Author's Note:I originally wrote and posted this story in 2006. It is now eight years later, and I have gone back through and re-worked some of the (oh my gosh, the horrible) grammar and other errors. Apparently Seta was both a teacher and a student. Well… that just can't happen! One Seta is quite enough, thank you.

(2006) Okay, so a bit of break from Remembrances of August. It's not going to be too long, just 2-4 chapters, a little bit of Halloween fun! Please enjoy! And…. Don't forget to review!

Disclaimer:I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Nor do I own any of the lyrics to The Nightmare before Christmas lyrics; those belong to the wonderful Mr. Elfman. I do own the idea to this story though, and I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've liked writing it.

Chapter 1:The Announcement
October 6, 2006

'Twas a long time ago, longer now than it seems
In a place that perhaps you've seen in your dreams.
For the story that you are about to be told
Began with the holiday worlds of old.

Now, you've probably wondered where holidays come from.
If you haven't, I'd say it's time you begun.
For holidays are the result of much fuss
And hard work for the worlds that create them for us.
Well, you see now, quite simply that's all that they do-
Making one unique holiday, especially for you.
But once, a calamity ever so great occurred
When two holidays met by mistake.

:-:

"Kaoru! Megumi!" Misao yelled running towards the tree they were sitting under eating their lunch. It was a beautiful day; the boys were playing soccer, and well, the girls were enjoying watching the boys play soccer.

"You're late for lunch Misao. We were wondering where you were," Megumi said. She followed Misao's gaze to where Misao's boyfriend, Shinomori Aoshi, was standing. "Oh come on Misao! It's not like you haven't seen him all day! You had last period together!"

"And neither is it her first time watching him play soccer. They play every Friday," Kaoru added, chuckling as she picked at her bento.

"I know that guys, but he's just the greatest guy ever. And I know you get sick of me telling you this, just as I get sick hearing you two tell me that Kenshin and Rooster Head are the greatest," Misao said, turning towards her two best friends and opening her own bento box. "But it's true. I have the best boyfriend."

"Misao, I'm the only one allowed to call that baka a Rooster Head," Megumi said sighing loudly as she watched her boyfriend jump around on the field after scoring a point. "He can be such a moron sometimes."

"Oh, he isn't that bad. Just by watching him anyone would know how much he loves you Megumi!" Kaoru said.

"Oh, I know that. I just don't see why that immature behavior has to be shown," Megumi said, pointing to the field.

"That's just Sano. He's always been like that. It's a guy thing; and you can't compare him to Aoshi and Kenshin, they're irregular," Misao said.

"It's Sano, he's just so…"

"He's just so - perfect for Megumi-I-am-really-a-big-stiff-Takani?" Kaoru said laughing.

"I guess you could say that," Megumi answered chuckling a bit.

The girls remained silent as they finished up their bentos and watched the boys' soccer game.

"Oh! There was a reason why I was late," Misao exclaimed. "There's going to be a Halloween Dance on the Saturday before Halloween!"

"Misao, what are you talking about?" Kaoru asked.

"I saw a flyer in the hall on my way out here," Misao said, pulling it out of the pocket of her uniform and handing it to Megumi. "On Saturday the 28th of October there is going to be a Halloween Dance in the Gym!"

"Hey, look at this! There are going to be costume contests for individuals, couples and groups!" Kaoru said, reading the flyer over Megumi's shoulder.

"We're definitely going to have to talk about this at my house tonight!" Megumi said.

"Talk about what?" Sano asked as the guys joined them walking into the school.

"There's going to be a Halloween Dance on October 28th." Megumi explained.

"With costume contests," Kaoru said, squealing as Kenshin tried to hug her. "Please! You're all sweaty! It's disgusting!"

"Costume contest?" Aoshi asked, looking over Misao's shoulder.

"Hai, for individuals and groups," Misao said, standing up on her tip-toes kissing Aoshi's jaw line.

"Interesting," Aoshi said as he turned his lips towards Misao's.

"See, Misao doesn't have a problem," Kenshin said, pointing to the couple.

"First off, they haven't been going out as long as we have; they're in that phase where it doesn't bother them. Second, I don't have a problem kissing you when you're sweaty," Kaoru said, as she kissed him on the lips, "as long as the only part of my body touching you is my lips." Kaoru said kissing him again.

"Hmm… interesting," Kenshin responded, a grin on his lips.

"There's a lot of interesting stuff going on here then." A deep voice was heard behind them in the hall.

"Ōkubo-Sensei," Kaoru squealed.

"Kamiya-san," He said, bowing slightly. "If you wouldn't mind getting to class as the bell is about to ring, you can socialize afterwards." Ōkubo said, turning towards his classroom down the hall.

"Yes Ōkubo-sensei," They answered, as they waved good-bye to each other and went to the respective classrooms. Misao and Kaoru went to Ōkubo's Japanese History class, while Aoshi and Megumi went to gym with Yūkyūzan-san, and Kenshin and Sano went to Physics with Sawagejou-san.

:-:

What do you think do you think I should do for the dance?"
-Misao

Why not a weasel? ;-P
-Kaoru

Oh please! I wouldn't be caught dead as a weasel! Kenshin would make a cute bunny!
-M

I'd love to see that! He'd be so adorable!
-K

You should be the raccoon!
-M

Definitely not sexy enough!
-K

Kamiya Kaoru! A weasel isn't sexy either!
-M

Hmm… I have an idea.
-K

Should I be scared?
-M

I don't think so…. But what if we made them cute - not an actual fox, weasel or raccoon costume, but… more like a costume?
-K

Hmm… that might be an idea. What would we do for the guys?
-M

We'll have to see….won't we?
-K

"Kamiya-san, Makimachi-san, can you wait until after class is finished to discuss whatever you are discussing?"

"Gomen-nasai, Ōkubo-sensei," Kaoru and Misao said bowing their heads slightly.

"Arigato. Now, as I was saying the Tokogawa Era.…" he responded, continuing the lecture.

:-:

"Megumi!" Kaoru yelled as they met her at her locker after school was finished.

"HEY! I got a great idea during Mathematics about the dance!"

"We got one during History!" Misao said.

"What's your idea?" Megumi asked, grabbing books out of her locker.

"We thought of doing the whole Fox, Weasel and Raccoon thing," Misao said, pausing for dramatic effect. "But with a bit of a… twist."

"I had a similar idea." Megumi said as they walked down the hall to where the boy's lockers were.

"Oh, what was that?" Kaoru asked.

"Why don't we switch them? Like, Kaoru, you could do the fox or the weasel, and or Misao could do the raccoon or fox."

"We're going have to discuss this. Did you get any ideas for the guys?" Kaoru asked.

"No. Kenshin could be the rooster and Sano could be the bunny though!" Megumi said laughing, then laughing harder as she caught sight of their boyfriends standing in front of their lockers.

"What's so funny, Fox?" Sano asked, pulling her towards him.

"Oh nothing," Megumi responded, a giggle escaping, "just trying to come up with Halloween costumes."

"Ah, yes. We should definitely be scared boys!" Sano said, turning towards Aoshi and Kenshin.

"I believe that is the truth of it Sano," Aoshi said.

"Do you want to go to Tae's on the way home?" Kenshin asked.

"Perfect!" Misao cried out, pulling Aoshi towards the door as she jumped up and down.

"It's a perfect day for ice cream," Megumi said, rolling her eyes.

"Hey, uh, Fox, you wouldn't be able spot a few yen for a float would you? My paycheck went into rent and food and I don't have any left until next week when I get paid," Sano said meekly.

"Sure; better pay me back though this time free loader!"

"I always do, don't I?"

"I suppose; in some way or another."

:-:

There are few who deny, at what I do I am the best
For my talents are known far and wide
When it comes to surprises in the moonlit night
I excel without ever even trying
With the slightest little effort of my ghostlike charms
I have see grown men give out a shriek
With a wave of my hand and a well-placed moan
I have swept the very bravest off their feet

:-:

"I'm the best at sewing, so I should be the one who actually uses the sewing machine, is that okay with everyone?" Megumi said as they sat in her living room, popcorn and drinks and other various snacks surrounding them as they were "passionately discussing" the upcoming Halloween dance.

"Sounds fine with me; I'm better at the designing anyways," Kaoru said.

"I can help you both. I can do research and cut out the patterns, or anything else that we need," Misao said, grabbing more Mochi.

"You three are taking this way too seriously," Sano said as he picked out their next movie. "About the dance anyways, have you figured out what out costumes will be?" Sano asked putting in the next movie.

"Shouldn't we figure out our own costumes?" Kenshin asked.

"Silly boy, why would we let you do that if we want to win?" Misao asked.

"We can be creative enough possibly?" he said weakly.

"Uh-huh. And what did you have in mind?" Kaoru asked, looking to her boyfriend.

"Well, umm, I hadn't really thought of it that much. Let's see, what about an anime character? Or we could go as samurai's and ninjas, or something cool like that!"

"I think I like our idea's better." Kaoru said, looking to Misao and Megumi.

"Yeah; those are boring."

"Kenshin, Sano, I think we should be scared," Aoshi said, looking back and forth between the three girls.

"I totally agree," Sano said. "I hate when Fox gets that look in her eyes."

"Yes; Kaoru-dono is looking very scary right now."

"Oh guys, come on! Don't you trust us; your girlfriends, your best friends since grade school?" Misao said smiling innocently at the boys.

"That is exactly why we don't trust you. We know exactly what you are capable of doing to us," Sano groaned.

:-:

We're his little henchmen and
We take our job with pride
We do our best to please him
And stay on his good side

"No way," Sano exclaimed, his pointer finger extending to point at Megumi.

"Oh yes, Rooster Head." Megumi said.

"No. Absolutely not, I will – under no circumstances- go to a high school dance dressed as … as… that," Sano sputtered.

"But it's so perfect!" Megumi cried, half laughing.

"But why, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin said, his eyes pleading with her.

"Because you're adorable!" Kaoru said, pinching his cheeks.

"Kaoru, really, I didn't think they would be this adverse to the idea." Megumi said.

"Neither did I," Kaoru responded, turning from Kenshin.

"I wouldn't mind Kaoru deciding that as her costume however,"Kenshin whispered to Sano and Aoshi, both of the other boys snickering.

"What did you say Kenshin? I didn't quite hear that."

"Nothing Kaoru, just that Yahiko-chan is here," Kenshin responded, flinching.

"Yahiko, are we glad to see you," Sano said, jumping up and dragging Kaoru's little brother into the living room.

"Kaoru, Dad wants to know if you'll be home for dinner tonight or if you are staying over here," Yahiko asked.

"Staying here; tell him I'm sorry I didn't stop on my way here. There's going to be a Halloween dance at the school and we were discussing our costumes."

"Okay," Yahiko responded, turning to leave. Stopping, he turned around, "do you know if the first years are going to be invited?" Yahiko asked shyly.

"I would assume so. The flyers were all over the school." Kaoru answered.

"When should I tell Dad you'll be home?"

"Misao and I are sleeping over tonight. I'll be back sometime in the morning."

"Hai, sayonara," He said as he left the room. A few minutes later they saw him walking across the street to the Kamiya residence.

"Wonder what that was about?" Kenshin asked as he watched Yahiko.

"What was that Kenshin?" Kaoru asked.

"Yahiko asking about the Halloween Dance; he looked interested about it."

Something's up with Jack
something's up with Jack
Don't know if we're ever going to get him back

"That is strange. None of the guys in my class were interested in dances when I was his age." Sano said. "Not unless… Now there's a possibility. When we leave here we'll go talk to him, how's that sound?"

"What are you thinking Rooster Head?" Megumi asked.

"A little boy to boy chat, that's all," Sano responded.

"I agree. Did you get the feeling there was something he was thinking about when the girls brought up the dance as well?" Kenshin said whispering to Sano.

"Yep; I think it's about time we talked to him about…"

"You're not saying…? Aoshi said, blanching.

"No; I was thinking the "I'm-not-afraid-to-ask-the-she devil-out" talk.

"That would seem to fit the situation the best," Kenshin responded, nodding his head.

"I can't believe that boy would be afraid of anything, especially girls, knowing who he grew up with." Aoshi said, looking over at the girls.

"That's probably why he's afraid of them," Sano said, looking over as well.

"What do you think they are conspiring about over there?" Megumi asked.

"I think it's something to do with Yahiko. Don't worry about it," Kaoru said.

"I was thinking they were hoping for a way out of this dance," Misao said, glancing over to the boys.

"They wouldn't try that. Now dressing up for the dance in what we have planned may be a bit… harder." Kaoru said.

"Best to let them think we've passed on our costume idea for them," Misao said. "Let them think we've chosen something else."

"Let's tell them we went with the Ninja / Samurai idea," Megumi said, shuffling the papers in her hands. "Let's finish these designs, that way we can go out tomorrow and get the fabric."

"Sounds good" Misao said.

"Megumi! Girls! Boys! Dinner's ready!" Takani-san said from the kitchen a few minutes later.

"Thanks Mom! We'll be right there!" Megumi said as they straightened the living room up, grabbing glasses and dishes to take back to the kitchen as they joined the rest of Megumi's family for dinner.

:-:

"Tomorrow right?" Sano asked Megumi as he kissed her goodnight.

"Yes. We planned for 7:30?"

"Uh-huh. I'll see you then."

"Good-night" Megumi said kissing him on the cheek one more time.

"Gah, they make me sick!" Misao said as Aoshi and she watched their two friends say goodnight.

"Misao," Aoshi warned.

"What? They were right in front…" Misao started when Aoshi kissed her.

"What were you going to say?" He asked as he lifted his head slightly to look into her eyes.

"Hm? Oh, well, um," Misao stumbled as she thought where her train of thought had been; which had been wonderfully interrupted when Aoshi had kissed her.

"Sano and Megumi," He reminded her quietly, kissing the corner of her mouth.

"Oh yes, they were right in front of me. I couldn't help it," Misao said as she wrapped he arms around his neck to say good-bye to her oh-so-adorable boyfriend properly.

"Tomorrow morning?" Aoshi asked.

"Usual place?" Misao asked, nodding her head against his chest, answering his question.

"Same time?"

"7 in the morning?" Misao whined.

"I was actually thinking 6, but if you prefer 7," Aoshi said teasingly.

"How about 10?" Misao said wrinkling her nose at his remark. He knew perfectly well she was not a morning person.

"That's fine too." He answered letting her out of his embrace.

"Good-night," She said as he left, and waited for Kenshin along with Sano.

"You're the last."

"Good-night Kaoru-dono," Kenshin said against Kaoru's ear as he hugged and kissed her goodnight. "You still want to go to the festival tomorrow night?"

"Yes. It should be fun. I got my kimono out and everything!"

"I'll pick you up around 7:30 then." Kenshin said as he kissed her cheek one last time as he left and met the guys outside.

:-:

"Konichiwa boys, how are you this evening?" Kamiya-san asked when he opened the door.

"Good Kamiya-san, is Yahiko here?" the three boys asked.

"Sure, why don't you come in and I'll call for him." Kamiya-san said, opening the door further and letting the three teens in. "Yahiko! Sano, Kenshin and Aoshi are here to talk to you!" He yelled up the steps. "He's been in his room since after dinner playing a game or something or other. He'll be down in a few minutes," He said, going to the back of the house towards his study.

"Hey guys, what do you want?" Yahiko said, coming down the steps.

"We want to talk to you about something, living room or your room?" Sano asked.

"What's it about?" Yahiko asked, leaning against the banister.

"The Halloween Dance," Kenshin responded.

"Umm…well…uh, I guess we could go to my room," Yahiko stumbled.

"Now that we have you alone with the girls gone, why were you so interested in the Halloween Dance?" Sano asked a few minutes later when they had reached Yahiko's room.

"What do you mean? Our school hardly ever has dances or things like that. I was simply surprised." Yahiko said sitting down at his desk.

"Are you sure that is all Yahiko?" Kenshin asked.

"There isn't a certain…reason you're interested?" Aoshi asked.

"Like what?"

"Maybe I should rephrase that." Aoshi said. "Maybe there is a certain someone you are interested in that you might want to ask to the Halloween Dance?"

"Oh, well…there is this girl… " Yahiko said stuttering.

"Tsubame," Sano asked.

Yahiko's head popped up, his eyes wide in shock, "How… how, did you know?"

"Been there, Yahiko," Kenshin reminded him.

"Ah," Yahiko responded, looking at each of the older "brothers" in front of him. Each had had their own difficulties.

"Well that settles it then! We'll help ya out Yahiko-chan," Sano exclaimed.

"Don't call me chan! I'm 15 for goodness sake!" Yahiko yelled.

"Hai, hai," Sano said shaking his head. "So you need a plan right?"

"Hai, a plan would be helpful."

"You walk home with her regularly, don't you?" Aoshi asked.

"Hai."

"Ask her out this week for next weekend then. Movies, ice cream after school, or something simple like that." Sano said.

"Hai." Yahiko said, turning a bit green.

"Buck up pal! It's not that hard!" Kenshin said, the older trio chuckling at Yahiko's expense.