headed to the bar, they turned to see a sleigh coming along the snowy road.
"Ooh, how romantic," both Shizuka and Anzu cooed at the same time.
Yugi didn't say anything but Honda was quick to respond. "Would you like me to take you on a romantic sleigh ride Shizuka?" He beamed.
Everyone stepped back slightly at the growling sound that Jonouchi made. "Like hell you will.." he snarled. Shizuka looked disappointed while Honda smirked.
"Are you going to take Anzu on a sleigh ride, Yugi?" Ryou asked politely. "Because if not I would like to." He did not have any romantic intentions towards Anzu, but sensed that Yugi did.
"Er.. maybe... Would you like to go, Anzu?" Yugi was feeling a little awkward. Ryou had expressed an interest in taking Anzu and he did not want to have to tell his friend that he did not intend to allow that to happen.
"Nothing personal Ryou, but I really would like to go on a sleigh ride with Yugi," Anzu said, sheepishly.
"That's okay," Ryou beamed. "I am not offended." His plan to get Yugi and Anzu together had worked.
"Great! Let's go and book a time slot." Anzu smiled happily.
When Jonouchi saw how much the sleigh ride cost, he changed his mind. There was no way he could afford to pay for himself and Shizuka. "Guys? I think I will take a rain check, I don't really like horses."
"Are you sure Jonouchi?" Shizuka looked upset.
"Yeah, you can still go though Sis." He dug into his pocket to find his credit card. He hoped he was not already over his credit limit!
"It's okay man!" Honda winked at him knowingly. "My treat. I would like to pay for you and Shizuka... On one condition. You let me sit with Shizuka."
"Please... Katsuya?" Shizuka fluttered her eyelashes.
He was going to say 'no', but one look at her pleading face, and Jonouchi relented.
"I.. I will pay for you Anzu," Yugi offered.
"Are you sure Yugi?! I don't mind paying for myself."
"I want to pay, as a Christmas treat."
"Hey Yuge! Why is your face all red?" Jonouchi smirked.
"Yes, you do look rather flustered," Ryou added.
"Whaaa! I'm not flustered!" Yugi defended. "It's just... cold outside and coming into a warm room made my face hot."
"It's got nothing to do with going on a sleigh ride with Anzu then?!" Jonouchi teased.
Yugi did not know what to say and stood there spluttering.
"Leave Yugi alone." Anzu clutched his arm, defensively.
Hovering beside Yugi, the Pharaoh gave him the thumbs up sign.
::::::::::::
With their sleigh rides booked for seven in the evening, they all made their way to the bar.
It was pretty crowded when they first arrived, but they were able to find a table and sat down. Honda and Ryou went up to the bar to place the orders.
"You take over, Other Me."
"Are you sure Aibou?"
"Of course I'm sure! I want you to be involved in our holiday as much as possible." The Pharaoh looked reflective for a moment. "Sure," he smiled. No one even noticed them switch.
The hot chocolate was just as Shizuka said it was – delicious. The Pharaoh had never tasted anything like it; or at least he guessed he hadn't. He doubted they had hot chocolate in Ancient Egypt! "You really should taste this Aibou, you are missing out! Are you sure you don't to switch back?" He asked, through their link.
"Don't worry about me! I want you to enjoy yourself."
"Thank you Aibou." He had to admit, this was fun.
Shizuka's phone beeped from inside her pocket, with a message. She picked it up, and grinning, replied to the sender. "Mum is checking up on me," she fibbed, when everyone looked at her.
Five minutes later they were all shocked when Mai walked in. "Over here Mai!" Shizuka jumped up, waving frantically. Nobody was aware, but since Battle City, Shizuka had been keeping in touch with Mai, and Mai sent her regular updates from her travels. She had told Mai they would all be skiing and invited her to join them. She knew that Jonouchi was crazy about Mai and visa versa, but both were too bull headed and stubborn to admit their attraction to each other.
Shizuka's cunning plan, was to try and get her brother and Mai together. This was a perfect opportunity.
"Mai! What the heck are you doing here?" Jonouchi wasn't getting off to the best start.
"Hmph! Well, I'm not here to see you, that's for sure," she replied, equally as defensive. "Shizuka told me she was going skiing and I thought it would be nice to catch up with you all, but if you don't want me here, I will leave and spend my evening with Kaiba." She was staying in the same hotel as him and had seen him at dinner the previous night.
"No way Mai! I wouldn't lumber you with that jerk!" Jonouchi moved up and patted the space beside him. "Come and sit down." Mai immediately went and sat next to Yugi.
"Thanks, but I feel safer sat next to Yugi." That comment made Anzu bristle. Especially when she saw that Mai's thigh was touching Yugi's thigh. It was only then that Anzu realised the other Yugi was in control.
Jonouchi noticed Yugi's face turn pink at Mai being so close. He didn't get to see the other Yugi blush very often and it was funny. His amusement turned to feeling of jealouys when he thought he saw Yugi glance at Mai's cleavage.
Yugi immediately appeared beside the Pharaoh. "Other Me! Did you just?" He had felt a small surge of lust through their connection.
"Why not? Mai is an attractive woman!"
"Anzu! Remember?"
"Yes, but Anzu is yours. Can I not find other women attractive?"
"Trust me when I say, It would not work."
"Rest assured, I will not do anything. I know it would only complicate matters."
The close proximity in which Yugi and Mai were sitting, continued to irritate Anzu. She felt a low rumble building in her chest and had to stifle the growl, threatening to escape. It was made even worse when she saw Yugi perving – for want of a better word – at Mai's breasts. Why did the woman always have to flaunt them?! Anzu might have expected Jonouchi, or Honda to leer like that, but Yugi!
She almost slapped Honda when she heard him whisper to Jonouchi, that Yugi was eyeing Mai's breasts.
When Jonouchi scowled at Yugi, all he could see was the glazed expression as the two Yugi's talked to one another via their link. "Hey Yugi?! Quit spacing out man!" He chided.
The Pharaoh was quick to respond. With his lack of social skills making him Feel awkward, he quickly retreated into the Puzzle and shut off his connection so that Yugi could not switch back again.
Yugi was not expecting the switch and was in mid sentence. "Good. Because..." (the first part was through their link) The rest was spoken loud and clear. "Jonouchi and Mai are crazy about each other and..." He faltered as he realised everyone around the table could hear. "Other Me?!" He squeaked, scanning the shocked faces of his friends.
Several awkward moments passed while each of them tried to think of something to say that would break the awkward tension.
It was Mai who found her tongue first. "Is that right Jonouchi? Are you crazy about me?!" She smirked. Oh boy! She was enjoying watching him squirm. Beside her, she could feel Yugi shrinking in his seat. Any moment now, she was sure he would slide under the table and crawl away.
"Yeah, Mai! You drive me crazy alright!" Jonouchi replied, brashly and sarcastically. Mai flinched and for a moment, looked hurt.
None of the boys noticed, only Shizuka and Anzu.
"That was a little harsh Jonouchi!" Anzu admonished. "You should apologise to Mai."
"Yes, Katsuya. Why can't you and Mai just be nice to each other. I know you both have a history, but don't you think it's time you made up?" Shizuka sounded upset.
"Yeah, kiss and make up guys!" Honda slapped his friend n the back.
Jonouchi sagged. "I'm sorry Mai. I guess there's a lot of stuff I'm holdin onto. That whole shit storm with Dartz and... Tell you the truth, when I heard you was duelling the pro circuit with Valon, I was jealous."
"That bozo?!" Mai huffed. "He's history. Look! I know I can't take back what I tried to do to you guys. If you want me to go, I will." She stood up to leave. "Smell ya later," she smirked, but it was with an air of sadness.
"No!" Jonouchi stood up too quickly and knocked his and Shizuka's hot chocolate across the table. "Shit! Shit!"
Mai rolled her eyes and shook her head as everyone scrabbled to get out of the way of chocolate drink spilling and dripping onto their laps.
At that very moment the door opened and in walked Seto and Mokuba. Seto heard the noise and immediately saw who the source of all the fuss was. "Oh, great! We're leaving Mokuba." He turned to walk out but Mokuba grabbed his arm.
"Seto look?! It's Yugi and the gang! Hey, guys?!" He called out, pulling Seto along with him.
"Oh! Hello Mokuba!" Anzu beamed when she heard him call out. "I would ask you to join us but Jonouchi just had an accident."
"Yes, we can see." Seto had a rather disturbing grin on his face. "Why don't you lap it up like a dog? Mutt!"
Jonouchi was flapping about while Shizuka and Ryou rushed to find a waitress to help clear up the mess. At Seto's insult, he stopped flapping and squared up to him.
"Shut ya face money bags before I shove your face in it and use your head to mop it up!"
Anzu was exasperated. Wasn't it supposed to be the season of good will? She wanted everyone to be happy, not winding each other up! "Guys! It's Christmas Eve! Can we be nice to each other for a change?" she pleaded.
"Why don't you and Mokuba come and join us? We can order more drinks," Yugi beamed a friendly smile to his bitter rival.
Seto scowled. "The last people I want to socialise with are you lot..."
However, his voice was barely heard above Mokuba's reply. "We would love to, wouldn't we Seto. I heard they do the best hot chocolate ever!"
With a long sigh of defeat, Seto slumped down in a seat, as far away from everyone as possible. "Why me?!" He groaned.
As soon as the spilled chocolate was cleaned up, everyone sat down again. Anzu made sure that when they sat back down she was next to Yugi, instead of Mai.
"There's a seat next to Katsuya," Shizuka beamed at Mai, patting the seat between herself and her brother.
"Just sit still." Mai glared at him as she sit down. "This outfit cost me £500 from a London boutique."
"Hmph! You were ripped off," Seto snorted.
"Hey! I thought we agreed to quit the bitching Kaiba. Mai's outfit looks awesome," Jonouchi defended.
"Thank you Jonouchi," Mai smiled warmly. Maybe he wasn't all that bad.
"This round is on us," Mokuba chirped happily. "What are you all having?"
"In that case I'll have the most expensive thing on the menu," Jonouchi snickered.
"Everyone will have the same," Seto snapped. "We will have nine large hot chocolates, with whipped cream and marshmallows," he told the waitress.
Jonouchi opened his mouth to argue: "But what if I don't like..." Honda clamped his hand over his friend's mouth.
"Just shut it man," he winked.
Everyone's eyes almost popped out of their heads when the drinks arrived.
"These are very nice!" Yugi popped a marshmallow into his mouth. "Mmm.. Thank you, Kaiba, Mokuba."
"Yes, thank you," Ryou echoed, politely. "It is most generous of you."
"Well, don't get too used to it," Seto muttered.
"Is the other Yugi listening, Yugi?" Anzu whispered to him.
Yugi looked thoughtful for a moment as he reached out with his heart. No one even noticed them switch. "I am," he nodded.
Anzu seemed delighted that the other Yugi had surfaced. "Okay! I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas."
Everyone smiled and offered their own good wishes for the festive season.
Not wishing to be late for their sleigh ride that evening, they finished their hot chocolates and headed back to their accommodation, to change out of their ski wear, shower and eat.
In answer to the request by renecake426. I promise to incorporate the Yugi doll into the next chapter.
Please review.