Disclaimer: All Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and references belong to their respective owners. All Charlie Brown and Peanuts ® characters belong to Charles M. Schulz and were used in this story with the best of intentions. Story elements © Hideki LaShae. No money was gained in the writing of this story.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

By

Hideki LaShae

Chapter Three

"Good girl, Tami! You are the best Christmas tree Charlie Brown ever had!" exclaims Jounouchi embracing the highly decorated little girl. He still wears his Snoopy costume except for the head. "This is going to be our best show ever!"

"Okay, everyone! Costumes off and then we'll eat!" exclaims Yugi.

"Food is ready!" exclaims Anzu, "We will be serving in the same stages as tomorrow night, but you'll have to carry your own plates! And best news is they're paper so we don't have to clean them!"

Everyone gets out of his or her costume. They sit down at the tables already laid out with the first appetizer… thanks to the support staff bringing it from the kitchen.

Jounouchi sits down beside Kaiba. "Thank you for coming. It really means a lot to me."

"Wonderful performance. I'm glad I came. You've dome something so amazing tonight," says Kaiba, "Thank you for inviting me. I'm so proud of you right now and all the work you've done."

"Say that after you taste the food," says Jounouchi blushing, "if you can…"

"I'm sure it's wonderful," says Kaiba lifting a piece of bruschetta to his lips. He sighs contentedly. "Very nice…"

Jounouchi smiles and begins to eat.

Across the table from them, Kenichi and Yugi share a look and smile at each other.

"So, Jou, will your boyfriend be attending the performance tomorrow as well?" asks Grandmother.

"I don't have a boyfriend, Grandmother," says Jounouchi.

"Really? The way you and Seto have been acting together I thought you two were dating," says Grandmother.

"Joey, be my boy friend," says Tami.

"Um… how about I be your guy friend? It's an even better role than boyfriend," says Jounouchi.

Tami smiles and nods. She dumps the tomato and basil off her bread and just eats the bread.

"Eat your veggies, Tami," says Grandmother.

"Why does she look so familiar?" whispers Seto into Jounouchi's ear.

"Probably because she could be Mai's daughter. Tami's real mom had eyes like Kujaku Mai and her dad's hair was like Varon… You know Mai and Varon are engaged?" whispers Jounouchi.

"No, I didn't…"

"Wait here," says Jounouchi standing up and lifting both his and Kaiba's empty plates, "I'll go get us the next course."

"Me too?" asks Tami holding up her plate of tomato and basil.

"Okay. You too," says Jounouchi. He takes Tami's plate as well and heads into the kitchen. When he returns with the fried polenta, he places the plate with the tomato and basil back in front of Tami.

"You know you don't need to serve me, Jounouchi," says Kaiba.

"I want to," says Jounouchi smiling, "Now shut up and eat your dinner."

Kaiba returns Jounouchi's smile and continues to eat. "Fine, but I'll serve us the soup."

"You don't have to…"

"I want to," says Kaiba.

Mokuba moves from his seat with some of the orphans to sit beside Kaiba, and he whispers to his brother, "Jou's really outdone himself with everything this year, huh? Do you think he'll like the last surprise?"

"I hope so, Mokuba," whispers Kaiba.

"The food is very good, everyone," says Mokuba, "Good job with the cooking!"

Everyone continues to talk and eat and enjoy the sensation of success and nervousness, which always comes with the end of dress rehearsal.

Once it's all said and done, everyone heads home for the evening, and Kaiba graciously gives his classmates a ride home in his limo.

Kaiba walks Jounouchi up to his door. He takes the blond's hand as they walk. "The food was fabulous, Jou. You are magnificent."

"Did you really like it?"

"I loved it. Your Osso Buco was very good. You can cook for me whenever you want," says Kaiba, "I just want to say good luck tomorrow. I know you don't need it because everything went great tonight, but… good luck."

"Thank you," says Jounouchi pulling Kaiba into a quick embrace, "Good luck at your thing tomorrow."

"Thank you. I'll need it I'm afraid. Sleep well. I'll see you soon, Jounouchi…"

"You don't have to call me Jounouchi, Kaiba. You could call me Jou or whatever…" Jounouchi blushes.

Kaiba blushes. "I'll call you Katsuya if you'll call me Seto."

"Good night, Seto."

"Good night, Katsuya." Kaiba turns and heads back to the limo where Mokuba waits to go home.

***

Jounouchi's eyes widen when he's handed the two tickets with the small snowflake stickers on the corner. He looks up with a wide grin. "I'm glad you could come!"

Mai and Varon smile back at Jounouchi.

"We wouldn't miss this, Jou," says Mai, "We got the tickets for free."

"And all we need to do is give you this envelope," says Varon passing a green envelope to Jounouchi.

"Oh, thanks," says Jounouchi. His shoulders slump discouragingly but he tries to keep up his grin.

"I'll continue greeting people if you want to read that," says Honda.

"Thanks, Honda," says Jounouchi, "I'll take you to your seats."

"Thank you," says Varon as he wraps his arm around Mai.

Jounouchi leads Mai and Varon to a table along the side. "Here you go. Please enjoy the show."

"We will, Jounouchi," says Mai.

Jounouchi hurries off to the bathroom and locks himself in a stall to read his note. 'To my dearest Jounouchi Katsuya. Thank you for inviting me to watch the play and giving me the tickets. Unfortunately, as you now know, I will be unable to attend. I wouldn't want the kids to see me slip out so that I could change. You see… you already know who I am. I am more than just your Santa. I am Santa to those kids as well. So I will see you tonight when I pass out the donated presents. I have one for you that I hope you'll like. Please accept it. With all my love, your Secret Santa.'

Jounouchi sighs and tucks the card into his pocket. "So the person who's been making the children happy year after year is in my class? Could it really be true? Could you be who I want you to be?"

The bathroom door opens.

Jounouchi snaps out of his reverie and unlocks his stall. He steps out and nods to the man at the sink. He heads out to the main door again.

"All the tickets have been collected. We've got a full house," says Honda.

"Good!" exclaims Jounouchi, "I've got to go backstage. Please go to the kitchen and tell them to start serving the first course!"

"Right!" exclaims Honda heading off while Jounouchi rushes to the stage. He walks through the curtain, and a spotlight shines down on him. He smiles. "Welcome, friends, to the fourth annual Season of Love fundraiser! Thank you all for coming. I hope you're all hungry for some good food, some good company, and some good entertainment!"

The students who agreed to be servers start walking into the room, all wearing their school uniforms and carrying trays with four plates on each.

"I see the food is arriving, and in just a few moments we'll begin 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for you," says Jounouchi, "but first a song from our very own Schroeder… Reika-chan!" He steps through the curtain and helps Kenichi pull it aside to reveal Reika at the piano.

Reika starts to play 'Moonlight Sonata' as the spotlight lands on her. She watches for the servers to leave the dining area before she stops playing. "We now present to you… A Charlie Brown Christmas."

The curtains open fully to show Charlie Brown and Linus leaning over a snow-covered wall while the rest of their friends, including Snoopy, skate on the frozen pond.

Reika begins to play 'Noel' and a few of the students start to sing the words, "The first Noel, the angels did sing over certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay… in fields where they lay keeping their sheep…"

Fluffy white snowflakes tumble from the sky onto a group of joyful children as they sing and laugh, skating on the frozen pond in town. Everyone looks happy and full of holiday cheer.

"I think there must be something wrong with me," Charlie Brown tells his friend Linus as they lean over a snow-covered brick wall. "I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I might be getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel."

Linus looks over at his friend. "Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest."

Charlie Brown walks through the snow, thinking about what Linus had said. When he reaches his mailbox, Charlie Brown hopefully pokes his head inside. It's empty.

"Rats!" Charlie Brown says out loud, feeling sadder than ever. "Nobody sent me a Christmas card today. I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?"

Violet is also outside, enjoying the wintry snowfall and reading a holiday card she had just received.

"Thanks for the Christmas card you sent me, Violet," says Charlie Brown bitterly.

"I didn't send you a Christmas card," Violet responds.

Charlie Brown thrusts his hands deep in his pockets and makes a face. "Don't you know sarcasm when you hear it?"

Charlie Brown walks past houses on his street, and notices all his other friends throwing snowballs, building snowmen, and catching snowflakes on their tongues. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, but Charlie Brown still feels sad.

Desperate to discuss his inappropriate holiday mood, Charlie Brown sits down on the stool in front of Lucy's psychiatric booth. "I am in sad shape," he tells her, frowning.

Lucy's excited to have a customer, but she stops him short before hearing any more details. She demands that Charlie Brown pay in advance for her psychiatric advice. Charlie Brown reaches into his jacket pocket and drops a shiny nickel in her money can. The coin makes a metallic clinking noise as it falls to the bottom of the can.

"Boy, I love the beautiful sound of cold, hard cash," says Lucy, "That beautiful, beautiful sound. Nickels, nickels, nickels. That beautiful sound of plunking nickels." Lucy grins. "Now, what seems to be your trouble?"

Charlie Brown tells her that he knows he should be happy during Christmas, like everyone else, but he just can't seem to manage it. Lucy is entirely ready to diagnose his problem.

"Well, as they say on TV, the mere fact that you realize you need help indicates that you are not too far gone." Lucy looks at him sternly. "I think we'd better pinpoint your fears. If we can find out what you're afraid of, we can label it. Are you afraid of responsibility? If you are, then you have hypengyophobia. How about cats? If you're afraid of cats, you have ailurophasia. Are you afraid of staircases? If you are, then you have climacaphobia. Maybe you have thalassophobia. This is fear of the ocean, or gephyrobia, which is the fear of crossing bridges. Or maybe you have pantophobia. Do you think you have pantophobia?"

"What's pantophobia?" asks Charlie Brown.

"The fear of everything," Lucy responds.

"That's it!" shouts a briefly encouraged Charlie Brown. But then his glum expression returns. "Actually, Lucy, my trouble is Christmas. I just don't understand it. Instead of feeling happy, I feel sort of let down."

Lucy comes around from behind the booth to confront her friend face-to-face. "You need involvement. You need to get involved in some real Christmas project. How would you like to be director for our Christmas play?"

Charlie Brown blinks in complete surprise. "Me? You want me to be the director of the Christmas play?"

Lucy tries hard to persuade Charlie Brown to join in. "Sure, Charlie Brown. We need a director. We've got a shepherd, musicians, animals, everyone we need. We've even got a Christmas Queen."

Charlie Brown hesitates. What does he know about how to properly direct a Christmas play?

"Don't worry," Lucy reassures him. "I'll be there to help you."

Charlie Brown thinks for a moment. Maybe he does need to get involved with a holiday project in order to feel better about things. Lucy's confidence is almost contagious. Besides, he can't let everyone down. They need him. Figuring he has nothing to lose, Charlie Brown agrees to meet Lucy and the rest of the cast at the auditorium.

"Incidentally," Lucy adds, "I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that."

"What is it you want?" asks Charlie Brown.

Lucy looks right at him. "Real estate."

Just then Charlie Brown notices his dog, Snoopy, pass by, hauling a large brown box overflowing with colorful holiday lights and decorations. He follows Snoopy back to his doghouse and watches as the dog begins to create a large display of ornaments and lights on the roof. "What's going on here?" he inquires.

Snoopy grins and hands him a flyer. It says: 'Find the true meaning of Christmas. Win money, money, money! Spectacular, super colossal, neighborhood Christmas lights and display contest!'

Charlie Brown looks up at the sky in dismay. Even his very own dog has gone commercial! The thought of the contest makes Charlie Brown feel positively sick. Is money all anyone cares about? Charlie Brown can't stand it. He throws the flyer into the air and leaves Snoopy to decorate his doghouse alone.

As he walks away, Charlie Brown runs into his little sister, Sally. "I've been looking for you, big brother," she says, "Will you please write a letter to Santa Claus for me? You write it and I'll tell you what I want to say."

Charlie Brown is in a hurry to get to the school auditorium on time for play rehearsal, but he can't say no to his little sister. Charlie Brown takes the pen and clipboard from Sally's outstretched hands and prepares to write. "Okay, shoot."

Sally begins to rattle off her letter to Santa. "I have been extra good this year, so I have a long list of presents that I want."

"Oh, brother," sighs Charlie Brown.

Sally continues, "Please note the size and color of each item and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself. Just send money. How about tens and twenties?"

Charlie Brown is dismayed. Even his baby sister has become greedy. Writing a letter to Santa Claus is one thing, but demanding cash from him is just absurd.

Charlie Brown returns the pen and clipboard to his sister and hurries to the auditorium for the first day of rehearsal. He arrives just on time, and the rest of the kids are already gathered onstage and in the wings of the theater. He walks over to the director's chair to address the cast, but as he begins to speak, Charlie Brown realizes that all the kids are dancing and goofing around, and that no one is paying any attention to him at all.

He picks up a megaphone and tries again. "All right," he says. "Stop the music. We're going to do this and we're going to do it right."

Lucy picks up a stack of scripts and begins to assign roles. Freida plays the innkeeper's wife; Pig Pen plays the innkeeper, and Shermy plays a shepherd. Snoopy is delighted to play the roles of all the different animals, from sheep to cow to penguin. When she comes around to Linus, who is also playing a shepherd, Lucy hands him his script and instructs him to memorize his lines so he can recite them on cue. Linus hugs his trusty blue blanket and begins to protest. "This is ridiculous! I can't memorize something like this so quickly. Why should I be put through such agony? Give me one good reason why I should have to memorize this!"

Lucy glowers at Linus and makes a fist, curling one menacing finger at a time. "I'll give you five good reasons," she says, "One, two, three, four, five!"

Linus stares at Lucy's threatening fist and swallows hard. "Those are good reasons," he agrees. "Christmas is not only getting too commercial, it's getting too dangerous!"

Lucy frowns. "And get rid of that stupid blanket. What's a Christmas shepherd going to look like holding a stupid blanket like that?"

Charlie Brown tries his best to control his temper. "All right. Let's have it quiet," he says. "Places, everybody. Schroeder, set the mood for the first scene."

Schroeder sit at the piano and starts to play a cheerful jazz tune. The entire cast starts to dance all over the place.

"Cut, cut!" shouts Charlie Brown. It's all wrong. He suggests that they rehearse another scene instead.

But no one seems to be able to concentrate. Freida complains that Pig Pen's dust is ruining the style of her naturally curly hair. Sally stays close to Linus, watching his every move, and occasionally resting her little blonde head on his shoulder. "Isn't he the cutest thing?" she asks anyone who would listen. Meanwhile, Lucy and Snoopy demand a lunch break.

"Good grief," exclaims Charlie Brown, who is determined to get back to work on the play. "There's no time for foolishness. Let's take it from the top again."

Schroeder begins to play the jazzy piano music again, which sends everyone into another dancing frenzy.

Lucy comes over and stands next to Charlie Brown. "What's the matter?" she asks. "Don't you think it's great?"

Charlie Brown shakes his head. Something just isn't right. "Look," says Lucy matter-of-factly, "Let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know."

"Well," Charlie Brown responds, "this is one play that's not going to be commercial. What our play needs is the proper Christmas mood. We need a Christmas tree."

Lucy claps her hands. "Hey, perhaps a tree. A great, big, shiny aluminum Christmas tree! That's it! Get the biggest aluminum tree you can find. Maybe paint it pink!"

Charlie Brown leaves Lucy in charge of rehearsal, and sets out with Linus to find the perfect tree for their play. The boys finally reach a Christmas tree lot filled with a vast array of bright, shiny aluminum trees. Then in the midst of all the brightly colored metal, they catch sight of a tiny green pine tree on a wooden stand. "Gee," says Linus, "I didn't know they still made wooden Christmas trees."

Charlie Brown goes over to the little tree. "This one seems to need a home," he says.

Linus stops him for a moment. "I don't know. Remember what Lucy said? This doesn't seem to fit the modern spirit."

But Charlie Brown is adamant. "I don't care," he says. "We'll decorate it and it will be just right for our play. Besides, I think it needs me."

They return to the auditorium, and Charlie Brown walks the little green tree over beside Schroeder's piano. "We're back," he announces, getting everyone's attention.

All the kids gather around the small, sad-looking tree. "Boy, are you stupid, Charlie Brown," says Violet.

Lucy speaks up next. "You were supposed to get a good tree. Can't you even tell a good tree from a poor tree?"

"You're hopeless, Charlie Brown," sighs Peppermint Patty.

"You've been dumb before, but this time you really did it," says Lucy.

All of the kids laugh at Charlie Brown and his pathetic little tree. Then they all walk away, leaving him alone and bewildered next to the piano. Linus approaches him slowly, blanket in hand.

"I guess you were right, Linus," says Charlie Brown miserably, "I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is about. Isn't there anyone who understands what Christmas is all about?"

"Sure," says Linus, "I can tell you what Christmas is all about." He walks to the center of the stage where a single spotlight shines right on him, and he begins to speak.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And they were so afraid. And the angel says unto them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men.'"

Linus picks up his blanket and walks back toward the piano. "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

All of the kids in the auditorium are silent. Charlie Brown takes one of the branches of his little Christmas tree in hand and smiles. He pulls it outside and looks up into the dark night sky, twinkling with a million silver stars.

"Linus is right," he says to himself, the words still echoing in his mind. "I won't let all this commercialism ruin my Christmas. I'll take this little tree home and decorate it and I'll show them it really will work in our play." He heads home and comes upon Snoopy's prize-winning doghouse. Charlie Brown grabs a large red ornament from the roof and hangs it carefully on the top branch of his little Christmas tree.

Charlie Brown cringes with dismay as the entire tree bends over from the weight of the single ornament. "I've killed it," he shouts, feeling sad and frustrated. "Everything I touch gets ruined!" He gives up on decorating the tree, and walks away with his shoulders as bent as the little tree's trunk.

The rest of Charlie Brown's friends walk over to the little tree. Linus leans over and straightens out the branch. "I never thought it was such a bad little tree," he confesses, wrapping his blanket gently around the base of the trunk. "It's not bad at all really. Maybe it just needs a little love."

The kids look at Snoopy's doghouse decorations and then at the little tree. Without another word, they remove the decorations from the doghouse and gather around the sad little tree. Working together, they quickly transform it into a truly beautiful sight, complete with a star on top.

Even Lucy has to admit that it looks wonderful. "Charlie Brown is a blockhead, but he did get a nice tree."

The whole gang circles around the decorated tree, and someone begins to hum "O, Little Town of Bethlehem."

Charlie Brown hears the noise and comes over to the group. "What's going on here?" he asks.

"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" everyone shouts. Charlie Brown can't help but smile. He catches sight of his tree – his little tree that no one had wanted – and he can hardly believe his eyes.

His friends' efforts have transformed it into something truly special. Everyone sings: "Hark, the Herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise! Join the triumph of the skies! With angelic host proclaim: Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark, the Herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king."

Surrounded by his friends, Charlie Brown realizes that Linus had been right about the true meaning of Christmas. This is the Christmas spirit he has been looking for all along.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year," everyone sings.

Jounouchi pulls off his Snoopy head. "Thank you, everyone, for joining us tonight. Now you know what time it is. We thank you for your donations!"

"Ho, ho, ho!" The door to the banquet hall bursts open to reveal a fat man with a long, white beard… dressed all in red from his head to his foot. A heavy sack is slung over his shoulder. "Ho, ho, ho!"

"Santa!" exclaims Tami smiling happily.

"Ho, ho, ho! I know who's been naughty, and I know who's been nice! I've brought presents for everyone nice!" exclaims Santa.

Mokuba stands up and pulls his chair towards Santa. "Here you go, Santa. You can use my chair while you pass out gifts."

"Thank you, Mokuba," says Santa sitting down and opening his pack in front of him. He pulls out a present and passes it to Mokuba. "This is for you."

Mokuba smiles. "Thank you, Santa, but if it's all the same to you, I'll wait to open it Christmas morning!"

"That's why you're a good boy, Mokuba. Now isn't it getting close to your bedtime?" replies Santa.

Mokuba looks at his watch. "Oh, you're right! I have to get home!"

"Go on then, Mokuba," says Jounouchi.

"Thank you for a wonderful time," says Mokuba taking an envelope from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He walks over to the donation box and slides the envelope in before leaving with his box.

"This is stupid. I'm too old to believe in Santa Clause!" exclaims Varon.

"You're never too old to believe in faith, love, and good will, young man. I still believe in Santa Claus," says a ninety-year-old man standing up with the help of a cane, and a younger man stands up with him. Together, they walk to Santa's side. "It's nice to see you again, old friend."

"And you as well, Naritaka-san," says Santa pulling out two gifts, "Has your great-granddaughter decided on a name for her son yet?"

"Ah, she's thinking about Hibiki," says the old man smiling.

"It's a good name," says Santa.

"Excuse us, please, Santa, but I must get my grandfather home," says the younger man. He takes the two gifts from Santa.

As the two leave, they both drop envelopes into the donation box.

In hardly no time at all, Santa empties his bag of gifts to the guests who all leave their donations as they head out.

A small elf enters carrying another full bag. He wears a scarf tied over the lower half of his face. "Here's the bag you wanted, boss."

"Thank you, elf. Everyone, gather round. Ho, ho, ho! I have presents for everyone!" exclaims Santa, "Ho, ho, ho!"

Everyone sits down around Santa, the younger orphans upon the floor, and the older students and adults pulling up chairs from the tables.

Santa reaches into his full sack and pulls out a present. "Ho, ho, ho! Tami, this one is for you!"

The little girl, still dressed as a Christmas tree, scoots over to Santa. "Thank you! Open now?"

"Ho, ho, ho! Yes, you can open it now!" Santa smiles. He begins digging in his pack for another gift while Tami tears open the wrapping on her present.

"A teddy! Thank you, Santa!" exclaims Tami clutching her stuffed bear to her chest.

Santa pulls out a gift. "This one is for Yin. Ho, ho, ho!"

Yin looks at Yang, and the twins clutch each other's hand.

"Ho, ho, ho!" Santa digs into his pack again and pulls out another present. "Here we are! Yang, your present…"

The twins scramble to get their presents together, and they open them hurriedly. The girl rips open her CD case to put the CD into her brother's portable CD player while the boy puts on one set of headphones and passes the other to his sister. "Thank you, Santa! We love the Yin-Yang Twins music!"

Santa pulls out another present. "Miho."

Jounouchi sits back and watches Santa pass out gifts with a smile. He thinks back to all the wonderful gifts he's already received, and he almost misses hearing his name called.

"Snoopy. I do believe this one is yours," says Santa holding up a clearly bone-shaped present.

Jounouchi's heart sinks when he sees the degrading gift, but in the spirit of the season, he rises and walks over to collect the gift.

"Open it when you're alone," whispers Santa.

"Thank you, Santa. It's what I've always wanted," says Jounouchi.

"I hope so," whispers Santa.

Jounouchi moves back to his seat and watches as the last of the presents are handed out.

"Ho, ho, ho!" exclaims Santa rising at last, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

The elf grabs both empty bags and follows Santa out the door.

"Thanks for everything, guys! It's time to go home now. Clean-up can wait until morning," says Jounouchi with a yawn.

"Yes. Several young ones need to go to sleep," says Grandmother holding Tami who sleeps in her arms.

"Good night, Grandmother. I'll come by tomorrow sometime," says Jounouchi, "Ken, can you take the box?"

"Of course," says Kenichi.

"Will you need help with the clean-up tomorrow?" asks Miho.

"If you're offering to come help, work begins at nine in the morning. Anyone can come," says Jounouchi, "I'm going to change out of this costume." He heads off towards the bathroom and locks himself in a stall. He rips open his present first and sees the dog bone… container. He unscrews the cap and pulls out a scroll of paper. His heart pounds in his chest as he unrolls the paper to read it.

'To my dearest Jounouchi Katsuya. This is not the gift I spoke to you about earlier. In order to get that gift, I'm afraid you'll have to come outside. Please, change out of your costume into something warm. I would like to invite you to share cookies and cocoa with me as we ride through this winter wonderland in my sleigh. I'm sorry, but my reindeer don't fly. Upon this impromptu date, and I call it a date because I would like it to be a date to possible lead us into a permanent boyfriend-boyfriend relationship. Upon this date, I will reveal my true name and nature to you, and I will ask you for a kiss… just a simple kiss and you needn't give it to me if you're not ready. I really want to kiss you, but I respect you so much… I will be waiting out the back door for you. Please come find me. With all my love, Your Secret Santa.'

Jounouchi re-rolls the scroll and puts it back into the bone. He quickly removes the costume and heads out to put on his winter boots and outside clothes.

"Want to walk home together, Jou?" asks Yugi.

"No. You go ahead, Yugi. There's one more thing I have to do tonight…"

"Do you need help?"

"I'm meeting my Secret Santa. His gift to me today will be his name and his face. Sorry, but I don't want you around."

Yugi blushes. "Right! I wouldn't want anyone watching me make out either! Have fun! I'll lead the clean-up if you want to stay in bed with him!"

Jounouchi blushes. "Go home, Yugi!"

Yugi zips up his coat and heads out with a smile.

Jounouchi bundles up and checks all the locks before heading out the front door and walking around the building to the back. He sees the sleigh, the eight reindeer, the little elf in the driver's seat, and Santa in the back with a thick blanket over his lap.

Santa smiles. "I'm glad you came, Katsuya."

"I wanted to," says Jounouchi climbing into the sleigh beside Santa and covering his lap with the blanket. "Thank you for everything you've done for me so far."

"I only did what I thought would make you happy," says Santa, "On Dasher and Dancer! On Prancer and Vixen! On Comet and Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the rood, to the top of the hall! Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

"Giddy-up, go," says the elf snapping the reins.

The reindeer start to move and pull the sleigh along.

Jounouchi blushes as he snuggles closer to Santa. "This is nice and romantic."

"I thought you would feel that way, Katsuya," says Santa. "May I hold you?"

"Maybe later," says Jounouchi blushing even more, "Thank you for all the gifts you've given me, but I do have to ask you… why? Why are you going through so much trouble for me?"

"So you jump right to the point of this entire date. Do you mind if I change out of this suit before I answer you?"

"I'd prefer not."

"I love you."

The elf giggles.

"You love me? You don't even know me!"

The elf drives the sleigh into the darkness beneath a bridge.

"Close your eyes, Katsuya. Please," says Santa as the sleigh stops moving.

Jounouchi closes his eyes. "All right."

The rustling sound of clothing reaches Jounouchi's ears, but he doesn't open his eyes.

A hand gently brushes Jounouchi's cheek when all is silent again. "Open your eyes and tell me I don't know who you are."

Jounouchi opens his eyes and looks towards the sound of the voice, but he can't see anything in the darkness. "I can't see."

"Sorry! Giddy-up, go!"

The sleigh moves out of the darkness, and the glow of the streetlights illuminates the face of the person beside Jounouchi.

"Seto?" Jounouchi looks at the giggling driver. "Mokuba?"

"Yes, Katsuya."

"Hi, Jou!"

"You… you've been Santa for the orphans?" asks Jounouchi, "And for me?" A light seems to dawn behind his eyes. "You sneaky bastard! You said you never saw who gave me those presents!"

"I never saw who did put them there," says Kaiba.

"Because you never saw yourself, but I should have asked if you knew who put them there!"

Kaiba blushes. "I would have told you then."

"You sneaky bastard!" Jounouchi leans against Kaiba. "But I'm so glad it's you! I'm so glad it's you!"

"Katsuya…"

"Put your arm around me, Seto."

"Oh, gladly!" Kaiba smiles and wraps his arm around Jounouchi's waist. He pulls the blond up tighter against himself. "I gave you all those gifts because I want to help you. I want to protect you and take care of you, but the way we've always fought in the past… I didn't think you'd be receptive any other way."

"You're right. A month ago, I wouldn't be sitting here with you, like this," says Jounouchi, "I have to know. How long have you realized you love me?"

Kaiba looks down at his lap.

"Oh, hey! I forgot to give you the cookies and cocoa!" exclaims Mokuba reaching down beside him to pull up a tin filled with cookies, "Sorry about that, you two!"

"That long, huh?" asks Jounouchi.

"Just about Valentine's Day last year," says Kaiba removing his arm from around Jounouchi, "but I didn't believe it at first. I didn't want to believe that I could care for anyone the way I did for you." He sighs. "I didn't think you could feel the same way."

"So you continued to fight with me and call me names?"

"You're beautiful when you're angry, and at least then you were focused solely on me…"

"Why aren't you holding me anymore?"

Kaiba looks up at Jounouchi.

"I swear, I must be masochistic," says Jounouchi before placing a chaste kiss to Kaiba's lips, "because I love you too."

"Katsuya…" Kaiba tentatively reaches for Jounouchi's face.

Jounouchi nuzzles Kaiba's hand, and he closes his eyes. "Seto, please show me yourself…"

Kaiba blushes a deep red.

Mokuba's eyes widen, and he blushes.

"Please show me your real self and not just the mask you show to the world." Jounouchi slides closer so he's almost sitting in Kaiba's lap. He opens his eyes and looks deeply into two sapphire orbs. "I love the way you surprise me."

"And I love to surprise you," says Kaiba, "If you'd agree to be my boyfriend, I'll show you as much of myself as you want me to, Katsuya."

"Agreed… Damn! I wish I had some mistletoe right now!"

"We don't need it." Kaiba winds his arms tightly around Jounouchi's upper body and catches his lips in a sweet kiss. "I love you, Katsuya."

"Seto… I love you."

Mokuba looks back at the two older teens and smiles. He begins singing 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' as he drives the sleigh around town with the others making out in the back.

After about fifteen minutes, Jounouchi pulls away. "We shouldn't do this…"

Kaiba's fist clenches in Jounouchi's coat. "Why not?"

"It's freezing out here. We might catch a cold. We should wait to do this someplace warm," says Jounouchi.

"Would you like to come to my place, and we can cuddle up in front of the fireplace?" asks Kaiba.

"Yeah!" Jounouchi smiles. "Hey! I didn't get my cocoa and cookies!"

Mokuba passes the cookie tin back to Jounouchi.

"Would you like some cocoa too, Mokuba?" asks Kaiba lifting a thermos.

"No thanks. I'll make my own cocoa when we get home," says Mokuba.

"That sounds nice too. Let's have ours in front of the fire," says Jounouchi, "Otherwise we might make a mess of the sleigh. Where did you get a sleigh and reindeer anyway?"

"We rented them from a farm nearby. In the summer, these guys are in a petting zoo," says Mokuba.

"Girls, Mokuba."

"Huh? Where?" asks Mokuba looking around.

"The reindeer are girls, not guys," says Kaiba.

"Really? How can you tell?" asks Jounouchi.

"The male reindeer lose their horns… antlers in the fall, and they re-grow them in spring. The female reindeer keep them through winter," explains Kaiba, "These reindeer have antlers. They're female."

"Why don't I know that?" asks Mokuba.

"Because you haven't learned it yet," says Kaiba.

"You are taking us home, right, Mokuba?" asks Jounouchi.

Mokuba smiles back at Jounouchi. "Yeah. We are all going home…"

The gates to the Kaiba Mansion loom into view.

"Welcome home, Katsuya."

"Welcome home, Jou," says Mokuba, "Please stay as long as you want."

"And forever is acceptable," says Kaiba.

Jounouchi takes Kaiba's hand and holds it in both of his. "Forever does sound nice, doesn't it?"

Kaiba smiles.

"What's forever for?"

"Huh?"

"Well, if nothing ever lasts forever, what's forever for?" asks Jounouchi.

"Diamonds. Love," says Kaiba, "While it's true that not all loves last forever, there are special ones that do."

"I'd like to experience that type of love," says Jounouchi, "Would you like to try loving me forever?"

"I'll do more than try," says Kaiba kissing Jounouchi again.

The sleigh pulls to a stop in front of the door.

Isono trades places with Mokuba.

Jounouchi and Kaiba disembark from the sleigh and carry the blanket, cookie tin, and cocoa thermos inside.

"Hey, Seto. Do you mind if I go up and play video games?" asks Mokuba kicking off his winter boots and slipping into a pair of house slippers. He hangs his coat up in the closet.

"Get a cup of cocoa, take a warm bath, then you can play. But you'd better be in bed when I come up," says Kaiba removing his coat and putting it away in the closet. He takes Jounouchi's coat and puts it away as well.

"Okay," says Mokuba running into the kitchen.

Kaiba gets a pair of slippers from the closet and passes them to Jounouchi. "These are yours now, for whenever you're here."

Jounouchi blushes and takes off his boots to put on the slippers. "Now where's this fireplace?"

Kaiba slides his feet into his slippers before wrapping an arm around Jounouchi's waist and escorting him to the living room to cuddle together on the plush rug before the fireplace.

"I want to know everything there is about you… the real you, Seto," says Jounouchi taking the cup of warm cocoa from Kaiba's hand.

"There's not much to tell that you don't already know," says Kaiba holding out the tin of sugar cookies.

"That's probably true," says Jounouchi, "Although I did just learn that you like to play Santa…"

"I do enjoy it. It's something I look forward to year after year, and now I can look forward to seeing the play at the dress rehearsal. What do you think you'll do next year?" asks Kaiba.

"Well, I'm going to technical college," says Jounouchi setting his cup down as his shoulders tense, "The semester doesn't end until December 20th so I won't be able to do the fundraiser next year. I mean, I need to have a job to pay for tuition, room and board, and stuff, so between classes, work, and studying… I won't have time to do the fundraiser. I was thinking about asking Mokuba to take it over."

"What?" asks Kaiba.

Jounouchi turns away from Kaiba so the brunet can't see the tears starting to roll down his cheeks. "I don't have much choice…"

"You do have a choice, Katsuya. All you have to do is say the word, and I will help you keep your dream. I know you love helping those kids. Don't throw it away…"

Jounouchi spins around and throws his arms around Kaiba's neck. He buries his face in the brunet's shoulder as he cries. "What else can I do?"

"Don't go to school in the fall."

Jounouchi shoves Kaiba away, and he glares at him. "What?"

"I'm not saying don't go to school. I'm saying don't go in the fall. That's when you do your fundraiser. You can probably hold down a job and do the charity work together," says Kaiba, "So don't go to school in fall. Wait until the spring term, and enroll in summer term. Make that your school year and have the fall off. If you want to start summer school right after graduation, I will pay your tuition. You can consider it a loan if you need to."

"There are some classes that are only available in fall…"

"What are you going for?"

"Dental assistant."

"I never knew you had any interest in that."

"I don't."

"Katsuya, please listen to me and consider my words. Take a year off from school to think about what you really want to do. Get a part time job, continue your charity work, and live here with Mokuba and me. I will support you in whatever you want to do! I just want you to be happy with what you decide to do!" Kaiba pulls Jounouchi up against his chest. "And I don't think you're happy about giving up the fundraiser."

"Okay… I'll think about it," says Jounouchi squirming closer to Kaiba. He yawns.

"Maybe we should talk about this in the morning," says Kaiba, "I think it's time to put my new boyfriend to bed."

"Yeah. I have to go to the hall to clean it all up in the morning. Then Yugi promised to help me do my Christmas shopping when we're done," says Jounouchi, "What would you and Mokuba like?"

"I already have what I want," says Kaiba kissing Jounouchi's forehead, "but Mokuba would probably like some new scrapbook supplies… a book, stickers, stamps, that sort of thing. He's really into making scrapbook photo albums. Maybe we'll show you them later."

"I'd like that," says Jounouchi smiling softly.

"Would you like me to show you to a guest room, or would you care to join me in my room to snuggle while we sleep?" Kaiba's cheeks turn pink.

"I'm not ready for sex, but I can sleep beside you," says Jounouchi.

Kaiba stands up and helps Jounouchi to his feet before guiding him upstairs to his bedroom. "Would you like to borrow some pajamas?"

"No… I'm fine in just my boxers," says Jounouchi starting to undress. He blushes. "Unless you'd rather I be wearing something more…"

Kaiba blushes and strips off his own clothes before crawling into bed wearing just his underwear. "Go to sleep."

Jounouchi finishes undressing and slides into the bed beside Kaiba. He cuddles up close to him and rests his head on Kaiba's shoulder. "Good night, Seto. I love you."

"I love you. Good night, Katsuya."

***

Christmas morning finds everyone gathered around the tree in the Kaiba Mansion's living room exchanging presents and eating holiday treats.

Kaiba slams the lid back on the box as all the blood drains from his face. "How did you even purchase something like this? You're too young to go in those type of stores!"

Yugi blushes. "Well, it took a lot of begging and pleading, but you really shouldn't have let Isono drive us on our shopping trip!"

Kaiba's eyes widen. "You talked Isono into buying this? Please tell me that you didn't say it was for me!"

"Well, technically it's not for you. It's for Jou! We don't want you to hurt him after all!" exclaims Yugi smiling.

"What did he give you?" asks Jounouchi, "Or should I say us?"

Kaiba passes the box to Jounouchi. "I'm going to kill you, Motou."

Jounouchi opens the box and pulls out a pair of black fur handcuffs. He blushes as he looks at the assortment of lubricants and sexual toys in the box. He puts the cuffs back in the box and replaces the lid. "If you asked for all this, Yugi… I'll help Seto kill you."

"Oh, come on! You know you'll enjoy it!" exclaims Yugi.

"I really shouldn't give you this," says Kaiba throwing a box at Yugi, "I hope it breaks." He continues to pass out the gifts he got for everyone.

"Thank you, Kaiba," says Yugi pulling out the portable game system.

"What the hell?"

All eyes turn to Jounouchi.

"I don't get it," says Jounouchi looking up at Kaiba, "A passport and two plane tickets to Paris?"

"For a Valentine's weekend," says Kaiba, "You can take whoever you want with you. It's an all expense paid trip. You would just need money for souvenirs and things."

"Seto…"

"I'd understand if you'd like to go with someone younger and female," says Kaiba.

"I love my sister, but I'm not spending Valentine's without you, Seto," says Jounouchi. "I love you in a way far more appropriate for the holiday."

"Yes, well. I didn't want to assume," says Kaiba.

"Why don't you just kiss him and be done with it, Jou?" asks Anzu.

Jounouchi grabs Kaiba's lapel and pulls him forward into a quick kiss. "We'll continue later."

"I can't wait."

"Hey, do that again! I didn't have the camera ready!" exclaims Honda aiming the camera at Kaiba and Jounouchi.

"Pervert," says Kaiba blushing.

"Oh, come on, big brother!" exclaims Mokuba, "It'll be a nice memento of your first Christmas together!"

"Oh, fine!"

"Well, geez, you don't have to put so much…"

Kaiba kisses Jounouchi long and slow while the camera flashes away. He gasps when their lips part. "I don't have a problem with kissing you often. It's not a chore or a bother or anything. I just think it's personal, and I don't like having my personal life photographed."

"I get it," says Jounouchi. He turns around to grab the pile of gift bags he brought and passes them around. As he passes Kaiba his bag, he whispers, "I'd like to see you in that on our trip to Paris."

Kaiba looks in the bag at the boxer shorts with Snoopy lying on top of a heart that reads 'Be Mine.' He looks at Jounouchi with a raised eyebrow.

"They had their Valentine stuff out already."

"Before Christmas?"

"It's retail," says Jounouchi shrugging his shoulders.

"We'll make good use of this on Valentine's Day, and we'll bring Motou's gift too… just in case," says Kaiba smiling and pulling Jounouchi to him.

"I love you. Merry Christmas, Seto."

"I love you too, Katsuya. Merry Christmas."

The end.