Disclaimer: The usual.

AnimeFreak13: There are no obvious major pairings. Well, maybe HaruRin, KaguraKyoTohru, YukiTohru, AyaGure, KisaHiro… basically a bit of everything.

10. Not Over Yet

"Ayame-niichan…" Ritsu was awake now and very starry eyed at Ayame's offer. "I'm not worthy…"

"Of course you are! Tohru, Momiji, everyone look here! This face is the face of my new line!" Ritsu blushed at Ayame's outburst. "Let's talk…"

Kyo found Kagura having her ankle properly treated by Hatori. He took his seat facing Yuki. Damned Rat! He estimated the distance. He could land a quick one with Yuki engrossed talking to Tohru… He struck out but Yuki was faster. Kyo winced as Yuki gave him a left hook.

"Please, don't fight!" Tohru pleaded as Kyo tried to retaliate. It was Ayame who stopped the fight in an unexpected way.

"This spring's color is orange! Ritsu's pale orange hair, off set by Kyoukichi's rich orange!" He gripped the Cat's shoulders.

"Lemme go! You freak!" Kyo's eyes bulged when Ritsu came to assist Ayame in subduing him. "Sorry, sorry, Kyo… I know I'm not worthy…"

"I can picture it, a springtime couple shot!" Ayame rambled on. "Lace! Florals! Loads of flowers. Velvet ribbons."

"I'm not wearing a dress!" Kyo protested. "No, no, no… you don't have the looks! Ri-chan will wear the dress… You just hold the parasol above him…" Kyo blanched.

Hiro gulped down his punch as he watched the trio. At least Ayame had overlooked the other orange-haired Sohma sitting by his side. It was late. Soon, Kisa's mother will come for her.

"Kisa," he stumbled. "Does Kisa like Hiro?" Kisa giggled. It's a no… Hiro's heart sank.

"Kisa likes the Sheep…" Kisa answered. It sounded so corny, like something Tohru or his mother will say. Still, his heart soared at her words.

"Slumber party, slumber party..." Momiji started chanting.

Kisa's mother was waiting at the entrance of the walkway leading to the banquet room. She was worried. Last year, Kisa came home in tears. It was Akito's fault. This year, things were a little irregular, according to the maids. Kureno had asked for additional towels and got the blankets. Shigure had asked the kitchen for more refreshments. Normally, the guests would be eager to leave by this time.

She was very relieved when her daughter emerged smiling with Hiro by her side. "Mummy, can I sleep over? Momiji says we'll have a slumber party this year…"

She was so happy that her mother could not deny her request. "Hiro-chan, please take care of Kisa. I'll bring her coat… You'll take care of her, wouldn't you?"

"You can count on me!" Hiro chirped. He was smiling as broadly as Kisa. "Thank you." He gasped as Kisa's mother forgot herself and hugged him. POOF! "Obaasan!" He wriggled in her arms with indignation. Kisa giggled.

"Hiro's so soft and warm. I like sheep…" She stroked his wool as her mother apologized profusely. She carried him back to the banquet where Kureno was clearing the plates and cups.

Hiro's heavily pregnant mom came by later for her son. When she heard of the slumber party, she simply giggled and gave her son a hug. Permission granted.

"Slumber party?" Yuki asked Shigure in surprise. "No one wants the party to end that soon…" Shigure replied. It's true. Normally, they all looked forward to the end of the banquet. Last year, Akito got Momiji facing the corner because he didn't like the Rabbit's smile. Poor Momiji went without his dinner. The year before, they had to stop Ritsu from slitting his wrists after Akito told him to his face to kill himself.

Yuki had to admit. This was the best banquet ever, and he didn't want it to end so soon. The idea of a slumber party was Momiji's. Crazy bunny. The kids seemed keen on it.

"What about Tohru?" Tohru was yawning. She was feeling sleepy by now. "She can sleep here… I can share my blanket with…" Yuki hit Shigure with a tea-tray.

"The ladies will sleep in the alcove." Yuki decided. Shigure decided not to press the issue further. He sat down quietly in a corner and continued reading the diary. Kureno caught sight of the book.

"T-That's Akito-san's diary! How could you…" Kureno gasped. Shigure laughed. "Akito wrote here you've got the most kissable lips ever... and thinks you'll be great in the hay…" Kureno went white.

"Let me see!" He grabbed the book and stared at the words. "This is just the account of the summer chalet…"

"Aha, now you are an accomplice," Shigure grinned. "If you tell, I'll tell on you." Kureno retreated. Shigure always got the better of him. He went out into the garden to clear his head. He had drunk too much punch. Too much of Shigure's punch.

They had cleared the furniture and put out the futons. There weren't enough for everyone. Well, first come first served. Kisa curled up in the alcove with Hiro in her lap while Kagura prepared the futons. The place seemed so warm now.

The girls have decided the sleeping arrangement in the alcove. The children, Hiro and Kisa, would sleep there. Rin, Kagura and Tohru could fit in there as well. It'd be a bit of a squeeze. Sorry, Momiji. Rin took Momiji firmly and put him outside. They had cleaned the alcove and aired it. The stained tatami had been replaced with clean mats.

The other Sohmas will be sleeping in the main banquet room. What about the broken shoji? They could use a blanket stretched over it to keep the wind out.

Author's notes:

(Yawn) Tired. Zzz... Somehow the New year reunion at granny's always turns into a slumber party for the kids once their sugar runs out. The adults have mastered the art of letting half one's brain nap like dolphins. Hunker down & wait for the new year...

HAppy HOlidays