AN: Christmas isn't celebrated in this universe but there is a tradition of exchanging gifts on the eve of the New Year. And spending the transition with those close to you ;) Set about four one shots in the future. Yeah, there are going to be a lot.

PREPARATIONS

Lord Kimihiro stared out the window of his bedroom. The room was dark but the waxing moon gave enough light to see the empty gravel drive. Even as he watched, a light dusting of snow began to fall. Kimihiro sighed and got up from the chair he had dragged over to the window. He started pulling off his robe as he walked towards his bed. It was late.

And it wasn't like he had expected that he was going to have any visitors anyway.

A ripple in the secondary wards stopped him in his tracks. Hands stilled on the sash of his robe as he closed his eyes and focused on the sensation. His eyes sprang back open as he realized that it was not the predatory incursion he expected but a familiar presence.

He turned and looked out the window again, not quite trusting the revelation. Thought it was faint there was clearly a set of small lights approaching. Lanterns.

A carriage was heading up the drive.

Kimihiro headed for the door of his bedroom, hastily retying his robe. His hand fell on the pocket and he hesitated as he felt the object within.

By the time he was descending the main staircase, Hikideshi had appeared and was crossing the foyer to open the door.

The door opened to reveal the prince standing on the portico, brushing snow from the shoulders of his winter jacket. The motion drew the eye to the light patterning of dark grey on black that intensified as it descended down the garment's length. The effect was interrupted, however by the large package the prince held in one arm.

"What are you doing here?" The question was out of Kimihiro's mouth before he could stop it.

Doumeki looked up and stepped inside with a shrug. "I have nowhere better to be."

Kimihiro was trying to parse that in terms of insult and compliment when the prince stepped forward and thrust the package into his hands. "Here."

The lord blinked, his hands automatically closing around the bundle. He held it gingerly as his fingers sank into the cloth wrapping.

Doumeki took off his gloves and started tucking them in his pockets. "What I wanted to give you wasn't ready so this will have to do." He paused his preparations to take of his coat when he noticed the lord had was still staring dazedly at the package. "Oi! Are you awake?"

Kimihiro blinked. He was still caught somewhere by the fact that the prince had actually come that he hadn't even begun to process the fact that he held a present from Doumeki of all people. "Yes?" And with that stupid comment, he began to unwrap the bundle in his hands.

The wrapping turned out to be a scarf. The fabric was sinfully soft under his fingers and he automatically identified it as fine vicuna (1) from the far south. He was so lost in the feel of it that it took him a moment to look at what it had wrapped.

It was a coat. In a heavier fabric than the scarf, intended to withstand cold winds and meet the demands of any future adventures. And as he held it up, he saw that it had a subtle working of dark grey smoke patterns with small dark blue dragons at the hem and cuffs.

"It's to replace the coat you lost." Doumeki's gaze was intent on the pale lord as he stared speechlessly at the garment in his hands. "And I noticed that you could need a scarf."

Kimihiro found he had to clear his throat. "Thank you. They're beautiful."

Doumeki shrugged and suddenly started taking his coat off again. He shrugged it off his shoulders and handed it to Hikideshi who had been waiting nearby.

Kimihiro's hand reached into his pocket and before he could change his mind he held the small box out to the prince.

Doumeki stared at him for a moment but Kimihiro, embarrassed, averted his gaze slightly. But he stubbornly kept his hand outstretched.

The prince picked up the box and simply held it in the palm of his hand for a moment before lifting off the lid. A pair of cufflinks, silver set with amber, lay on a bed of black velvet.

"You mentioned that you'd lost your favourite pair." Kimihiro started, slightly nervous at the continuing silence. "I know they're not a replacement but-"

The box was clutched in a firm grip. "Thanks." The prince replaced the lid on the box and tucked it into the pocket of his trousers.

There was an awkward silence for a few moments.

"My lord." Hikideshi had been watching the proceedings with his usual solemn expression. "Dinner is still being kept warm."

Kimihiro rounded on the butler, suddenly realizing how it sounded.

He met Kimihiro's horrified glare with an impassive face. "His Highness' place has also been set as you instructed."

The prince shot a sharp glance at Watanuki and then the butler. Slowly a smug smirk crawled across his lips.

Kimihiro debated briefly on his chances of denying the whole thing but quickly came to the conclusion that the prince would ignore all his protests. He was probably already thinking that he was always a welcome guest.

Kimihiro looked down at the scarf and coat he still held in his arms.

He was prepared to let it slide just this once.

xXx

Really, these two are hopeless

1) Vicunas have some of the finest animal hair produced by any animal (rolls eyes) And only I would throw in such details in a Christmas one shot.

And if you must know, Doumeki's first choice of present was a new robe. No doubt he'll find an opportunity to present it at some later date. The prince is a determined man - even though I do fear for his sense of self-preservation sometimes.

And you can just tell that Doumeki has a new favourite pair of cufflinks. Hmm. I can use that...