Day two of our Christmas countdown! Thanks for all the reads! I wasn't expecting that many for the first chapter. I also appreciate the follows and favs ^.^ Since I have a severe case of writers' block for my other stories, except for Soothing Rivers, I'll try another story idea for now. I think I'll try a PlutoxEndymion story or something. Not sure just yet :)

Flareup4Ratchet: Thanks! I was waiting for you pop up once I started updating again. Nice to hear from you again :)

Vchanny: Yep, I think so too lol I figured I should depict him a different way for that snippet. I know right, Zoisite needs some more confidence xD

And the Ivory Bells Ring

Pairing: MinakoxKunzite

2/ Kiss Me, Rain

Minako sighed. The snow didn't stick yesterday, pushing her plans of making a Kunzite snowman (she was going to catch him off guard and giving him a nice and cool makeover) to another day. Instead it rained. Hard. Staring out her window she tossed her cellphone around in her hand. Bored and lonely. However, Kunzite made it quite clear he had to work today and wouldn't come by till the evening. And Minako wasn't up for going to Usagi and Mamoru's apartment today. Especially since she just got it done earlier today and wasn't in the mood for messing it up right away.

Grumbling to herself she sunk deeper into her armchair and watched the clock tick and tock, "Keep going to slow, why don't you?" Minako sniffled, swinging her legs. The rain continued pitter pattering. Having kept her gaze for a few minutes now, she checked her text messages and then slowly glimpsed at the time. It wasn't even three o'clock yet.

Why was waiting so boring?

Deciding to get up and make some hot chocolate—it was cold in her home. She was going to turn the heat on afterwards—she reluctantly strolled across her carpet floor, "I probably should've told Artemis to stay instead of going with Usagi," she muttered regretting her decision. Minako told them she would be fine alone.

She wasn't.

She could write some holiday songs…but had no inspiration. Just boredom.

She could watch some dramas, and squeal over each gorgeous looking actor…but she wasn't feeling up to it. Just more boredom.

The microwave dinged and she took the cup out, sipping the hot chocolate and burning her mouth in the process, "Ouch…should've waited a few minutes," Minako grumbled going to the armchair and getting comfortable. Wrapping her cover around her, Minako realized she forgot to turn the thermostat up.

I'm too comfortable now Minako groaned. She wasn't getting back up. Sipping her hot chocolate again, slowly this time, she watched the rain. It reflected her bored mood perfectly. Somehow.

|Kiss Me, Rain|

Minako wasn't sure when she dozed off. All she recalled was drinking hot chocolate and watching the rain…and why was her shirt wet? Opening her eyes, she looked down, but a cover blocked the shirt she was very sure was soaked with something. Throwing the blanket off, her favorite blouse was ruined by what remained of the hot chocolate. Great.

"I was going to change your shirt," an amused voice said. "But I figured you could do it yourself."

Leaning her head back, Kunzite was drinking some wine and grinning—widely, "Did you have a nice nap?"

"When…aren't you supposed to be at work?" Minako blinked. Kunzite cocked his eyebrow.

"I'm not the type of person to work overtime. Besides I clocked out an hour ago, my dove," he said walking away and placing his glass on the coffee table. Sitting down on the sofa, he watched her place her feet on the floor. Minako looked at the clock. It was six. Had she really slept that long?

"At least you cleaned the spill up," she mumbled. "I'm going to change."

"I don't get any 'welcome home, kiss'?" Kunzite frowned. "Is your shirt that important?"

Minako rolled her eyes, "It is. Your kiss can wait."

There was silence and she turned to walk away, "I'm afraid that wasn't the answer I was looking for…" Kunzite whispered grabbing her wrist and spinning her around. When did he get up? "I'll do the pleasure of taking it off."

He kissed her gently and as usual, she melted right into his arms. Maybe she could change later…

And another day down. 23 more days to go! The next pairing is of course MamoruxUsagi ;) I'm just going in order of the planets at this point lol Just case you were wondering. Time to figure out another theme. Until the next update!