[Filtered to Alice]

I did some looking for you.

Frankly, I'd like to talk to you about what I found in person rather than over the internet.

Would you prefer it if I came to you, or do you want to come to London? Either is fine with me; I've got a light schedule next week.

Happy birthday, Jounouchi.

Hope you have a good day. **smirks** I told Natsuko to take you out for lunch. So you'd better go.

So, Jounouchi's back at school this week. The house is a lot quieter without him here. It's weird; you get used to things being a certain way, and when they change, it's a bit of an adjustment. It's funny. I never thought I'd want that. But, he'll be back on Friday afternoon for the weekend. Maybe we'll walk along the Thames and have a late dinner in a café somewhere... **smirks** We can cross London Bridge...I've never done that before. Might be something to do.

...Or I'll let Jounouchi drag me out skating again. And this time, I'll kick his ass when we race.

[Private Entry]

His birthday is coming up. I have no idea what to do for it. It's his twentieth, which I guess is something of a big deal. He claimed it was so when mine passed... I'll think of something to do - though we'll have to do whatever a few days early; his birthday's on a Monday this year.

Still, no matter what I choose, it's going to feel somewhat hollow. It's probably the last one I'll celebrate with him, unless something drastic happens. I've been trying not to think about that, but Prue's funeral this past weekend really got me thinking about it a lot.

It probably wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't been so...impulsive. That's what I get for being an idiot. And I think that's what pisses me off the most about all of this - he's been very understanding and very supportive, and I want to tell him to quit being so stupid. I'm the one who screwed up...at the very least, he should be angry with me. I wish he'd be angry at me.

Instead, he's as kind as ever - even though I see the hurt in his eyes every time I look into them.

...I suppose I deserve to feel guilty - after all, I'm the one responsible for that, aren't I?

[Sent to the Halliwell household Friday morning]

( Our Condolances )

Happy Birthday, Tatsumi. Many happy returns... **smirk**

So what's this one again? Twenty-nine and holding?

[[Sent to be delivered on Monday]]

( A Registered Envelope )

[Filtered to Sanzo]

I'm sure you love the attention and celebration as much as I do, but best wishes, and I hope you have a good day. I hear you're having Tsuzuki and Tatsumi down.

I figure you'll be all partied out by the end of the day, so I'll pass along our gift to you tomorrow. I'm sure you can wait a day and space out the excitement. **smirk**

[Filtered to Piper]

I know Jounouchi had contacted you to let you know about me.

I'm back home now.

I just wanted you to know.

And thanks...

For those of you who have been around long enough, you know that every year, my company holds a black-tie Christmas party for its employees.

This year, I've decided to extend the invitation to attend to all of you, as well, should you wish to join us.

I move the location between our various corporate offices, and this year, I'm keeping it simple and having it in London. It's going to be on Saturday, December 5th, 2009, and will be held in the ballroom at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.

If you want to attend, comment here. Also, I have corporate aircraft at most of my offices that can bring you, and I do have suites booked as well, should you desire overnight accommodations, so you don't have to worry about expensing travel or lodging. Let me know if you need either. Or both.

Hopefully, Jounouchi and I will see some of you there.

[Filtered to Tatsumi]

I need to borrow Kem for a little while. I know I could summon him myself, but I'd rather do this with your support, and besides, I'll need the energy for something else.

[Filtered to Jounouchi]

So you know, I'm in Chang'an with Sanzo and Hakkai, so if you need to reach me, that's where I am.

I plan on being home before the end of the week, but if that changes, I'll let you know.

[Filtered to Sanzo]

Hey, if you're looking to have some sort of religious experience, I have a suggestion...

Maybe head to the Bao'en Monastery. If you're not familiar with it, it's in Pingwu County in the northwestern part of the Sichuan province.

The ruins of the old monastery are something to see even to this day, and I think you'd find the new temple quite spiritually fulfilling...

[Delivered yesterday afternoon to Hakkai, just before dinner]

A LG 37" LCD widescreen flat panel television, the mounting hardware to put it on the wall, and a Bose home theatre system.

With it came a birthday card:

Hakkai,

Being a technophile, you had to know I'd get you something like this. Before we leave for the night, Jounouchi and I will get you all set up. Perhaps you didn't need it, but it's something I think you'll like - especially when you see how much floor space you'll have freed up in your living room simply by mounting this on the wall.

Happy birthday, Old Man.

~Jounouchi and Seto

[Filtered to Shizuka]

If your mother calls you, or leaves you a message, let me know?

She's being a real bitch to your brother, and I'm not happy. It wouldn't surprise me if she tries to pull some of the same shit with you.

[Filtered to Mokuba]

Keep an eye on Shizuka for me. Let me know if she suddenly starts acting differently.

Her mother's not pleased with me, so she's stirring up shit with Jounouchi, and I'm betting it might extend to Shizuka, too.

I need you to do this, Mokuba.

Jounouchi and I are in San Francisco for Piper's wedding reception tonight. We arrived late last night, and are staying at the Mandarin Oriental. We'll be in town until Monday, then will be flying out to Boston. I've been invited to give a lecture at Harvard Business School on Wednesday, and we have a few other things to take care of while we're on the east coast.

I'm looking forward to seeing Piper again. And some of the others who will be there. To those of you who are going, we'll see you tonight.

Mokuba and Shizuka are in Switzerland now, ready to start their new year. For the first time I can remember, I didn't have to fight with Mokuba to get him ready to go. Though, I think the fact that his girlfriend will be going to the same school as him and he'll get to see her every day away from his big brothers helps. **smirks**

Still, he gave us a quick tour of the campus, helped Shizuka bring her luggage to her house, and when the two of them went off to get their schedules and such, we left.

It's going to be an interesting year - him in Grade 10, her in Grade 11. God, in two years, I'm going to have to start thinking about colleges for her...