This is sort of becoming an annual thing for me, writing Christmas fics. This is going to consist of three, or four at the most, parts. The second will explain unanswered questions that may arise in this one. Yes. I should've started working on this sooner. Yes, I know my descriptions of the various holidays in different countries may be incorrect. I don't care.
EXCUSE TYPOS I WAS LAST-MINUTE-SHOPPING FOR SEVEN HOURS TODAY. BRAIN EQUALS DEAD.

And no matter if you celebrate Christmas or not, or some other holiday right now, have a good one! Merry Christmas, happy holidays and all the rest! (Oh I love Christmas. And that I get to open my presents the 24th.)

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Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.
- Carol Nelson -

December 24th
-The Tigers-

Mao wasn't in a great mood. First of all it was snowing outside, and she hated snow. Absolutely loathed it as it always, always messed up her hair. Which she today had spent hours on row to get it to look absolutely perfect. Everything about her was perfect today, after all, it was Christmas. And although the village had never celebrated Christmas in the traditional sense, like in the west, they still had some festivals that were in their own right Christmas-y enough. The entire village was decorated and lit up by lanterns, and during the evening there would be held a large feast with dancing, eating, drinking and gift-swapping to those closest to you. Some of the villagers gave away flowers to people who had done them a favor, or wishes that they would have a good year. This was always followed by fire-works, and all the villagers seemed to love it.

Except Mao who hated it. She had traveled to Hong Kong for a few days, trying to find the perfect gifts for Christmas – because everything had to be perfect on Christmas – and when she left for her trip with a raging PMS, well… It didn't take a genius to figure out what three days of mall-climbing, crowd-fighting, gift-hunting madness had made her feel like when she came home. But it didn't really matter though, after a day of killing people verbally she finally settled down and decided to get through the next punishment on her agenda. Yes. Gift-wrapping. It was absolutely torturous. Not that Mao was a pessimist, no, quite the contrary, she was one of the most boisterous, excited people in the village. If anyone were to be cheerful and get everyone else going, it would be her.

But Christmas, no matter in what culture, could always drive anyone off their rocker.

Especially a woman with PMS. Surrounded by men. Yeah. Wrapping fancy stuff in rise-paper while being painfully reminded of how all her savings were blown on one stupid event was enough to push her off the edge a few times. But, she was still the woman of the group and therefore she saw it as her job to make everything perfect. Because that's the thing with Christmas, it has to be absolutely perfect. And if staying up nights on end to help the other women to finish cooking the meals, or spending all her money on silly trinkets, or even wading through the thick snow while the brats tried to kill her with snow-balls, was what it took to make sure it would turn out great, then Mao would endure.

Because Mao was a White Tiger, and when she had settled on something, she never backed down. Of course, why this celebration was so damn important to her she didn't really know. Or, well, she did know but she never told anyone because frankly, they'd just tease her forever. Except Rei maybe, but he was a saint so he didn't really count. No, why Mao tried so hard for a holiday she hated so much, would always remain a secret. People brushed it off as some weird woman-thing, or that maybe she'd been knocked in the head with a Blade just one time too much.

The truth was there was one, just one thing she liked about Christmas. And that was that they were all together. All the people she loved, her friends, family, in a place she felt comfortable in. In the village that was her home. Mao liked how for once every year, everyone in the village put their differences aside and brought forth the good inside of them, no matter how scarce it was. Because Christmas was the one day the world came together, Mao tried her hardest to make it perfect. She owed it that much.

So yeah, she had every right to act like a bitch. Even though no one else thought so. Especially not Kiki, whom she had to lock inside the pantry to keep from ruining everything. He was still screaming, three hours later, which made Mao slightly more annoyed as she tried to decorate the big hall. The big hall, where all the villagers would gather. Kiki tried to make them put up a Christmas tree, but the elders weren't fond of this foreign, strange idea so they weren't exactly complaining about Mao's… measures. Bao didn't complain either, since she threatened to do the same to him if he didn't stay away from the food.

Rai had told her she was overreacting, but Rei had dragged him off to help the men do the men-stuff, so he was out of the line of fire. For now. Mao sighed. Everything seemed to finally be done. Everything was in place, in order, in balance. But still something was missing. It didn't look… perfect. Annoyed she wrinkled her nose, put her hands on her hips and pouted at the room as if it was teasing her. Now what on earth had she missed? The gifts were in place, the decorations, the food, the seats, the lanterns, the fire-works, the music, the whole shebang. Still… there was as if she had forgotten some large, vast and very crucial detail.

''It's looking great, Mao''

She turned around to look shocked at the one who had spoken, but calmed down as she found it to be Rei. Looking all Christmas spirited in his red Chinese robe and the ribbon that held the braid of his hair. Formentioned garment had been forced upon him by none other than the pink-haired girl herself. She was very proud.

''I don't know, Rei… something is missing.''

Rei raised an eyebrow at the room, scanning it, more for appearance than for purpose. He already knew it was perfect. Hell, it always was with Mao around. Still, she'd never stop nagging him about it if he didn't at least try to look as if he was investigating it thoroughly.

''Really? Like what?''

She sighed. Moping a little on the spot.

''That's the thing… everything's perfect. Yet it's… not.''

Rei looked at her, searchingly, as if something was hidden in her warm eyes that could tell him the answer she did not know herself. But it wasn't necessary, because he had the same strange feeling as well. Something was just… off. And he didn't know what it was. It had always been like this, looked the same, felt the same, every year except this one. It was like… the holiday wasn't what it used to be. And Rei didn't know why.

''You're right'' he said and she looked curiously at him now. ''Something is missing.''

Mao growled.

''Well, duh. I can see that, but what?''

''Hey, take it easy! I don't know!''

She sighed again.

''I'm sorry Rei'' she said, mellow while fiddling her hands. ''It just… I can't rest until I find out what the heck is missing.''

Rei thought about it for a while, long and hard. It was like a word that rested on the tip of his tongue, yet he couldn't figure out what it was. Something itching inside of him, like he knew the answer yet still he was clueless.

''Well, it doesn't matter now'' she said, and this time she sounded completely crestfallen, like all her efforts were now wasted. ''The others are coming now. Better get started.''

And true they were. The doors were now open and the villagers, all familiar to each other, streamed into the room like a flow of water. All clad in traditional robes that fit the occasion, obviously having put some effort into looking respectable on this day. And he understood them. This was an important day for all of them, everyone knew that. It was the one day when they were all a family. Even people who disliked each other buried the battle axe for the evening, and for one day everyone was friends with each other.

Which was when he realized just what it was that was missing.

''Mao'' he stopped her, wide eyed as if he should have thought of this before, which he probably should because it was so bloody obvious he actually felt stupid. ''I know what's missing.''

She just looked at him with a mixture of hope and incredulity, like she didn't really want to trust he had just said what he said. But she nudged him on anyway.

''Go on then'' she half-hissed hurriedly, eager to find out the answer that had been bothering her for hours. ''What's missing?''

December 24th
-The Kinomiyas-

Takao was very bored. Normally he liked Christmas. He got to eat cake, open presents, hang out with his grandpa and see all the awesome lights through the neighborhood. Tokyo was great during Christmas, even if no one really celebrated it as a holiday, people still thought it to be a pretty neat thing. And so did Takao, and had done through all his life. Until this year when something was just very off. Which in itself was off, since he had all he had the previous Christmas. There was grandpa singing some silly songs while trying to save the cream-strawberry-Godlike-goodness from his grandson for at least another hour. There were decorations, lights, funny shows on TV. Hiromi was supposed to come over with Daichi and Kyouju pretty soon. The only thing really missing was Christmas spirit.

Takao moped. Changed position in the armchair. Moped a little more. Became the death of some cookies. Moped yet a little more. Finally his grandfather snapped.

''Kinomiya Takao! What are you moping around about now? You brats are usually waaaaay too excited this time of the year! What's wrong, kid?''

Takao raised a thick eyebrow at him, his mouth twisted in a ridiculous pout that on anyone else would have looked fake, but on him was perfectly normal.

''Grandpaaaa'' he half moaned, half sighed ''Something's just…I don't know. It feels like something's missing.''

The elder Kinomiya looked thoughtful, scratching his chin as if thinking deeply. Suspiciously he eyed the room, as if some ornament was to blame.

''Do we have enough cookies?''

''Yes, grandpa''

''Decorations?''

''Yes.''

''Carols?''

Takao groaned. ''I've had enough of those, thank you very much''

His grandfather snorted, a little insulted.

''Stupid brat. You're always so disrespectful to your elders! And to think you're actually having guests over! Are you going to be moping around with them too? Huuuh?''

Takao was just about to answer when there was a knocking on the door. On any normal day Takao woud have leapt out of the armchair and run to open before the knocks had even died out. And perhaps this was what really made his grandfather worried; to see his own grandson, who was the essence of hyperactivity and positive excitement, drag himself towards the door as if death itself clung to his back.

''Happy holidays, Takao!'' Hiromi's polite voice, as always carrying the undertone of dominance, greeted him as Takao opened the door and found his friends there. ''I made a cake!''

Takao eyed the strange little cake in Hiromi's hands. Sure, she looked like a real lady, but she sure as heck wasn't acting like one. She was the bossiest person he had ever known, like a lumber-jack-psychopath dressed as a princess. And Hiromi couldn't cook to save her life.

''Great.''

Still, Hiromi knew Takao always at least tried to pretend to like her cooking. Because they all knew that if he didn't she was going to rip out his testicles, fry them and force feed them to him. Which is why she should have started heating up the fryer by the lack of forced enthusiasm in his voice, if not for the extreme disappointment in his eyes.

''Hey champ, what's wrong?''

Even Kyouju looked worried now.

''Yeah, Takao, you seem awfully down. It's Christmas, aren't you supposed to be bouncing off the walls?''

Takao simply shrugged.

''It just… feels like something is missing, you know?''

They both looked at him for a moment, then at each other, and they knew, they all knew that for once, Takao had actually said something worth thinking about.

December 24th
- The Starz-

Rick sat eating all the food. All of it. The nuts, which he didn't have to crack with anything else but his strong fists – something Emily commented on being barbaric – all the meat, the turkey, the potatoes, the egg nog – alcohol free, thanks to Judy – and cookies and… well, you get the picture. Which was about the only thing one could get around there since he had laid his hands on everything. And while Emily was busy checking every decoration to be perfect, and Max was just walking around humming songs and putting the presents out under the Christmas tree, Michael dozing on and off in front of the tv, while Steven and Eddy were wrestling about who got to stand under the mistletoe with Emily.

All of this was the idea of none other than Judy, who thought it was a bloody marvelous idea to bring the team together for a Christmas celebration. Because after all, they were like family. Why they were supposed to meet both the 24th and the 25th no one had the slightest idea, since they mostly cared about opening presents. But Judy ignored them and with a little help from Emily bullied them into having a great Christmas. Or something like that.

Somehow she hadn't really succeeded. Which was odd. So Emily was sent to investigate this.

''Okay, what's wrong with you?''

They all looked at her very oddly, which she was quite used to at this stage but it still irritated her.

''What is it now?'' Rick grunted, still stuffing his face.

''Why aren't you celebrating? We're supposed to eat, all of us Rick, and then watch tv Michael, and Max, the presents are in the wrong order! And you two – '' she was just about to snap at Eddy and Steven, when Max came to save the day.

''Emily, calm down. I'm sure it's just too early for the Christmas spirit, that's all!''

''Early?!'' Emily looked like her head was going to shoot off like a rocket. ''It's the 24th! The presents are being opened tomorrow! How can you not have Christmas spirit yet?!''

''Christmas is a celebration, not a damn project'' Michael said with a bored voice, only half paying attention.

''Christmas is a waste of time'' Rick put in. ''Why're we even here? We're not even related''

Emily was boiling now, like a nuclear plant about to blow. The safe thing would be to back away. The smart thing would be to run for cover. So either the team was either very stupid or just way too reckless. Emily didn't really care. Emily wanted the Christmas to go as planned. They were going to have Christmas and they were sure as heck going to enjoy it!

But part of Emily didn't even believe that herself. She too had noticed something was just… odd with today. Normally she was at least a little excited. But today? No. And who better to take it all out on but her team?

''Hold that thought'' Max said and waltzed off, and at first Emily was going to start berating him, when she noticed the reason he walked off was to answer the phone. Which she hadn't even heard, too busy being agitated.

''Uh-huh'' Max said, smiling now in a manner that wasn't strained or nervous, which she now realized he had been otherwise doing all day. ''Yeah, sure, I thought so too! Uh-huh, a superb idea!''

This followed by a couple of more crude sounds, and words Emily sure found inappropriate for conversationing. This meant Max had to be talking to that Kinomiya. Which would always end up bad. Hmmm…

''Guys'' Max turned to them as he hung up, now smiling as brilliantly as the star at the top of the tree. ''I have a great idea!''

Crap.

December 24th
- The Russians-
It was a good thing Christmas wasn't made such great deal about in Russia. At least for Kai who hated it. It was just another commercial holiday for families to argue and money to be spent. No, he rather spent his own time alone. With a good book and a warm fire. Ignoring the festives that were to be after New Year. Which itself was pain enough. He wasn't exactly the celebrating type, or the people type, or any special type at all. Kai was just Kai. And Kai didn't really fancy holidays.

Too bad his friends couldn't get it through their thick skulls. This was the third year in a row they had forced their way into his mansion. He had quickly realized that no matter his angry Dobermans or violent attempts to keep the others at bay, where the Neoborg wanted to go, the Neoborg went. And this time of the year they always snuck into his house. By force. A lot of force. It wasn't even necessary, Christmas wouldn't be until January anyway. But of course Yuriy had to be a pain in the ass. Of course Yuriy said Kai needed some company to keep from turning into Grandfather Frost himself.

Without the presents, of course. Since Kai didn't give presents. He gave glares. Right now they were not, as one would think, directed at his redheaded friend though, but instead at another friend. Ivan, who was for the gazillionth time that hour asking to hear the story about the Snow Maiden again. Sergei, despite his rather gruff and harsh exterior, happened to know a lot of Russian folk tales and fairy tales and stories. Which was annoying, because right now Kai just wanted some peace and privacy. He wanted to drink his cognac alone, and read his overly complex novel by himself. And not with the psychopaths that were now occupating his sofa.

Boris had already found all the secret places where Kai kept the key to his bar. And the times he didn't find it, he kicked it down until the door broke. So Kai learned pretty early it was just best to keep it open. Besides, if Boris got drunk early he passed out which meant Kai had one less problem to deal with. The others on the other hand… He sighed, rubbing his temples as he mildly wondered why he had to endure this. He didn't like Christmas. It was like society's way of rubbing it in his face that he had no family, that he had a fucked up childhood, that his friends were idiots and that, despite him wanting to be alone, he still didn't want to be completely lonely.

Yes, there was a difference.

Yuriy always used to say Kai liked having them there anyway, so he should just shut up and get over himself. Maybe the worst thing was that perhaps, just a little, Yuriy was right. He wouldn't really know what to do if they weren't there, which in turn angered him because it made him so much more pathetic. And Kai didn't want to be pathetic. But more than that, he guessed he could afford sharing his cognac with the others.

But not for too long though. Not since Boris had been throwing him rancid looks all night. He had no idea at first what they were about. Mostly they'd been occurring when he got off the phone after speaking to Rei. Kai had later come to the conclusion that Boris still held his petty little grudge against Rei for their match all those long, wasted years ago.
Which just made the Falcon all the more annoying. Which was one reason Kai called Rei more. Especially when his friend was visiting.

Yes, they had a complicated friendship.

But even though, it started to feel a little hollow. After being used to enduring endless painful hours of spending every day with his team, it had started to feel a little bit… funny, odd even now when they weren't there. It wasn't that he missed them, it was just that they were missing. Like tearing something out of a picture which annoyed Kai. It brought imbalance, and no matter how hard the other Russians tried, they only seemed to make it worse.

Which perhaps was the main reason Kai picked up the phone that day. And also the main reason he didn't hang up when he realized it was Kinomiya. And, well, undeniably, the main reason he said yes when the Japanese boy-posing-as-a-man made his offer. Not that the other Russians were happy at first, until they realized how boring Christmas would be without Kai. And that if they went along with it, they could have a lot of fun with the others. Evil plans formed as Kai glared at the phone.

''Okay.''

''Huh?'' came Takao's oh so clever response, as if he had just imagined what he had heard. ''Did you say yes?''

''I won't repeat myself.''

''So, you're like- ''

''Goodbye Kinomiya.''

And with that, Christmas took an interesting turn.