Chapter 26

After dinner on Christmas Day, Kyomi helped Tohru clean up their meal and got out the cake. It was Kyomi's favorite, a blueberry lemon cake with a glaze. Kyomi gave the teen girl another bear hug when she saw what the cake was. The evening ended with Kyomi teaching the family one of her favorite carols, one that she had even sang as a lullaby for Luc. She then sang a few more songs to everyone. They almost feel asleep after such a long day. Luc was curled up his head on his uncle's lap and Tohru rubbing his back and head softly. Yuki had his chin laid on his arms on the table. Shigure was holding Kyomi's hand and had his head in her lap as well. He was playing with her fingers as she sang. Eventually Kyomi shuffled them all off to bed. She had to fend off Shigure who wanted her to sleep with him so she could go to the bed Tohru had made for her. The girls wanted to talk about the date before they fell asleep. Kyo carried Luc carefully to his room to the small bed set up for the toddler. He was shaking his head at the quietly giggling and chatting girls behind him.

Once the girls had gotten ready for bed and settled under the covers, Kyomi started telling about their day. "I'm honestly surprised Ayame or Hatori didn't call one of us by the end of the day. They are normally so protective." Kyomi commented.

"Well, I heard Yuki on the phone with Ayame a few days ago. It sounded like he was threatening his brother to leave you both alone today. Although I think Ayame will be coming to visit Shigure tomorrow instead." Kyomi smiled in the dark.

"Remind me to thank Yuki somehow soon. He is so thoughtful. Although I never would have thought that he would do something like that for Shigure." Kyomi wondered.

"From the way Yuki was talking, it sounded like it was for you. I think that's the only way he got Ayame to cooperate." Tohru said with a laugh which Kyomi joined her in.

"You are probably exactly right about that if I know my best friends at all."

"So how was your date? What did you do?" Tohru asked excitedly.

"We went for brunch first. Shigure acted gallant outside and caused all the ladies to swoon." Kyomi said laughing. "Then we spent the afternoon ice skating." She said with a smile.

"Ice skating? But isn't that a little dangerous with the curse?" Tohru said worried.

"It definitely wasn't the smartest idea, but he rented out the small rink they use for parties, so it was just the two of us. He also said that he wouldn't be able to catch me if I fell, but that he would kiss all my injuries afterwards." Kyomi shook her head at the memory. It was practical considering he would have been very cold turning into his dog form outside on the ice, but his attempt to make the comment romantic only worked because they knew each other so well.

"Oh, that's so sweet. He really seems to care about you, doesn't he?" Tohru asked.

"I think he truly does." Kyomi said with a smile.

"What are you doing for New Years?" The teen asked.

"I'm really not sure. I know you all will be gone and I really don't think it's a good idea to be close to the main estate right now. I might just spend it with Luc." Kyomi said. "I have had such a wonderful holiday season so far, I don't mind if one is quieter." She said a little sad, but honest. It had been such a busy time lately that a nice relaxing day didn't sound too bad.

"That does sound nice. Kyo wanted to invite you to Master's house, but Master said the same about you being at the main estate. Kyo was going to ask anyway, but I'll let him know what you said." Tohru said, saddened that Kyomi would be alone, but determined to make it up for her.

"I'll talk to him too. You all have fun, I'll see you when you get back so don't worry about me." Kyomi said. "I just hope they are all okay." Kyomi said quietly, concerned for the small family they had found.

"Hatori and Shigure will be there to take care of them. I bet they will have a lot of fun this New Years." Tohru said confidently.

"I hope you are right dear girl." Kyomi said with a smile. In truth, she was more worried about Shigure. The repercussions of their relationship and going against Akito had been somewhat anticlimactic and Kyomi and Shigure had discussed that feeling. They both felt like they were waiting for the other shoe to drop. They had been careful about being out in public to avoid riling the seemingly sleeping dragon.

Kyomi heard quiet even breathing from beside her and she turned over to join Tohru in sleep.

…..

New Year's Eve saw the Sohma's at the estate, Kyo and Tohru at the dojo with Kazuma, and Kyomi and Luc huddled up together in front of the tv watching the new years celebrations. Kyomi was telling Luc about all the different New Years traditions she had seen growing up and she said they would pick what sounded the most fun and do it again next year. Kyomi let Luc stay up as long as he could, but only thirty minutes past his usual bedtime, he was already falling asleep in her lap. She took him to bed and opened up a bottle of red wine and poured it into a small pot on the stove. She threw in some orange slices and a touch of juice, followed by her favorite whole spices and just a little sugar. She let it warm and the sugar melt, not letting the liquid boil. She poured herself a mug of gluhwein and set back at the kotatsu to watch more new years celebrations.

She had just finished sipping her first mug when she heard a soft knock at the door. It was late, nearly midnight. She had almost fallen asleep herself. She saw Lucy run to the door and sit to wait, tail wagging so she went to open it. She only opened it a crack at first. Her eyes widened as she saw the tall man waiting in the cold. She flung the door open and pulled him inside.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you going to get in trouble?" She asked concerned.

"I snuck out. The celebrations were wrapping up anyway and Akito went into seclusion with Kureno, so Ayame pushed me out the door to come see you." He said pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Kyomi closed her eyes, enjoying the moment. "Are you sure it's alright that you are here?" She asked still worried.

"If it's not, Hatori and Ayame will cover for me. Apparently I was being a party pooper according to Haru and Momiji." He said with a chuckle.

Kyomi laughed, she could imagine those boys telling Shigure that. She stepped away from him, grabbed his hand, and pulled him to the kotatsu. "In that case, sit, I'll get you some gluhwein." She said with a smile. Shigure just sat and watched her work in the kitchen, soaking in the warmth her small home offered. She returned with their gluhwein and sat next to him. She lifted her mug and set her elbows on the table and watched the man sitting next to her. She leaned forward and caught his lips with her own drawing him out of his thoughts. When she finally leaned back, his eyes were glinting at her.

"Are you trying to start something?" He asked, his voice low and leaning over her.

Kyomi poked his nose causing him to recoil from her. "No, you just looked lost in your head. What happened? I don't believe for a second there's not a reason Akito left your party." Kyomi said sipping her gluhwein.

Shigure sighed. "She hurt Yuki." Kyomi's eyes widened. Shigure held up his hand to quiet her. "He's fine, Hatori took care of the scratch, but that's all it was. He's changed so much in such a short time. He was able to sit next to her and speak with her. However, she avoided me like I was the plague. She wouldn't even make eye contact with me." He finished cheerfully like it was a badge of honor to piss off the head of the family to that extent.

Kyomi shook her head at him. "You don't have to act so proud of that you know." She said flatly.

"Ah, but if Akito is angry with me, that means I'm doing right by you." He said returning the tap to her nose.

Kyomi couldn't argue with that logic, nor did she care to try. She just laid her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"I'm glad you're here Gure. I was nice having a quiet evening with Luc, but it felt incomplete at the same time." Kyomi said quietly.

Shigure raised her hand to give it a soft kiss. "I know what you mean. Even with Hatori and Ayame there, I found myself looking for you. It is amazing how quickly your life can change direction into something you never thought possible. I thought I would be chasing Akito for the rest of my life. Never would I have even imagined my long lost best friend would return to us from the dead and upend my life completely."

Kyomi glanced up at him staring out the window in thought. "Any regrets?" She asked him quietly.

"Never my dear." And he captured her mouth in a searing kiss she felt all the way to her toes. They stayed there wrapped up in each other's presence until dawn. Kyomi had fallen asleep with her head on Shigure's lap. He sat back, leaning on his hands watching the sun rise on a new year. He was running his fingers through Kyomi's long hair.

"I wonder just what this year will hold for us all…" He whispered to himself. He thought to the small box burning a hole in his dresser, just waiting for the right moment. He looked down at the woman asleep on his lap. "You left us once. I won't allow that to happen again. You are too important to me. I love you too much to let you go again." He didn't notice the small smile that ghosted Kyomi lips as she heard him speak through the fog of sleep. She fell back asleep warmed by his words and by his presence.

…

Sorry, a little short today, but we have another cold running through the house…. Yay… and I'm just sitting here trying to breathe lol. Warning though, school starts next week and we are taking a trip for my birthday to visit some family so updates will be a touch slow for a week or so. We are getting to the good part and boy do I have plans so stay tuned!