Sakusha-san, Poison-Ivy, Miss Misery, Shaynie: Thanks for your reviews and help! ^^

Literary Eagle: Hey, that site you gave was a GREAT help. Thanks! ^^ Now I don't have to keep banging my head against a wall to come up with good names!

A/N: I have to give thanks here to my friend (who, on reasons of security, shall remain anonymous!). She was a big help in structuring out the end of this chapter. She also helped me figure out how to end this story (yes, yes, Kyo would die, but I needed the right type of angst and torture you see ^^). When we did this chapter though. . . .ah, my friend is a big fan of Judith McNaught. You can tell that from the Christmas thing at the end. . . .we really enjoyed doing it though. . .you can tell by the shrieks and laughter coming from her room!

Warning: Eggnog! Hikaru!

Disclaimer: As usual

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CHAPTER 6: Eggnogs and Hikaru

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A key turned softly in the lock. The door opened to reveal a young girl, perhaps 17 years old, chocolate brown hair tied back in a high ponytail and chocolate brown eyes twinkling brightly despite it being the ungodly hour of 8 a.m. in the morning. She barely made a sound as she toed off her shoes by the entrance and tiptoed into the living room. Her stockinged feet slid easily on the wooden floor and she stopped in mild surprise.

The couch was empty, no one sleeping in it and the only evidence that it had been used at all was the afghan now lying in a sad crumple, draped over an armrest. Two mugs sat on the coffee table, their contents half full with congealed chocolate.

Ahh.

She tapped a wondering finger to her chin thoughtfully. Now, his apartment has only one bedroom. With a big bed. So, if the sensei wasn't sleeping on the couch, where, oh where could he be sleeping? Hmm. . .interesting. The still twinkling eyes, with the sparkles perhaps sparkling a BIT too bright for anyone's peace of mind, zoomed in to the corridor that led to the bedroom. The door to the said room was closed.

Curiouser and curiouser.

She didn't tiptoe, no need to since the door was closed, but she still tread gingerly, adding a little skip to every third step. A careful hand closed over a cool metal door knob and twisted it open. It turned easily under her hand and she pushed the door open. She was thankful that Kyo kept up his apartment's maintenance. The hinges didn't even squeak as the door swung back silently.

The room was dim and she took a moment to adjust her eyes to the lack of lightt. The blinds had been closed but not drawn fully, half slits of sunlight falling on the floor. The blankets had been pushed down, crumpled and sad like the afghan, for no one was using it. The bed's occupants didn't seem to need it as they lay in peaceful and ignorant slumber.

She needed to be very very careful here. She didn't want to wake them up after all. They looked like they needed their rest. . .really. Like a wraith, she glided over to the foot of the bed and stared in delighted surprise at the sight that greeted her.

Takashi was lying on his back, head turned to the side. His hand was cradled protectively around Kyo who was nestling in the crook of his arm, head resting against the sensei's chest. His arm and leg was lying on top of the sensei, hugging the man like a giant teddy bear. Before she could enjoy it fully though, she had to stop and consider the looks on their faces.

They both looked. . .ravaged. Their faces were pale, especially Kyo's and they both looked as though they had been crying. But despite that, their expressions as they slept were peaceful, content even and she smiled. They had been through something heavy last night. What it was, she could not really guess, but it seemed to have worked out the way she would have wanted it to, so all the better.

How long she stared at them, she wasn't really sure. She had gotten to her knees, her elbows propped up on the bed and her chin cradled on her hands. Finally, one of her plans had gotten some real results! It may not be the kind of action she looking for exactly but it was a step in the right direction. The sun, rising slowly as it was wont to do in the morning, moved the bars of light across the carpeted floor. As she continued her unashamed ogling, they traveled first up the side of the bed, and ponderously, fell on top of the sleeping couple. A particular shaft fell across Kyo's face and he gave a low moan of displeasure. In response, the sensei shifted in his sleep, turning slightly towards Kyo so that his body obscured the light and Kyo snuggled deeper into their embrace.

Oh! Oh! That was so. . . .CUTE!!!!

She slapped a hand to her mouth, trying to control her giggles. This moment was too good! It should be captured forever in timeless memory! But how? A frown marred her smooth brow as she pondered her dilemma.

Wait. A hand patted the pocket of her jeans. She still had her camera in it. She had taken it to yesterday's game, wanting to get some pictures of Kyo and she still had a lot of shots left (She had been too pissed by Ratetsu to take much pictures). The pose they were in could see her making hundreds, perhaps thousands of yen in profit should she distribute it in school! Think of the potential market waiting to be tapped! She could see it now! Headlines screaming across the front page of their school paper: Kyo & The Sensei In Bed! Aaah! Beautiful!

Chotto matte.

Kyo would kill her if that happens. So would Takashi in fact. Oh damn. But this was too good of a photo op to miss! They should understand that! Don't people know how hard it is getting the right pose, the right angle, the right light for the perfect picture? Why can't they understand???!!!!

It's really funny actually, how over in a certain land of the dead, called by a particularly familiar name of Meifu, two people were doing just that; discussing the merits of photo marketing. . .

"C'mon, Tera-chan!" Wakaba urged her steaming partner. "Think of the profit that we could make! People would be lining up all over JuuOhCho to get these pictures! We could charge them ¥3000 per picture and they'd buy it! No questions asked!"

Terazuma's eyes simply GLOWED red in displeasure. He hissed at his unrepentant partner. "No! How many times must I tell you? No no no! I thought you promised me to destroy those pictures!"

His hand snapped out, trying to snatch the photos back but Wakaba, with that inherent instinct built in that was attuned to her shape-changing partner, was faster than he. The photos danced back out of reach and Terazuma had to stop himself from bumping into her. He needed to keep his wits about him. He couldn't risk changing into Kero-CHAN right now. If he did, he was pretty damn sure that Wakaba would go on ahead with her insane plan.

His ears twitched as he stared balefully at the damning pictures. This was all Watari's fault! He should have know better than to eat the office doughnuts whenever the blond had on one of his insanely cheerful smirks, but that morning, he had been too hungry to care. He had ignored Tsuzuki as the purple-eyed man also took a doughnut and they had tactfully ignored each other as they bit into the fluffy morsels.

It was after the third bite that Terazuma had felt the. . .wrongness. His surroundings seemed to have taken a rosy glow, a tint of pink outlining the doughnut in his hand and he stared at it in fascination.

"Tera-chan?"

He had turned slowly at the low call and found himself staring deep into amethyst eyes. He should have been annoyed at the affectionate mangle of his name by Tsuzuki but somehow, that time, he didn't care. In fact, he loved the sound of it. The doughnut fell from his hand and he was suddenly in the older man's arms, still staring deeply into each other's eyes.

"Tsuzuki." His voice was soft and breathy. He didn't even know he could make that kind of voice and he stared in wonder as the older man's breath caught in his throat. Why did he never notice how beautiful Tsuzuki was? The way those eyes glowed, the shirt that was always unbuttoned at the top, revealing a smooth slice of creamy white skin. . .

Terazuma let out another low growl as he tried to suppress the nightmare. The photos had shown him and Tsuzuki locked in an. . .ardent embrace, nearly mouth to mouth. Watari was SO going to die. AGAIN.

"You know, that new camera of mine was a real good investment," Wakaba pursed her lips thoughtfully. The morning of the incident, she had just gotten her brand new camera and she had wanted to test it out. She couldn't help it if such a golden opportunity had presented itself right in front of her eyes, could she? The marvelous thing about her new camera was that they could take up to 5 pictures in under 3 seconds and she hadn't been disappointed.

The pictures showed, from one frame to another, Terazuma mouthing the words 'ai-shi-te-ru'.

"Just think about it," she insisted. "With the profits we could make, you'd be able to pay off all the damages you did in no time at all! Ne, Tera- chan?"

Oops, wrong word to use. Seeing Kero taking over his master's body completely, Wakaba quickly ran off, the pictures tucked safely away and scurried to the staff room. She had left her ofudas on her desk. Considering the rage Tera-chan was in, he might reconsider her offer after all when he recovered and took in the damage.

Meanwhile, back in the land of living, also called by a particularly familiar name of Chijou. . .

No, she thought sadly to herself. She won't be able to sell the pictures in school. She WAS their friend. . . But still, that doesn't mean that she couldn't take ANY pictures at all. . .

Forgive me Kyo, she apologized silently, not caring that it wasn't really sincere in the first place. She took out the little camera and it took her some moments to get the right angle. Satisfied, she poised herself for the first shot. Her finger hovered over the button and before she pressed down on it, she let another giggle escape.

* * *

Kyo was perhaps, having the best sleep in his life, ever. He was just floating in an island of darkness, safe and warm and the only sound he could hear was the steady beating of a heart, telling him he wasn't alone. Safe and warm. It ought to be made illegal, having such a good sleep like this, his subconscious wondered even as he drifted. Something had happened the night before that had made this ecstasy possible, he remembered, but what was it exactly?

Something to do with Takashi and his parents. . .

His parents. He winced inwardly as the memories surfaced briefly but that was all they did. Barely stirring up a ripple in his darkness, they sank back out of sight and he gave a soundless sigh of relief. Yes, Takashi had helped him. That was why he could sleep now. Sleep the sleep of peace. He really ought to think up of a way to thank the sensei when he wakes up later. . .

Click. Click. Click.

Huh?

What an odd sound. . .it didn't fit in with his surroundings and regretfully, he let the oddness pull him back to the land of consciousness. The darkness morphed from deep black, to hazy gray to blurry white. He was vaguely aware that he was hugging what may be the best teddy bear anyone had ever given him (and there were plenty, I assure you. Somehow, girls always feel the need to give him one as a present) and he hugged it tighter. The teddy bear was so nicely warm and cuddly. . .quite large too. The teddy bear shifted in his grasp to snuggle closer to him and he let out a purr of satisfaction.

Wait. Teddy bears can't move on their own.

And what was that flashing that pierced his blurred gaze every few seconds?

Clickflash. Clickflash. Clickflash.

"Kyo?"

Wow, his teddy bear had a very sexy morning voice, Kyo thought distractedly. It was husky with sleep and vibrated with a timbre that sent shivers down his spine.

Eh?

He forced his eyes to come in focus and the first thing they saw was an equally vague looking hazel green orbs, swimming with flecks of gold.

Ah. Soccer. Hospital. Takashi. Apartment. Takashi. Shower. Takashi. Sleep. Nightmare. Parents. Takashi. Nice sleep. Takashi.

Kyo was quite proud, for a brief and irrational moment, that it took him only ten seconds to process all that.

Oh dear. His teddy bear turned out to be Takashi. Right. Should not blush. First, untangle arms. Oh, legs too.

"Ohayo, Kyo-chan."

"Ohayo, sensei." Don't blush, dammit! And don't stammer!

"Did something wake you up too?"

"Kind off. I thought I heard some clicking."

"And saw some flashing lights?"

"Yeah. . ."

"Like a . . ."

"Camera. . ."

"Oh god," the both of them chorused. "Hikaru."

As one, they turned their heads sharply and sure enough, a chortling Hikaru stood at the foot of the bed, a camera in one hand.

"Dammit," she giggled. "I ran out of film!"

They could only stare in dumbfounded shock as she fell on the bed and broke into peals of laughter.

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"You could at least have woken us up, Hikki," Kyo reprimanded the smiling girl. The both of them were sitting on the couch, as Takashi bustled about in the kitchen making breakfast. Kyo and Hikaru had both offered to help him but the sensei had turned them down firmly. The smell of freshly brewing coffee hung in the air, along with the smell of pancakes. In response, Kyo's stomach gave a low grumble of complaint.

Another giggle. "What, and miss that great opportunity?" Hikaru arched an eyebrow in mock surprise. "Don't worry, I won't show them to anyone," she promised.

Kyo sighed. He knew better than to try wrestling the camera away from her. She had wicked tickling fingers and Kyo never could win in a wrestling match with her. He winced as his bruises complained and he sat up a bit straighter on the couch.

"Something happened last night." There was no enquiring tone in her voice, just a statement asking for confirmation. Kyo had to marvel at how perceptive Hikaru was.

He nodded slowly. "Aa. We had. . .a talk. He helped me work something out. Something that's. . ."

"You don't have to tell me," Hikaru interrupted him gently. "Even though we've been friends for a long time, I always knew that there was something you weren't telling me. I didn't want to pressure you and I'm happy that you could share it with Takashi." Her hand covered his and gave a brief squeeze.

"You're not angry. . ." Kyo said slowly even as he squeezed back the reassuring hand.

Hikaru shrugged and threw him a bright smile. "You are my bestest friend in the whole world, Kyo-chan, but I knew from the start that I couldn't be everything for you. I'm glad Takashi could. He's perfect for you, you know."

"Are you going to start again on the whole plastic ruler thing?" Kyo asked warily.

Hikaru ignored him and went on. "You like him."

It took him several moments before he could answer her and privately, he wondered why it took him so long. "Yes. I do."

"As. . ?"

The sound of clicking utensils and the soft hiss of batter cooking filled the silence that yawned between them. His gaze fell on the sensei who had his back to them, humming a little song as he worked and Kyo couldn't help the smile.

"I have no idea," he admitted softly. "He's as special to me as you are, Hikki. But there's something else. I'm just not sure what."

Kyo felt Hikaru's warm fingers pulling his chin gently as he turned his face to her obediently. She was smiling, a soft smile of happiness tinged slightly with. . .regret? She drew nearer and instinctively, Kyo lowered his head and she placed a kiss on his brow.

"You are one lucky boy, Shiozaki Kyo, to have such great people like me and Takashi to like you," she announced solemnly.

"Very lucky," he smiled back.

"And if you like him the way I think you do. . .then he's the luckiest guy on earth."

His eyes wandered back to the sensei and a thoughtful look crossed his face. "I'm the lucky one, I think," he whispered. Whether Hikaru heard him or not, he didn't know.

* * *

For once, Kyo actually looked forward to Christmas, ever since. . .well, you know. He spent the last few days to it walking around town with Takashi, Hikaru and sometimes, joined by Kenji also as they took in the decorations put up, the people rushing to finish their Christmas shopping or just enjoying the feel of fresh snow falling and tickling their faces. Kyo and Takashi were perhaps, spending a lot more time together lately, but then, it's only natural isn't it? Sharing something so deep, personal or profound as they had that night a few weeks back would make anyone get closer.

Kyo now was able to walk around with barely a limp, his ankle healing nicely under the sensei's tender care, as were his bruises. Rather regretfully, it meant that the sensei no longer had to help him with his bathing. . .Winter blues, Kyo told himself firmly. It must be due to winter blues. Winter blues was making him think things like that. What the hell did that little voice in his head meant when it announced that it was regretful the sensei can't see him in the buff anymore?

Winter blues. Keep telling yourself that and you might actually believe it someday.

Do you realize, the voice piped up again, how absolutely ridiculous your line of reasoning is?

Whatever.

Yeah, sure. It's winter blues also that has the sensei sleeping over at your place at LEAST three times a week. Hell, the way things are going, you might as well ask the sensei to move in with you! Winter blues my foot!

Hey, Kyo protested silently, it's just something that we agreed on without even discussing about it! It's not as though I beg the man to!

So you're saying that you don't mind if the sensei stops sleeping over? That you're okay with just seeing him in school?

I didn't say that.

So what were you saying?

. . . . . . . . . .oh, shut up.

He was having one-sided arguments with himself. Right. He fixed a frown on the lemon meringue pie he was making for desert that night, his fork pressed down a bit too hard on the crust and a slice of dough fell on the counter. Lemon meringue pie for desert, he sighed silently. It had been ages that he took that much trouble over his dinner. But ever since the sensei spent a lot of his time here, Kyo found himself spending more and more time in the kitchen, whipping up the best meals that he could tempt the older man with. Takashi had laughingly pointed out one day that if he kept this up, he'd be as fat as Santa by the time Christmas came around.

He glanced over at the small calendar stuck on the fridge. Two more days to the 25th. For once, he wasn't going to spend Christmas night alone. The years before, Hikaru had always had him over for a Christmas lunch at her house and he enjoyed it fully. But when night fell, it was always to an empty apartment that he came home to. He never did take up Hikki's parents' offer to sleep over at their place.

But this year, there was no reason for him to angst about it! He smiled as he recalled again the conversation he had a couple of weeks back with Takashi.

"Hey Kyo?"

"Hmm?" Kyo looked up from the crossword puzzle he was attempting in that day's paper. It was lunchtime and as usual, he was on the couch, in the infirmary with the sensei who, as habit dictates it, was sitting by his side, doing his own puzzle. It was something of a game to them, who could finish the puzzles first. That day also was one of the days that neither Hikki nor Kenji could join them as the both of them had archery practice. The district championships were coming up and their coach was putting them in practice any spare minute he could rustle up. The coach had nearly dragged him off too if it wasn't for the still conveniently wrapped ankle Kyo was sporting. That, and the death glare Takashi had given the man when he attempted to steal Kyo away.

(Sometimes, Kyo would get a funny feeling that the only reason his ankle was still faithfully wrapped every day was to do just that; discourage anyone from getting him involved with any school activity. He had accused the sensei of that and the man had given him an innocent smile, batted his eyelashes and said. "What? Me?")

"Are you doing anything special for Christmas?" Takashi asked. If Kyo didn't know any better, he could have sworn that Takashi was actually fidgeting, looking a bit nervous.

He blinked. "No, never did do anything special. I don't really celebrate it, remember?"

"Aa," Takashi winced, "gomen, didn't mean to."

Kyo waved off the apology. "No need," he smiled. "Why?"

"Well, I don't really have anywhere to go this year, 'cause my parents said they might be taking a holiday overseas for it. . .so I was wondering. . ." he drawled off meaningfully.

Kyo couldn't help the smile that stole over his face. "You want to spend Christmas together? That'd be great! I'd love to!"

"You sure?" Takashi asked, a slightly anxious look on his face. "I don't want to force you to do something that you don't want. . ."

"Idiot," Kyo cheerfully announced. "Of course I want to."

Takashi gave his own grin, any traces of nervousness or anxiety gone in the blink of an eye. "Yokatta! We'll have a real Christmas dinner, won't we? With Turkey and everything? And we can get Kenji and Hikaru to stop by; it'll be a nice change! And then we'll have pies and cakes and. . ."

The sensei rattled on about what they needed for a proper dinner, eggnogs and all and has Kyo gotten all his presents ready? He had, except for Hikki's, he was still deciding on whether to buy her a camera (bad choice, the damage that she could do with one is beyond cosmic proportions) or get her that outfit she had been ogling over in the window display at her favourite shop. Kyo let him talk on; he was getting that funny feeling again that he just had been had by the sensei.

"Your parents aren't going anywhere this year, are they."

The sensei stopped his recitations to give Kyo a wounded look. "Would I lie to you, Kyo-chan?"

"You would, if you think you should," Kyo replied.

"I'm not! And I won't! You hurt me with your accusations, Kyo-chan! You really do!"

"Liar," Kyo answered with a perfectly straight face. "Have you been taking lessons from Hikki?"

In reply, Takashi stuck his tongue out at him.

"Oh, real mature, sensei," Kyo laughed. "Fine, fine, you're not lying."

"Thank you," Takashi answered primly and then gave him a high wattage smile. "We'll have loads of fun, I promise you that!"

"Good, oh, by the way, I finished my puzzle."

Kyo laughed silently to himself as he popped the pie into the oven. He knew without a doubt that Takashi HAD lied about his parents going on a holiday by themselves. But he appreciated the thought all the same. It would be nice to have someone in the house during Christmas. The fact that it was Takashi made it all the sweeter.

* * *

Several strands of silky, chocolate brown hair fell into her eyes and she brushed them away impatiently. The ingredients lay spread out before her on the counter, including a half-full bottle of rum and whisky both she had gotten from her parents. A finger tapped the gleaming, tiled counter top thoughtfully. . .

It was going to be a great Christmas dinner, she could tell that off straight away. The turkey would be ready in a few minutes, Kyo and Takashi having spent the better part of the day on it and the table was groaning with dishes of pies, cakes and sweets. Contrary to usual practice, they had not opened their presents that morning, rather, leaving them till after the dinner. Behind her, in the living room, Kyo and Takashi were having a wrestling match, the sensei intent on spraying the boy with the can of Silly String they had left over. Shrieks and giggles punched the air as the older man tickled Kyo mercilessly, the tactic taught by herself. Kyo let out a choked howl as Takashi hit a very vulnerable spot and promptly got himself covered all over with the sticky goo.

"I'll get you for that sensei!" Kyo turned the tables back on him and before he knew it, the sensei was now the one lying on his back with a maniacally grinning Kyo bent on revenge sitting on him.

"Truce! Truce!" he yelled in breathless laughter but Kyo ignored him, shaking the can suggestively.

"Say uncle! C'mon, say it!"

"Auntie! Auntie!"

"Oh, you are so dead!"

It pained her to not be able to catch that magical moment on film. It really did. But she had a more important mission at hand.

She was in charge of making the eggnog.

The eggs had been successfully separated lightly, firmly whisked with the sugar and she now fixed thoughtful eyes on the bottles of liquor. She was making eggnog for 16 servings, a bit much perhaps since there was only the three of them (Kenji had to follow his parents back to their hometown), but she was famous for her eggnog and she had no worries about it being unfinished.

No, her quandary lay somewhere else.

Kyo's and Takashi's relationship had progressed nicely, she had to admit that. But it wasn't going fast enough to suit her. Oh, sure, the sensei was frequently over at Kyo's place but he either slept on the couch or on a spare futon. Now, how on earth could you get any sort of intimacy progress with that much distance separating you? It was funny, and a bit painful, to her, catching the looks they frequently gave each other. The sensei had never said anything to her about his feelings for Kyo but Hikaru wasn't an idiot. Or blind.

Now, Kyo MIGHT be an idiot. And blind.

He still refused to admit anything and Hikaru knew, that it was her ultimate duty, nay, her holy obligation, to help her poor, destitute friend! She can't bear seeing him suffer like this any longer! Him, or the sensei!

A fake tear fell fakely from the corner of an eye and she swiped it away dramatically, the gesture lost on the two who were now giggling together on the couch.

Believe me, Kyo, sensei, she vowed silently. This is all for your own good.

With that vow burning brightly in her heart, she took the two bottles of liquor and without further ado, dumped all of the contents in the mixture.

-For a 16 serving eggnog, use only 1 cup of white rum and 3 cups of whisky-

The two bottles were now empty, glinting innocently in the light of the setting sun and quietly, very quietly, she hid the empty bottles.

* * *

"Wow, that was a great dinner," Kyo smiled and patted his stomach happily. "I think I ate too much."

Takashi groaned and sank deeper into the couch. "You think? I know I did."

Hikaru seemed unaffected by the quantity she ate, instead, she sprang up from her seat and a moment later, came back carrying the bowl of eggnog carefully. She set the glass bowl on the coffee table gently and started to ladle some into glasses for the three of them. "C'mon, have some eggnog! They're delicious!"

The two of them obediently took the proffered glasses and sipped the liquid delicately. A thoughtful pause filled the air and Hikaru waited with bated breath.

"This is," Takashi began, a frown on his face, "this is. . . .really good."

"Very," Kyo agreed. "Ne, aren't you having some, Hikki?"

"Oh! Of course!" Smiling innocently, she took a glassful and sipped it slowly, barely tasting the eggnog. Instead, careful, crafty eyes peered over the rim of her cup as she measured out the progress of her experiment.

The night deepened as talk and laughter filled the apartment. As more eggnog were consumed, so were the laughter given more and more freely, particularly by the boy and sensei. Bright, colorful wrapping papers lay torn and strewn around the living room as they exchanged gifts. Hikaru had simply squealed in happiness as she unwrapped the gift Kyo and Taka had shared for her. It was a digital camera.

(Kyo had said it was a bad idea but since Hikaru loved taking pictures so much. . .and it IS Christmas. . . )

But the biggest surprise of the night were the presents Kyo and Takashi exchanged. They had opened theirs at the same time and mouths dropped open in complete shock and delight. Each had given the other, identical jackets.

Creamy, earthy-toned beige for Kyo and deep black for Takashi.

"Wow," Kyo breathed softly. "Isn't that cool? We got each other the same gifts!"

"Amazing," Takashi nodded solemnly. "Does that make us long-lost twins or something? Silent telepathic communication?"

"Yeah. . .maybe you were abducted by aliens when we were small sensei?"

"Uh-huh, that could be it."

Hazel-green eyes met pale ice blue and after a second, both broke into gales of laughter. They fell back into the couch as they clutched their sides in hilarity, tears pricking their eyes.

"Why do I find that so funny, sensei?"

"I have no idea," Takashi giggled. "Oh, thank you, Hikki."

Both Kyo and he took their refilled cups of eggnog and toasted each other.

"To my long-lost twin!" Kyo announced, a lopsided grin on his face.

"Hear, hear!"

Before further silliness could ensue though, Hikaru quickly brought the second-phase of her plan in motion. She ran to the kitchen and brought back an empty bottle and set it down triumphantly on the coffee table, to Kyo and Takashi's bewildered surprise.

"Let's play a game!" She said brightly. If Kyo and Takashi had any reikan abilites, as a certain shadow-wielding secretary did, they'd be running for their ofudas right now as a certain friend sprouted horns, a forked tail, cloven hooves and was waving a pitchfork maniacally in the background.

/Said secretary tried to throw off the happily drunk Tsuzuki off of him to no avail. "Somebody needs their vitamins!" The purple-eyes shinigami sang out as a bottle of Tengu no Mai hung threateningly over a stubbornly closed mouth. "C'mon, say 'aah'!"

"I am going to kill you, Tsuzuki!" was shrieked out instead.

"Good enough!" was the reply and said secretary found himself choking for air as the bitter alcohol filled his mouth./

As it is, they blinked and asked her, "What game?"

"Spin the Bottle, of course!"

. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .

"Yay!" Kyo cheered. "I never played it before!"

Takashi scratched his head in drunk (not that he realized it) puzzlement. "Doesn't that involve-"

"Kyo can go first!" Hikaru said brightly.

"Yokatta! Er. . .what do I do?"

"Just give the bottle a spin and see to whom it points to."

"Oh, okay." Slightly unsteady fingers grasped the bottle and turned it on it side. At the approving glance from Hikaru, he gave the bottle a tentative spin.

It was hypnotic, Kyo thought, the way the bottle winked and flashed as it spun around and around. There was a faint rattle and whirr and almost, he found himself leaning forward in anticipation as the bottle lost its momentum, spinning slower and slower. . . .

And pointed right at the sensei.

Who looked slightly alarmed.

Hikaru, who had given the table the nudge it needed to make the bottle stop at the right direction, looked insanely gleeful. (But to them, she just looked a bit shocked and maybe a bit amused. Remember, they have no reikan as of now. . . .poor them. ^^)

Kyo blinked. "So what do I do now?"

Takashi cleared his throat nervously. "Er. . .you really don't know?"

"Nope."

"You have to kiss Takashi, that's what!"

It was almost comical the way he slowly turned his head in complete and utter shock to stare at her. "What did you say?"

"You. Have. To. Kiss. Takashi," she said, slowly, and carefully. "That's what Spin the Bottle is all about."

"Oh," he said faintly, and turned back towards Takashi.

Long moments were spent staring hesitantly at each other as silence yawned between them. They were sitting so close together that Kyo could smell the sensei's cologne; a light, spicy scent that tingled his skin. He could even feel the heat from his body, heat that was playing havoc on his brain. All it needed was a trigger. Something to start the chain-reaction. Something to make them break the paralysis they found themselves in.

Slowly, very slowly, Kyo leant forward. . . .

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~to be continued~

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A/N: Wahahahahaha! Yes, that was evil of me to leave it there like that! And I love it! And I don't regret it! Muahahahahahaha! Expect some "action" in the upcoming chapter! Till then; cheerio!