Sango still didn't feel right letting Kagome leave without getting any gifts from them. Sure they didn't celebrate it, but still…

Sango shifted in her seat uncomfortably. The night was cold, and the snow was falling lightly. Sango wrapped her wool cloak around her tighter and brought her knees into her body. She sat alone under a large tree in Inuyasha's Forest. She wanted to be alone.

Kagome had often talked about Christmas. She'd been talking about it for weeks now, but Sango never thought it would come so fast. She would have gotten something for Kagome already.

The gifts, however, were not what Sango liked best about Kagome's Christmas stories. No, it was the time spent with one's family and friends. Oh, how Sango missed her own family. She missed Kohaku and she missed her father and mother.

She wouldn't see them again till the day she died. She wouldn't kill herself, she knew that wouldn't be what they (or her friends) wanted. She had to wait. Still, waiting was lonely.

Another thing she liked about Kagome's stories were the love stories. When you were under mistletoe, a boy had to kiss you. She thought that was the cutest thing. She wished that could happen to her, but she had no mistletoe, and no boys were around to kiss her anyway.

She sighed, trying not to let a lone tear fall down her cheek. Loneliness wouldn't get the better of her. She wouldn't allow it. Still, it hurt. How she wished for the company of someone else.

The branch above her shook, and a pile of snow fell on top of her. It fell over her shoulder's and down her back. It was cold, and she couldn't hold back a gasp of surprise. Looking above her, she saw two irritated eyes watching her.

" Who's there?" she called in a firm voice, thinking it to be an enemy.

No answer. The eyes just stared down at her irritably.

" I asked you a question!" she called, standing up and shaking the snow off of her.

" Hn."

That phrase. " Hiei!" she shouted, " What was the snow for?!"

" Hn. I was sleeping," he said, as though that answered her question.

" That doesn't answer my question!"

" When you sleep, you roll over ne?" he shot back, " Well, I rolled over and the snow on top of me fell. Baka. And your scream woke me up."

" I did not scream," she snapped, " I gasped."

" Scream, gasp same thing," he muttered.

" Is not!"

He shrugged and rolled onto his other side. Well…at least she wasn't alone now. For a while, there were no sounds. Nothing but the small breeze. That is, until Sango sneezed.

Hiei appeared beside her. " If you can't be quiet," he said, " Go away and be noisy somewhere else."

She glared at him. " You shouldn't be sleeping in trees where people might like to sit under," she answered coolly.

" You shouldn't be sitting under trees that people might be sleeping in."

" You shouldn't be sleeping in the snow."

" You shouldn't be outside when you have a cold."

" You should stop arguing with me," she replied, " Because I'll win."

He raised an eyebrow. " Really? We'll see."

" You should give up while you have the chance," Sango said, grinning.

He shrugged. " Why? You have no chance."

Kagome liked the meal very much. Kurama was a fine cook, and she told him so. He blushed at her praise and couldn't figure out how to answer her.

They talked about many things, but kept away from the demon's subject and Kanzuka. They didn't want to spoil such a lovely evening with those subjects.

" It was really nice of you to invite me over tonight," Kagome said, blushing and staring at her mashed potato's.

He blushed and scratched the back of his neck. " Well…you're so nice to me…especially after I vanished for four years…I mean, I had to repay your kindness somehow…"

" Oh you don't have to. I mean, what are friends for?" She smiled.

He smiled back, and rose up from the table, clearing away his dishes. He took away the empty salad bowl too, and the empty mashes potato dish. He began to pile them in the sink and poured liquid soap over them all. Perhaps he was just going to let them soak and do them when Kagome left, but she stood up and rolled her sleeves back.

" What are you--"

" I'm going to help you. I can't let you do them all on your own. I'll wash, you dry and put away."

" But your kimono--"

" Will be fine."

" Here wear this," he handed her his apron.

She blushed. " Arigatou." She tied it around her waist.

Thrusting her hands into the water, she scrubbed the various pots and pans.

" What are we arguing about again?" Sango asked a half an hour later.

Hiei shrugged. " I don't know."

She sighed. " Well whatever."

Silence.

" You seem lonely and sad tonight," Hiei remarked ten minutes later.

Sango stared at him. He could tell? " What…do you mean?"

" You're feeling sad ne?" Hiei asked in an almost forced calm voice.

" And lonely. Because Kagome isn't here, your family is dead and its Christmas Time."

She stared at the ground. " Yeah…that's right. No hiding it."

" Well…stop letting it get the better of you!"

" I can't. I'm not strong like everyone else. They all are strong enough to get over these things. But not me. I just can't let it go."

He sighed exasperated. " None of them lost their entire family and village because of stupid jewel and stupid hanyou. Of course its harder for you. Of course its not going to be easy to get over. If you forgot them, then how would they feel?"

She sighed, a tear fell down her cheek.

" And you are strong," Hiei continued. " If you weren't, then you could never have gotten this far with your life since their deaths. You would be wallowing in sorrow. A sorrow from which no one could save you."

" I suppose…"

" Now cheer up. I can't stand to see you like this."

Sango blinked. Hiei blinked too, apparently registering what he just said. He tried not to go a crimson colour.

" What did you say--"

" Christmas isn't about moping around," Hiei interrupted her, " Its about being happy. Kagome would tell you that. Same with that fox. And anyone else you'd talk to."

" Its hard to be happy when there's nothing to be happy about and no one to spend the season with."

" You have people to spend it with!" he argued. " You've got Kagome, that monk, the dog boy, Kurama, the little fox…and me," he added in a smaller tone.

Sango heard him. " I suppose so…Thanks Hiei. You made me feel so much better." Without thinking she hugged him tightly. Hiei was stunned for a moment, and then hugged her back. A moment later, she was crying into his shoulder.

The dishes were done and put away. The kitchen was sparkling clean. Kagome smiled brightly at the job. Kurama had not wanted her help at first, saying she was the guest and not her job to help clean up. She would have none of it, and eventually he gave up. Now, in the living room, they sat together, listening to music. It was quiet, slow music. Calm music.

" Present time!" Kagome called out. She reached for the package beside her and proudly handed it to Kurama.

" You got me a gift?" he said, blushing as he unwrapped it.

" Yes. I hope you like it. I wasn't sure what to get you."

" Like it?" he asked looking from the CD to the statuette, " I love it! Especially this." He held up the marble statuette.

" I'm glad."

" Was it expensive?"

" No, not overly so."

" I have something for you too," Kurama said, handing her a package. It was small, and wrapped in fine gold paper.

" You didn't have to get me anything," she said, " You had me over for dinner."

" I did so," he defended, " Its Christmas. Gift giving time."

She merely smiled and opened the small box. She gasped. Inside was a pair of diamond earrings and a matching heart-shaped locket. They were silver and shone brightly.

" They're…beautiful," she said in a hushed voice. " I love them. Help me put the locket on?"

She held it up and turned around, holding back her hair. He took the locket and fastened it securely around her neck. Letting her hair down again, she turned back around and put the earrings on.

" You look beautiful," he breathed.

She blushed. " Thank you very much."

She leaned forward, and so did he. Neither seemed to notice. The calm music in the background had set the perfect mood. Closing their eyes, they brought their faces close to each other, and their lips met.

" Sango…are you okay?" Hiei asked, genuinely concerned.

" I'm…fine…" she sniffed. " Its just that you made me feel so much better. I just couldn't hold back my tears anymore. I miss them all so much! I just need to…cry…and I needed someone to…hug…"

He nodded. " Very well."

She cried a bit more. Hiei let her hug him, even though if anyone had been around, he would not have allowed it. He felt sorry for her. He could almost feel her pain.

After a few minutes, Sango regained herself and pulled away, her eyes red with tears. A few still fell down her cheeks. She tried to smile, but it was forced and weak.

Absently, Hiei flicked one of her tears away. She blushed a deep red.

" Stop your crying," he ordered her, leaning forward, " It ruins your looks." Immediately he blushed a deep crimson.

Sango blinked twice. ' Did I hear him right?' she wondered.

Aloud, she said " What did you say?" She leaned forward too. Their noses were inch's apart.

" Hn. Nothing."

" You did so say something!"

He didn't answer. They stared at each other. Sango sighed heavily, and closed her eyes. The breeze picked up and blew her hair around lightly. She looked like a goddess to Hiei, though he'd never admit such a thing.

When Sango opened her eyes, she was the first to realise how close together they were. Blushing furiously, she pulled back suddenly and so did he.

" Maybe you should go back to the village now," he mumbled.

" Yes…I suppose." She got up. " Thanks for all your…kindness." She bowed quickly, and hurried away. Hiei watched her until she was nothing more and vanished from his sight.

There we go. I intended it to be longer, but I think I'll leave you guys hanging xP I'm also not sure how quickly my updates will come now. Exams are coming up at the end of January so, I likely won't update until February. I'll do what I can alright?

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or YuYu Hakusho.

Reviewer Responses

Ryu: Sneaky Lil' Fox: Ohh I like Yu-Gi-Oh! I'll read it when I have time. LoL sorry. I puts lots more of fluff in this one though ne?

Red Skyies: LoL yeah. I'm glad you liked it.

Baka KitsuneBriYep but ah well. I did manage to put Hiei/Sango fluff in this one. Originally, I was gonna have them kiss too, but I decided against it at the last moment.

CrimsonEyes7806: I will. I'm glad your enjoying it so far. Oh yes, more surprises to come. Trust me ;)

Kjinuyasha:I will do my best to.

Ryukotsusei: Thank you and I will.

nunofyorbizLoL well…not quite under the mistletoe, but maybe another time.

Inu-babe666:Gomen ne. I will. Lots of fluff in this.

shadow mikoThanks. Dinner went well ne? Nope, no demons will until after Christmas.

rubychik09: Yep xD Had to. Thanks I'll update as much as I can.

Shera, Kitsun of the Flame:Well…we know about Hiei now. As for Inuyasha and Yukina…I'll put them in soon.

Shadow Cat Reborn: Arigatou :D I'm glad you like it so far.

ArchAngel900I will.

kawaii-girl-animeThanks :D Enjoy the rest.

Kodachi Claws:I will. Don't worry. Yes, that's why Yukina is with Inu in the first place. I don't like Kuwabara much xP

So like I said guys, be patient. I'll update as soon as I can, but that will probably be in February. Plus my social life calls to me. Can't leave it to rot ne? I will update as soon as possible. Better go study for exams now x--x