"Oh no..." Kyo groaned, covering his eyes with the back of his hand, as images of the previous night flooded into his mind. Tohru giggled beside him, her hands tucked beneath her pillow.

"I knew it." She teased, watching Kyo's face grow red as his mouth twitched in embarrassment.

"Are you okay? I wasn't too rough with you, was I?" He sat up, running his hand through his hair. She followed, clasping onto his hand.

"Of course I'm okay. I asked for it, remember?"

He peered at her with admiring eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Would you want to do that again sometime then?"

She could feel her face heating up. Again? Yes, she would like that very much. His faint smile spread into a knowing grin.

"You're pretty cute when you're embarrassed." He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her, making both of them collapse back onto the futon. She let out a loud laugh as he nuzzled his face against her chest.

"Kyo! We have to get up, breakfast is in half an hour!" She felt completely out of breath, being tickled by his wild hair.

"No, I think I'll stay like this all day." He teased, squeezing her tightly until she squeaked. "Merry Christmas, Tohru. I love you."

Though the ground was covered in snow, the sky was surprisingly clear. The sun shown brightly, as food and souvenir stands prepared for their last day at the festival. Tohru was wearing what the two cousins insisted she reserve for Christmas day.

She had on white fleece leggings with black, knee-high, fur lined boots. Her dress was long sleeved, covered in soft powder blue wool with white fur accents around the wrists, collar, and hem. Her hair fell in long and elegant curls down her back, being swept up by every cool breeze that passed.

"Are you sure you're not cold like that?" Kyo's worried expression warmed her heart.

"Oh, no, I'm not cold at all. This dress has alot of layers. And besides, it's really warm." She reassured him, hugging herself tightly.

Kyo still watched her as she skipped ahead, this time in awe. She looked like some kind of snow princess. He shook his head. That's so damn cheesy.

"Come look, Kyo! Little Santas!" She excitedly held up a porcelain figurine of Saint Nick.

"Let me guess, you still believe in Santa Claus?" Kyo smirked. She pouted.

"Of course not." She placed the figure down, a slight frown on her face.

She knew he was only teasing her, but she did act like a child sometimes. Maybe she should try to act more like a woman? But how does a woman act? She thought back to various movies she's seen. Images of confident, classy women came to her mind. Hmm.

"Hey, wait here for a minute. I'm just going to run to the bathroom, then we can get lunch."

She nodded, finding a bench near the food stand they were now standing beside.

More like a woman, huh? Tohru started by straightening her shoulders, puffing her chest out ever so slightly. Head up, legs crossed, and maybe an apathetic look, just like the movies. Yea, that should do it.

She desperately hoped that she looked more mature and not like a deranged girl with scoliosis.

She opened her bag, found her chapstick, and began to apply it when a young blonde man sat beside her. He looked foreign, but reminded her of momiji.

"My names Chris. What's a beautiful woman like you doing by yourself, sweetheart?" He was speaking english. Judging by his thick accent, he must've been from Europe, maybe British? Tohru's english was terrible, but he seemed friendly.

She bowed, then looked into his bright blue eyes and smiled. He seemed to catch onto her silence, laughing to himself, leaning one arm against the back of the bench.

"Guess you don't know english. A shame. My Japanese is pretty limited. Hmm."

He smiled a big, charming smile of perfectly straight, white teeth. Maybe he was famous where he was from. He looked like he could be a model. Noticing her blush, he chuckled.

"Guess we don't need to talk to get to know each other. I'd really like to see you without that cute dress of yours, though."

He slid his other hand over to her leg, and was about to touch it, when someone grabbed his wrist.

"No way in hell." Kyo seethed in perfect english. The man quickly pulled his hand away.

"Oh, hey man. Is she with you?" The man held his hands up apologetically.

"Got a hobby of taking advantage of girls who can't understand you, you sick bastard? Now leave before I kick your ass." Kyo crossed his arms, watching as Chris quickly retreated.

Tohru waved after him kindly. He seemed to be in a hurry.

Kyo sighed, sinking into the bench beside her, before putting his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close.

"Don't sit like that, you'll attract creeps."

She blushed.

"You saw me?" She asked in a mix of panic and embarrassment.

"Of course I did. I didn't go far. Besides, once that asshole sat next to you.."

"Kyo! He was nice. He sounded foreign. I think he was just looking for someone to keep him company." She said, smiling kindly.

Kyo facepalmed, slowly dragging his hand down his face. "Honestly, Tohru. You really are naive sometimes."

A brief silence fell on them as Tohru twirled a lock of her hair with her fingers.

"Did I look really silly? With how I was sitting?" She finally asked.

"No, you didn't. But like I said, you're going to attract creeps like that. That look... well, let's just say that it makes you seem like you want to be more than friends." Tohru hung her head, clearly dejected. "Besides, it's not you. I like how you normally sit. Its... cute." Kyo smiled softly, squeezing her shoulder.

She looked up at him from under her bangs, unable to resist his calming smile. Her mood seemed to lift immediately.

"I just wanted you to see me as a woman, and not a little girl."

"That's dumb. I already do see you as a woman."

"But-"

"Here."

He held out a small bag. The item inside was wrapped in brown paper. Quieted, she began to unwrap it, noticing quickly what it was. The little Santa figurine. Tears began to prick her eyes.

"Its Christmas. You shouldn't cry on Christmas." He mumbled, wiping a falling tear.

"Oh, Kyo! Thank you!" She threw her arms around his neck, smiling against his shoulder as he tensed beneath her.

"Tohru, we're in public..!" He removed her hands, lowering them onto his leg. She smiled widely back at him, apologizing halfheartedly. He shook his head."Come on, let's eat."

They didn't stay long since they wanted to enjoy the onsen while they had the chance.

After a proper soak, they changed into fresh yukata and found the table in their room set with a wide array of colorful dishes. Each recipe was made with local delicacies, fresh and mouthwatering.

After the table was cleared, Tohru fell back onto the tatami with a content sigh.

"I don't think today could get any better than this." She mumbled, resting her hands on her chest. Kyo leaned back onto his hands, watching her.

"It has been a pretty good day, hasn't it?" He thought aloud.

And it was about to get better. Or worse.

He sighed, rolling over onto his elbow beside her.

"Hey Kyo?"

"Yea?"

"Do you think, maybe.." she trailed off.

"What?"

"Well.. should we call each other something else?"

"What do you mean?" "You know.. like cute nicknames. Other couples do that, don't they?"

Kyo could feel his face heating up. "Like what?" He whispered into his arm.

"Hmm.. like... 'sugarplum'!"

"Pffft... like a fairy?"

Tohru giggled.

"Do you have any better ideas, smartie pants?" She teased, poking him in the ribs. He flinched, laughing before meeting her eyes.

"How about.. 'baby'?"

Tohru's face grew pink as her eyes widened slightly.

"That... that's a good one..." She admitted, her stomach doing somersaults. "Then.. I'll call you.. 'sweetie'." She muttered, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Kyo leaned up and over her, removing her hand and gently pinning it beside her head.

"Whatever you want, baby." He whispered, before delivering a long, sweet kiss on her soft lips.

With her free hand, she grabbed the back of his head, deepening the kiss. 'Baby'. Hearing him say that made her feel so.. special. For a moment she wondered if he felt the same way saying it.

He did.

He broke the kiss, looking at the dark sky through the sliding glass door. It was time.

"Wow, they're so pretty!"

The entire park was covered in twinkling lights, an assortment of beautiful colors and fantastical designs. Even Kyo was in awe of the display, firmly gripping her hand in his. It made the park feel alive, as if the lights were bright stars, dancing around them. His pounding heart seemed to be their tune of choice, a quick paced waltz that was unending.

"T-tohru." He pulled her beneath a towering tree, sprinkled in pink and white cherry blossom lights.

"Kyo? Are you okay?" Tohru asked, noticing his trembling hands in hers. He nodded, trying and failing to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat.

"I-I love you..." He began.

"I lo-" He placed one hand over her mouth.

"Let me finish."

He took a deep breath, removing his hand.

"I love you. P-please..." He stopped.

No! Don't stop!

Squeezing her hands he shut his eyes tightly.

"P-please..!" His voice was almost a shout.

The ring!

Quickly, he let go of her hands, digging the ring box out of his coat pocket. He managed to get it open, despite his shaking, and held it out to her.

"Please, marry me!" He choked out, staring at the box in his hands with his head bowed. All he could hear was the sound of his heart trying to escape his chest.

After a beat, Tohru reached out, gently gripping his chin and lifting it. Kyo's eyes finally met hers, which were now overflowing with joyous tears.

"Y-yes!" Was all she managed to choke out, before launching herself at him, arms wrapped tightly around his neck. His own eyes fought off tears, as he lifted her feet off the ground in a warm embrace.

"Yes? Really? Are you sure?" He couldn't believe it. He had never known this level of happiness, and it was frightening and exciting all at once.

She nodded into his shoulder, her warm tears landing on his exposed neck.

Reluctantly, he set her back down on her feet. Holding his breath along with her hand, he slid the ring onto her finger. Once it found its place, he sighed in relief.

"You're.. mine." He mumbled to himself. She tried to wipe the tears from her face, smiling brightly.

"I've always been yours, silly. And I always will be."

"No matter what?" He grinned, raising an eyebrow. She giggled.

"No matter what."