It was early in the morning on the 24th of December. Megumi and Tia were preparing for Christmas and started packing. Megumi looked at a massive pile of things Tia wanted to take with her. "Tia you don't need all of that!" We're only going to stay one night." Megumi said to Tia.

Tia looked at the massive amount of things she was packing and realized her mistake. Tia was used to going on trips across the world with Megumi, not one night stays. "Crud, you're right Megumi. Let me put some of this back."

Tia and Megumi were packing to stay the night at Kiyo's house. After Kiyo and Zatch left yesterday Megumi called Mrs. Takamine and asked if Tia and her could spend the night; Mrs. Takamine agreed and told Megumi that she could come over at any time.

Tia looked at her watch and it said six o'clock. Tia asked grumpily, "Why do we have to leave so early? They're probably not even awake yet."

Megumi felt a little childish because she wanted to maximize her time with Kiyo so she wanted to leave early in the morning. Megumi replied, "Because yesterday we only spent about two hours with the boys and I wanted to make up for that today." and added with a wink to Tia, "Besides, wouldn't you want to spend more time with your Zatch?"

Tia thought about it and replied, "Yea you're right. I want to spend as much time as I-" Tia cut herself off and realized something that Megumi said. "What do you mean by 'your Zatch'?" Tia asked offensively.

Megumi started to tease the little girl and replied, "Oh I don't know. Maybe because you have a huge crush on him!"

Tia froze and her face became a dark shade of red. Her heart started thumping with fear and lied, "N-No I don't!" It was a simple lie that almost anyone could see through.

Megumi smirked and replied, "Oh really? Then why are you so protective over him and why does he make you blush all the time. I see the way you look at him Tia and how happy you are when he holds you. Admit it, you really like Zatch."

Tia's blush intensified from all of the evidence. Tia didn't want to admit it and tried changing the subject. "Oh yea, well what about you? You make it so obvious that you have a crush on Kiyo!" Tia said, trying to turn things around.

Megumi flinched for a second but decided not to worry about it. Megumi felt like Tia had no evidence that she liked Kiyo and said, "I make it obvious do I?" Megumi replied with confidence.

Tia already thought of what to say and replied, "Yea, you do. Whenever you two make contact you blush. You knew that Suzy likes Kiyo so you bullied her out of jealousy. You've been wanting to spend every second with Kiyo and I saw you kiss his cheek yesterday!"

Now it was Megumi's turn to blush. Megumi never thought a little girl like Tia could pick up on hints like that. "You're right. I do blush when I at Kiyo's touch. I did bully that girl out of jealousy for Kiyo. I do want to spend as much time as I can with Kiyo. And I did kiss Kiyo's cheek. I do all of these things not because I have a crush on Kiyo... but because I love him." Megumi admitted her true feelings for the first time.

Tia looked at Megumi and was speechless. Tia didn't think Megumi would admit it and never knew that she actually loves Kiyo. "I... I really like Zatch." Tia admitted shyly.

Megumi walked up to Tia and crouched down to her level. "There's more, isn't there?" Megumi asked Tia, she could tell she was still holding something back.

Tia looked at Megumi and said, "I don't know if I love him or not. I'm scared to love Megumi." Tia was scared but went on, "I'm so young and I don't want to love just to lose him or be betrayed!"

Megumi wrapped her arms around the child and spoke, "Tia that's your brain talking right now. You're worried about being betrayed because you're thinking of Maruss, not Zatch. You're worried about losing him because you're assuming there's a better girl than you out there. And you're worried about being so young because other children your age don't have these feelings, but is being different so bad?"

Tia shook her head and Megumi put a hand on Tia's chest. "Now what does your heart say?" Megumi asked.

Tia grabbed the hand that was on her chest and replied, "My heart says... that I really love him." Tia started smiling and felt better about having these feelings for Zatch. "Thank you Megumi." Tia said.

After that they finished their packing and headed for Kiyo's house. The sun was just starting to rise when they got to their destination. They knocked on the door and was greeted by Mrs. Takamine who was about to start breakfast and Megumi and Tia decided to help. Once it was finished Mrs. Takamine went upstairs to wake Kiyo and Zatch while Tia and Megumi set up the table and started eating.

Zatch ran down the stairs and hurriedly went to the kitchen; he stopped dead in his tracked once he entered. "Nuu?" Zatch asked in confusion when he saw the two girls.

Kiyo came around the corner and entered the kitchen; he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Megumi waving to him while chewing on her pancakes. Once she swallowed Megumi said brightly, "Good morning Kiyo!"

Kiyo blinked twice and started rubbing his eyes. "Man I must be really sleepy. I need to wake up." Kiyo said, convinced that Megumi was just an illusion.

Megumi got up from the table and yanked on Kiyo's hand, leading him into the kitchen. This made Kiyo realize that the Megumi he saw wasn't an illusion. He asked in almost a yell, "Megumi?! What are you doing here so early?!"

Megumi lead Kiyo to his seat next to her and replied, "I told you I would come over as soon as I could, remember?" Megumi giggled as she walked towards the counter.

"But... but..." Kiyo was still extremely confused. He thought ten or eleven would be early. "Why did she came over as early as seven in the morning." Kiyo asked himself.

Megumi then put a plate in front of Kiyo and said, "Dig in Kiyo. I hope you like it."

Kiyo looked at the plate and the food looked delicious, it was made up of his favorite things to eat for breakfast. Kiyo looked at Megumi with amazement and asked, "Did you make this Megumi?"

Megumi sat back down and replied, "I helped make it but I knew what you liked to eat for breakfast so I took that into account when preparing your plate."

Kiyo was shocked that Megumi put together a plate of some of his favorite foods. "How did she know what I love to eat?" Kiyo asked himself.

Zatch stood next to the counter; he wasn't tall enough to reach the counter so he was waiting for Mrs. Takamine to bring him a plate. Tia looked over to Zatch and said, "Zatch, what are you doing? Your food is already on the table."

Zatch looked at his spot and noticed there was an untouched plate of food waiting for him; he walked over and sat down in his spot. He was about to dig in but Tia picked up some of his food with a fork and positioned it in front of his mouth; he took a bite and said enthusiastically, "Mmmmm! This food is so delicious!"

Tia became very happy because she helped make the food and put Zatch's plate together. Tia giggled and went back to eating her food.

After the meal they decided to watch Christmas movies in the living room. Zatch and Tia got bored and decided to play games with each other using their toy robots. While watching the movie Megumi hatched an idea and started scooting close and closer to Kiyo. Upon contact with Kiyo's side Megumi started getting really nervous and blushed. "Come on Megumi, you kissed him on the cheek yesterday. This is nothing." Megumi thought to herself, trying to give herself confidence. Finally she tilted her head towards Kiyo's shoulder, wrapped her arm around his, and locked fingers with him.

Kiyo blushed and turned towards Megumi. "Me-Megumi?" Kiyo asked nervously.

Megumi loosened her grip and said, "I'm sorry, I was just getting comfortable..." Megumi looked at Kiyo and asked, "Am I making you feel uncomfortable Kiyo?"

Kiyo got lost in Megumi's hazel eyes for a second and responded, "No... I'm comfortable, don't worry about me, I'm just fine." Kiyo was actually extremely nervous and started panicking but he loved Megumi's touch and didn't want to lose it.

Megumi noticed Kiyo's panicking and asked with concern, "Are you sure?"

Kiyo gave a big nod and started scratching his cheek, it was his way of relieving embarrassment.

Megumi smiled and regained her former grip on Kiyo's arm and once again rested her head on Kiyo's shoulder. Surprisingly Kiyo tilted his head so it was resting against Megumi's which made her smile grow and held Kiyo tighter.

They stayed like that for awhile only for two out of control children to ruin their moment. "Hey you guys, let's go to the park!" Zatch said happily. This caused Megumi and Kiyo to snap into reality and went back to sitting normally on the couch. Tia added, "Come on you two lovebirds. Let's go to the park!"

The two teenagers started blushing again and were trying to regain their composure. Kiyo was the first to reply, "A-Actually you guys I think we should stay here for today. It's colder out than usual and friends are coming over, we just don't know when."

Right when Kiyo finished his sentence there was a knock at the door. "Well speak of the devil." Kiyo thought to himself. Zatch ran over to the door and opened it revealing Folgore, Kanchome, Ponygon, and Mr. Sunbeam. "Hey there bambino!" Folgore said enthusiastically.

Kiyo was surprised to see Mr. Sunbeam; he expected Folgore and Kanchome but not Mr. Sunbeam but was still happy that he came over.

Everyone sat in front of TV and watched Christmas movies together, even Zatch and Tia sat on the couch and watched as well. Tia looked over at Megumi and Kiyo who were holding hands; they were talking to each other and seemed really happy. Tia looked at Zatch who was right beside her and felt a strong urge to hold him. Slowly Tia started inching towards Zatch, mimicking how Megumi did it earlier. Once she made contact and their shoulders touched Zatch looked at Tia and said, "Nuu?"

Tia was scared and didn't know what to do since Megumi didn't have to deal with Kiyo looking towards her until she was already fully resting against him. Tia quickly pointed and shouted, "Look!" which caused Zatch to look in the opposite direction of Tia. Tia quickly secured Zatch's hand with hers and put her head on Zatch's shoulder.

Zatch felt confused and said, "I don't see anything Tia." He looked back at Tia to see her resting against him and he asked, "Tia?"

Tia became extremely nervous and gripped Zatch's hand harder. Tia came up with an excuse, "Ummm... I... I just feel a little tired so is it okay if I just lay on you?"

Zatch fell for the lie and replied, "Unuu." Even though Tia had no intentions of sleeping she eventually dozed off into her dreams due to her waking up early in the morning and Zatch being so comfortable.

Zatch looked at the sleeping Tia and thought, "Tia looks really cute when she's sleeping." Zatch smiled but then it vanished as he asked himself, "Why am I feeling this way?" The more he looked at the Tia's innocent face as she slept the faster his heart beat became. Zatch recalled all of the memories he shared with Tia, especially the memories that happened lately like ice skating together and hanging up Christmas lights. Zatch longed for Tia's awakening; he wanted to see her ruby eyes and witness her spirited personality. As much as Zatch wanted to wake up Tia he decided to wait so she wouldn't be upset at him for waking her up prematurely.

Folgore looked at Zatch and noticed his intent stare into Tia's face. Folgore walked over and said to Zatch, "Well, well. Looks like somebody has a crush on Tia!" Folgore was smiling.

Zatch was confused and asked, "What's a crush? And who has one for Tia?"

Folgore realized Zatch was completely oblivious to his own feelings and replied, "Well you do bambino. Can't you tell?" Then Folgore looked at the sleeping Tia with a smile resting on her face and replied, "Momma mia! It looks like Tia has a crush on you too!"

Zatch was still confused about the whole thing and asked in a childish yell, "What's a crush?!"

"Well bambino, I think you should ask Tia that. She has the best answer for you." Folgore replied and started to head back towards his seat to continue watching the movie.

"Un-Unuu." Zatch replied, still confused.

So much time had passed since Folgore's and the others' arrival that it was time for dinner. "Everyone, dinner is ready!" Mrs. Takamine called from the kitchen.

Zatch immediately jumped up from the couch to eat his beloved yellow tail while the adults got up and started entering the kitchen. Zatch rose up so quickly that it gave Tia, who was sleeping on his shoulder, an uppercut to the jaw which woke her up.

"Owww! Tia said loudly from the pain. She started rubbing her chin and saw Zatch looking towards her who had a guilty expression on his face.

"I'm sorry Tia. I got up so fast that I accidentally hurt you. I'm sorry." Zatch said as he kept apologizing.

Tia was about to strangle Zatch but before she did Zatch's expression changed to a happy one and said, "But I'm really happy that you're awake now. I missed you!"

Tia anger disappeared and a small blush formed as she asked, "You missed me, Zatch?"

Zatch nodded and said, "Unuu! And I missed your eyes too. They're really pretty!"

Tia's blush intensified and lost the ability to speak so she thought to herself, "What happened to Zatch? Why is he..." Tia's thoughts stopped when she noticed Zatch was staring deeply into her eyes. Zatch's smile faded and was replaced by a look of amazement and said seriously, "You have really pretty eyes, Tia."

Tia felt emotions that she didn't know how to handle so the way she chose to handle them was to do what she did best and started strangling Zatch. "Wha... why..." Zatch was barely able to ask during the chocking.

Tia let go and realized Zatch didn't do anything to deserve the punishment. "I'm sorry! You just acted weird all of a sudden!" Tia said in almost a yell.

Zatch was rubbing the spot Tia strangled and replied sadly, "I'm... I'm sorry Tia. I won't look at your eyes like that anymore." He started heading towards the kitchen.

This would not do for Tia; she loved it when Zatch stared into her eyes and complimented them. She just became so nervous that she didn't know how to handle it and ended up punishing Zatch for making her extremely happy. Tia yelled, "Wait Zatch!" Zatch turned around and saw Tia grabbing both of his hands with hers. Tia still looked very nervous and was looking at the floor until she finally summoned the courage to look directly into Zatch's eyes and said, "Look at me Zatch."

Zatch looked into Tia's eyes again and got lost in them just like he did before. His hearted started beating faster and he felt extremely happy but didn't know why staring into Tia's eyes made him feel that way but he voiced his thoughts aloud, "I don't know why but you make me really happy Tia." Zatch said with a smile.

Tia flinched and she let go of his hands only to wrap her arms around Zatch. Tia said softly, "You make me really happy too Zatch. You make me so... so happy."

They enjoyed the moment until Kiyo yelled for them from the table, "Zatch, Tia. The food is getting cold." which caused the two children to separate so they could enjoy dinner. Everyone was satisfied with their meal and thanked Mrs. Takamine for preparing it all by herself. Once everybody finished it was time for everyone to head out. They said their goodbyes and promised to return tomorrow for Christmas. Kiyo turned to Megumi and said, "Well I'll see you tomorrow Megumi."

Megumi looked confused and then realized that she never told Kiyo she and Tia were spending the night. Megumi replied, "Oh yea I forgot to tell you Kiyo. Me and Tia are staying here for tonight."

Kiyo was shocked that the pop star would be spending the night at his house. Kiyo became a little nervous and replied, "Oh, umm. That's great Megumi. Have you decided where you wanted to sleep?"

Megumi had a plan and replied, "Yea, Tia and Zatch are going to sleep in the guest room while you and me sleep in your bedroom-" Before Megumi could finish Kiyo fell to the floor in complete shock which caused Megumi to laugh. "What?!" Kiyo yelled but Megumi went on, "I'll be sleeping with some comfortable sheets on the floor and you'll sleep on your bed."

Kiyo still laid on the floor in complete shock as Zatch smiled and looked at Tia. "Yay! We're having a sleepover!" Zatch happily announced.

Tia giggled and replied, "Yea but don't stay up too late because we're waking up real early to see what Santa brings us."

Zatch remembered about the presents and replied, "You're right! Let's go to bed right now!" Zatch couldn't wait to open presents, he was still a child after all. Tia smiled at Zatch's excitement and went with Zatch to the guest room so they could go to bed while Megumi and Kiyo went to his room. Once they entered and got everything ready, Kiyo scratched his cheek and said, "Megumi you can sleep on my bed if you want, I can sleep on the floor."

Megumi smiled and replied, "No you should sleep in your bed tonight, I'll be fine Kiyo."

Tia and Zatch got ready for bed too and once they laid down Zatch and Tia said their goodnights to each other and fell asleep.

Kiyo was sleeping peacefully until he heard an annoying buzzing sound. "Ugh... What's that noise?" Kiyo asked grumpily. The noise that woke him up was his own alarm clock. Kiyo went over to his alarm clock and turned it off; he also noticed a note sitting right in front of it and read it using the lamp on his desk. The note said, "Hey Kiyo. Can you come outside for just a bit? -Megumi"

Kiyo forgot that Megumi was sleeping in his bedroom with him and looked at her spot to see her missing so he decided to put on his jacket and head outside. When Kiyo opened his door his saw Megumi leaning against the wall in front of his house, she looked calm and normal.

"Hey Kiyo, I'm sorry for waking you up." Megumi said with a smile.

Kiyo chuckled and replied, "Don't worry about that. So why are we out here?" Kiyo was curious about Megumi intentions.

"I'll tell you but first let's go for a walk." Megumi replied.

The two walked away from Kiyo's house and after a few blocks Megumi noticed that there was no houses around and felt alone with Kiyo, Megumi stopped and said, "This is a good place." Kiyo looked at Megumi, wondering what was going on.

Megumi started looking down to think of how she should speak her feelings. Megumi looked back up at Kiyo and said calmly, "Kiyo, next to Tia you are the most important person in the world to me." Megumi's confession stunned Kiyo, out of all the people in the world he meant the most to Megumi? Kiyo realized that Megumi had some serious feelings that she wanted to tell him so he walked closer to her and nodded for her to continue.

Megumi continued to confess, "I've had special feelings for you ever since the day I met you. From the first moment I met you I could tell you were so smart, strong, and especially brave." Megumi paused and added with a small giggle, "And cute." Megumi started blushing and became serious as she continued, "I have trust issues but you were able to earn my complete trust the very first day we met. I never felt so happy to meet someone in my life and along the way I became attached to you. I never want to lose you Kiyo, and that's why..." Megumi found it difficult to go on.

Megumi tried continuing, "That's why..." Megumi's smile faded and she started to shake. Megumi started looking down, she promised herself that would be strong tonight but Kiyo was always her greatest weakness. Megumi started crying and pressed her hands against her eyes to cover them. Kiyo was upset from seeing Megumi in such a sad state and thought if he should do something to comfort her. Kiyo took a step towards her and wrapped his arms softly around Megumi who in return wrapped her arms tightly around Kiyo and pressed her watery eyes against his shoulder. Megumi's crying turned into sobbing and Kiyo ran his hand through her hair to try and comfort her.

Megumi was still sobbing but managed to say between sobs, "How... could... you... leave me... like that..."

Kiyo didn't know what Megumi was talking about and replied, "What do you mean Megumi? I'm right here."

Megumi lifted her face from Kiyo's shoulder and yelled into Kiyo's face, "You died!" Kiyo felt a sharp pain in his heart from seeing Megumi's misery written all over her face as she sobbed. Kiyo remembered a time where he forfeited his life in a battle to save the world; he did die but was brought back to life. Kiyo moved on from that incident stronger but didn't even consider how it made his comrades and friends feel.

Kiyo, in an effort to comfort her, said softly, "I'm alive Megumi, I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere."

Megumi started to vent and yelled, "What if I died and my lifeless body was right in front of you?! How would that make you feel?! Why don't you try listening for a heartbeat that doesn't exist and why don't you try with all of your might to save someone only to fail!" Megumi's anger disappeared and with a quiet voice Megumi said with anguish, "I'm sorry... It just hurts so much... I'm traumatized..."

Kiyo put his forehead against Megumi's in an effort to comfort her and said, "Shh... It's okay Megumi. Everything is alright now. I'm alive and I'm right here with you. It's okay to be angry at me and I'm sorry that I made you go through so much suffering. But I'm going to do everything that I can to help you get through this."

Megumi was able to calm down a bit thanks to Kiyo's comfort. Finally she closed her eyes in guilt and whispered, "After we defeated Faudo I thought about burning Zatch's book... If Zatch went back to the demon world then you wouldn't have to be an anymore dangerous battles. I never did though because I knew I would regret it because I would be letting everyone I know down, especially you and Tia. You wouldn't be able to trust me after that and... and... do you still trust me?" Megumi felt intense humiliation and the horrible suspense of Kiyo's answer.

Kiyo wasn't mad or disappointed with Megumi and replied, "Megumi of course I trust you." Megumi opened her eyes and gasped, she could have sworn she just ruined everything between herself and Kiyo. Kiyo continued, "Megumi you wanted to burn my book to protect me and you chose not to because you knew it was the wrong. You've saved me and Zatch in some pretty bad situations and even though Zatch's pounding brought me back to life your healing spell saved me too. I owe you my life Megumi so my trust won't go away that easily."

Megumi planted a kiss on Kiyo's cheek and after she pulled away she gazed into Kiyo's eyes and finally said, "I love you Kiyo."

Back in the house Tia awoke from a chilling feelings and said, "Brrr... it's cold." Tia looked around and noticed that Zatch was missing. "Zatch?" Tia said, wondering where the boy went. She looked over by the balcony and noticed that the door was open. "That's probably why it's so cold." Tia thought as she got up to close it but then she noticed somebody sitting out on the balcony.

"Zatch?" Tia asked as she made it to the doorway. Zatch looked back at the doorway and saw Tia and said, "Hey Tia. I'm sorry, I forgot to close the door."

Tia walked out on the balcony to be with him and said, "It's alright. Why are you out here Zatch? Aren't you cold?" Tia asked with concern.

Zatch smiled and replied, "Yea I do feel a little cold but I'm okay. I'm just thinking about things."

Tia wondered what Zatch was thinking about but wanted to use this situation as an excuse to be close to Zatch and replied, "Well if you're cold then let me warm you up." Tia sat down next to Zatch and wrapped her arms around him and shared her body heat with Zatch who returned the hug and replied happily, "Thank you Tia!"

As they were cuddling, Zatch remembered what Folgore had said to him earlier and asked, "Tia what's a crush? Folgore said you could give me the best answer."

Tia's whole body flinched as her mouth dropped. "Why did Folgore tell Zatch to ask me? Don't tell me he knows too!" Tia thought to herself. Tia blushed and felt embarrassed; she would be explaining what a crush is to a crush. Tia started, "Well... You see Zatch... A crush is a very special feeling that you get when you're very attached to someone."

Zatch wasn't satisfied and asked, "How would I know if I had a crush on someone?"

Tia let go of Zatch with her left hand and put it over her heart as she looked up at the starry winter sky and said, "You would want to be with that person all of the time and whenever they're gone you keep thinking about when you will see that person again. You would go out of your way just to make that person notice you. They would make your heart beat fast and make you experience the best kind of happiness. And finally, you would do anything to make that person yours." Tia continued to look at the sky and started day dreaming about her crush.

Zatch started putting things together and finally it felt like the final puzzle piece fit into place. He came out here to ponder about what a crush was and what kind of feelings he had for Tia who helped him figure it all out. Zatch immediately wanted to tell Tia his discovery. "Hey Tia!" Zatch said, trying to get her attention.

Tia looked down and became nervous for a second from exiting her fantasies. "W-What Zatch?" Tia asked, she noticed a bruise on Zatch's knee and said, "Zatch? When did you get that?"

Zatch looked down and saw the bruise, "Oh yea. I got that when I was trying to come out here. It was dark so I tripped and fell. Can you put some Tia medicine on it?"

Tia smiled at Zatch's clumsiness and replied, "Sure you big idiot. Hold still." Tia bent over and pressed her lips against the bruise; she blushed slightly while doing so. Tia felt happy that she was kissing Zatch again, even if it was on the knee; but then she realized that her mind was still in dreamland which caused her to not tell Zatch to close his eyes. She immediately finished the kiss and with a wild blush she rose up in complete embarrassment and looked at Zatch who had a look of confusion.

"You... You kissed me Tia..." Zatch managed to say; he was amazed that the "Tia Medicine" was actually a kiss from Tia.

Unknowing to both of the couples, midnight struck and it was now the 25th of December, Christmas Day.