Author's notes: I got this idea when a large group of the girls' basket ball team got in a pile up on their way to dinner (literally because a truck landed on top of the front of one car) No one died and the only injuries were a bloody, but not broken, nose and a girl whose head went through the windshield of a car and came out with two cuts on her head (they were lucky considering how bad it looked and sounded)

Anyway, I hope you like this and no one dies in this story either, ok, no da^_^

~Mysia Ri (who is against seishi deaths without reason)

Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi, no da. Enjoy!

'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the store
was wall to wall customers all shouting for more;
The stockers were hurrying to keep the shelves stocked
But the task seemed quite hopeless and their nerves were quite rocked

Tuesday, December 18

Houjun hurried back to the stock room wearily, carting another empty tote to dump off only to grab another one and haul it back to his cart. He yawned and caught sight of Kouji who was surrounded by customers.

"Why do I always feel like I've got "INFORMATION" stamped across my forehead?", he recalled the teen asking him earlier. Houjun glanced at his watch and heaved a sigh of relief. 'Only ten more minutes before we can go home.' The thought gave him a second wind and he hurried to finish with the load of various cosmetic goods.

Finally at 10:30pm, Houjun and Kouji raced for the time clock as dignified-looking as possible. They clocked out and left the store. Having finished all of their holiday shopping that morning they only needed to tuck their presents under the tree for safe keeping. The younger teen stretched his back and climbed into his car when he felt a chill run through him. Ignoring it as just a chill from the cool temperature, he buckled in and turned to Kouji.

"I hope we don't have to do that again anytime soon, no da."

"Oh, we will next weekend, as usual." He settled back against his seat and closed his eyes. "Turn on the car already, wouldja?"

"Yeah yeah," Houjun smiled, brushing his light-blue bangs behind his ear. He turned the key and started off on the 15 minute drive home.

Or so he thought.


10:48pm

Kouji forced his eyes opened and coughed. Flashing red and blue lights are what caught his attention first. Fear burned inside him and he glanced over, fearing his friend's life. Two men were carefully pulling the limp form of the younger teen from the smashed in driver side of the car. He vaguely recalled saying something about this year being the best Christmas of all before the navy blue car had swerved into their lane. Houjun had panicked and turned the wheel sharply to the right, but…

"Jun-chan," he groaned, reaching towards his friend, but a sharp pain ran through his body, forcing his to pull his arm back. He fumbled with his seatbelt and relized that another car had hit the rear right side of their car, unable to stop in time. Outside his window, an officer shined his light in the window, causing his to flinch.

"You ok, kid?" the man asked.

"Is Houjun alright?" he asked, ignoring the question.

"They're taking care of him right now," the officer said soothingly. "Are you alright?"

Kouji tried to get out of the car, again ignoring question as he was unsure himself if he was or not. He cried out, writhing in pain for a moment before shaking his head.

"We need a stretcher over here!" the man called. Kouji leaned his head back, feeling drained. "Suzaku, let 'im be ok…"

"Hey, you'd better stay back!" another officer shouted. The sound of an ambulance pulling away drew the blue-haired teen's gaze towards it. He spotted Genrou's car and blinked as he saw the flame haired teen arguing with an officer. Behind him stood Hikou, the older man's arms crossed over his chest. Finally fed up with the refusing deputy, Genrou pushed his way through and ran to the mangled remains of Houjun's car.

"Kouji!"

The blue-haired teen turned his gaze to wearily look into Genrou's gold eyes. "Gen-chan…"

"Don't say nuthin', Kouji," the teen cut him off. "We heard a crash and came out to see what happened. You gonna be alright, buddy?" Already, tears were welling up in the former bandit's eyes.

"I dunno, Gen-chan. I think Jun-chan's in real bad shape."

"I know…I saw 'im when they were puttin' him in the ambulance. Look, Hikou an' me'll be followin' ya at the hospital, k? Don't worry about a thing, we'll be right there, alright."

"There's enough room for one of you to ride with him," a medical technician responded as he and two others arrived with a stretcher. Hikou came with them and lightly rested a hand on Kouji's cheek.

"Would you mind, Genrou?" he asked, not looking away from Kouji.

"Nah, I've gotta go and see if they can help Chiri, anyway," the fanged teen swallowed, turning to leave.

"Gen…" Kouji groaned, a tear escaping his eyes. "I'm sure…he'll be alright, so… don't worry too much,…alright?"

"………(1)Thanks, Kouji," the teen replied quietly before returning to his car.

"Don't worry, Kouji," Hikou whispered, nosing his lover's temple gently. "He's tough, and so are you and Houjun."

Kouji nodded weakly and felt Hikou back away and two pairs of hands began to pull him from the wreck. He didn't see Hikou shoot the drunk who'd hit them (and was walking and laughing in drunken oblivion, mind you) an icy look that screamed "you will die a painful death."

TBC

I'm sorry, but this started out as in idea to hook up Hikou and Tasuki, but, in the end, I wasn't about to kill off Chichiri and Kouji during the holiday season. The idea is still bouncing around my head, but it'll take a while for it to solidify. I'm writing this as a Christmas story and will write more tomorrow and Christmas day, though I'm sure most off you are "Home For The Holidays" and/or enjoying "A White Christmas."

Anyway, R and R, no da! Arigatou,

~Mysia Ri