A/N: MERRY-FREAKIN'-CHRISTMAS! XD

here, have something fully lime-scented... Wishstone is very upset with me for sissying out, but time constraints and what-not~ but i also feel this keeps it more humorous... HAVE FUN KIDS! :D

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dec 24th-25th (transition)

Kanji didn't know if he wanted to take that line seriously or laugh at how cheesy it was. There was something to be said about Naoto if she could make something that corny utterly fucking sexy.

Instead of verbally answering he gave her a smirk, wrapping his arms around her new convenient position and pulling her down, closer and rubbing against as much of himself as he could muster. He didn't care about how they got here, didn't care about tomorrow morning, she wanted his help now to explore things that frankly he needed to know as well. Did he like girls, could he like girls, not just the idea of someone, Naoto, but everything else that came with it. This was a whole new territory for him, and unlike most guys he didn't have tons of porn shoved under his mattress to tell him about what to do or how to do it. The only thing he knew about girls and their bodies was how to make the best cut in their clothing to accent their figure and give certain impressions. Sure, he'd seen women's lingerie, he saw it practically every day in stores and with customers but never thought much about it, to him it was just fabric and certain styles.

But that wasn't what he could focus on right now, cause right now involved a lot of heavy breathing, his lips against the literal girl/boy of his dreams, and her encouraging him to touch. Hell if 'unwrap me' meant anything she wanted him to take the damn school uniform off her, at the very least…

Also it seemed Naoto was really fond of his hair, not that he could blame her, as her fingers running against his scalp felt pretty damn good.

He dared to put his hands on her waist, pressing her down a bit more as he moved more forward with the kiss. He'd heard about tongue-kissing but how the hell did you initiate it? If this was all about testing things he should get to test out some things he wanted right?

Suddenly Naoto bit his lower lip, causing him to groan a bit, and the second his mouth was open she shot something wriggling into his. It took him a second to realize this was tongue-kissing and what he'd been thinking about. After the momentary surprise, and wondering how she knew, Kanji pressed forward. Wasn't it the guy that was supposed to do that?! Be the aggressor! With a light smirk he brought one hand up to brace her head and pressed forward, finding it somewhat amusing when Naoto realized what he was doing and put up more of a challenge.

He let her have it. Instead realizing he liked the chance to put his hand through her hair, sliding it down along her ear, and finally around her slim pretty neck. That actually caused her to shiver and halt kissing him for a moment, musta done something right!

"A-again…" her voice was breathy.

He repeated the gesture, trailing a finger slowly along her neck and part of him wondered what it'd be like to kiss there. When he leaned forward Naoto moved her head back, as if knowing what he'd planned, obviously wanting to try as well when another thought struck him, "Er… proly, best not," it was funny to glance up into her hazy blue-grey eyes as he could feel a blush creeping along his cheeks, "H-hickies, marks, none'a that, r-right? Don't want anyone kn-knowin' an'…"

The immediate response was Naoto leaning next to his ear, "I wear high collared dress shirts," then bit the tip of his ear and started playing with one of his earrings with her tongue.

Kanji's mind went delightfully blank as he found that spot on her neck that made her squirm and proceeded to kiss it hard enough to get an actual moan out of her, hickies be damned!

It felt… well it certainly felt good in a way Naoto had not previously considered. So far things were rushed and heated with sparks here and there as they explored each other so far on the couch, with cloths. Yes, she had challenged Kanji to 'unwrap her', it was a silly line that she had no idea where it came from! But he'd yet to actually transverse that line yet… and while, she didn't want to say eager, the lack of rush on his part was enjoyable.

He certainly kissed good… er, well! He kissed well!

Watching and reading such actions had never garnered much noticed from her, it seemed arbitrary, lip contact and continuing further with tongues. Yet trying it in real-life… well… most pleasurable in a strange way. She honestly couldn't quite remember the tongue part just that she opened his mouth then he pressed forward and she'd fought back… er… then the thing on her neck…

She needed to even this score!

But what exactly did one do to arouse a male response without doing the obvious?

Momentarily she was distracted by Kanji's mouth on her neck and as much as she wanted to reciprocate Kanji typically wore low cut shirts, and he was right… probably best they didn't overdo it took much with obvious marks others could see or permanent damage. –Except for one thing…- but that was further along… if they even got that far…

It was in the midst of that thought she felt his searing hot hands roll up the hem of her shirt, one going up along her back the other going down to her waistband.

It felt good, causing her fingers to clinch around his shoulders.

-Such basic contact…- with another groan she buried her head in his neck, feeling as his hands moved under her shirt. It was little more than petting, and as much as her mind railed at the idea of referring such intimate contact to something like that she gladly allowed Yamato Takeru to shove it aside, she was going to enjoy as much of this as she could!

Without even realizing it her body had lowered further onto Kanji's lap, and with each stroke along her back her body moved along, to the point her hips started grinding along his and damnit she had to admit this was a lot easier thanks to the looseness of the skirt.

She heard Kanji gulp next to her, felt the rise in temperature around his neck. With little effort she pushed up enough to look him in the face. Each time she ground down there was an almost pained expression on his face, like he was concentrating hard and his hands started to grip tighter. It was intriguing to watch, that level of concentration, to eventually he dropped his hands from her back and placed them on her bare thighs halting her motion.

"Y-ya might… wanna stop that… Nao…" he gave a groan this time when she ignored his plea and ground against him again with some perceptive look on her face. His hands gripped her thighs tighter, trying to not rush them to places he was really tempted as every time she did that it… well it got him right where it mattered and frankly he was surprised she'd go straight there right of the bat! "Mi-might… not… last…" another deep growl, what the hell was she trying to do?!

"Kanji?" she leaned up, to question him, "Might not last… what?"

He gulped again, color tinting his face, "might not last for you," he reached one hand up and cupped around her cheek, feeling her blush, "I'mma guy, don't wanna hurt ya or nothin', don't wanna disappoint ya if you really wanna go that far…"

She reached up and nuzzled his hand, "Kanji…"

He leaned forward, touching their noses and wanted her to understand, "S'all 'bout you tonight, a'ight?" he brushed along her cheek, "Might be my present, but this is me to you, kay?" cutely biting her lip she nodded in his hand, making him smile a bit, "don't gotta rush nothin', just slow n' at your pace…"

This caused Naoto to smirk, "Double negative," when she opened her eyes they were deep, almost darker than before, "I don't mind rushing a bit…" her hands were suddenly at the hem of his shirt tugging it up and Kanji had little choice before leaning forward and letting the thing come flying off.

He felt a little exposed, being the first to take anything off, "Nao-mmph!" Naoto certainly seemed to like kissing him, that was a good thing right?

What else to do? There was a certain pattern she'd noticed in most material she read that went this far, and as much as she'd grown to enjoy kissing him there were other proclivities they needed to try.

Yamato Takeru was making some manner of gesture in the back of her mind, similar to ripping off his shirt and trailing down. She tried to ignore him but he did have a point, she could try that…

Initially the idea of oral sex sent her hackles up, simply because it was always presented in such a demeaning way. But that wasn't the point of tonight, she was supposed to be trying things like a woman right? That included that, if all the literature she ever read with sex in it suggested anything…

Making up her mind, she finished the kiss and stared deeply at Kanji's flushed face. For such a dangerous looking man he was so… -would it be wrong to say adorable?- his half-lidded eyes, his dazed expression, the blush covering his entire face down to his collar bone. Biting her lip, she had to admit there was something about it she most assuredly liked.

But appreciating that could come later, she was on a mission now!

Leaning forward again she kissed his chin, surprising him a bit as he blinked and looked a bit confused. Then under his jaw, and for the hell of it slid her tongue along his throat, feeling his pulse quicken and as tempted as she was to leave her own mark there… -Best not to leave too much evidence- this did not stop her from nipping at his well-toned chest and possibly leaving a trail all the way down to pants. A shirt would cover that up right?

Kanji was in a kind of strange bliss, his head foggy as he was trying to make sure he didn't get too excited, but Naoto sure as hell wasn't making that easy for him. The kiss to the chin had been odd, then jaw, and he all but melted as she went down his neck, understanding now that little moan she did when he did it. He sucked in his teeth when bit down a bit harder on his chest and the only reason he didn't stop her was because he was getting curious what the hell she was doing.

It was when she was kneeling between his legs and tugging at the drawstring of his pants something seemed to click, "Ack! Naoto! What're ya doin'!" his hands immediately went to grip her shoulders and he was red all the way down to his navel. Never in a million years had he considered… well, fully… maybe… THAT!

Naoto still had the drawstring of his sweatpants in her hands as she was not stuck staring into his frantic face, "I was under the impression guys liked this from girls…" it was a dumb logic and she had no idea why she admitted it out loud.

His fingers trembled on her shoulders and he seemed very… tense was one way of putting it, "Tha's-I don'-gah!" with more strength then he probably intended to use Kanji lifted Naoto up from the ground and put her in the middle of the blanket where he'd been sitting, keeping his hands on her shoulders and staring at her as intently as she had been earlier, "There ain't nuthin' more I wanna do then let you do what you want, but…" he bit down on his lower lip, idly his thumbs messaging her shoulders as he glanced to the side, "Y-yer sure?"

Naoto had seen Kanji fight. It was strong and brutal. She knew just how strong he could be physically so staring up at him as he literally loomed over her was an intriguing experience. It was terrifying in its own way, but watching as all his exposed upper body muscles flexed and tensed while he was obviously restraining himself, for her sake… it made her flush to the point she wasn't even hearing whatever he was saying. –I believe this would qualify as 'sexy'- Yamato Takeru approved with a thumbs up.

Noticing him look away, embarrassed for some reason, something riled in her. Reaching a hand forward he grabbed him by the back of the head and brought him forward, looking directly in his eyes, showing her resolve for this intention she'd given him, "I already asked, Kanji," she kissed him quickly, breathing on his lips, "Now take me to bed."

It was at this point Kanji's entire body seemed to be a vibrant red as those words registered. Without a word or thought he scoped her up, blanket, his shirt and all, and quickly trumped up the stairs.

What kind of man was he to say 'no' when fortune called!

Dec 25th

Last night was… er… well… to be frank Kanji couldn't feel his legs. In fact everything felt heavy even though he just woke up. –Had it all been a dream?- his face went red in his pillows as he remember several details he'd never considered before that were faaaaaaar too real to have been a dream.

Also it may have helped that when he turned his head to the other side there was a beautifully naked woman with short cobalt hair sitting in bed next to him.

His first response was to blink. Then to reach out and touch her side, trailing the finger up under the swell of those magnificent breasts and stopped. Funnily enough he didn't feel overly embarrassed by this, hell, it was kinda fun to wake up and be able to.

"Heh," in fact, instead of hitting him or anything, Naoto found it somewhat cute, the gentle touch being the first thing he does waking up with a naked woman in his bed, "I see you're awake Kanji…"

"Mefh…" was the grumble of him rubbing his face in the pillow again, still not sure he wasn't dreaming or died or something.

Despite herself, a smirk spread on Naoto's lips as she reached out and ran her fingers through his hair, enjoying as he made some manner of pleased groan. A chuckle released from her throat at his utterly languid form. True last night had been… interesting –very informative- in a number of ways, and frankly she'd woken up smirking and it'd yet to go away. –I'll have to do something about that- but from what she could tell she should be the one more, er, indisposed than Kanji. Though if she were honest with herself she just felt a little sore but mostly energetic.

A glance at Kanji still face first in a pillow told her was anything but…

Trailing a finger down his exposed back she got to enjoy him grunting again, probably trying to say something but still not fully coherent.

She couldn't help but bring a hand to her lips, trying to do something about the damn smirk, but certain other thoughts jumping to mind, "I have the sudden urge to pull out a cigarette…"

Kanji's head moved from the confines of the pillows to narrowly squint at her, "Ya smoke?" frankly after what all happened last night he wouldn't be surprised if Naoto started pulling out all kinds of other tricks he nor anyone else knew about. –She started the day by breakin' in ta my house…- his eyes narrowed. –Wouldn't be surprised to learn she likes to drink vodka or sumtin' heavy on the weekends…-

Sparkling blue-grey eyes glanced down at him rather cheeky, "No, I don't smoke," she glanced away again, leaning back more comfortably, "Though it always happens in detective novels after the hero spends a night with the femme fatal it cuts to them in bed and one or both are smoking…"

Bleach blonde brows rose higher, blinking in surprise, "They have sex in those novels?!"

The smirk Naoto sent his way was something he'd become intimately familiar with last night and he was probably the only person alive that knew it. That was a predator's grin, much more dangerous, and delightful, than the one she got when catching a perp, "They are adult books after all…"

The poor punk blushed and may have hugged the pillow closer to him, "So I guess that's how you, uh… knew yer way around…" the rest was incoherent mumbling.

The cobalt haired young woman just leaned down, giving that wicked smirk and looked him directly in the eye.

Then kissed him on the forehead, making his ears turn red.

Naoto sat back up, looking at the far wall while scratching the side of her face, "I'm… I'm sorry if… I may have gotten a bit… carried away, last night, Kanji…"

The boy just vigorously shook his head in the pillow, "M'fine."

Naoto looked back at him, flashes of how he looked last night compared to this morning drifting in her mind. He'd been confident, persistent in helping her and caring for her needs, almost to the detriment of his own (not that she didn't help in that department) and now he was just… well there was really no other word then adorable. Putting her hand through his hair again she couldn't help but keep smirking at him, "Merry Christmas, Kanji…"

He turned slightly, enough to worm one hand out, take her own and kiss the top of it, "Nah, Merry Christmas ta you Naoto," his thumb idly rubbed the back of her hand as he looked away with a distinct blush, "Can't say ever got a present like that..."

"Indeed," Naoto slyly looked to the side, holding her chin and totally not plotting further exploits.

Kanji's eyes narrowed on her and shook her hand, "Eh, yer plannin' sumtin' aren't you?"

She kept looking away but the smirk on her face grew wide enough that he could still see it, "I have no idea what you mean, Kanji."

"Stappit," he tugged her hand with a pout, pulling enough that she had to look his way, "I dunno how you feel about it, but don't go 'round terrorizing other people 'bout sumtin' like this now, ya?"

Cobalt eyes blinked, "I don't know what you mean," tapping her chin and looking up at the ceiling, "It would be very inconclusive to pursue such a relationship with other subjects," she leaned over slightly, narrowly glancing at the partially bed-sheet covered young man from toes to the tip of his nose, "When I have the original right here, and I may have to repeat things, several times, just to get a proper gauge on-EEP!"

That was the sound of Naoto Shirogane squeaking as Kanji Tatsumi tugged her down and rolled them over so he was hovering, somewhat menacingly, above her much more petite frame. Well, it would have been more menacing if he weren't so obviously pouting at her, "Yer screwin' with me?"

A bit of pink touched at the young woman's cheeks as she raised her hand holding her thumb and forefinger about an inch apart, "Perhaps, just a little…" she took the opportunity to lean up and kiss the adorable pout on his face. She'd grown rather fond of kissing last night and seeing as Kanji was a relatively quick learner in this area of expertise, it fascinated her as he just seemed to get better and better.

"Now, yer distractin' me," Kanji said as they parted and he slowly opened his eyes to look at the devious little detective below him.

Naoto had slipped her arms around his neck and tugged him down a bit closer, "Perhaps…"

As much as Kanji enjoyed the idea of simply collapsing and enjoying the morning in bed, naked, with Naoto, and letting himself still wonder if this were a dream or not, he couldn't help but point out, "Hey, it's Christmas," he eyed her, "Don'cha got some place to be," now it was his turn to smirk, "Buncha' presents to open somewhere?"

Her response was to glare at him flatly… then slip her legs up around his and pull him closer, "I believe I have a fine present right here…"

There may or may not have been some manner of squeak as Kanji got… well not necessarily 'uncomfortably' close, but well suddenly close to Naoto much more intimately.

She chuckled and loosened up a bit, giving him room to leave if he wanted. Certainly, she'd already asked too much of him but it'd become amusing to watch his reactions up close. She looked away, making to get up, "I-I'm sure you have some arrangements to make, you mother perhaps returning soon…"

"Nuh-uh," Kanji, deciding to take a page from Naoto's book and mess with her back, just dropped himself, nuzzling in the valley of her breasts and finding her squeak utterly adorable. Though her concerns for his plans raised his own and he moved his head enough to glance her way, "Ya got sumtin' with that butler dude at yer place?"

Naoto conceded to now being veritably stuck under the large punk, it wasn't necessarily a bother just… inconvenient in a way. She scratched her head, pushing her sweaty hair out of the way, "No, I'd informed Yakushiji-san I'd be spending the week re-familiarizing myself with other cases…"

There was a snicker from the bleach blonde punk as he raised one hand to squeeze one of those glorious mounds in his face, "Sounds like a bullshit cover ta me…"

Raising one arm to cover her eyes to blot out the damn sun, Naoto had to take a moment to adjust to the fondling, biting her lower lip and trying to sort out a proper response, "Perhaps… a little…" she could feel Kanji smiling against her skin, as well as his thumb moving to certain areas that were not contusive to her thought processes!

Then suddenly his hand was gone and Kanji was pushing himself up, "Well, we still got that thing with the rest of the team later," he leaned on one hand and scratched his head with the other, Naoto took it as a taunt, showing off his well-fit physique, "Suppose we oughta get up an' ready fer-"

Naoto was suddenly sitting up, holding his chin and staring at him rather flatly, "In a few hours."

"Er?" Kanji just blinked.

That determined look from last night returned to the detective's face, "I feel there are still a few things to try out before officially starting this day, don't you agree?"

When a Shirogane woman suggests anything it was best to just nod along and do it. This was a reality Kanji was starting to agree with… even if it still felt like some kind of strange dream.

Kanji managed to hash out a quick breakfast for them, even if it was closer to lunch. Tea, toast, it was adorable to watch as Naoto leaned against his counter watching him cook and gripe about the fact he didn't have any coffee.

The punk waved the spatula at the woman, "That's proly why yer so short ya know…"

She glared at him while nibbling her own piece. They both knew perfectly well there were certain… advantages to her height and the difference between them… well now.

Naoto turned to face ahead of her, wondering where the Fox and her kits had run off to. They weren't ceremoniously sitting at Kanji's feet begging for food. The detective was convinced that the random appearances of objects was somehow the Fox's doing, "I wonder where the Fox ran off too…"

"Tch," Kanji moved his piece on to a plate, "Proly ran off to steal more things," his face was red as he remembered how certain things just appeared last night just when there were about to stop.

If he didn't know any better Naoto was smirking at him, "It is curious how she managed to slip a box of condoms into your room…" she was starting to like watching Kanji turn completely red.

The boy sputtered, quickly trying to hide it by blowing on his toast, grumbling, "Better question is why the hell she had it!"

Naoto may or may not have simply snickered into her tea. It had been fortuitous the box had miraculously shown up on the desk right when they needed it. She wasn't one to particularly believe in supernatural things, but when you jumped in and out of a TV to fight proverbial shadows every other day… well, and they certainly weren't there before, like the bra. –Perhaps there are some truths to those old legends about Kitsune…- if there ever was a spirit fox in their midst, the Fox that healed them for exorbitant amounts of money certainly was it.

Naoto glanced back when Kanji went to put his dish in the sink, "Finished?"

With a deep sigh Kanji just groan, "Yea, yea," he rubbed the back of his neck turning to face her, "How the hell are ya so damn energetic this morning, I can barely walk!"

A hand went up as Naoto tried miserably to hide her growing smirk, she'd definitely have to do something about that, glancing at the boy at her side with sly eyes, "Advantages of being a woman?"

He just glared at her and she chuckled.

"Well, I suppose we should be going…" Naoto set her tea cup down, turning towards the door.

"Hey, wait," Kanji grabbed her arm, waiting for her to turn towards him as he blushed and scratched the back of his head, "W-what uh… what is… this?"

Blue-grey eyes blinked, "What is what, Kanji?"

He let go of her arm and waved his hands about, "This," tossing one hand between him and her, "You an' me, last night…" his blush intensified as his eyes trailed the floor and one hand went behind his head, "I-I mean, I li-liked it… sure, yer… yer awesome… just..." his eyes skittered up to her, "Are we… ya know?"

A cobalt brow went up, "Are we, what?"

Nervously Kanji rubbed the back of his neck and looked to the side, "Ya... ya haf'ta know by now how much I-that I," his eyes trailed to hers and he finally noticed she was just patiently waiting for him to get out whatever he was trying to say. He clinched his other hand into a fist and nodded firmly, "I like ya, a lot!"

Naoto glanced to the side a bit, feeling her own cheeks pinken and wishing her hat wasn't sitting on the table, "I-I think that is quite apparent," she raised one hand to hide her grow smirk, not that it did, as she glanced at the tall awkward man next to her, "I find I am rather… fond of you as well, Kanji…"

His shoulders slunk, thinking she'd missed the point, "Not that," he waved his hand, putting it knuckle down on the counter and leaning closer to her, "I meant like-like, ya know, before all'a this 'present' stuff…" his blush continued as he glanced away embarrassed. At least now he could get it out! Just took sleeping with her… apparently?

Naoto gave that quiet chuckle of hers as she turned to him, that sly look on her face as she reached out and turned his face closer to hers with one finger, "That's what I meant, Kanji, when I said fond of you." The boy pinked a bit more and she was really tempted to give him another kiss, but certain other things came to light now that everything from last night was over. She looked away, "Though, I'm sorry, it might be best to not pursue anything seeing as I travel so often," she bit her lip, crossing her arms under her chest.

A hand came down on her shoulder gently, "C'mon man, that ain't enough ta say 'no' and you know it?" when she looked at him Kanji had to force down the blush on his face, he needed to be the man here and set things straight! Even if he was probably giving a stupid pout, "Yer here enough ta try right?"

Naoto rubbed her chin looking away, a small smirk forming on her lips, "I'll admit, it has been rather… interesting to stick around this long, perhaps even making it feel… homey." She glanced at him and bit her lower lip a bit, "And I would not be averse to… repeating our 'gift exchange' any time soon," that smirk creeped up on her face, damn she really needed to do something about that, "I'm sure there's a lot more to learn and explore…"

It was Kanji's turn to put his finger under her chin and turn her to look at him, "S'long as nothing else's goin' on, and you tell me anything buggin' ya, yea?" he decided that smirk needed to go, for just a bit, it made her look far too smug. So he kissed her, sure as she wanted to earlier.

As they parted Naoto couldn't help the smirk or the blush on her face, "We don't have to inform the others immediately, right?" she was fairly certain a number of them gained quite a bit of amusement trying to push them together, so to suddenly take that away… well she was all for a challenge to see how long they could go without being noticed!

Kanji glare-pouted at her, "S'why I was askin' last night 'bout the hickies," he noticed her fiddle with the little bow holding her collar together and looking away. she'd been right, those high collared shirts she normally wore certainly covered everything up neatly. Then he grimaced, rubbing his eyes, "An' could you imagine Rise if she heard any'a that?"

Naoto visibly stiffened, "I'd completely forgotten she lives across the street from you," quickly she went into detective mode, wondering at possibly scenarios she'd have to conjure up to get the pop idol off their trail, "It'd be best she not learn of this…"

"Don't gotta tell me twice," Kanji stood up rubbing his head, "Chances are she'd throw a party or sumtin' shouting it from the rooftops," he walked over to grab his jacket, "Proly hound you or me fer all the details," he shuttered.

"Indeed," Naoto's voice was lower again, darker probably as her eyes narrowed and she tried to figure out ways to prevent her archenemy from learning this precious information. –No one will be getting details about Kanji from me…-

"Yer plannin' sumtin' again," Kanji pointed at her, glaring flatly as he pulled out her coat, "Stappit."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Kanji," gracefully, as she'd not just been plotting, she grabbed her coat and headed to the front while buttoning it up.

"Sure ya don't," he turned smoothly, putting his hand over her shoulder without even thinking and not letting go till they had to put their shoes on.

Naoto smirked though, putting back on her pumps, "We'll have to stop that…"

Kanji just grunted while putting on his boots, "Ya well, you gotta stop smirkin' so damn much," he pulled out her hat from his coat pocket, "Also ya might want this ta help hide it," he put it on her head unceremoniously and tugged it down a bit.

She glared at him, not pouting of course, as she stood up and readjusted her hat, "Thank you, Kanji-kun."

The punk leaned over behind her, close enough she could feel his breath on the back of her neck, "Thought you'd started callin' me just Kanji, ya?"

She blushed a little, though able to suppress it much easier as she mildly glared at him over her shoulder, "I thought we didn't want to give anything away, Kanji-kun…"

That look was deadly. If Kanji made it through this day without slipping up that'd be a miracle.

He put a hand to cover his face, trying to will the blush down along with the nose bleed, "Merry Christmas Naoto…"

She just kept that deadly smirk on her face, now down to a minimum, as she slid the shop door open first and trotted out, "Merry Christmas to you too, Kanji-kun~" there was not a skip in her step, she swore there wasn't, if there was she'd have to fix that.

Kanji just groaned, stepping out of the shop, closing and locking the door behind him. When he turned around something distinctly pink bounced at him causing him to yell, "ACK! WHAT THE HELL!"

Rise, in her fluffy-everything-pink, leaned up on her tiptoes to glare at the blushing punk, "I just saw Naoto-kun come out of your shop, it almost looked like she was skipping!" Rise's eyes narrowed even further, "What'd you do, Kanji-kun~"

"Gah!" the poor punk was plastered to the front of his shop, "N-nuthin' man! NUTHIN'!"

Rise stood back on her heels, narrowly eyeing her friend and rubbing her chin suspiciously, "Uh-huh? Then why're you blushing so much~" her eyebrows lowered almost sleazily, suggesting everything.

Kanji just went redder as he frantically looked around trying to find where Naoto went.

"There was a mishap with one of the festive decorations in his shop," why was Naoto leaning against the shop and seeming to be examining her revolver? Effortlessly the young detective flicked it in her wrist, closing the chamber and sliding it back into her hidden holster, glancing at Rise placidly, "I believe it was a branch of mistletoe falling off…"

"O-oh, u-uh, mistletoe you say?" Rise nervously laughed, something seeming definitely off about Naoto right now. –She doesn't normally just inspect her gun for no reason!- but then the implication of 'mistletoe' and Kanji's increasingly red face came into the forefront of her mind, "Waaaaaaaaaiiiitttt!" she leaned in slyly to the taller boy, "You two kissed under the mistletoe didn't you!"

"Buh?!" Kanji just stared slack jawed from Rise to Naoto, begging one of them to answer.

"Tradition dictates such, correct?" Naoto just nonchalantly spoke and started walking off.

The punk was twitching as he glared at her from behind. –What the hell happened to not telling her!-

Rise, of course, at this point completely ignored Kanji and zoomed right over to Naoto, grabbing her around the arm and squeezing uncomfortably tight, "Oh really!" she titered, "You have to tell me everything! Now! Naoto-kun~"

The cobalt haired girl just rolled her eyes under her hat, "What's to say, Rise-san? It's merely a silly tradition…"

The Idol puffed out her cheeks, "Trust you to take all the fun out even kissing under the mistletoe…"

"Indeed," the look Naoto slyly passed to Kanji over her shoulder wouldn't say anything to anyone else.

To him, it made him weak in the knees and about bowled him over with how goddamn smug it was. He should really stop questioning why she does things, "Tch," he kicked a rock and followed the girls, while grumbling under his breath, "Get bent…"

"Aww," Rise continued to whine, shaking Naoto's arm, "You gotta at least tell me how good of a kisser he was!"

Naoto just faced ahead, keeping her face as neutral as possible, "Most satisfactory…"

Neither cared to tend to the boy as he tripped and fell behind them.

The Fox sat atop Tatsumi Textiles watching the kits go by. She grinned, pleased. By all rights her debt was paid, though perhaps now they'd continued to fight a bit harder in the shadow world, meaning more money for her in the long run.

With a final, "*Yip*" she got up and trotted off the snowy roof. Her kits needed to take some lessons from this. Humans could be strange and amusing creatures if prodded properly.

A/N: do not doubt the power of hiding in plain sight! she learned from teh best! :D

love to anyone that reads this, those faving, following, and particularily Wishstone for beta'ing it last minute XD and thanks to OVER9000 for pointing out the over-fluffing of tropes, sorry 'bout that, that's the older stuff, i swear i've gotten better since then~ XD

Merry Chirstmas, y'all!

-Ikasury