"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their bed,
while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night! " " He read, but was cut off by his best friend.

"No, no, no! Let ME read it, Miroku!" he said. Miroku sighed, and handed the book to his best friends, Inuyasha. Inuyasha gladly took the book, and cleared his throat.

"Twas the night before a non-denominational winter holiday, when all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The neutral gifts sacks were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that a non-specific holiday figure would soon be there.

Children of every race, and nationality were resting all snug in their bed,

With visions of sugar-free plums danced in their heads.

When out on the lawn there rose such a clatter,

I got up outta bed to see what was the matter and to see who was violating the neighborhood sound ordinates.

But what in my wondering eyes it appeared,

But a nice comfy SU Vehicle, and 8 sized challenged reindeer.

Holiday figure was so lively and quick,

I knew at the moment it must be: Holiday figure.

He had a broad but normal face, an advanced sized belly,

And he laughed: Lady of the evening, Lady of the evening, Lady of the evening!" he read, and cracked up afterwards.

Miroku couldn't help but laugh, too. Inuyasha had ruined the story, but he had somehow made it better. "You made that up just NOW!" Miroku laughed, and clutched his stomach. Inuyasha sat up wit difficulty, and nodded.

"You're one stupid guy," Miroku commented. Inuyasha looked at the book, and tossed it to Miroku. "Why do you have this book, anyway?" he asked. Miroku shrugged.

"I always do on Christmas," he said. Inuyasha reached into Miroku's bag, and pulled out a raccoon-dog stuffed animal. "And THIS, too?"

Miroku snatched the plushie away from him. "HEY! My dad gave it to me on my first Christmas! And I keep it for good intentions!" e said, defending himself. Inuyasha didn't argue with him on this one. They BOTH were orphans, and since they were so much alike in this way, they decided to spend this Christmas as best friends, or maybe even brothers. To day was December 3rd. Then, they heard footsteps.

"When up on the stairs there rose such a clatter, and I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter," Miroku recited, laughing as Inuyasha's older brother, Sesshoumaru came down with his girlfriend Rin behind him.

"Hey, you guys! Merry Christmas!" she exclaimed. Miroku and Inuyasha waved at Rin. "Merry Christmas!" they called back. They had both come down for dinner, since they all lived together, but Miroku and Inuyasha owned one half of the house, and Sesshoumaru and Rin the other.

"Hn, what's for dinner?" Sesshoumaru asked coldly. Miroku stuck his nose into the fridge, and searched around. "Uhhh… are you guys good with half a bowl of soup?" he asked.

"WHAT! You guys were supposed to have dinner ready half an hour ago!" Sesshoumaru barked. Rin patted his shoulder, calming him down.

"Fluffy, hun, please calm down. We can just go to a restaurant to eat!" she suggested. Miroku and Inuyasha nodded. Then he leaned over and whispered in Miroku's ear, "Now I know why he loves her. This girl is brilliant!" Miroku chuckled, and they both ducked, dodging a plastic container full of moldy mashed potatos. They looked up to fins Sesshoumaru glaring at them.

"I heard that," he growled. Inuyasha tried not to laugh, and Miroku shook in fear.

Rin's gaze switched back and forth from all three of them, and the silence was irritating her. "So, any ideas for the restaurant?" She piped up. All of the boys looked at her, and she sighed. Then, a song started playing.

"I'm a Barbie girl, the Barbie world. Life in plastic, it's so fantastic!" it sang. They all looked at Rin, who was blushing. She immediately reached into her purse, and grabbed her cell phone. The song was her ring tone, and someone was calling her. She picked it up.

"Mushi, Mushi? Eh? Uhhh… can I bring a few friends? Of COURSE I'm bringing him! Two other guys. Yup. Uh-huh. Ok! See ya there!" se said, talking to someone else on the phone. She hung up, and beamed at the puzzled boys.

"Ok! Tat was my friend, Sango Taijya! We're going to go eat at a buffet near the mall! C'mon! She's bringing her friend Kagome, and their brothers, Sota and Kohaku! And NO fighting, you guys!" she said/ they nodded, and followed her out the door, to the car.

IN THE CAR…

Inuyasha and Miroku were leaning towards the front seat, changing the channels for which song to listen to. Sesshoumaru was becoming impatient, and swatted their hands away.

"Hey!" Inuyasha said, and was about to hit him, when he popped in a CD. The music started playing.

"Begin the day with a friendly voice,
A companion unobtrusive" it sang.

"DUDE! So it WAS you who raided my closet!" Inuyasha said. The CD Sesshoumaru popped in was Inuyasha's RUSH album. They song that was playing was called: The Spirit of the Radio. They all knew this song by heart, and often sang it together. That was back when Sesshoumaru was nice. Miroku decided to sing along.

"Plays the song that's so elusive
and the magic music makes your morning mood."

Inuyasha grinned, and punched his brother's shoulder playfully. "Hey, you still remember the lyrics?" he asked. Sesshoumaru smirked, and began playing the beats on the steering wheel. "I TAUGHT you guys the lyrics." He replied. Then, Rin smiled, happy that they were SOMEWHAT getting along. They all sang (excluding Rin) the song.

"Off on your way, hit the open road,
There is magic at your fingers
For the Spirit ever lingers,
Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.

Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free

All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted.
Not so coldly charted
It's really just a question of your honesty, yeah,
Your honesty.
One likes to believe in the freedom of music,
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity.

Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free

For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall,
Concert hall
And echoes with the sounds of salesmen.

Of salesmen,

Ohhh, salesmen!" they sang.

"All right, next track. We need music that fits this scene," Miroku said, and flipped through the tracks. He listened for the right tune, and finally found it. "FLY BY NIGHT!" he shouted, and sat back down. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru grinned, and sang along.

"Why try? Now why?
The feeling inside me says it's time I was gone
Clear head, new life ahead
Its time I was king and not just one more pawn.

Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend

Moon rise, thoughtful eyes
Staring back at me from the window beside
No fright or hindsight
Leaving behind that empty feeling inside

Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend

Start a new chapter
I find what I'm after
It's changing every day
The change of a season
Is enough of a reason
To want to get away
Quiet and pensive
My thoughts apprehensive
The hours drift away
Leaving my homeland
Playing a lone hand
My life begins today

Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend"