Gods, what a wonderful response to the last chapter!! D'you know you reviewers almost DOUBLED my number of reviews in one day!?! Wow! I'm honoured, really. Thanks to all who reviewed, you guys are great. And Kiwi Smoothy, you've got it dead on. This chapter is presents. How did you know? *giggles* Anywayz, this chapter also very fluffy and although it's mostly Kurry/Malik there ARE the other couples in here...and a very special message at the end. Enjoy! ^____^

##########################################################################

All of a sudden a squeal sounded throughout the hall. Joey had presented Mai with the Santa puppy. 'Oh it's so kawaii! I absolutely love it! Thank you!' And she hugged a grinning Joey around the neck.
Not to be outdone, Seto took the carefully wrapped music box out of his pocket and handed it to Seren. 'For you.' She tore off the wrapping and gasped in delight as it lit up and began to play. 'Wow. Thanks Seto.'
Seto got a funny look on his face. 'I love you!' he blurted suddenly. Seren stared up at him in shock. Her eyes shone and she leaned up on tiptoes to kiss him.
'Love you too.'
In a burst of happiness, Seto picked Seren up and twirled her around, chuckling giddily. Seren giggled.
Then around the room all the guys were presenting gifts. Isis glowed when Yami presented her with the jewellery box and a note inside that said:

"Keep this forever,
It's a treasure,
Just like you."

Yami received a kiss on the lips for that one. @____@
Tea was trying not to giggle at her gift. 'Um Yugi? I don't have pierced ears.'
O-O!! Yugi was stunned. +Oh no!+ Then Tea grinned. 'It's alright; I've been meaning to do it anyways. We'll both go and you can hold my hand,' she teased. Yugi sighed in relief. +Whew! Close one!+
Bakura pulled Kat over to where it was a bit quieter and whipped a red rose from behind his back. Bowing smoothly, he said, 'This small token will wither and fade, but be assured, my love for you only grows stronger as it does.' Kat gasped. She never knew Bakura could be so...romantic. She clasped her hand over his holding the rose and the two shared a passionate kiss; the only thanks Bakura needed for his action.
Kurry watched them silently. She was in turmoil again; happy for Kat, of course, but seeing them like that reminded her of her own aloofness from being that close to someone. Quite abruptly, she turned and slipped out onto the balcony for some air.
Snow was softly falling. Kurry had her back to the door, not seeing Malik framed in the doorway, gazing at her. His hand instinctively went to his pocket. Now was as good a time as any. He took a deep breath, walked up behind her and touched her elbow.
'Kurry?'
Kurry jumped a little. 'Oh, hullo Malik,' she said, keeping her voice neutral.
'You alright?' His voice was soft, almost soothing. Why could she suddenly not speak?
'Um, yes, I'm fine. Thank you for the dance earlier. It was wonderful.'
'You're welcome.' Why was he looking at her like that? It was snowing, but Kurry could no longer feel the cold.
Malik suddenly reached into his pocket. 'I- I have something for you,' he said, withdrawing the blue velvet box from his pocket and handing it to her. She looked a little surprised, but she took it and carefully lifted the lid.
Kurry's eyes widened in shock as the dazzling pendant sparkled up at her. She shut the box, blinked and opened it again, almost grinning in shock. 'Wow, Malik, it's beautiful.'
'Not nearly as beautiful as you.'
The words just slipped from his mouth. Kurry gulped. Almost regretfully closing the box, she tried to hand it back to him.
'Well, I...I can't possibly accept this...'
Malik felt his heart break within him, but he clasped her hands around the box and murmured, 'Keep it. It's yours now.' His voice dropped to just above a whisper.
'Just like my heart.'
Kurry inhaled sharply. Gods, did he just say...?
His amethyst eyes caught and held her, asking, almost pleading with her to accept the gift, to accept him. Kurry struggled with her warring heart and mind, being drawn in and yet still pulling back. And then she found herself saying, 'Help me put it on then.'
Malik's eyes lit up. He gently took the box from her and with deft fingers clasped it at the back of her neck. The glowing heart sat just nicely at the base of her throat and as Kurry turned back Malik felt a swell of pride to see his heart resting so close to hers.
Kurry let her hair fall. 'I...I don't know what to say...'
Malik gently reached up and thumbed her cheek. 'Then don't say anything...' he whispered, leaning in and kissing her.
Kurry's mind stopped giving her rational thoughts and started buzzing. Malik was in the seventh heaven of joy. Kurry pulled back a little, breaking off. Malik let out a slow breath, and smiled. Kurry was about to say something but was distracted by a bright light shining above them. Glancing up, the two gasped in wonder at a gorgeous night sky. Kurry's eyes widened.
'It's the Christmas Star!!'
Malik glanced sideways at Kurry. She glowed in the starlight, his pendant shimmering. His heart was hers now. It felt good.
Malik put his arm about Kurry's shoulders.
'Merry Christmas Kurry.'

#####################################

Down in the garden, another young pair was watching the same star. Ryou glanced over at Kitty and suddenly remembered his gift. He pulled it out and coughed slightly. Kitty turned to him.
'Here. This is for you,' he said, handing her the gift. Kitty gently removed the ribbon. It was a book of poems. Kitty smiled at it. 'Thank you,' she said, flipping it open.
'Read the first poem,' Ryou suggested casually. Kitty complied.

"Love is forever,
But in one day,
I would show all that love,
In just one way.

A gentle kiss,
To show you just,
How much I care,
And love and trust.

The only one
For me is you,
So tell me please,
D'you love me too?

At the bottom it said, 'Merry Christmas from Ryou.' Kitty read that, blinked, reread it and gasped. 'Ryou! Did you write this?!'
Ryou nodded. +Oh why do I have to blush NOW??+
Kitty's eyes softened. 'Oh wow. It's beautiful.'
She was speechless for so long that Ryou couldn't take it anymore. 'Oh Kitty!' he cried out suddenly. 'I know I'm not brave or strong or cute or funny. B-but...' and here his voice lowered. 'I- I do love you. And...even though your true home is up in Kiramina, I had hoped that you would have a second home here. With me.'
Kitty looked shocked. Ryou stared down at his feet, expecting rejection, as always.
Kitty smiled fondly at the bashful bishie. She lifted his chin and kissed him softly. Ryou's eyes widened in shock, then closed in a moment of pure bliss. When Kitty pulled away Ryou was left breathless.
'Oh Ryou,' Kitty sighed. 'You are all those things, including kind and sweet. And...I didn't find my true home...until I found you.'
It was Ryou's turn to look shocked. As an intense wave of happiness swept through him, he said, 'I love you' and locked her again in a blissful kiss, as snow fell lightly down around them.

#####################################

Bakura's head shot up. 'Heh heh. Way to go Ryou,' he murmured, smirking.
Nobody noticed the two returning couples since the girls were all squealing and 'aww-ing' over their gifts. When Kitty poked her head into the group and showed her gift, there was a loud chorus of 'awws' and over where the guys were standing Ryou blushed crimson. Bakura nudged him. Malik suddenly appeared at Joey's elbow. 'Yo, what's up?'
Kurry edged towards her friends. 'Hiya,' she said, glowing with the new found joy she felt. Kitty glanced at her and gasped. 'Oh Ra...'
The other girls fell silent, eyes widened at the pendant. Kurry smiled fondly at her friends. 'So...so Malik actually...?' Kitty whispered. Kurry nodded, beaming. Kitty squeaked and hugged her. But then she pulled away. 'Did you only accept the gift, or...?'
Kurry cocked an eyebrow. 'Well I'm wearing it, aren't I?'
Kitty looked a little disappointed. 'Well yeah, but...you know what I'm talking about.'
Suddenly catching on, Kurry backed away. She turned and caught Malik's eye. He grinned unconsciously as his angel walked right up to him and pulled him into a kiss. The others catcalled and Kitty's eyes bugged out. 'You go girl!' she hollered. Kurry grinned into the kiss.
Just then, the clock chimed midnight. Kurry's eyes went wide. She backed away from Malik, who looked confused. His confusion soon turned to amazement as Kurry started to glow.
'What's happening?' Isis whispered to Kitty.
'It's Christmas Eve. Every year at midnight Kurry transforms whether she wants to or not. This is her moment, 'cause she's an angel.' Kitty replied.
Kurry folded her hands in front of her. The glow became steadily brighter, and Kurry opened her wings, golden in all her glory. Malik's jaw dropped. A real Christmas Angel. Wow.
Kurry blinked suddenly, still engulfed in light. She glanced down at the heart pendant, which sparkled. Then a thin ribbon of light shot out and wound itself loosely about Malik. Grinning crazily, he reached out and touched it. It swirled around his hand, and suddenly where the light had been, Kurry's hand was. Malik caught it and tugged her in close, locking her in another kiss as the light faded.
Their friends catcalled again. 'w00t!' Bakura called. Malik glared at him over the top of Kurry's head. Kurry smirked at Bakura (who was stunned by how much she looked like Malik when she did that) and used her wings to surround herself AND Malik so they were hidden from view.
They heard Kitty and Seto catcall again. Malik chuckled. 'Don't give 'em any ideas.'
'I won't,' Kurry giggled, rolling her eyes innocently.
Malik reached up and absently fingered a lock of her hair. Kurry suddenly felt very self-conscious. 'Please don't look at me like that.'
'Why not?'
Kurry lowered her eyes. 'I'm not anybody special to look at.'
Malik tilted her chin up. 'Well, you're anybody special to me,' he said softly. 'And I'll always be here for you because...I love you.'
There. He'd said it and now he anxiously waited for a reaction.
Kurry's mind was blown. Did he...he just say...that...he... 'Wha? You- you love me?'
Malik rushed on. 'I know you've been hurt, okay? I can tell. And although you deserve better than a guy like me, I'll try my best. Really.'
Kurry was gaping, so completely shocked she couldn't speak, until his words began to register. Her eyes shone. She was truly touched. This...this wonderful, crazy, amazing guy with amethyst eyes loved her. Loved HER!! She was so happy, she felt as though she would burst.
'Oh, Malik. You are...kinder and sweeter and cooler than any other guy I know. And I love you too.'
Malik beamed. He scooped Kurry up and twirled her around, laughing giddily. She giggled, wings rustling. As he put her down, she found herself captured once again in a kiss, and this time she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened it. She'd finally found her heart.

"Hold on."

When they broke off, Kitty hit the faster music so they could really dance. Hugging her friend ecstatically, Kitty was suddenly enveloped in a hug from behind. She turned to see a glowing Ryou. She flung herself into his arms, giggling happily.

"You've always been a tough girl,
But you feel you're about to break.
You're feeling stuck, and out of luck,
Watching your dreams all slip away.

You're working mornings in the kitchen,
And working nights at the corner store,
As your life flies by, you wonder why,
And you know that there's gotta be something more."

Malik twirled Kurry, who was lip-syncing. She felt a great lightness in her heart, knowing that she had such wonderful friends, and now, a wonderful guy.

"Hold on, but don't hold too tight,
Let go, you're gonna be alright,
Don't run away from what your heart is saying,
Be strong, and face what you're afraid of,
C'mon, show 'em what you're made of,
I know it's hard when your hope is gone
But you've gotta keep holding on."

Kat and Bakura were dancing in the middle of the floor and soon the others joined them. Isis, Seren and Tea high-fived as they passed each other. Seto and Yami couldn't stop grinning and Yugi was positively radiant.

"You hear a voice that's calling,
And it's telling you to make a change.
It's time to fly, and say goodbye,
And move on to a better place.

You know you gotta take that first step,
To get to where you want to be,
Just get on track, and don't look back,
'Cause it's the only way that you're gonna be free.

"Hold on, but don't hold too tight,
Let go, it's gonna be alright,
Don't run away from what your heart is saying,
Be strong, and face what you're afraid of,
C'mon, show 'em what you're made of.
I know it's hard when your hope is gone,
But you gotta keep holding on."

Kitty and Ryou were dancing up a storm on the floor. The couples traded off, pulling a few moves and the rest clapping and laughing gaily.

"Hold on,
You're gonna make it,
You're gonna be stronger.

Hold on,
Hang in there baby,
Just a little bit longer,

Hold on,
Yeah, you're gonna be fine.

Don't give up, be strong,
When the going gets tough you gotta hold on."

Outside, the snow fell cold and dreary, but within the hall, the comfort and friendship kept the teens warm.

"Hold on, but don't hold too tight,
Let go, it's gonna be alright,
Don't run away from what your heart is saying,
Be strong, and face what you're afraid of,
C'mon, show 'em what you're made of.
I know it's hard when your hope is gone,
But you gotta keep holding on."

Hold on, but don't hold too tight,
Let go, it's gonna be alright,
Don't run away from what your heart is saying,
Be strong, and face what you're afraid of,
C'mon, show 'em what you're made of.
I know it's hard when your hope is gone,
I know it's hard when your hope is gone,
I know it's hard when your hope is gone,
But you gotta keep, yeah, holding on.

Hold on.

Hold on."

The End
^____________^

##########################################################################

This Christmas, remember what's most important; the people you care about. Don't let yourself or anyone else spend Christmas alone. And if you find friends like I have, you are a very lucky person indeed.

Merry Christmas all.

Kurry ^________________^