Another day, another update. Christmas is practically here! Yay! I'm looking forward to Skyrim, a new guitar, money, etc. So, without further ado, here is my Christmas gift to you. R&R!

Everyone was merry with Christmas mirth, and Ishiin was even more hyper than usual, if that was possible. And the best part, Ichigo and his father hadn't gotten into a fight all week.

Ichigo was in the middle of placing presents, recently wrapped by Yuzu, under the tree when Ishiin came bursting into the room. He was singing "Jingle Bells" way off key, so Ichigo just acted as though he was still the only person in the room.

"Ichigo, my son, I have terrific news!" Ishiin announced.

"You're buying me a car for Christmas," Ichigo sarcastically replied.

"Not even in your dreams, son. The news is that we, the Kurosaki family, are hosting a Christmas party in two days!" Ishiin yelled, holding up two fingers in Ichigo's face.

"Oh, magnificent," Ichigo deadpanned. "Who's invited?"

"All the people we know, from both worlds. Everyone from your friend Chad to Captain Kuchiki!"

"What! Nii-sama is coming? Here? In two days?" Rukia yelled, from the hallway she had just overheard from.

"Oh, Rukia, my third daughter! Are you excited?"

"Are you kidding? We need to prep this place for Nii-sama's arrival. Dust the furniture, throw out the trash, and put on your best suits or kimonos or whatever!" Ishiin placed his hands on Rukia's shoulder and smiled gently.

"Rukia, calm down. Everything will be taken care of. Yuzu subconsciously cleans before parties anyway. Although, you and my blockhead son have a special job to do."

"Yes, Mr. Kurosaki?"

"You and Ichigo need to go out and buys things like candy, drinks, and Santa hats for the guests!"

"A-all right. I'll do what I can."

"Hey, old man, you're giving me money to help pay for this right?"

"What? I can't hear you, Ichigo, I'm already down the hall!" Ishiin yelled.

Ichigo's frown sunk deeper than usual. Rukia walked up beside him and smiled excitedly. Ichigo sighed. At least he'd get some time alone with Rukia. Ichigo walked upstairs, put on his white sweater, and brought Rukia one of Yuzu's coats. Picking up his wallet, they walked out the door.

When they arrived at the grocery store, Ichigo pulled out at basket from the row. He started his way into the store, and Rukia skipped along behind him. They filled the baskets coke, hats, and all sorts of holiday candies. Then Ichigo burned a whole in his wallet paying for it all.

The walk home was interesting enough. Rukia, already wearing her Santa hat, kept rummaging through the bags and asking Ichigo about their content.

"Hey, strawberry, what is this thing?" Rukia asked.

"Are you kidding, midget? Don't they even have candy canes in Soul Society?" Ichigo grunted as Rukia kicked his shin.

"As a matter of fact we don't."

"It's called a 'Candy Cane.' You eat it, like this."

Ichigo took the j-shaped candy from her hand, tore off the plastic, and stuck it in his mouth like it was a pipe. Then he smiled one of those all-too-rare, genuine smiles. Rukia giggled at the expression on his face. Then, she pulled out another candy cane and copied him.

When they arrived home, they set out the candy canes, put the drinks in the refrigerator, and put a box filled with hats by the door.

XXX

In two days, at six o'clock, the first guest walked in the door.

"I'm here, Kurosaki family!"

"Kisuke, my old friend, how have you been?" Ishiin greeted the only person even more eccentric than him.

"I'm ecstatic, Ishiin! Have your plans been working?"

"You mean putting up mistletoe and making Rukia put the star on the tree? They worked like a charm. Is that a new hat?" Kisuke was indeed wearing a different hat. It was exactly like his usual fedora except all the white stripes were red.

"Ah yes! It's my Christmas hat!"

This got Ichigo and Rukia to the door to help greet guests. All the human world people arrived next. First Chad, Uryu, Keigo, Tatsuki, Inoue, and Mizuiro. Once they were all there, their Soul Reaper friends started arriving. Renji and Byakuya got there first.

"Nii-sama! I'm so happy you made it here!" Rukia smiled. Byakuya nodded in return.

"I am glad I was invited to spend Christmas here, Rukia."

"Here's a hat, Nii-sama!" With some obvious inner strain, Byakuya put on the hat.

"Renji, I'd offer you a hat, but I see you're already wearing one," Ichigo smirked.

"Excuse me?" Renji growled.

"Oh wait, that's hair!" Ichigo laughed. Rukia laughed as well. Renji just rolled his eyes and took a hat anyway.

Everybody came: Toshiro, Yamamoto, Ukitake, Kyoraku, Unohana, Matsumoto, Hinamori, Kurotsuchi, Komomura, Nemu, Nanoe, Isane, Hisagi, Kenpachi, Yachiru, Yoruichi, Soi Fon, even Hanataro. Everybody was enjoying themselves. Rukia was taking great pleasure in showing Byakuya all the human customs of the holiday. She showed him the tree, the star, and candy canes. Byakuya actually showed a faint smile when Rukia placed a candy cane in his mouth. Ichigo was laughing with Tatsuki when he saw Rukia explaining mistletoe to her brother. Ichigo froze. Byakuya had a completely blank face, which slowly turned to him.

"Kurosaki, I need to have a word with you," Byakuya said from across the room.

"Later, Nii-sama, it's Christmas," Rukia tugged at his arm, giving him a pleading look.

"Fine."

Toshiro came over to Ichigo, and asked what all the fuss was about. Ichigo explained the custom to him as well. Toshiro gave him a look of surprise. Then he himself walked under the mistletoe, called over Hinamori, whispered something in her ear, and carried out what Ichigo had just explained. Ichigo, as well as all the other guests, began to applaud the tenth division captain.

The party continued, and Ichigo was waiting for a chance to be with Rukia. Unfortunately, Byakuya was tailing her like a lovesick puppy. Ichigo was looking around, annoyed. Just then, two heroes stepped in to save the day. Ishiin and Kisuke hooked their arms into the sixth division captain's elbows and dragged him off to kami knows where.

Ichigo took his chance to get over to Rukia, who was sitting on the couch.

"Hey, midget, enjoying the party?" Ichigo smirked.

"Sure am, idiot."

"I'm not an idiot."

"Whatever."

"Fine. I guess I'll just return the Christmas present I got you. It's probably stupid anyway."

"Hey! That's not fair!"

"Yea, yea. Oh, and I just managed to secure the last candy cane."

"What! Can I have it, please?"

"No, it's mine!"

"Come on, strawberry!"

"I might be able to be persuaded into sharing it, though."

"Oh, it's like that, is it?"

"Yea, it's like that," Ichigo smirked.

"That I will not allow," Byakuya said, appearing behind him.

"Now Byakuya, what did we discuss?" Kisuke whispered, appearing behind Byakuya. Byakuya sighed and walked away. Ichigo stared at Rukia.

"What just happened?"

"I have no idea. Now bring over that candy cane."

Ichigo laughed, and sat down beside the girl who could pass for one of Santa's elves.

Meanwhile

"Byakuya, we agreed that you could go bankai on Ichigo as long as you didn't bother them during the party," Kisuke frowned.

"And you broke the deal, so you know what that means," Ishiin grinned.

"On my honor as a Kuchiki, I will not go back on my word," Byakuya sighed, defeated.

XXX

"Hey, everybody!" Yoruichi called. When everyone was watching her, she spoke again. "Guess, who's going to give me a kiss under the mistletoe!"