NB: This one even made me giggle.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. I also don't own Christmas, but I'm so going to enjoy it any way! =3

Christmas Dinner

In the Himura home, six people sat around the dinner table staring suspiciously at the dinner that had been laid out in front of them.

Kenshin tried to smile reassuringly at his friends. "Don't worry everyone. Kaoru's cooking skills have greatly improved. I've been giving her lessons."

His words did not seem to lessen the distressed expressions on their faces.

The tallest man with spiky brown hair suddenly stood up. "I'm getting out of here while the getting is good."

"Oh no you don't, tori-atama," his wife, who was sitting next to him, stated firmly, and she dug her finely manicured nails in his arm and pulled him back down. "Why should you be exonerated from this while the rest of us have to suffer?"

"Oh man," Sanosuke moaned to the ceiling. "You are so cruel, kitsune."

"Kenshin, why is the soup blue?" whispered the tiny pigtailed woman who sat to the left of him with her stoic looking husband at her side.

Aoshi was the only one who did not look like he was being held against his will, but his icy blue eyes were hard and focused as he stared at each dish in front of him, as if he was ready to go into battle.

At Misao's question, a sweat drop appeared on the red-headed man's brow and he grinned nervously. "I don't know Misao-chan, but I'm sure Kaoru has a good reason behind it."

"Oh Kami!" Sanosuke suddenly cried out in horror. "I think that lettuce leaf in the salad just moved."

At that, Kaoru's little brother pulled out a piece of paper and pen, and began writing. "I, Yahiko Myōjin, being of sound mind..."

"Stop it all of you," Kenshin snapped and he glared at each one of them around the table with dangerous amber eyes. "This is my wife's first time cooking Christmas dinner for all of us, and she has been slaving over the stove all day, so when she comes back out here, we are all going to be supportive. Am I right?"

All of them cringed at the look in his eyes and began nodding energetically in response. At the same time, Kaoru appeared from the kitchen, and Kenshin's expression immediately went from threatening to adoring as he saw his wife practically skipping toward them.

She looked a little frazzled from being in the hot kitchen all day; several strands of hair had escaped her usual neat ponytail, her blouse was rumpled, she had a gravy smudge on her cheek and she still wore the apron that was dingy from the day's labour.

But despite all that, Kenshin still thought she was the most beautiful thing he ever seen. Her face was beaming brightly and her beautiful blue eyes were sparkling like sapphires. She was so excited and proud of her dinner.

"Okay everyone, here's the gravy," Kaoru announced and placed the gravy boat she was holding on the table with a flourish. "You can all dig in now."

Their friends hesitated, but another fierce glare from Kenshin got them moving quickly.

"Aa, let's dig in," Sanosuke said resolutely and took some of the turkey. He then added under his breath, "We all gotta die sometime."

Kenshin frowned at him darkly, and then worriedly gazed at his wife to see if she had heard the comment. To his relief she had not seemed to have heard, because she was still smiling, and Sanosuke was still sitting upright and conscious.

Everyone else had paused again and were now waiting with bated breath as Sanosuke forked a piece of the turkey and put it in his mouth.

Seven pairs of eyes watched intently as he rolled his eyes to the ceiling and chewed thoughtfully. After he swallowed, his brown eyes bulged out of his head and he looked at his plate incredulously.

"Oh no!" Yahiko wailed. "He's poisoned. Kaoru's killed Sano." He then rounded on Megumi. "Can I have his Playstation?"

Misao whacked the boy behind the head. "Don't be stupid Yahiko," Misao bit out, but her green eyes were staring worriedly at the spiky haired man who's eyes still had not gone down to normal size.

Aoshi pulled out his cell phone. "Not to worry everyone," he stated calmly. "I put Poison Control on speed dial just before I came here."

"Sanosuke honey, speak to me," Megumi pleaded, her voice filled with concern as she urgently shook her husband. "Blink twice if you're dying."

Kenshin turned away from the supposed homicide victim to look at his wife. When he observed her state his heart instantly went out to her. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her and her blue eyes had dulled with sadness.

"I knew I should not have tried this," she murmured miserably. "And I tried so had too."

Kenshin felt horrible when he saw crystal tears forming at the corner of her eyes; he hated to see her cry. He felt so helpless, it was not like he could magically make the food taste better.

"Oh koishii," he crooned and held out his arms to her. She slumped into his lap and hid her face in his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and caressed her back. "It's okay Kaoru, you did your best. Next time will be better."

Sanosuke began shaking his head earnestly, and he suddenly seemed to regain his ability to talk. "You guys don't understand," he explained. "It's not toxic this time. It's actually not bad."

"Nani?" they all cried simultaneously. Even Kaoru.

With that, they all tried the food and all their eyes widened just as Sanosuke's had.

"He's right," Kenshin said in a hushed whisper.

Kaoru gave a happy cry and threw her arms around her husband's neck. "Do you mean it?" she squealed. "I actually made something edible?"

"Well there's a first time for everything," Yahiko muttered and began putting huge helpings of mashed potatoes and peas in his plate.

After that the tension in the air dispersed they all happily cried "Itadakimasu!" and settled down to eat and chat comfortably.

Kaoru remained in Kenshin's lap. She giggled and pressed her cheek against his. "I did it. And it's all thanks to your lessons, anata. Arigatou."

"No koishii, it was all you," Kenshin said and placed a tender kiss on her lips. He then pulled away and grinned at her slyly. "And maybe a little Christmas magic."

Owari

Hee hee! The Kenshin-gumi are always fun to write. Review, review, review!