Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ I'll Be Home for Christmas ❯ Seven Swans A-Swimming ( Chapter 7 )

JG-chan: Whooooo yay! Christmas has been and gone, but I'm still writing! Isn't that a record? Yes, I thought so. By the way, I DID get Lacoste, Touch of Pink from my BF this year! :D *loves it* Anyways, onto the reviewer responses! ^____________^

Black-Butterfly: Whoops! I forgot that I used your quote in the last chapter so… CREDIT FORYOU!! *showers you with your favourite bishounens and shoujo plushies* Oh and I'm so glad you liked the lemon too! It seemed quite a lot of people did O.o

FallenAngel7901: WOW! Can't wait to read more, huh? I'm so glad! Thanks for your review! Every one of them counts!

Velvetina: So I portray the characters good huh? That's what I was afraid of! I'm sooo glad someone thinks that they're alright XD And yeah, sorry about the whole review dilemma… mm.org is going screwy, me thinks. Or else I'm just cursed XD Thanks for your review!

Mileniua: Beautiful? Really? You think so? THANKS!! *glomps* I'm sure you're beautiful too ^_^

Nomalaz: Whoo hoo, another review from ya! Glad you liked my lemon scene! As for your question, what DID happen to Bakura? I kind of thought that since this story is based mainly on Ryou and Jou, I didn't want to put TOO much Bakura in there… but if you want more, I can do that for you too ^_^ just sing out and I'll grant your requests!

BlackGreyRoses: Believe me, I don't have much of a life beyond writing my stories either XD you are not alone! Here's the next chapter like you asked! ^~

anubiset: That's the main reason why I wrote this fic - because NOBODY does it anymore! I've only read one decent Ryou x Jou in my whole life, because they're THAT hard to find… This wasn't really meant to be a Christmas fic either XD but I figured it was appropriate for this time of the year ^_^

DISCLAIMER: I own nada!

Warning(s): Err, just some mild cursing I think, and some Shounen-ai fluff ^_^

Seven Swans A-Swimming

Puffy caramel orbs cracked open in Jou's waking. Straining to keep them open, he closed his eyes again and rolled over, burying his face into one of Ryou's pillows. It was five-thirty in the morning and Jou hadn't the faintest idea why he had woken up this early. He half expected to still be in bed after lunchtime due to the vigorous activity he had been involved in last night. He smiled at the thought of how magical everything had been. It was like a dream that had been given life.

Attempting to sit up without disturbing the still-sleeping Ryou, Jou slipped out of bed and exited the room, making his way toward the bathroom. He stepped inside onto the grey granite tiles, closed the door and flicked on the light, preparing himself to be momentarily blinded. His eyes adjusted to the light and he moved toward the mirror and leant on the basin, staring at the image staring back at him. `Why does everything seem so perfect right now?' he asked himself. `No other Christmas has ever been like this… Come to think of it, I still need to wrap up Ryou's present!'

Jou quickly splashed his face with cold water and made his way through to his own bedroom and put on a hoodie to stop the chills running through his body. `Well here it is…' He thought as he picked up Ryou's gift. He shook the snow globe and watched the shiny white flecks float around. Inside was a little model of one of London's most famous attractions - Big Ben, the clock tower near the House of Lords. When he first came to Domino, Ryou always claimed he was homesick. Nobody really knew what to do about it until now, four years later, when Jou came across a small antique shop on his way home from work and saw this little snow globe in the window.

`I hope he likes it… He's from Manchester after all, not London. I'm sure he'll appreciate it anyways.' Jou thought to himself as he put the gift on his bed and scrounged around for some wrapping film. In the small wardrobe of Jou's room, he found a roll of wrapping paper, and also the other Lacoste cologne he bought while out Christmas shopping. `I still haven't decided who to give that to…' Jou thought, questioning himself. `What about Bakura? Ryou's already got some stuff like this…' making his mind up, Jou wrapped the gifts and put name tags on them, then proceeded to the lounge to put them under the Christmas tree. Being it still early, Jou tip-toed back into Ryou's room and slipped back into bed.

Brown eyes opened and scoured the room for any life. Ryou's eyes soon fell upon a breathing heap next to him; namely, Jou. The chilly air of the room soon roused his senses and he quickly registered that it was Christmas Day. He beamed to himself and leapt out of bed, grabbed his robe and made his way to Bakura's room.

"Yami!" he shrieked, jumping on his bed.

Bakura rolled over and grunted irately into his pillow. "What?"

"It's Christmas Day! Don't you want to open your presents?!"

"No."

Ryou pouted. "But it's ten o'clock, Bakura! Last year you couldn't wait to see what you got…"

Bakura rolled back over and struggled to sit up, rubbing his eyes as he did so. "I already know what I'm getting, knucklehead."

Ryou erupted into a smile. "Well yeah but… you don't know what Jou got you, do you?"

"He gave me all I need last night." Bakura replied with a haughty smirk, chuckling.

Ryou rolled his eyes and got up off of his darker counterpart, moving towards the door. "Well, Merry Christmas to you too, then."

"Oh Ryou," Bakura sighed. "Wait for me."

Jou picked up the oddly shaped present labeled to him and held it in his hands. He shook it, but it didn't make any sound. He squeezed it, but it wasn't soft. "What on earth is this?"

"Open it and find out!" Ryou said, his eyes glittering with anticipation.

Jou carefully peeled the sticky tape off of the beautifully wrapped parcel and tore off the wrapping. Inside was a black leather box, about the size of a small jewellery box. There was also something underneath the box though. Jou moved the box and picked up the envelope underneath. "Hey… gift vouchers for Cheapskates! Thanks!" Jou shrieked in surprise and glomped the boy sitting opposite him.

Ryou smiled. "Open the box now. It's from both of us."

Suspicious, Jou put down the vouchers and opened the box. His eyes widened at what was inside - a sterling silver Zippo lighter with a Red Eyes Black Dragon engraved into it. "Ryou… Bakura, it's awesome! Where did you guys find something like this?"

"We didn't," Bakura said. "We took the card from your deck and showed the guy the picture of the dragon so he could engrave it onto the metal."

Ryou blushed. "We really should have asked for the card first, Bakura."

"It would have spoiled the surprise, though."

All the while, Jou was beaming. The lighter was something he would be able to keep forever. He turned the lighter over and on the other side, something else had been engraved. It said: `Dear Jounouchi, Merry Christmas 2004. With love, Ryou and Bakura'. "Man you guys… I don't think I've ever had such a cool Christmas present before." Jou said. "Thanks."

"It's our pleasure," Ryou said.

Jou smiled. "Well, you guys can open yours from me now, then." The two white-haired English boys obliged and took their respected gifts from under the tree, carefully taking off the paper.

"Cologne? What are you trying to say?" Bakura muttered as he opened the grey and silver box that held the cologne and body-wash.

"I'm not trying to say anything," Jou said. "Do you like it?"

Bakura sprayed some onto himself and sniffed it. "Hn, it's not bad. It's different. Thanks."

"Oh Jou! A snow globe! And it's got Big Ben in the middle of it! Oh, thank you!" Ryou squealed. "This will remind me of home every time I look at it… and you."

The flaxen-haired youth blushed and closed his eyes as Ryou leant in to kiss him. "I thought you would like it… It's something you can keep forever, too."

"Of course I will…" Ryou said. "Hey uh, are you still going to see Shizuka today?"

Jou nodded. "I'm going to have to. I still have to give her my present. Are you guys doing anything today?"

"Nope," Ryou replied. "If you need some company we'll be glad to come along."

"That would be great," Jou said, agreeing to the idea. "That way I won't have to stay for too long. Ma always tries to make me stay."

Ryou chuckled a little. "She is your mother… don't you think you ought to stay just for a little while?"

"I guess," Jou said as he stood up. "I really only want to go to see Shizuka, though."

After catching a train across to the other side of Domino, Jou, Ryou and Bakura made their way through the slushy snow-filled streets of suburban southern Domino. This side of the city was where the upper-class people lived, in their more expensive and larger homes. Kaiba Seto was also a resident of this side of the city. In fact, right at the end of Jou's mother's street at the end of a long driveway was the Kaiba Estate, on a colossal three hectare section.

"Well, this is the place." Jou said as the trio of boys stopped outside a quaint little snow-covered house with evident firelight flickering inside.

"Wow, it's a nice place…" Ryou said. "It's a shame you don't get along with your Mum. It would have been nice to live here."

Jou scuffed his sneakers on the pavement. "Yeah well… you get that. Come on."

Jou rang the doorbell, his face half-hidden under the thick downy scarves and layers he was wearing. Bakura could hardly wait to get inside by the warmth. Shortly after ringing the bell, a woman came and answered the door. Her face resembled that of Jou's - mostly wide features with large eyes and a straight, slender nose. The only thing she lacked was Jou's full lips. She smiled in seeing her son.

"Hiya, Ma."

"Katsuya… It's so good to see you!" She cried. "Please, come in."

Jou walked in, followed by Ryou and Bakura who seemed at first rather hesitant. There were a lot of people sitting around on the furniture talking, most holding glasses of champagne or eggnog. A large Christmas tree stood in the corner clustered with already-opened Christmas presents and wrapping. A fire sparkled on the other side of the room and candles were lit above it on the mantelpiece.

"Mom? Do you want to--" Shizuka suddenly emerged from the kitchen. Her eyes bulged and her mouth dropped open as she saw her brother standing in the foyer. "Katsuya?!"

Jou burst into a grin at the sight of her. "Hey, sis!"

"Katsuya!" she shrieked and ran across the room, throwing herself into his embrace. "I didn't think you were going to come!"

"Of course I was gonna come," Jou said, pulling back. "You don't think I'd not see you on Christmas did you?"

Shizuka blushed. "Well… you didn't come last year."

Jou looked to the ground. "Yeah, I'm sorry… Uh, I brought my friends with me - Ryou and Bakura. You remember them from the Battle City Tournament right?"

The auburn haired beauty looked up to Ryou who was smiling in a friendly manner at her. "Yeah, of course I do. Merry Christmas you guys!"

"To you too, Shizuka-chan." Ryou replied.

"Sit down Shizuka, I got you a present." Jou said as he led her to the couch. "I hope you like it."

Shizuka's hazel eyes shimmered with excitement as she unwrapped the gift. A flash of pink caught her attention and she ripped off the paper. "Touch of Pink! Oh, Jou! How did you know?! I love this stuff!"

Before Jou could even reply, he was caught into a bone-crunching clasp from his younger sister. He giggled and sat up again. "I don't know… I just thought you might like it. You like girlie stuff like that."

Shizuka poked her tongue out at him. "Thanks nii-sama… Here, I also got you something." She said as she handed him a gift. "It's from me and Mom."

Jou opened the present and looked inside. "Wow… this is really nice. Thanks you guys." Jou said as he pulled out the watch from its case and put it around his wrist.

"Your father said that you lost your watch at school a while ago." Jou's mother said sternly as she came and sat next to him.

Jou cocked an eyebrow. "When did you last talk to Dad?"

"Oh it was quite a while ago now."

"How is Dad, Jou?" Shizuka asked.

Jou hesitated. "Uh… I'm not really sure. I moved out a couple of weeks ago. I'm living with these guys at the moment." He replied, gesturing to Ryou and Bakura.

Shizuka looked just as baffled as her mother. "Why did you move out?"

"Just… wanted a change, I guess." Jou said, lying through his teeth.

Shizuka frowned in doubt. "I see… Well, are you staying for lunch? We've got a lot of food ready in the kitchen!"

Jou looked hesitantly at Ryou who smiled and nodded. "Err… yeah, sure."

"So Jounouchi, aren't you going to introduce us to your friends?" Jou looked across the table at his cousin, Dai, who was smirking seductively across the table at Ryou and Bakura. She twirled the ends of her dark red hair around her fingers while staring at them.

"Oh, uh… everyone, this is Ryou and Bakura. They moved to Japan from England about four years ago."

"Oh well that's interesting!" Yumi, Dai's mother, exclaimed. "What part of England, dear?"

"Manchester." Ryou replied. "Although I can't imagine living anywhere else now."

"Dai went to England on exchange a few years ago when she was still at high school. Isn't that right dear?"

"Hai," Dai replied. "I can speak perfect English too, Ryou." She winked at him.

Jou mentally rolled his eyes and went back to eating. Dai had always been a slut. She was one of those girls who excelled in everything she applied herself at - sports, academic achievement, languages; everything. She appeared all nice and sweet and perfect before her parents and relatives, but there was another side of her that she never brought out in front of them. If they ever found out about her reputation at university, they would probably disown her. Jou knew several men that she had pleasured, and the number was high.

Jou looked across the table at his other cousin, Taura, who was about the same age as him. Taura was the prime example of any normal, middle-class teenager, and she got along well with Shizuka. If she hadn't have fallen pregnant two years ago, she would have done well for herself. Jou was just thankful that the father of the child had stuck by her and supported her. When she was fifteen, she gave birth to a beautiful little black-haired baby girl named Maemi, a name meaning `smile of truth'. To look at her, she reminded Jou strongly of Rei. At least Taura was happy. Jou could tell Dai wasn't, and probably never would be.

"Well Jou, that wasn't so bad now, was it?" Ryou questioned as they were slowly making their way back to the subway station later in the afternoon.

"I guess so…" Jou replied, watching the ground as he walked. "I just can't believe Dai sometimes, though."

"She seemed like a whore to me." Bakura muttered.

"Bakura!"

"What?"

"That's Jou's relative you're talking about!"

"Yeah. So?"

Jou laughed. "It's alright, Ryou. Bakura's right… the only thing she's got going for her is her brains and money."

"Money can't buy happiness, though." Ryou said quietly.

"That's right," Jou replied, putting an arm around Ryou's waist. "But you do."

Ryou smiled and put his arm around Jou also, and his other around Bakura. "I must be the luckiest hikari ever."

Bakura chuckled. "And why do you say that, my light?"

"Well… think about it! Malik and Yuugi don't have you guys, they've only got their yamis. I'd be lost without you guys… and I think that's why I care so deeply for both of you."

Bakura kissed Ryou on the top of his head. "That would be classed as `love', Ryou."

Ryou giggled, and was about to reply, when he was quickly interrupted. A long, sleek black limousine pulled up alongside the curb and halted next to them. One of the windows wound down and a familiar face beamed up at them. It was none other than Mokuba Kaiba.

"Merry Christmas you guys! What are you doing out here on Christmas Day?" he chirped.

"I was about to ask you the same thing." Jou replied. "What are you doing out here?"

"I just got back from the airport to pick up Seto - he got back from a business trip to Amsterdam today."

Jou peered further inside the limo, only to see the blue-eyed, russet-haired snake sitting in all his venomous glory, staring straight ahead with his arms and legs crossed. Jou's insides lurched at seeing him. "That's nice, kid. We really gotta be going, though."

"Aw, why? How about you come up to the mansion for a bit? We don't have anyone to celebrate Christmas this year because of Seto's stupid trip…"

"No, Mokuba." Kaiba spat.

In hearing this, a wily grin came to Jou's lips. "Sure, we'd love to."

Kaiba turned his head and glared intensely out the window. "I said, no."

"Please Seto? It will be boring without anyone at home…"

Kaiba sighed and turned back to looking ahead. "They can walk, then." He said, and motioned to the driver. "Floor it."

As the slick black limo started to roll off, Mokuba stuck his head out the window. "See you up there you guys!"

Bakura, Ryou and Jou all turned to each other. "That was… random." Bakura mumbled.

"It should be rather fun, actually." Jou replied. "Seeing as Kaiba hates my guts so much, why not ruin his Christmas even more?"

"He doesn't seem like much of a Christmassy person anyway though…" Ryou said, rubbing his chin in thought. "Do you think we should go?"

Jounouchi and Bakura looked at each other and grinned. "Definitely

*~***~*

+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+ ~TBC

JG-chan: Squeeeeeee well there isn't much to say here, but I thought I'd just throw in some OCs for old time's sake XD if you have any requests I will be glad to grant them! :D