Disclaimer:I don't own anything from KKM or the Snow Queen. Yeah, you know the drill.

Alright. I finally figured out what gifts to give everyone. So this chapter is mostly a warm and fuzzy gift giving chapter before the inevitable kidnapping of our beloved Yuri. And the chase that will follow to rescue him. And also, sadly, the Snow Queens gift that helped Yuri salvage his feelings has finally worn off. In the coming chapter we will see Yuri in one of his worse states yet, apathetic, cold, and distant. But I'm avoiding any meanness, I don't want to ruin his image. I love Yuri, he's a sweet heart. Anyway, his cold attitude scares them. It also doesn't help Wolfram's plan to trick Yuri over to the door to kiss under the mistletoe. Things are beginning to get interesting. The changes in Yuri will not only be emotional, but physical. You'll see what I mean in the chapters to come.

Note:By the way. Thanks for all the suggestions if you gave any about both the gifts and the setting for Descendant of Pandora. As far as the presents go, I actually woke up because I was thirsty in the middle of the night and the idea's hit me, so I quickly wrote them down. I hope they satisfy you guys. They were hard to come up with. I'm excited! The plot is about to thicken! So please enjoy the last chapter of Yuri without a heart of stone...

Chapter 9

It was now Christmas Eve and they all sat near the tree, listening to each others stories about the year they've shared. Except for Wolfram, who was sitting close to Yuri plotting his next move. Now that Christmas Eve was here, Wolfram was planning on putting his plan into action. He was going to get Yuri under the mistletoe so that they would have to kiss for real. Instead of last time...when he'd been possessed by the Great One.

Gretta was sitting comfortably in Yuri's lap, with his arms draped around her tiny shoulders in a tender embrace. This had been the best thing that had happened all year to her. She had always wondered what Yuri's home was like. "I never thought I'd actually get to come here someday. I got to meet Yuri's parents and see his house, I'm so happy!" Gretta looked up at Yuri with a wide grin.

Yuri smiled weakly back, "That's great to hear Gretta." then he stifled a yawn.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Gunter asked with concern, his usual panic rising.

"Huh? Oh, well, yeah...mostly. I took a nap this afternoon but, you know, I had a few things to finish up," Yuri smiled and let go of Gretta. Then he stood up, "I've been working really hard on thinking of gifts for you guys. I had to finish them before tomorrow. Most of them are things I requested from back in the Great Demon Kingdom to be made, " he knelt under the tree and grabbed a few boxes. But before Yuri did anything else he asked his parents, "Can we go ahead and do the gifts now?"

"Of course, " his father grinned, "Go ahead." Glad to see his son feeling better.

So Yuri proceeded to hand each of his friends and his parents a box before his mother said, "Oh, hold on don't open those yet!" she then suddenly dashed up the stairs and grabbed her camera. Smiling cheerfully she nodded to them, "Alright, go ahead and open them. I'll be sure to make copies for Bob."

"Who should go first?" Wolfram asked, unable to contain his excitement for a present from Yuri.

"Let's let Gretta go first, she's the youngest and has never been to Earth before." Conrad smiled thoughtfully.

"Really?" Gretta smiled eagerly and began tearing the colorful paper off. Her eyes widened with joy as she uncovered the gift. It was a sketch book of her very own along with another book and crayons. She hugged Yuri tightly, "Thank you so much! This is just what I wanted."

Yuri hugged her back, "Well, it seems you are becoming the little artist just like Wolfram so, I thought you'd enjoy that. I added a journal too. For you to write your short stories in. I noticed that you had been taking notes about Lady Anissina's work. I'm not exactly a crafty sort of person so I couldn't do anything strictly homemade like I had planned..."

Gretta shook her head, "No, that's ok. It's enough that you put your all into picking it out. I love it!" she pecked her father on the cheek and began thinking of things to draw. Absentmindedly flicking through the pages.

Meanwhile, they decided that it was Shori's turn next. At first Shori felt discouraged because the package was so small. Slowly he opened the box and found two tickets inside for the theme park. Shori blushed, thinking that Yuri had managed to set him up with a real date he said "Yuri, you know I don't have..."

"There's more, look under it." Yuri nodded with a slight smirk.

With a raised eyebrow Shori did as he was told. Under the two tickets was a folded note. Shori took it out and unfolded it. Tears filled his eyes as he read the note out loud, "A Big Brother for a day card. Limited time only..." he laughed and read the last half, "I asked Bob to give you a day off. And I don't have practice or anything so I set the time aside to go to the theme park with you. A friend gave them to me. I'll even call you Big Brother all day if you use this card. Just remember, it's only usable once." Shori laughed and shook his head at his little brother, "Honestly..." but he smiled at how thoughtful the gift was.

Next up was Gunter, who was proclaiming his excitement before even opening the present. His nosebleed threatened to start and so he was handed a tissue box. You know, just in case. "Oh, a gift so carefully picked out by his Highness! I don't think I am worthy of such a-"

"Just open it!" Wolfram snapped impatiently.

Gunter, with trembling hands unfolded the wrapping as if it were a delicate procedure. It was a good ten minutes before he finally reached the actual box. As he opened it the tears began as he lifted a book out of the box. Gunter turned it on it's side to read the title and read, "Chronicles of the Maoh...?" he inquired. "What's a *Maoh*?"

Yuri chuckled, "In Japanese it means *Demon King* This actually took about a few months to do. It was supposed to be a birthday gift but wasn't finished until recently. Without giving away to much it's about my adventures since becoming the Demon King. From the day I was flushed down the toilet to facing and saving Janis. It's all there, at least, from my point of view. Oh, even though I'm no good at handmade stuff I made a bookmark too."

Sure enough, there was a bookmark in the first page. Written in Yuri's handwriting, now that he could actually use it properly now, it said, "Knowledge is a treasure, but the experiences that lead to learning are the greatest. We never stop learning. We never stop growing. The only thing we can stop, is a captured moment in time. Immortalized in the pages of a book. But even books, can grow and go on teaching forever."

Yuri blushed, "It's a quote I heard from one of the nobles in a meeting once. You were busy elsewhere but I thought about you when he said it and asked if he could write it down. Then I copied it onto the bookmark."

After he said that, Gunter went on for a good half an hour about his gratitude and unworthiness of such a gift. When Gwendel finally managed to silence Gunter, he opened his next. It too was in a small package like Shori's. The box was long and thin with a small bow on top. Gunter opened it to find a pair of knitting needles. The sight of them made Gwendel blush from embarrassment. But he took them out and read the engravings on each of the needles, "To a steadfast friend who ties us together. From Yuri Shibuya, the 27th Demon King."

Yuri apologized, "I couldn't think of anything else you liked so...it was the best I could come up with. You always say it's for meditation but, I think you really do enjoy what you make." Yuri smiled hopefully.

Gwendel smiled his rare smile, "Thank you Your Highness. It was very thoughtful."

Next up was Murata. Although his present from Yuri was a more...Earth bound gift. It was a game that Murata had been wanting for awhile now, not a video game, but a board game. It was one of those RPG games where you made up a character and rolled dice to get your states. Why Murata was into that when he had actually done half the things in real life was beyond Yuri.

Murata was impressed, "I've been looking for this game for ages. They stopped making this version like, three years ago, how'd you ever find it?"

With a nervous laugh Yuri admitted, "I asked Rodriguez to help since he's our resident anime fan. Turns out he found a copy at a convention and bought it pretty cheep for me. You like it?"

"Yeah. I can't wait to try it out." Murata smiled.

"All right, who's next?" Miko smiled.

"How about you guys?" Yuri suggested, taking the camera from his mother, "I think you'll get a kick out of it," Yuri winked at his friends. They all knew what it was.

Shoma and Miko eyed each other and opened the box together. But all that was inside of it was a letter, with the crest of the Great Demon Kingdom on it. "Yu-chan, I don't get it...what is it?" his father asked.

After snapping a picture of their dumb-struck faces Yuri rolled his eyes, "It's an official invite to the Great Demon Kingdom. After you guys get some vacation time I'll bring you there and give you a grand tour of the castle."

The two of them exchanged glances and grinned widely, "That's great! I always wondered what the other world was like." Shoma grinned.

"I get to see my son's Castle! Oh, I'm so excited! What should I wear? Is it hot there?"

Miko listed a ton of things before Yuri finally stopped her, "Mom, it's not like we're taking you right now! Calm down."

Miko blushed and took back the camera, "You're right. Well, in any case. Who's left now?"

"Hmm, I believe it's Wolfram, Conrad and Yuri who are left." Shori pointed out.

So they let Wolfram go next. It was funny for them to see how excited Wolfram was at a gift from Yuri. It made the blonde look like a little kid. He tore the papers away and lifted the lid of the box. Inside was a brand new easel along with, paint tubes, new brushes and even a new blue hat with the words *Artistic Passion* embroidered on the side.

"Thanks Yuri..." the blonde blushed, stroking the silk hat with his fingers. Then he grinned, "When we get back I'll do a portrait of you! It's about time we did one anyway. You'll love it!" Wolfram refused to be outmatched by that living painting outside Yuri's room.

Yuri sighed with relief, "I'm glad you like it. But umm...I was wondering if you'd like to try a new kind of paint." That bearbee stuff you use reeks. Before Wolfram could argue Yuri said, "I know you love that paint you usually use, but as an artist, you should explore other mediums. I think some of those are water color paints."

Wolfram groaned at that but nodded, and to amuse, Yuri he told him, "I'll try it." And that seemed to satisfy Yuri.

"Look's like you're next Lord Weller, " Murata grinned impishly.

Conrad nodded and glanced down at his box. It was a medium small box with silvery wrapping on it with a light blue ribbon tied around it. Time seemed to slow as he pulled the ribbon free. Conrad lifted the lid and reached inside.

"What is it?" Gretta asked.

Out of the box Conrad lifted a necklace. The chain was semi-thick so it wouldn't be torn off easily, but it was the pendent that stuck out most of all. It was a light blue prism with a white lions head carved inside, it's maw opened wide in a soundless roar. Conrad could not even find the words. This gift was the greatest thing Conrad had ever received in his life. Mostly because it had come from the person whom Conrad loved so very very much. Just thinking about the love and consideration Yuri poured into each and every gift Yuri gave them was enough to almost bring tears to even Conrad's eyes. But he managed to compose himself, "This is wonderful Yuri." Conrad clicked the clasp in place and the pendent hung right over his heart, almost protectively.

At that Yuri blushed yet again, "You gave me this necklace, Conrad," he gestured at the pendent around his own neck, "and it protected me more times then I care to remember. I just wanted you to have something like that. I asked Ulrike to put some protective magic in it since I couldn't do it myself. It's not much, but it's something."

Conrad smiled his warm heart wrenching smile and said, "I'll treasure it." then he pointed at the tree, "Now I believe it's your turn Yuri. Go ahead and pick one."

Yuri glanced at the pile nervously. Part of this almost seemed like a test. Not that it really mattered which gift he picked really. But it seemed to him, whichever one he picked seemed to point out who he like the best. Yuri considered for a moment the risks. He knew that any present other then Wolfram's would result in him being called a wimp or some other mean names. So Yuri would be safer if it was either from Gretta, Shori, Murata, or one of his parents. Problem was that none of the other gifts were labeled.

Knowing that delaying would only result in Wolfram's irritated remarks he knelt next to the tree. While his eyes looked the presents over, one in the far back caught his eye. The wrapping looked frost-like so Yuri reached back and pulled it out. Yuri looked up at his mom and asked the dreaded question, "Who's this from."

Shockingly Miko shook her head, "I honestly don't know Yu-chan. It was on our doorstep just before you got here. The note said it was from a friend of yours. Wishing you a safe Christmas. I'm not sure who it's from."

Yuri and his friends exchanged looks before he took a deep breath and began to unwrap it. There was a strange mixture of dread and excitement in Yuri's chest as more of the wrapping was freed from the box. When it was finally unveiled it was a silver box. Adorned with a white stag staring back at Yuri with a knowing grace. "Well..." he turned to his friends, "Here we go," and Yuri pulled the lid open.

The inside of the box was laced with soft white fur, with a note balanced on top of something under it. Yuri took the note and read those three words, "You'll need this."was all it said. Curious, and with the note still in his hand, Yuri reached inside and then suddenly hissed sharply.

"Yuri! What is it?" Conrad asked.

Yuri stuttered, "N-nothing nothing, just a paper cut. Don't panic." he watched, transfixed as a drop of his own blood seemed to slide down the chain of the strange object inside the box. It had a cone shaped pendant adorned with Celtic knots around a crystal clear jewel at the center. And when the blood reached it then the clear jewel at the center of it absorbed the blood and the coloring turned a swirling sapphire. No one but Yuri saw this.

"It's a pendulum." Murata noted. As he glanced over Yuri's shoulder. Before he snatched Yuri's bleeding hand and made him stand up, "Come on Shibuya, let's clean you up. Even a small cut can get infected."

Yuri nodded, "Ok." and then he followed Murata out of the room. Leaving the others a bit shaken.

Who was it that sent THIS gift? Was it possible that it was the same person who did the others?

In the bathroom Yuri washed his hands before putting a band-aid on his finger. He felt Murata watching him and turned thoughtfully to face his friend, "Murata, you're kinda freaking me out. Don't stare at me like that."

Murata suddenly cornered Yuri with both of his hands on either side of the mirror, "You need to be more careful Shibuya." he glared.

Yuri became indignant and escaped by bending down and moving out of the position, "It's just a cut. Why are you freaking out about this?"

"Shibuya..." Murata turned with a disappointed look in his eyes, "You know there's more to it then that. You have to be more careful about these strange gifts."

Yuri gaped at him, "They're not-"

"Dangerous? Even if they aren't it's about who sent them. People are plotting against you, and if you're note careful, you may regret it." Murata's expression softened and he took Yuri's shoulders, "I don't want to see you hurt Shibuya. Not when things have been getting better in the Great Demon Kingdom. No one wants to lose you."

"Lose me? Why would they lose me? I'm getting better Murata. I trust Conrad and the others to deal with things when they happen. I don't just run off on my own anymore. Remember Janis? You guys trusted me to save him. And you guys have saved me so many times when I've done something stupid and reckless. I know I can't change overnight, but I'm doing my best. Please, Murata, trust me to do the right thing. Ok?"

Murata hugged Yuri suddenly, completely out of character, and whispered, "Don't forget. No matter what. Don't forget what truly matters." then he pulled away. Leaving Yuri abashed. But then he smirked and nodded at the door, "Come on. Let's get back to the others. I hear that Rodriguez is bringing over roasted chestnuts."

Yuri smiled and hit Murata in the arm playfully, "Yeah. Lets go."

But at that very moment...the magic salvaging his emotions suddenly faded from Yuri. The weight in his chest returned and Yuri felt strangely blank as he followed Murata down the stairs. His usually wild powers deep within his soul suddenly stilled. Like a raging waterfall when it turns to ice. It wouldn't show just yet...but Yuri's heart...had finally frozen solid.