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A Charlie Brown Christmas	By : Hideki LaShae Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2293 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! belongs to Kazuki Takahashi. Story elements © Hideki LaShae. No money was gained in the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
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 Two

            Jounouchi
yawns as he sits down in his desk. He pulls an envelope from his bag and
reaches into his desk. His eyes widen as he first feels and then pulls out a
carefully wrapped box. He smiles when he recognizes the same white paper and
red ribbon as yesterday.
            Sapphire
eyes sparkle in delight upon seeing Jounouchi lightly touch the present as if
it contained his dreams inside.
            Sensei
enters the room at that moment so Jounouchi places the envelope and present
together in his desk.
            Once again,
Jounouchi doesn’t get the opportunity to open his gift until lunchtime as all
his friends gather around him to eat. He pulls up the present and the envelope.
            “Oh, did
your ‘someone special’ give you a letter this time?” asks Anzu.
            “No. This
is from me,” says Jounouchi putting the envelope back in his desk, “It’s a
‘thank you’ to my Secret Santa for the gloves I got yesterday.” He carefully
unwraps his box and pulls out a heavy-knit red scarf. He wraps it around his
neck with a grin. “It’s so warm! I love it!”
            Yugi lifts
the tag from the paper and reads it aloud, “To Jounouchi Katsuya. With love,
your Secret Santa.”
            “In case
you’re wondering, I didn’t see who put it there,” says Kaiba.
            “Oh, well.
He’ll reveal himself in time,” says Jounouchi, “When he thinks I’m most open to
his advances… or when he thinks I’ll let him fuck me senseless!”
            Kaiba’s
cheeks tint pink slightly, but it doesn’t appear that anyone notices.
            Yugi smiles
sweetly upon seeing the color on Kaiba’s cheeks. “So, Jou. How long do you
think it would take before that happens? And what would he have to give you to
make it go faster?”
            “He’d have
to give me his real name,” says Jounouchi, “before I would ever consider
going that far. I’m not a slut who’ll just spread his legs for anyone!”
            “Good for
you, Jounouchi,” says Kaiba, “Maintain those morals. If your S.S. really cares
about you, he will wait until you are ready before asking you for sex.”
            “I think so
too,” says Jounouchi pulling out his lunch and yawning.
            “Are you
okay, Jou? You seem really tired today,” says Honda in between bites of his own
lunch.
            “I went
home after putting the kids to bed, but I stayed up to write that note to my
S.S. I didn’t get much sleep after that,” says Jounouchi.
            “Here,”
says Kaiba passing Jounouchi a cup of warm tea, “It will help you wake up and
give you a bit of energy.”
            Jounouchi
blushes as he takes the cup from Kaiba. “Thank you.”
            “So, Kaiba,
what are you doing for your project? You said you had to do it alone,” says
Yugi.
            “It’s
something I do every year, but I don’t want anyone to know that I do it,” says
Kaiba blushing slightly, “It’s a secret.”
            “I thought
you said being nice to me is your project,” says Jounouchi draining the tea
from the cup and passing it back. “Thanks. That was great! My insides are all
warm and cozy now!”
            “Being nice
to you isn’t part of my project. It’s just something to do for fun, because I
want to help you with your project this year,” says Kaiba.
            Jounouchi
blushes and shoves a bite of food into his mouth to silence whatever thought
was about to escape.
            Kaiba
smiles and continues to eat his food. “I’ll give you all a ride to the
orphanage this afternoon.”
            “I’m not
going there,” says Anzu, “I told Tadashi-san that I’d show up at his shop in
person to go over the catering menu.”
            Kaiba nods.
            “We need
good food,” says Jounouchi, “Just remember that, okay?”
            “Don’t
worry, Jou. We won’t let you down,” says Anzu.
            “I won’t be
needing a ride either. I brought my motorcycle so Ken and I can go down to the
lumberyard and ask about wood for the props,” says Honda.
            “Let me
know if you need my donation early to help pay for the expenses, Jounouchi,”
says Kaiba.
            “I will,
and I’ll thank you for the ride this afternoon,” says Jounouchi, “You coming
too, Yugi?”
            Yugi smiles
and nods. “Yes, thank you.”
            Sensei
enters the room, and everyone moves their desks back into alignment and takes
their proper seat.
            Jounouchi
glances back at Kaiba with a smile.
            “Jounouchi,
why are you wearing a scarf?” asks Sensei.
            “My neck
was a bit cold,” says Jounouchi taking the scarf off and putting it in the box
to place in his desk once more.
            “Thank you,
Jounouchi,” says Sensei before starting the lesson.

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            “Hello.
This is Jounouchi-san from Domino City Orphanage. I’m calling to speak to you
about the yearly Season of Love fundraiser,” says Jounouchi into the phone as
he brushes his hair.
            << Of
course, Jounouchi-san. I wondered when I would hear from you. >>
            “I’m sorry
I didn’t call earlier, but planning’s been very hectic this year,” says
Jounouchi, “Please tell me that you haven’t booked the hall for the twentieth
or twenty-first!”
            <<
You’re in luck. I saved those dates for you. >>
            “Oh, thank
you, thank you, thank you! And what about the fee?”
            <<
I’m waiving it, of course. You know me… Anything for the kids! >>
            “I’ll send
you two tickets. This year we’re doing ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’. The kids
are really excited about it.”
            << I
can’t wait to see it! >>
            “Well, I
have to get to class, so I’ll call you if anything comes up, and you can call
me if disaster strikes,” says Jounouchi.
            <<
Will do. >>
            Jounouchi
hangs up the phone and pulls on his lightweight jacket over his sweater. He
wraps the scarf around his neck and pulls on his gloves before grabbing his
book bag. He checks to make sure his ‘thank you’ note resides in his bag before
heading out the door into the frigid air. He walks as quickly as he can towards
the school, and he arrives late to class.
            “Forget to
set your alarm again?” asks Sensei raising an eyebrow at Jounouchi’s late
appearance.
            “I’m sorry
that I’m late, Sensei. I was making arrangements for my final project that I
couldn’t do after school since the place I had to call would be closed then,”
says Jounouchi.
            “Oh,
really?” asks Sensei.
            Jounouchi
nods. “The Hall manager only works morning.”
            “I will be
calling him to confirm,” says Sensei, “Now take your seat.”
            Jounouchi
heads over to his desk and sits down. He immediately feels inside his desk, and
he smiles when his fingers brush against another box and not an envelope. He
doesn’t notice the nearby brunet tucking the envelope further into his bag.
            When
lunchtime finally comes around, Jounouchi pulls out his gift and places the
newest card in his desk. He reads the tag while his friends get situated around
him. ‘To Jounouchi Katsuya. Thanks are not necessary. Please don’t lose any
sleep over it. With love, your Secret Santa.’
            “So what
did you get today, Jou?” asks Honda. He notices the blank look on his best
bud’s face. “Jou? Are you okay?”
            “He was
listening to our conversation yesterday,” says Jounouchi.
            “Huh?” asks
Anzu.
            “Thanks are
not necessary. Don’t lose any sleep over it,” reads Jounouchi, “He took the
note I wrote for him, and he left me this message. He had to have heard us
talking yesterday. There’s no other way for him to know why I was tired.”
            Yugi
glances over at Kaiba. “I’m sure he means no harm, Jou. So what’s in the box
today?”
            Jounouchi
opens his present and pulls out a red and black striped, heavy-knitted hat.
            “It looks
like he wants to keep you nice and warm, Jounouchi,” says Kaiba.
            “Oh, how
romantic!” Anzu sighs.
            “Huh?”
            “He wants
to keep you safe and warm until he can hold you in his arms,” says Anzu, “It’s
really quite romantic!”
            Jounouchi
smiles. “Yes, it is!”
            Kaiba’s
lips curve into a small smile.
            Jounouchi
pulls out his lunch and starts to eat. “So who do you guys think it could be?”
            “Hmm… I
wonder,” says Yugi looking at Kaiba.
            “You’d tell
me if you saw him, right, Kaiba?”
            “If I ever
see anyone put something in your desk, I’ll let you know,” says Kaiba, “but I
doubt I’ll see him. He’s probably very careful not to let anyone see him.”
            “You’re
right.”
            “Maybe it’s
a ninja!” exclaims Honda, “Using all his mad ninja skills to sneak in and out
without being noticed! Or he could be using some sort of transformation jutsu
to look like anybody! Maybe he turns into Kaiba, slips in, leaves the gift, and
slips out before the real Kaiba shows up.”
            Anzu slaps
the back of Honda’s head. “This is not a manga, Honda!”
            “That’s jus
too outrageous!” exclaims Jounouchi, but he turns his eyes to catch Kaiba’s
gaze. His heart starts racing, and his cheeks redden.
            Kaiba
smiles at Jounouchi.
            Sensei
walks into the classroom and approaches Jounouchi’s desk. She places a folded
piece of paper beside his unfinished lunch before walking up to her desk and
sitting down with a book.
            “What’s
that?” asks Kaiba.
            Jounouchi
opens the paper and reads it. “She called the hall to confirm that I spoke to
him today, and she wants to know what time she should come by to help us set up
and decorate this year. She started helping out last year.”
            “You mean
to say that she assigned this project because of you?” asks Yugi, and he starts
giggling.
            “My grades
slip because I haven’t found that perfect balance between school, work, and
studying like Kaiba,” says Jounouchi.
            “I don’t
study.”
            All eyes
turn to Kaiba with a collective, “Huh?”
            “I have a
photographic memory with perfect recall,” says Kaiba, “If I see it once, I can
see it again whenever I want. I don’t have to study. I just have to read the
textbook.”
            “I don’t
know if that makes you more perfect or more human,” says Jounouchi. He smiles
and leans towards Kaiba to whisper, “I’m leaning more towards perfect.”
            Kaiba
blushes and leans towards Jounouchi to whisper, “So am I.”
            “All right,
class. Get ready for the next lesson,” says Sensei.

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            The whole
classroom is in an uproar when Jounouchi enters the next morning just as the
bell rings. “What’s going on?”
            “That is a
huge box!” exclaims Anzu pointing towards the back of the room.
            “Jounouchi
Katsuya! I highly doubt we’ll get any work done until we all know what’s in
that box so why don’t you read us the card and open it for us?” asks Sensei
with a sigh.
            Jounouchi
walks over to his desk happily and pulls the tag off the large box. He reads it
aloud, “To Jounouchi Katsuya. Your kind words have touched me more than you
could ever know. Wear this well and stay warm until I can hold you in my arms.
With love, your Secret Santa.”
            All the
girls in class sigh and swoon, and a few of the boys make gagging sounds.
            Jounouchi
pulls off the red ribbon and removes the white paper. He opens the box and
pulls out a long black leather trench coat with a red lining in just his size.
            “Oh, wow!
That looks so expensive!” exclaims Yugi.
            “Okay, we
all know what it is now,” says Sensei, “Put it away, Jounouchi, and we’ll get
started with class.”
            Jounouchi
puts the coat back in the box and moves it to the floor in the corner by
Kaiba’s desk. He smiles at Kaiba as he returns to his desk to sit down.

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            Jounouchi
pulls out an energy drink and stands up. “Sorry, guys, but I have a lunch
meeting. I’ll see you in a few.”
            “Is that
all you’re having for lunch?” asks Kaiba looking at the drink.
            “I spent
the night at the orphanage again. Ken gave me this for breakfast,” says
Jounouchi, “Be back in a few!” He runs out of the room so fast that he doesn’t
hear Kaiba whisper, “Maybe I should just start bringing you lunch.”
            Jounouchi
almost runs into the music teacher in the hall. “Oh, great! Just the person I
was looking for!”
            “Why would
you be looking for me?”
            “Have you
heard about the Seasons of Love charity event for the Domino City Orphanage?”
asks Jounouchi.
            “Yes. My
wife and I attend it every year,” says the man, “Why?”
            “I’m the
organizer. Our play this year is ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ and you know
there’s a scene in there where practically everybody’s playing an instrument or
dancing,” says Jounouchi, “And I was seriously hoping that you would lend us
some instruments as props.”
            “You want
me to lend you instruments?”
            “Yes,
please? Only the baby grand would actually get played and we’d only need the
instruments for two days,” says Jounouchi.
            “Who would
be playing the piano?”
            “Junior-high
student Yoshi Reika. She plays piano beautifully!” exclaims Jounouchi.
            “She’ll
have to audition with me for the right to play that piano,” says the teacher,
“I only let my best students play that one.”
            “Can you
come by the orphanage this afternoon, or did you want me to bring her here?”
asks Jounouchi.
            “I’ll come
by the orphanage, and she can play me the piece from the play,” says the man,
“I’ll let you borrow the others. Make a list of what you need and give it to me
later.”
            “Oh, thank
you! I’ll give you that list tonight!” exclaims Jounouchi, “See you then!” He
turns and hurries back to the classroom while drinking his beverage. He joins
his friends at his desk.
            Kaiba
pushes his bento onto Jounouchi’s desk. “You should really eat something.
You’ll need the added energy.”
            Jounouchi
blushes. “Thank you.”
            Yugi
glances between Jounouchi and Kaiba with a secretive smile.
            Jounouchi
eats his meal quickly. “Thanks, Kaiba. That was delicious!”
            Kaiba
blushes. “You’re welcome.”

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            The music
teacher stands beside Jounouchi as they listen to Reika perform the music on
the upright piano at the orphanage. He turns towards Jounouchi. “Promise me
that Lucy won’t be lying on top of the piano.”
            “Are you
kidding? She’s six! We’d never get her up there! She’ll be leaning against the
stool Reika’s sitting on,” says Jounouchi.
            “When do
you need the piano and the other instruments?” asks the teacher.
            “December
20^th for the dress rehearsal and the 21^st for the actual
performance,” says Jounouchi passing the teacher a list of instruments.
            “What time
would you like me to deliver them to the hall?” asks the teacher.
            “Thank you
so much,” says Jounouchi before starting to tell the teacher about the time
line of activities on the twentieth so they can plan together.

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            “Yugi, Jou!
Come and take a look! Grab your coats!” calls Kenichi from the back door of the
orphanage.
            Yugi and
Jounouchi head to the front door to put on their coats and shoes. Then they
head out the front door and walk around the building to the back.
            Jounouchi
wears his heavy black trench coat, hat, scarf, and gloves that were his gifts
from his Secret Santa, and he also wears the watch, with a pre-set alarm so he
won’t be late for school, snow boots, and wool socks that he’s also received
from his Santa.
            “Just one
week until the dress rehearsal,” says Yugi, “Time sure flies.”
            “Yeah, it
does,” says Jounouchi, “but I think we’ll be ready.”
            “Okay, Ken,
Honda. We’re here,” says Yugi as they step into a small storage shed.
            “We still
need to do the backdrops,” says Honda, “but what do you think?”
            “Snoopy’s
doghouse!” exclaims Yugi, and his eyes light up.
            “Psychiatric
help. Five cents,” says Jounouchi reading the writing on another wooden prop.
He looks around at everything and smiles. “Wow! I’m in a Peanuts’ wonderland!
Can the doghouse support my weight?”
            “Maybe you
shouldn’t lie on top of it,” says Honda.
            Jounouchi
nods. “Got it.”
            Thank you!”
exclaims Yugi, “Will you have the backdrops ready in time?”
            “Of
course!” exclaims Kenichi, “Now let’s get inside where it’s warm!”
            “You guys
go ahead,” says Jounouchi, “I need a moment…”
            “Sure,
whatever, Jou,” says Honda throwing an arm over Kenichi’s shoulder and walking
back towards the house with him, making jokes and laughing all the way.
            Yugi stands
there watching Jounouchi look at all the props with a goofy-happy grin on his
face.
            Jounouchi
turns around and blinks stupidly when he sees Yugi still there. “Come on, Yugi.
Let’s go inside.”
            “This is
your dream play, isn’t it?” asks Yugi, “This is the one you’ve always really
wanted to do.”
            “Yeah. I
have a special place in my heart for this one,” says Jounouchi, “I love this
story. I wanted it to be my final show. I’m going to technical college next
year. I won’t be able to do the fundraiser again. I need to turn over the reins
to someone.”
            “Maybe
Mokuba?”
            Jounouchi
nods. “He would do it.”
            “But you
really don’t want to give it up, do you? You like all this…”
            “I don’t
want to give it up. The kids are great and it’s so wonderful to help them. I
really love doing this, but I can’t make a living this way…”
            “Jou, don’t
give it up. If you love it that much, we’ll all help you find a way to keep
doing it,” says Yugi as they start to walk back towards the house, “Even Kaiba
would help I’m sure.”
            “Kaiba…”
            “What are
you getting him for Christmas?”
            Jounouchi
blushes. “I want to get him something really nice this year… something that
says ‘make love to me’ without screaming ‘fuck me senseless’. I really would
like to be his date to the New Year’s Bash.”
            “So what
are you getting him?” asks Yugi smiling.
            “That’s the
thing, I have no idea,” says Jounouchi, “I won’t have time to go shopping until
after the event. Maybe I’ll find something nice when I go shopping.”
            “I’ll help
you,” says Yugi as they head inside and start to take off their coats, “We can
go out shopping and find him something.”
            “Thanks,”
says Jounouchi.

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            The morning
of the 18^th dawns on a city covered in white.
            Jounouchi’s
watch starts to beep, and he rolls over onto something soft and squishy… and
squirming.
            “Jou! Get
off!”
            Jounouchi
snaps awake and rolls off Yugi. “Sorry!”
            Yugi sits
up, and he yawns cutely. “What time is it?”
            Jounouchi
looks at his watch. “Five forty-five,” he says turning off the alarm, “So it’s
time to get up and get you home so you can get ready for school. I’ll just go
as is.”
            “Okay,”
says Yugi with another yawn.
            Jounouchi
gets up and starts getting ready to leave the orphanage.
            Yugi gets
up and starts to get his coat on.
            Once both
boys are bundled up, they head out into the crisp morning air, and they hurry
to the Kame Game Shop.
            The phone
is ringing when they arrive.
            Yugi grabs
the phone and pulls it to his ear, “Kame…”
            <<
Yugi! Is Jou with you? >>
            “Yeah.
Jou?”
            Jounouchi
takes the phone from Yugi. “Jou…”
            Yugi starts
up the stairs to his room while Jounouchi listens to the hysterical girl on the
phone.
            <<
Jou! What are we going to do! There’s a gas leak at the caterers! >>
comes Anzu’s frantic voice, << The shop’s on fire! >>
            “What?” All
the color drains from Jounouchi’s face.
            <<
Turn the TV on! Gourmet Dream is up in flames! >>
            Jounouchi
scrambles to grab the TV remote, and he turns it on to the local news channel.
            <<
Local restaurant and catering company, Gourmet Dream, has gone up in flames
this morning after employees reported a possible gas leak on the premises…
>>
            Jounouchi
hits the power button. “Don’t worry, Anzu. It’s only the 18^th. We
can still figure something out. Grab everything you and Tadashi were talking
about and bring it to school. We’ll see if another catering company can fill in
for us. We’ll get food there on Saturday even if I have to make it myself! I
know I’m not the greatest cook in the world, but with your help, we could make
the meal if we need to!”
            <<
I’ll bring all my notes, >> says Anzu, <<And I’ll try not to be too
panicked when I see you! >>
            “See you.”
Jounouchi hangs up the phone. He lifts it again and quickly dials a number. “Seto?
It’s Jou. Can you swing by the Kame Game Shop on your way to school and pick me
up? I need to see you!”
            <<
Will I be giving Yugi a lift as well? >>
            “No. I know
you get to school early, and he has chores,” says Jounouchi, “Just me. Please?”
            <<
Okay, I’ll be there soon, >> says Kaiba.
            “Thanks,”
says Jounouchi before the line goes dead. He heads back into the kitchen after
hanging up the phone. He grabs a small breakfast bar from the cabinet and
leaves one out for Yugi. He eats while he waits for the limo to pull up
outside. He hurries out to the curb as soon as he sees the limo pull onto the
street.
            The limo
pulls to a stop, and the back door opens.
            Jounouchi
climbs into the back with Kaiba and closes the door.
            “What’s…”
            Jounouchi
hurls himself into Kaiba’s chest and starts bawling.
            “Going on?”
finishes Kaiba wrapping his arms around Jounouchi’s shoulders and back.
            Jounouchi
simply cries for most of the five-minute ride to the school. He finally pulls
himself together and leans back in Kaiba’s arms.
            Kaiba wipes
the tears and their tracks from Jounouchi’s cheeks. “Do you feel like talking
now? What’s going on?”
            Jounouchi
takes a deep breath. “Thanks. I really needed a shoulder to cry on. The company
that’s supposed to be catering the fundraiser can’t do it… I think.
Their shop is on fire. Anzu saw it on the news and called me at the game shop.
I turned on the TV and saw it for myself.”
            “So there’s
no food?”
            “There will
be. I just don’t know what it’ll be or where it’s coming from yet,” says Jounouchi.
He sighs. “You told me that if I needed your donation early I could just ask.”
            “You need
the money to pay for the food. I understand completely. Did you want a check or
do you think cash would be better?”
            “Cash. I
won’t have time to go by the bank,” says Jounouchi as the limo stops at the
school, “I put Anzu in charge of the food so we’re probably going to skip
afternoon classes to work out a new plan. I’ll help her figure something out.
Do you think that maybe I could talk your chef into helping cook something?”
            “I don’t
have a chef,” says Kaiba blushing.
            “You don’t
have a chef? Huh? Then who does all your cooking? Who makes those lunches we’ve
been eating?”
            “Mokuba and
I do our own cooking,” says Kaiba, “I make breakfast and lunch… unless Mokuba
wants something different. Then Mokuba either starts dinner or makes it
completely, all depending on what time I’ll be home. I always get there in time
to eat with him, even if I can’t help him make it. We’re pretty self-reliant.”
            “Could I
beg you to help cook if I need it?”
            “Figure out
what you and Anzu want to do. I’ll get you the money this afternoon, and then
we’ll talk,” says Kaiba.
            “Thanks.”
            “Now let’s
get out of the car.”
            Jounouchi
blushes and opens the door. He climbs out and waits for Kaiba. “Thanks again.”
            “Anything
to help you,” whispers Kaiba, “I’m going to the classroom.”
            “Okay. I’m
going to the locker rooms for a quick shower,” says Jounouchi reaching out and
lightly patting Kaiba’s arm before running off.

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            Jounouchi pulls
out his present and replaces it with a thick envelope. He opens the box
quickly, completely ignoring the fact that Sensei walks into the room. He pulls
out a small angel pendant on a chain with a note that reads ‘To guard over you
when I cannot.’
            Anzu runs
into the class late looking very much a shambles.
            “Mazaki,
are you all right?” asks Sensei.
            Jounouchi
looks up at Anzu panting. He slips the chain over his head and tucks the angel
beneath his clothes.
            Anzu
clutches several papers and a notebook to her chest. Her knees wobble, and she
pants heavily trying to catch her breath. Her hair’s wind-tousled, and her
make-up’s non-existent, which makes her puffy red eyes that much more
noticeable.
            “Mazaki?”
            Anzu turns
to look at Sensei. “I… I’m okay.”
            “Mazaki,
please go to the bathroom and compose yourself,” says Sensei, “Nosaka, will you
please help her?”
            “No!”
exclaims Anzu, “Jou!”
            “Anzu, will
you just go with Miho for five minutes?” asks Jounouchi standing up and walking
up to Anzu, “I’ll take all your notes and look through them while you’re
getting prettied up. Then we’ll head out together to go talk to caterers in
person.”
            Anzu lets
Jounouchi take the papers and books from her arms. “Okay.”
            Miho steps
up to Anzu. “Come on, Anzu…”
            Anzu slowly
walks out with Miho.
            “Jounouchi,
what happened?” asks Sensei.
            “I put Anzu
in charge of catering for the charity fundraiser, and there was a gas leak at
the caterers. They can’t provide the food, and we have just a few days to get
something else lined up,” says Jounouchi, “She’s not handling it well, I
guess.”
            “When did
you find out about the gas leak?” asks Sensei.
            “This
morning when the shop caught fire,” says Jounouchi walking back to his desk,
“Do you mind if we take the day off since we’ll be working on our final
project?”
            “Only if
Mazaki does not come to school looking like that again tomorrow,” says
Sensei.
            Jounouchi
nods and smiles. “Thanks.”
            “Now go
wait for her in the hall,” says Sensei.
            Jounouchi
packs everything into his bag and heads out into the hallway.
            When Anzu
and Miho step up in front of Jounouchi, Anzu’s hair, make-up and clothing look
impeccable.
            “Wow, Miho,
you do quick work! And those colors look good on Anzu. Thanks a lot!” exclaims
Jounouchi.
            “Welcome,”
says Miho heading back into the classroom.
            “Okay,
we’re skipping class today,” says Jounouchi, “Let’s go to the orphanage, and
we’ll start planning. This is still doable, Anzu.”
            “It doesn’t
feel that way,” says Anzu walking down the halls with Jounouchi.
            “I’m not
worried,” says Jounouchi smiling.
            “Really? It
looks like you’ve been crying,” says Anzu.
            “I had a
very sad dream. I woke up crying…”
            “Oh,
sorry.”
            Jounouchi
and Anzu get their coats and outside shoes and head off to the orphanage
together.
            “So what we
had wanted to eat for appetizers were a tomato and basil bruschetta, mushroom
caps stuffed with crab meat, and a butternut squash soup. That would be
followed by a spinach and artichoke salad,” says Anzu, “First entrée would be
glazed chicken with steamed carrots and saffron couscous with a shaved
peppermint ice palate cleanser. Then the second entrée…”
            “Damn, all
this talk is making me hungry!”
            Anzu
giggles. “So the second entrée is roast beef tips with mashed potatoes and
fresh baked biscuits. And it’s followed by a trio of desserts… roasted
chestnuts, apple crisp, and plum pudding.”
            “Wow. You
were planning a lot of food,” says Jounouchi as they reach the orphanage.
            “Yeah. It
would have been great…”
            “It will
still be great. I promise. We’ll work it out.”
            “I never
realized you were such an optimist,” says Anzu smiling.
            “I’m not.
I’m just not going to let these kids down,” says Jounouchi knocking before
opening the door and entering.
            Anzu
follows Jounouchi in and closes the door before they start to peel off their
winter wear, and they head into the living room.
            “Joey’s
home!” exclaims Tami putting down the colored crayons she was drawing with.
            “Shouldn’t
you two be in class, Jounouchi?” asks Grandmother coming in from the kitchen
with a towel tied about her waist.
            “We got
permission from the school to ditch classes to work on a special assignment…
the fundraiser. We have a bit of an upset to work around. Can we use your
phone?” asks Jounouchi.
            “Of course.
What’s the upset?”
            “The
caterers burned down,” says Anzu.
            “You call
that ‘a bit of an upset’? That is a disaster!” exclaims Grandmother, “The
donors are expecting a meal!”
            “And
they’ll have one if you let us use your phone,” says Jounouchi sternly, “I need
to make some calls and activate my plan B! There will be food, and if I
have any say in the matter there will be damn fine food!”
            “Language!”
exclaims Grandmother.
            “Come on,
Anzu. We’ll head into the office to work,” says Jounouchi clutching his bag
tightly and walking into the office.
            “Nice
seeing you again,” says Anzu hurrying after Jounouchi. She closes the door
behind her.
            “You have
your cell phone with you, right?” asks Jounouchi sitting down at the desk. He
grabs the phone book and places it in front of him.
            “Of
course,” says Anzu pulling out her phone.
            “I’ll call
Tadashi and see if he can think of any way for him to still do it,” says
Jounouchi, “And you can start calling other catering companies to see if they
could fit us in.”
            Anzu pulls
a chair around to sit beside Jounouchi while she makes her calls.

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            “We need to
re-evaluate our menu then. I’ll cook. You can cook. Everyone can cook. We’ll
have Tami make the salad,” says Jounouchi, “We’ll go for good food that can be
easily made. Let’s get Grandmother’s cookbooks!”
            “Jounouchi,
have you gone insane?” asks Anzu, “How are we to cook for so many people? How
are we to pay for the food to make it with?”
            “Kaiba’s
helping. He’s coming by tonight to get me the cash, which he would have
donated. So we have a ten thousand dollar shopping budget…”
            “He’s
giving you that much in cash?” asks Anzu with wide eyes, “What is he? Crazy?”
            “Anzu, go
get the cookbooks from Grandmother!”
            Anzu stands
and hurries out of the office. She returns after ten minutes weighted down with
books.
            Jounouchi
takes the top book once Anzu places them on the desk. “I’ll look for
appetizers. You start on soups and salads.”
            Anzu grabs
a book and sits beside Jounouchi. She quickly flips to the soup and salad
section. “Here’s a recipe for a spinach salad. It looks easy enough that even
Tami could do it… except maybe chopping the tomatoes.”
            “The
printer is also a scanner and copier. Let’s copy the recipe,” says Jounouchi,
“Bruschetta’s back on the menu too. Whoever chops the tomatoes for that could
cut them for the salad too.” He takes his book to the copy machine and scans it
for a copy before doing the same to Anzu’s and showing her how.
            Several
hours later the menu is mostly planned.
            “I still
can’t find an easy soup,” says Anzu.
            “And I have
no idea what to do for a palate cleanser,” says Jounouchi. He hears a knock on
the door, and he sighs. “Come in, Grandmother. You don’t have to knock.”
            The door
opens, and Kaiba enters. “Grandmother? I’m insulted that you think I’m so old!”
            “Kaiba!
Man, am I glad to see you! Come take a look at our menu idea!” exclaims
Jounouchi grabbing all the photocopied recipes, “We can’t get another company
to take us on so late, so we’re doing it ourselves.”
            Kaiba flips
through the stack of recipes. “You’re trying to tempt me into skipping my
appointment to come eat this food, aren’t you?”
            “It won’t
work, would it?” asks Jounouchi.
            “I’m
tempted. I’m really tempted, but I can’t,” says Kaiba.
            “Oh, good!
That means if we execute the food properly, then people will love the meal!”
exclaims Jounouchi standing up and stretching.
            “You still
need a soup and a palate cleanser though, or a soup to be a palate cleanser,”
says Kaiba, “but you’re really making me wish I could be there for it.”
            “We don’t
know what to do about either of those,” says Anzu, “None of the soup recipes we
can find would fit the Italian theme or work well as a cleanser. I just don’t
know what to do anymore.”
            Jounouchi’s
eyes plead with Kaiba. “Please tell me you have some sort of idea, Kaiba…”
            Kaiba
smiles. “Go simple for the palate cleanser. Ice cream. Just buy some ice cream
and put it in a small dish using a cookie scoop. I believe Grandmother has one.
If not, you can borrow mine, and I will make a tortellini soup for you.”
            “Really?”
Jounouchi throws his arms around Kaiba’s neck and kisses him quickly. “Thank
you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
            “I’ll leave
you two alone for a moment, and I’ll go tell Grandmother about the menu,” says
Anzu blushing as she grabs the notebook she was taking notes on and hurrying
out of the room.
            Kaiba wraps
his arms around Jounouchi’s waist and holds him tenderly. “You’re really doing
an amazing job this year, Jounouchi. These problems are unfortunate, but you’re
handling it well. You are a wonder.”
            Jounouchi
blushes. “Kaiba?”
            “Is dinner
normally served at the dress rehearsal?” asks Kaiba suddenly.
            “Uh… we
normally order pizza.”
            “Don’t. Not
this year. We should make the same food we want to serve at the fundraiser. It
will be a dress rehearsal for the cooking too,” says Kaiba, “So that we know if
anything needs done differently… What cooking facilities will be available at
the hall?”
            “We’ll have
full access to the hall’s kitchen facilities. We should have plenty of space to
cook everything. I’m not worried about that. I’m just concerned about plating
and serving,” says Jounouchi smiling at Kaiba.
            “Tomorrow
in school, ask Sensei to make an announcement. Ask our classmates to serve
during the fundraiser. They have that stupid project to do and helping you
could be this task. Mazaki, Motou, and Grandmother could handle plating…”
            “Yugi’s
director. He needs to be on stage, but Honda and Ken don’t have parts in the
play. I should be able to get by with only one to move props,” says Jounouchi.
            “No. You’ll
need them both for that and maybe more help cooking. Could you ask Sensei or
Motou’s grandfather?”
            Jounouchi
nods. “I’ll ask them.”
            A loud
knock sounds on the door before it creaks open. “Hey, are you decent in there?”
calls Kenichi before opening the door wide to see the two teens in each other’s
arms, “Oh, good! You’re both dressed!”
            Jounouchi
blushes but he doesn’t remove his arms from around Kaiba’s neck. “Why would we
be undressed?”
            “Well, Anzu
said you were in here making out so I figured clothes would be flying sooner or
later. I’m not stupid enough to think that Seto would stand to not feel his
lover’s flesh for long,” says Kenichi.
            Kaiba
blushes.
            “So what’s
the plan?”
            “You need
to go grocery shopping, Jounouchi. One store alone might not have enough food
for the number of people we need to serve,” says Kaiba, “Make up your shopping
list quickly. I’ll let you borrow the limo for your shopping trip and you can
use my mansion’s refrigerator to store it all. I have a commercial walk-in
which should hold everything.”
            Jounouchi squeezes
himself tighter to Kaiba, and he smiles when the arms around his waist tighten
in response. “Thank you!”
            “Come on,
Seto. He can’t work with you fucking his brains out,” says Kenichi, “You can
screw him later.”
            Kaiba
smiles and slowly releases Jounouchi. “Maybe.”
            Jounouchi
stares at Kaiba’s lips for a moment before moving quickly away. He sits back
down and grabs a notebook. “I don’t like shopping you know, but since it’s for
food, I think I can manage.”
            “Good work,
Jounouchi,” says Kaiba walking out of the office with Kenichi.
            Anzu peeks
her head in. “Is it safe to come in now?”
            “Get in
here. We need to make a shopping list of things we’ll need and how much we
need,” says Jounouchi.
            “Yugi
called his Grandpa to help us. Grandpa agreed to cook the chicken, spaghetti,
breadsticks, and some cookies. Grandmother will make the bruschetta and
cookies, and Tami will help her make the salad. I’ll do the fried polenta.
Kaiba’s doing the soup. We’re buying ice cream… What did you want to make?”
            “I can do
the rest. The recipe does say ‘Easy Osso Buco,’ and I can make all the tiramisu
on Friday. We can just serve it slightly chilled. Who’s making the cocoa?” asks
Jounouchi.
            “Grandmother
and Grandpa.”
            “Okay.
Let’s make our list.”

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            Jounouchi fingers
the simple card from his Secret Santa with the message ‘I will see you soon.
May I kiss you then? With love, Your Secret Santa’ written in Christmas green.
He waits until Sensei makes all the announcements before raising his hand.
“Sensei?”
            “What is
it, Jounouchi? A question already?”
            “May I make
an announcement?”
            Sensei
nods. “Please be brief.”
            Jounouchi
stands and walks to the front of the room. He turns towards the class. “For my
final project, I am hosting a charity fundraiser for the Domino City Orphanage.
Due to unforeseeable circumstances with the catering company, my team will
prepare the food as well, but I need servers. I can’t have the kids from the
orphanage serving when they’re also the entertainment. I need volunteers, and
I’ll take anybody. One evening, and you’d be done your project. Plus, I will
feed you! The same nine course meal everyone else will be eating…”
            “Would we
get to wear cute server uniforms?” asks Miho.
            All the
color drains from Jounouchi’s face. “Uniforms?”
            Anzu stands
up quickly and turns towards Miho. “Unfortunately no. We want the servers to
wear their school uniforms. It will provide unity without making the servers
look stupid or too… you know.”
            Miho
blushes. “Right. I’ll help you, Jounouchi.”
            “Thank you,
Miho,” says Jounouchi.
            Several
more students agree to be servers.
            “Okay. We
need you all at the banquet hall at six so we can go over some procedures,”
says Jounouchi. He says a few more words before returning to his seat. He
breathes a sigh of relief and looks back at Kaiba with a smile.
            Kaiba
smiles and whispers, “Nice work.”

                                    *                                  *                                  *

            The alarm
on Jounouchi’s watch starts to beep, and Jounouchi sits up with a yawn to turn
it off. He gently shakes Yugi and Honda awake. “Come on, guys. We’ve got to get
up and go over to the hall.”
            “Okay,”
says Yugi sitting up.
            Honda rolls
over and groans.
            Yugi trips
over Honda as he gets up and makes his way to the bathroom.
            Jounouchi
gets up and kicks Honda in the shin on his way to the couch. He lightly shakes Anzu.
“Come on. Wake up.”
            Anzu slowly
opens her eyes. She yawns and sits up. “Morning.”
            “I hope you
all like cereal,” says Jounouchi. He looks over at Honda still sleeping on the
floor. “Anzu, can you try to wake him? I’ll go make us some cereal up.”
            “Thanks,
Jou,” says Anzu standing and stretching.
            Jounouchi
heads into the kitchen to make four bowls of warm cereal.
            Within five
minutes, the other three come in to eat before they get dressed up in their
winter clothes to take the props to the banquet hall.
            “Kaiba’s
bringing the food, right?” asks Anzu.
            “Yes. He’ll
meet us there with the food for the Osso Buco. It needs to cook for several
hours so we’ll have to start it early,” says Jounouchi, “Isono will be bringing
the rest of the groceries by about ten. Mokuba’s coming right after class with
the costumes. The music teacher is coming by at two with the instruments.
Apparently he’s hired piano movers. Sensei’s coming by after class, so are all
the kids. Grandmother is bringing Tami over after lunch. There’s a lot to do
but if we keep to our schedule we’ll be okay.”
            “Yeah, we
will,” says Anzu helping Yugi load the last prop, a pre-made stack of
snowballs, into the back of the old truck that Kenichi managed to borrow for
them.
            “Okay,
we’re ready to go!” exclaims Yugi.
            Jounouchi
gets into the driver’s seat, and the others squeeze into the cab with him. He
drives them carefully to the banquet hall, and they proceed to unload
everything and get it set up as well as they can.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas