Ah, the last chapter of the story, and the longest one yet. I think I concluded it quite well, but that depends on how much of an impression you are left with. I will just like to thank everyone that has supported me through this, and I'd like to wish everyone Happy Holidays. I hope that you all can find love this year and many more to come. God bless you all.

Disclaimer: I don't own YYH, or its characters. I took some artistic license on the story, and that's about it. YYH belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi, FUNimation, Shonen Jump, and whoever else owns it. ;

Please read and review!

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The Warmth of Heart
By Pixie Ayanami
Chapter 3: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

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It was the day before the day of big days: Christmas Eve. Kurama sat upstairs in his bedroom wrapping all of his presents up in pretty, shiny gold and green wrapping paper. Tonight he would give all of the presents out. He was so excited to see everyone's reactions! Hopefully they all would be good enough, though he had a feeling that everyone would love theirs.

He even managed to find Hiei a present, but that is a surprise for later.

In actuality, Kurama wondered if Hiei would even show tonight. He obviously had no desire to share in any Christmas joyous events; he was just too stubborn and dispassionate. Still, Kurama had this one more day to change the fire demon's mind ….

Finishing up his presents, Kurama brought his presents down to the living room and placed them under the tree where they would remain until that night. From the kitchen, Shiori called to him, "Shuichi, I'm going to need some help with the baking, could you come here?"

Kurama frowned; he was actually going to do something. "Could you last on your own for a while? I need to go for a short walk and meet someone," he responded. Shiori reluctantly agreed and Kurama bundled up to be on his way. A light snow was flying down that day promising a white Christmas.

Quickly, Kurama walked towards the park, where he felt Hiei's fiery energy lie. As he pinpointed the energy, he found Hiei was on top of a hill overlooking the rest of the park. He seemed not to notice Kurama behind him, though the fox knew he sense him. "Hello Hiei."

"What do you want fox?" Hiei asked, still looking across the snowy landscape.

"I was wondering if you changed your mind about spending Christmas at my house," Kurama stated as he walked up next to the fire demon. The fire demon said nothing as Kurama's jade gaze viewed him.

Without looking back, Hiei asked, "Kurama… why do you honestly want me to go?" The fire demon slowly turned his eyes to Kurama.

"You're my friend and are very special to me," Kurama said immediately with a smile, "And like I told you before, Christmas is about spending time with the ones you love. Regardless of what you may think, to me you're my best friend, more so than Yusuke or Kuwabara or anyone. If you could come over for Christmas…."

Hiei stared up at him from his spot in the snow. First of all, no one has really referred to him as a 'friend' let alone a 'best friend'. When he read Kurama's feelings he found no lies; he only found a true heart. So Kurama was telling the truth, and there was no reason for him to suspicious. But then again why should he? In any case, he wanted to hear the rest of the fox's answer, and urged him onwards with his gaze. "If I could come over for Chritmas…?"

"…It would make this one the most special Christmas I have ever had," Kurama ended with a smile. "So will you go?"

Hiei hesitated before giving his answer. "I'll… think about it," he said, quickly flitting off afterwards. Kurama was so happy he could have jumped for joy. Even though the fire demon gave no definite answer, there was still hope! With that hope, he hastily ran back home to help his mother with the preparation of Christmas.

---

Through out the day, Kurama and his mother cooked and baked and cooked some more. They made cookies, cake, started the turkey for later, and all the dressings. Suffice to say, the two of them were tired. But then they still had to take care of the rest of the party decorations and settings. Thankfully, Yusuke and Keiko came over early and helped out.

After Yusuke and Keiko, a few of Kurama's relatives, which he hadn't seen in a while, came over. His mother made coffee as he introduced his two friends and made small talk about school and his grades. As everyone was wrapped up in the Christmas spirit, time seemed to pass right by them. Soon Kuwabara, who picked up Yukina and Genkai from the old woman's temple, showed up, followed by Botan and Koenma (They dressed as normal as they could. Koenma found a way to hide the 'Jr." on his forehead with his bangs.). Shizuru showed up with a new boyfriend, and eventually Atsuko showed up after another Christmas party she was obliged to attend. Of course, more relatives of Kurama's arrived.

"Kurama, what are you doing all the way over there by your lonesome self?" Yusuke asked, walking towards the fox demon, "You should be over here with the rest of us, we're about to open presents."

Kurama, who was waiting for the fire demon next to the window, glanced at him but went turned back to the frosted window and sighed disappointedly. Now Yusuke was standing next to him and he placed a hand on Kurama's shoulder. "You worried that Hiei won't show?" he asked, though it was more of a statement.

"Meh, why are you worried about that twerp? He's probably too dumb to know what Christmas is," Kuwabara said, obviously over hearing the conversation.

Kurama shook his head and continued to look at the sunset. "Come now, he's not that bad. I've been trying to persuade him for a couple weeks, perhaps he's just scared…." the fox tried to reason. Kuwabara shrugged and went back to talking to Yukina.

Yusuke gave the redhead a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure he'll show up eventually," he said, though Kurama couldn't help but hear doubt in his voice. Yusuke walked back to the crowd of people and Kurama eventually followed him.

Yusuke handed his Christmas present to Genkai. It was nothing big, she noted. Still, he urged her to open and so she did. "I wasn't quite sure to get you," he said sheepishly, "But… I hope you like it."

Genkai unwrapped the paper and took the lid off the box. Inside she found a porcelain tray with two matching tea cups and a few differently flavored teas to go with it. After staring at the gift for a few moments, a small smile came to her face. "Thanks, block-head. I didn't think you could be so thoughtful."

"Well gee, thanks I gue—hey wait a minute! Block-head?! Why you stupid old ha—"

"I got you a present, too."

"Really?" Yusuke asked in bewilderment as Genkai sipped at a cup of tea she had earlier. "What'd ya get me?"

After taking another sip of her tea, Genkai replied, "A new training exercise. You start it the day after tomorrow."

"Oh come on, don't I EVER get a break?!" he asked, frustrated, and stormed off. The old woman smiled wryly. That boy would be alright.

In the mean time, Kuwabara and Yukina were exchanging gifts. "Kazuma-san, these hair sticks are beautiful," Yukina commented in her calm fashion. She held the hair sticks as if they were fragile glass. Kuwabara giggled nervously, as he didn't know what else to say. "Well you know, I got them for a very beautiful girl…." he said before falling into a fit of more giggles.

Yukina laughed, too. "You're so silly, Kazuma-san," she replied. Taking out a gift, she handed it to him. "I got you something, too."

Kuwabara looked surprised and accepted the gift. "Wow, really? I can't wait to see what I got!" he exclaimed while ripping it open. Inside laid a……….

"A… dictionary?" he asked in a little disbelief. He certainly wasn't expecting that.

"Kurama-san told me how you might like that," she said with a cute smile. Damn that Kurama, he'd get it later…..

"Anything from you is like the finest treasures of gold, Yukina," Kuwabara said in attempt to sound clever and sweet, but ended up not fitting with the line and just making him look dumb. Yukina laughed.

Looking up, Yukina saw something and asked, "Kazuma-san, what is that green plant above the door represent?"

Kuwabara followed her eyes and butterflies rose in his stomach. "They call that mistletoe, Yukina. Let me show you what that is for," Kuwabara said, laughing more nervously. Yukina merely smiled sweetly, wondering what the taller man was about to do.

"Way to get to first base, loser," Shizuru called from the other side of the room, ruining the moment.

"Arg, shut up, Shizuru! What do you know?!" he yelled back, crossing his arms angrily. So close but no cigar! Maybe next time Kuwabara could fulfill his dream.

Yukina sighed and closed her eyes. She knew what the plant was for and decided to show Kuwabara herself….

And so, more gifts were shared, more kisses given, more Yuletides made gay. Yusuke nearly fell over from the force of Keiko's thank you to him after receiving the cross pendent. The excitement within the house brought them all the way through the day and into the twilight of the night. However, there was still no Hiei to be seen. Kurama sighed in defeat. Almost all night he had been watching the window, waiting for a sign of the fire demon's presence. None was present.

---

Hiei walked along the dark streets. Unlike all the other days he traveled these places, when it was bustling with noise and commotion, tonight it was very calm and silent. In the distance somewhere, Christmas music could be heard, signifying some sort of party. He sighed. He was invited to a party, too, but ended up deciding not to go. He did not like big crowds that much, and besides that, he had nothing to give to anyone for the holiday.

So instead of going to any party, he walked around and basked in the streetlamps. However, even the lamps reminded him of what he could be missing out on with their red and green and gold decorations. To ignore their glow he wrapped his black cloak around him and walked faster.

He is Hiei. Makai thief. Ruthless Murderer. Feared by almost everyone in his path. He needed no one.

This is what he told himself as he looked down in the snow. Cold. He has to be cold like the snow. And if everyone else did not approve, he shouldn't care. Like the snow, he'd be cold towards them anyways.

But that feeling in his heart still resided….as if a sword pierced right through it.

How much longer could a cold soul like his stay frozen over without ever seeing the sun? Everyone needed someone, right? Everyone needs someone to depend on, even if it was over stupid things like—

No. He shouldn't start thinking that way, especially now. "Stupid fox…" Hiei muttered as he dragged on through the snow.

"Oh hush, baby, hush!"

Hiei looked up in surprised. He had been so busy thinking, that he didn't notice someone was around him. Looking over, he saw a woman dressed in ragged clothes holding a baby who couldn't stop crying. She was doing her best to warm the baby up, but was failing. He stared at the mother and her child as they both shivered in the cold.

'How unfortunate for them,' he thought as he turned back and begun to walk again.

The baby cried very loudly for once more and the mother attempted to hush it again, however it almost sounded like she was crying as well. "I'm so sorry sweetie…. There's no where to go and I…. I don't know what…" the woman said as her voice chocked up with tears.

Hiei stopped entirely. No where to go? That sounded like him. No where to ever go.

It was kind of sad looking at those two. They were a family, though they had no where to go for Christmas, even though it was such a special holiday for them. He turned to them. As if upon impulse, he started walking towards the two until he was right in front of them. The lady stopped crying and stared at the fire demon. When she did, Hiei finally realized where he was and he silently gasped in surprise, eyes dilating just a little.

"C-can I help you with something?" she asked uncertainly. Hiei just stared at her.

"Your… your baby is crying," he stated. She looked down at her poor child, somewhat embarrassed. No more words were spoken, and Hiei wasn't sure what he was doing anymore. Without realizing it, he took off his white scarf in one quick movement and wrapped it around the child, who, upon feeling his warmth, quieted down quickly. The mother was astonished and looked up to give a thank you, but found herself being dressed in a black cloak instead. Hiei now stood in his blue tank top.

"Um…." He stuttered as the woman continued to stare at him, "…Merry Christmas."

"Oh thank you so very much—" she said, but in an instant Hiei was gone, leaving the poor woman wondering if she had just imagined everything that had just happened.

---

"Come on, Shuichi, join us!" Keiko called over to the fox that was still by the window.

"I'll come in a bit," he replied, looking back out.

"—And when Shuichi was ten he wanted a fire truck so badly for Christmas that he wouldn't come out of his room until he got one," Shiori said, laughing over the memories with Yusuke and the others.

"Gee, Shuichi, I didn't know you could be such a brat," he joked to Kurama who created an embarrassed flush.

"Mother!" he said in attempt to defend himself. Everyone just laughed at him.

"Well when Yusuke was six, he ran around outside naked showing everyone his Christmas presents and his tiny package at the time!" Atsuko exclaimed, obviously drunk.

"Mom! You said you'd never tell!" Yusuke yelled. The attention was obviously switched from Kurama's once bratty attitude to Yusuke's once lack of modesty. Knowing this, Kurama silently stood up and walked outside.

It was chilly when he stood out there, for it had been a long time since the sun went beyond the horizon. Snow gently fell around him and he sighed. It was much more peaceful out here. Closing his eyes, he listened to the commotion from inside the house and enjoyed the breeze on his face.

"Hey fox."

Kurama opened his eyes. He felt Hiei come around, but… "Hiei, where are your cloak and scarf?" he asked seeing the fire demon in only a tank top. Hiei was actually shivering somewhat, though obviously was trying to hide it.

"I gave them away," he replied. Before Kurama could respond, he then asked, "Could we just go inside?"

Kurama obliged and the two demons went inside to warmth. He told Hiei to wait inside the hall way as he quickly went upstairs to grab Hiei a sweater. Finding that a red one with white snowflakes was all he could find, he hesitantly stepped back to the hall. "Er…. Sorry about the snowflakes," he said apologetically at the look on Hiei's face.

"It's…. ok," he said dryly, slipping on the sweater. Kurama lead Hiei into the living room where everyone was.

"Look who came late, everyone," Kurama said to everyone, letting them know the fire-demon was here.

Yusuke smiled and stopped from drinking his soda. "It's never too late for Christmas."

"Hey, twerp, I'm surprised you actually made it," Kuwabara said, laughing at his own comment.

"Glad you could make it, Hiei," remarked Keiko.

"Welcome Hiei," Yukina greeted as well. And so the welcomes went on like this, and Hiei couldn't help but feel…. Special and wanted. He gave a small smile. "Er…. Hey."

"Shuichi, I've never seen this friend before," Shiori said, "Mind introducing him?"

"Yes, mother. This is my best friend, Hiei…."

---

After that, Kurama tried to direct the conversation away from Hiei, for he knew that the fire demon didn't like to be talked about. A half hour later, Hiei asked to go back outside, and so the two did. Apparently it was too stuffy in there for the demon. The two boys stared up at the moon. Breaking the silence, Kurama said, "I'm really glad you could make it, Hiei. You don't know how much it meant to me."

"Yeah…" Hiei said, his mind in the distance. Kurama noticed and asked, "Why where were your clothes when you came here, Hiei?"

Hiei didn't answer. Instead he said, "Today, when I was walking, I…. I thought that someone like me couldn't and shouldn't take part in Christmas. And that I had no where to go to either."

Kurama waited patiently for him to go further. He continued to look away from Kurama. "But then when I was walking, I saw a mother and her child," he said slowly, "And they were cold, and lost, and sad. So I gave them my clothes to keep them warm… and when I did that I realized something: on this day, if there was anything I could or wanted to be doing… it was to be around my…. Friends." Hiei finally looked up at his friend to see his reaction.

"You actually did a kind gesture from your heart?" Kurama asked bewildered. Hiei didn't answer. "Don't you see, Hiei? That's what Christmas is all about! To do something for someone else just because it's the right thing to do," Kurama said, his green eyes sparkling.

"Yeah, well…." Hiei stuttered. The two demons stared into each other's eyes to make sure the other one was being true.

Remembering, Kurama reached into his pocket and took a present out. "I actually did get you something for Christmas," he said, handing it to Hiei.

Hiei took it. "I… I didn't get anything for you, though."

"Just you being here is enough for me," Kurama said, "Now open it!"

Hiei unwrapped the present to reveal a small sheath. He slid the weapon out of its casing and observed the light gleam over the metal. A small frown made Kurama worry if it was good enough. "I'll never use it," Hiei announced, attaching the sheath to his belt.

Now it was Kurama's turn to frown. "Why won't you use it?"

"It's a gift from you," Hiei said with a smile, "No blood deserves to spoil it." Kurama smiled and looked as if he was about to say something in reply but something happened just then. Both of them felt it. Yusuke and the others felt it inside the house.

Something in the distance ringing….

The two demons looked up at the sky again, and Kurama could have sworn he saw something fly by the moon. He smiled once more. "Come on, Hiei, let's join everyone inside," he suggested and the two demons did just that to spend the rest of Christmas with the ones they loved.

---

Who knows? Maybe there is a real Santa Clause. Maybe he really does come down from the North Pole in his sleigh to spread Christmas cheer. But iwho's to say we can't spread some Christmas cheer on our own? Whether it is to give someone a nice token of appreciation or just to be around the ones you love, Christmas some how brings cheer to everyone.

It is true that every snowflake is cold and lonely when they fall from the heavens. However, eventually they all fall down to the ground and meld together, offering each other their own company. And when the sun comes out to warm the hearts of each snowflake, they all melt together to become one.

Even the warmth of love can melt the coldest of hearts.

Merry Christmas everyone!

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Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be far away

Here we are, as in olden days
Happy golden days gone by
Oldest friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us
Once more

Through the years, we all have been together
If the saints allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

-Hugh Martin
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-The End-