Disclaimer: I don't own Hana Yori Dango. I also don't own "A visit from St. Nick" by Clement Clark Moore.

AN (4/2/07): Belatedly wishing you all a wonderful 2007! Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed Christmas Cheer! --Maho-chan
Christmas Cheer
A Hana Yori Dango Fanfiction
By Maho-chan
Epilogue

The guest house on the Domyoji Mansion grounds was surprisingly secluded. Enclosed by tall, willowy trees, the main house was barely visible to Tsukushi from where she stood even though it was only a few hundred feet away.

Tsukushi pulled Tsukasa's heavy coat around her pajama-clad form as she stepped outside onto the veranda. The air was cold and still and Tsukasa's coat smelled faintly like him. Smiling, Tsukushi savored the warmth of borrowed garment and then looked upwards and admired the clear, starry sky above. Lost in calm contemplation, Tsukushi was startled when Tsukasa suddenly shouted "Makino, what the hell are you doing out there? You are going to catch cold!"

Tsukushi turned around and looked up at the second floor balcony. Tsukasa stood there glaring down at her, with wet, straight hair and a bare chest.

Tsukushi retorted "What do you mean, what the hell am I doing out here? How about you? Your hair is wet! And are you naked? It's almost freezing out here!

Glowering at her, Tsukasa said "I came out here to look for you because I couldn't find you after I got out of the shower. And no I'm not naked; I'm wearing my pajama bottoms. I'd like to wear something more but you are wearing my coat!" Tsukasa thought about this for a moment then smiled delightedly "You are wearing my coat…you missed me while I was in the shower, didn't you?" He asked excitedly.

Tsukushi's eyes widened and she sputtered defensively "I-I did not miss you while you were in the shower! Why would I miss you? How could I miss you? You were only behind that door. And you didn't even lock it when you took your shower!" Tsukasa began to grin.

Tsukushi became even more flustered "You stupid guy! I'm only wearing your coat because you didn't let me take my coat with me when you rushed me out to the car after the pageant!"

Tsukasa raised an eyebrow and said "Oh really?"

Tsukushi narrowed her eyes at Tsukasa. "Yes really!" She said indignantly. "I didn't wear your coat because I missed you! Stop looking at me like that!" Tsukushi shouted as Tsukasa continued to smile at her knowingly.

Looking bemused, Tsukasa pointed at her and commanded "Fine. Just come back into the house now!"

Tsukushi yelled in reply "I'm not coming in yet, I want to look at the stars a little longer. You go back inside and wait for me! I'll bring up the hot chocolate I was making and some of our Christmas cake in a minute."

"Makino, you better come in soon." Tsukasa ordered before he disappeared from view.

Tsukushi heard the balcony sliding door close. She shook her head and sighed exasperatedly, only to smile a moment later.

Try as she might, her happiness at being with Tsukasa on Christmas Eve couldn't be suppressed.

Upon their arrival at the Domyoji Mansion earlier, Tsukushi had been surprised when Tsukasa had announced that he had arranged for them stay in the guest house to make sure they would have some privacy. As they had walked hand in hand through the grounds of the Domyoji Mansion towards the guest house, still clad in their costumes, Tsukasa had proudly explained everything to Tsukushi.

Tsukushi couldn't believe Tsukasa had struck a business deal with the owner of the department store and arranged to have her boss relocated for having tried to ruin their Christmas Eve. Even though at first Tsukushi had been appalled that Tsukasa was using his money and influence so freely, she had also been secretly pleased that he had made it possible for them to be together and that she wouldn't have to deal with her annoying boss ever again.

But she would never ever admit that to Tsukasa, Tsukushi thought as she gazed at the glowing half moon. It was best not to encourage him.

As Tsukushi watched the sky, a star fell. Looking up at the balcony above her and thinking of Tsukasa who was waiting for her, Tsukushi decided to go back inside. But as Tsukushi turned to go, all of a sudden she heard a muffled grunt and the sound of bells jingling. Tsukushi glanced around curiously.

As she listened carefully for the source of the noise, her heart started to beat a bit faster. What was on the veranda with her? Could it be an animal that was making that sound? If so, what kind of animal was it?

Had the Domyoji family started keeping animals on these grounds? It didn't make much sense since Tsukasa hated animals in general, but what if during the time he had been in New York the household had started keeping guard dogs? Or what if it was something worse, like a tiger or a bear? Given the Domyoji family's wealth, anything was possible.

Standing very still, Tsukushi listened nervously for any other sounds, her body tensed in anticipation of being pounced upon.

Luckily, silence ensued. Feeling relieved and deciding that she was just imagining things Tsukushi was about to go back inside when she heard it again. Someone or something was breathing. Looking every which way for the source of the sound, Tsukushi screamed aloud when she was abruptly grabbed by the waist.

"AH! LET ME GO!" Tsukushi yelled as she kicked her captor and struggled to get away.

"MAKINO! Stop kicking me!" Tsukasa shouted. He held Tsukushi firmly around the waist and began hauling her through the open sliding door. "Ten minutes have passed and you are still standing out here in the cold."

"Domyoji stop pulling on me! I was about to come in when you scared me! And what are you doing outside again? You're barely wearing anything!" Tsukushi blurted out.

Tsukasa deposited Tsukushi on the carpet before he turned and pulled the door closed. He shivered and rubbed his bare arms. Bending down and gently brushing some of her hair out of her face, Tsukasa then kissed Tsukushi's forehead and replied "Idiot, you didn't come in when you said you would." He kissed the tip of her nose and mumbled "Your face is cold." Tsukushi blushed as Tsukasa leaned in to kiss her lips.

Tsukushi was about to close her eyes instinctively when she suddenly saw a flash of light behind Tsukasa. As he softly brushed his lips against hers, Tsukushi kept her eyes wide open and glanced around his head for a reappearance of the strange light. Was she going crazy?

"D-Domyoji." Tsukushi began tentatively, unsure of how to mention this strange turn of events to him. Tsukasa grabbed Tsukushi's hands and pressed them between his to warm them.

Afraid to look out the window but knowing that she should, Tsukushi peered around Tsukasa and froze when she heard a soft giggle. "D-Domyoji." Tsukushi repeated. "I hear something."

"Hah?" Tsukasa turned to look as well. Another flash appeared and they both heard sleigh bells. "What the hell was that?" Tsukasa asked as he stood, his fists tightly clenched. Tsukushi rose with him. She gripped his arm in terror. Something white moved beyond the window and then something red followed it. Tsukasa backed up slightly and hissed "Ghost?" Tsukushi clamped her fist over her mouth and tried not to scream. Just when she thought this Christmas was finally going to turn out okay, something really weird like this happened. They both stood absolutely still for a few moments before Tsukasa decided to act.

Grabbing the poker near the fireplace, Tsukasa held Tsukushi's hand tightly as he moved towards the sliding door and opened it. As Tsukasa held the poker high over his head, Tsukushi was about to blurt out that hitting a ghost wouldn't work when she found herself standing by the door alone, Tsukasa having already bounded out the open sliding door. Tsukushi hurriedly followed him outside.

Tsukasa tackled something white which shrieked and abruptly tumbled onto the pavement. Raising the poker high, Tsukasa shouted "Damn ghost! Leave us alone!" He was about to strike when someone exclaimed, "Tsukasa, stop! That's Akira!"

Tsukushi turned to the source of those words and found Sojiro, Yuki, Rui and Shizuka standing there. Tsukasa also glanced over only to duck as Okami-san came to Akira's rescue by throwing her purse at Tsukasa's head. Okami-san missed hitting Tsukasa and the purse hit a very surprised Kazuya in the chest.

"HEY!" Kazuya whined. He looked pointedly at Shigeru and Sakurako. "Why did we have to come here? I thought we were going to do the sleepover at my house. All my Disney movies are there not here." Sakurako shushed him. Shigeru spotted Tsukushi and barreled into her, hugging her happily.

"Tsukushi, our party went so well! I met this cute guy named Junpei! Tsukushi, he was so interesting! He was kind of odd, but still, we had so much fun!" Tsukushi had only a moment to ponder the strangeness of this when a rock whizzed past her head and hit the wall behind her.

Tsukasa and Okami-san were now facing off, Tsukasa looking livid. "Who the hell are you?" Tsukasa shouted, gesturing with the iron poker at Okami-san. Okami-san brandished another rock and indignantly declared "Don't you dare hurt my honey bunny!" Akira stood and brushed off his clothes and hair. He opened his mouth to persuade them to stop fighting when Rui said suddenly "Makino, I want the hat back."

Shizuka reached over and took Rui's hand in hers, saying to him imploringly "Rui, the hat belongs to Tsukushi."

"But I really like it. And it looks good on me." Rui said, looking at Tsukushi expectantly. Tsukushi was about to reply to Rui when she heard Sojiro murmur "Want to go to my house later for some tea?" As Yuki giggled happily, Tsukushi thought she might explode. She wanted to say something to each and every one of her friends but she didn't know where to begin. As Shigeru hugged her harder, Tsukushi glanced over at Tsukasa in bewilderment.

Tsukasa noticed Tsukushi's discomfort and took charge "Hey, you people!" He said crossly. "What are you doing here? This is MY house." Tsukasa scowled at them. "Go home now!" He ordered.

"Now Tsukasa, we've come all this way to make sure you guys are okay! Aren't you even going to thank us and wish us a Merry Christmas?" Sojiro said persuasively.

Akira chimed in "After Sachiyo and I finished making our Christmas cakes, we became worried about Makino since she said you weren't coming home even though you told me that you were. So we came to check on you guys and make sure you had made up."

"Also, I wanted to get the hat back." Rui interjected. Still holding Rui's hand, Shizuka said coaxingly "Rui, let's just buy another hat." Turning to Tsukasa, Shizuka said apologetically "Tsukasa, Akira called all of us, told us you were coming home and said that as good friends we all ought to stop by and make sure Tsukushi made it here safely."

Tsukasa frowned as Shigeru added "And since Tsukushi is my best friend, I also wanted to tell her all about the group date we went on tonight. Anyway, Christmas isn't just about romantic dates, it's about friendship too!"

"Indeed it is." Sojiro said calmly, wrapping his arms around Yuki's waist and leaning his chin on her shoulder. "Let's go inside everyone! It's time to eat some that Christmas cake I see in the kitchen!" He called out as he led Yuki into the house. Shigeru cheered loudly. Tsukasa and Tsukushi watched their friends in horror as they followed Sojiro into the house.

Tsukushi didn't know what to say. Tsukasa also stood there dumbfounded for a moment before abruptly crouching down and shivering.

"Those bastards!" Tsukasa mumbled angrily. His teeth began to chatter.

Tsukushi noticed and hastened towards him, quickly pulling his coat off and throwing it around his shoulders.

"C-cold." Tsukasa stammered. He shivered as Tsukushi pulled the coat around him. "I told you that you shouldn't have come out in just your pajama bottoms." Tsukushi admonished.

"Well you shouldn't have been out here in the first place! And now those idiots are here!" Tsukasa complained loudly.

Tsukasa shivered for a few more moments before standing up and pulling the coat on fully. Tsukushi stood as well. She hugged herself as she started to feel chilled. Tsukushi was about to go inside when Tsukasa grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him so that she was nestled against his body inside the coat. Surprised by his sudden embrace, Tsukushi blushed furiously. Swallowing nervously as Tsukasa began pulling the coat around her so that she was covered; Tsukushi said hesitantly "Shouldn't we go in now?"

"Not until I decide what to do with them." Tsukasa said grimly "Having them come here is not what I was planning. I wanted to spend some time alone with you." He leaned his chin on the top of her head. "I've missed you." He said quietly.

Tsukushi leaned her forehead against Tsukasa chest, closed her eyes and tentatively wrapped her arms around his waist. Feeling warmed and content, Tsukushi said softly "But maybe it's okay that they came?"

Tsukasa leaned away from Tsukushi in surprise "What!" he exclaimed as she met his gaze. Looking down at Tsukushi, Tsukasa said in astonishment "Are you serious? You are really okay with this? I thought you wanted to be alone together and eat our Christmas cake not spend time with our friends."

"I do want to be with you and eat our Christmas cake together. But now that they are here, it's going to be hard to get them to leave." Tsukushi replied quietly. She looked up at the clear, night sky and absently pressed one of her palms against Tsukasa's chest. "It's really okay. I'm happy we are together, with or without our friends being here." Tsukushi continued.

"Well, I'm not." Tsukasa said gruffly, affected by the sensation of Tsukushi's fingertips pressed against his bare chest.

"Makino." Tsukasa started, pulling her closer. Tsukushi scanned the stars above and said "Hmm?" as she wondered if she would see another star fall. Tsukasa looked at Tsukushi intently. He reached up and gently guided her chin with his fingertips so that she was looking at him instead of the sky. Tsukushi gazed up at Tsukasa curiously and was instantly mesmerized by the intent look in his eyes. Like a mouse under the stare of a hawk, Tsukushi began to get flustered. "Domyoji, we really should go in now. Everyone is waiting." She said. Tsukasa ignored her.

As Tsukasa leaned in to kiss her, Tsukushi sputtered "O-our hot chocolate is getting cold!" before his lips met hers. She pushed on his shoulder with one of her fists but to no avail. Tsukushi whimpered softly as Tsukasa firmly embraced her so that she was pressed up against him even further. His lips teased hers lightly then urgently and Tsukushi's eyes closed of their own volition. Pressing her palm against the smooth skin of Tsukasa's neck, Tsukushi rose on the tips of her toes to meet kiss after kiss. Lost in sensation, she abruptly froze when she heard someone yell "GO TSUKUSHI!"

Breaking away from a heated kiss, Tsukushi looked up at Tsukasa in horror and blushed at the realization that all their friends had been watching. Tsukasa met Tsukushi's startled gaze, his face also bright red and his lips set into an irritated frown. Tsukasa's expression was dark as the catcalls continued "Tsukasa, don't stop there! Tonight could be the night!"

"We have some tips for you if you are interested! We experts are here to help you!"

"Woo hoo! YAY!"

"No Tsukushi-chan, don't do it!"

"Shut up Kazuya, it's time that they did it!"

"I can't believe it's taken them this long."

"I know!"

"Shouldn't we leave them alone if they are going to do it?"

"Makino, where did you put the hat?"

Tsukushi was mortified. They had seen her and Tsukasa embracing and kissing! And as a result they were shouting embarrassing words of encouragement and discouragement at the same time. It was really none of their business whether or not she and Tsukasa were planning to do it tonight, Tsukushi thought angrily.

Why wouldn't they all just go home?

Tsukushi hid her face against Tsukasa's chest in embarrassment. Glowering over Tsukushi's bent head; Tsukasa muttered "Must not kill friends."

Tsukushi nodded and mumbled against his collar bone "Violence is bad, remember violence is bad."

The commentary continued.

"I think the hat is upstairs."

"Rui, maybe we should go home."

"Tsukushi, no!"

"Kazuya, stop crying!"

"This is the best cake I've ever eaten. It's so sweet and delicious."

"Do you think Junpei will want to go out with us tomorrow?"

"Let's call him! Maybe we can take him shopping with us."

"Honey Bunny."

"Cakey Wakey."

"Hey Tsukasa, Makino, why are you just standing there? Why aren't you kissing anymore?"

"Well you know how it is with virgins. Don't you remember your first time?"

"I remember. Good thing we are here to coach them. C'mon Tsukasa! You can do it! Have confidence!"

"Just undo the buttons on her shirt and things will be just fine!"

"That's it." Tsukasa growled furiously. Narrowing her eyes, Tsukushi nodded in agreement. They moved away from each other and then both stomped towards the house, intent on booting their friends out for the night.

As the revelry inside the guest house continued with Tsukasa's threats of violence, Tsukushi's angry shouts and Christmas cake flying everywhere as a food war commenced, everyone missed the brightly suited man who chuckled and watched them from afar with a pleased look on his face.

The real Santa Claus beheld them from atop his sleigh that was poised in flight. He smiled at the young lovers who were finally reunited and their friends who always supported them. Content that all was well with a certain weed who had figured prominently on his Christmas wish list that night, Santa reached into his bag and sprinkled upon the guest house and its inhabitants some extra special Christmas cheer.

And as the sleigh began to move, the reindeer's bells jingling as they rose further into the sky, Santa laughed merrily and said

"Merry Christmas to all…
And to all a good night."

--Maho-chan (4/2/07)

PS: The last two lines Santa speaks are quoted from "A visit from St. Nick" aka "Twas the night before Christmas" by Clement Clark Moore. :)