-YAY! Yet again, I am back and rarin' to go! I couldn't believe my luck. For once, my muses are actually helping… now that I think of it, you guys have never heard about my muses, have you? All right, onto the story! By the way, tell me if you like these quotes I keep putting up!

-I was playing poker the other night… with Tarot Cards. I got a full house and 4 people died – Steven Wright.

It was finally winter vacation, which meant one thing… Christmas is getting closer by the second! Which meant another thing. It's time to drag out all the x-mas decorations.

"Ooooh! Two weeks until Christmas!" Emiko hummed Green Sleeves as she pulled down the ladder to the attic.

"Is your mother always like that during the holiday season?" Midorai asked Daisuke under her breath.

"Unfortunately."

"Ah. So, when are you going Christmas shopping?" she asked, walking away from the yuletide cheer that was oozing away from Emiko like some kind of sugary sludge.

"Huh, I was kinda hoping today, the snow is beginning to clear…" he looked out the window, "Well… sorta."

"Hm? Are you heading out with Riku Harada?"

"I…" Daisuke blushed slightly then cleared his throat, replying, "Yes… I was going to ask you, what would you like for Christmas?"

Shocked, Midorai looked over at Daisuke, a slight blush rising to her cheeks.

"Nothing. I'm the one who should really get you all something! I mean, you let me into your house and everything!"

"Don't be silly," Daisuke replied, walking over to the coat closet and pulling out a thick fleece jacket.

"Really! You don't have to buy me anything!" Midorai exclaimed, grabbing her thick cable knit sweater and pulling it on.

Vaguely, Daisuke looked over, wondering why she always wore clothing that was just a tad bit too large for her small body. He just sighed, wrapping a burgundy scarf around his neck.

Not really wanting to press the small argument, Daisuke just sighed.

'If she doesn't want a present, just don't get her one,' Dark reasoned, rather irritable from the lack of sleep.

'But… that's just not fair!' Daisuke replied indignantly.

'No, it's perfectly fair, now just SHUT UP!"

Daisuke sighed, pulling on a warm hat and shoving his feet into a pair of snow boots. What should he really do? Listen to Dark… or what his conscience is bugging him about. Oh who was he kidding, only a madman would listen to HIM.

"Daisuke?" Midorai tapped him on the shoulder, reeling him out of his little side conversation.

"Huh? Oh, right… well, if you want you could probably go shopping with Riku's sister Risa," Daisuke offered as he headed for the door.

"No, that's alright. Thanks, though," Midorai replied, smiling at him while pulling on a small pair of snow boots.

"Alright."

And the two headed off, going their separate ways at the Harada household. As soon as he was gone she sighed, racing off to where she simply needed to be…

(1 hour later)

"Ugh, fifteen stores and nothing!" a young woman exclaimed, dramatically throwing her hands into the snow filled air. Hefting her purse higher up on her shoulder she headed off down the streets of downtown.

She was tall and appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen, with blood red hair that fell around her small face in perfect ringlets. Gold eyes glinted mischievously in the harsh light of winter and her scarlet lips were held in a sultry smirk. Dressed in a short little black pleated skirt and a cute white oxford shirt that was unbuttoned suggestively low she should have been cold if it wasn't for the tailor black coat that fell to around her small ankles, the back coat tails flying out behind her dramatically. Her well toned legs were covered in back thigh high socks, tied on with cute white ribbons, the excess fabric pleating just an inch below the hem of her skirt. Clunky black shoes were strapped across her feet, fastening with gleaming silver clasps in the shapes of roses.

"Great, I wish I could just summon those darn stones, but noooo," she muttered to herself, weaving through the crowds of Christmas shoppers and walking into a nearby café, trying to shake the cold that was settling on her like a wet wool blanket.

"Hi, what would you like?" the cheerful barista asked and the young woman looked tersely up at the menu, biting her lip until she finally decided.

"An amaretto, please, grande," she stated, then went over to the waiting counter until the large cup full of steaming coffee arrived in front of her, it's black lid haphazardly placed on.

Rolling her eyes, she snapped the plastic lid on and went over to one of the few armchairs not in use, sitting down in it gratefully, crossing her legs. Leaning a shoulder against the thick, cold glass of the window she politely sipped her coffee, her eyes scanning the room, ever so often her eyes stopping on someone then just as quickly moving away to the next.

"Boring… but they do make a good cup of coffee," she murmured, getting up to leave, tossing her empty cup into the garbage can as she left.

Taking a sharp turn she began to head down an alleyway, knowing it to be a shortcut to the store she needed to head to. Each step echoed off the walls of the building when she heard other footsteps, heels of boots clicked behind her, adding to the soft rhythm of her own footfalls.

"My, my, my, you sure look pretty, Midorai," the all too familiar voice suddenly stated, making the young woman spin around, her eyes settling on the figure of Kellan. (In his creepy ass form, btw, the one that attack Kitsune and Dark. And yes, this is Midorai, she shape shifted into this form. Did that help?)

"Kellan…" she breathed, her eyes widening in fear.

"When you look like that… it makes me want to just… eat you right up," he smirked at her, walking ever closer, the distance between them getting smaller by the second.

"…that's… nice…" Midorai replied, quickly turning around and breaking into an all out sprint, trying to get away from him.

"Aw, I love a good chase," he smirked, chasing after her, a hungry look in his eyes until he caught up to her, pinning her to the rough brick wall of the alleyway.

Midorai gasped sharply as he rammed her shoulder into the brick with one hand. Leaning forward he placed his lips so close to her ear that she could almost feel his lips.

"Are you going to give up that easily? I thought that of all people you'd give up a chase," he whispered softly, his hot breath washing over her.

Struggling weakly, she tried to free herself while his other hand closed around her throat, tightening, cutting off her air. Gasping, her hands flew up, clasping around his wrists, trying her hardest to pull him off as she slid down the wall, her legs shaking and weak from fear.

"This is my favorite part… when I get to see that fire in your eyes… extinguish," he whispered, sounding breathless.

Gasping and struggling, Midorai tried in vain to get him off, her eyes wide and fearful, darting around the alley, looking for something to attack him with but it was empty, except a few trash bags but they were too far away. Darkness began to encroach on her vision as she finally fell to her knees. Her knuckles almost glowed white as her hands still grasped Kellan around his wrists, trying to yank them off her throat. The red oval on his collar glowed viciously at her, fuelling his fake bloodlust.

"K… k…Kell…Kellan… please," she pleaded, tears well out of her eyes and racing down her face, splashing on his hands.

"If Wyngs doesn't have you… no one will," he smirked at her, as her eyes flickered open and close as she struggled to stay conscious.

"P…please…"

Midorai's voice faded away as her brain began to shut down. Struggling to keep her eyes open, Kellan could feel almost feel her strength fading away from her, her hands barely holding onto his wrists when he twitched, letting go of her throat, pulling away.

Frantic, Midorai gasped, one hand resting on her throat where angry red marks raced across the pale skin. Kellan just looked over at her and she could see the toxin was having its effects, his system was slowly becoming immune to it's intoxicating effects. Groaning, he shook his head, his eyes settling on her, filled yet again with bloodlust but this time Midorai was ready, up and running, praying she could outrun him this time.

"Run! I'll find you tomorrow and then!" he screamed out to her, his voice filled with rage.

His words still ringing in her ears she raced into the nearest store, oddly the one she was looking for. The owner looked up as he watched the young woman throw his door open, closing it behind her and sliding down the glass.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, angry that she was blocking the door until he noticed the angry red marks that raced across her throat.

"Are you alright?" he asked, coming out from behind his counter, kneeling down to get a good look at her.

"Yeah," she replied hoarsely, wiping tears off her face and looking up at the store, chuckling slightly to herself.

"You sure?"

"Mmmhmm, hey, can I look around here?" she asked, pulling herself off the ground and dusting off her jacket and skirt.

"Uh, yeah, sure…" he replied, shocked as Midorai walked through the dusty aisles of the antique store until she found the items she was looking for.

She walked up to the counter, her arms full of a large leather pouch filled with something rectangular, and various pieces of jewelry, each one having a large pendant of various precious gems hanging from their thick chains.

"You have just what I need, thanks, you're a lifesaver," she replied, smiling at the shocked man when a middle aged woman walked into the room, followed by a young man who was indeed a younger than her. Midorai's eyes fell to their hands, noticing both wore rings. A large diamond was sent into the woman's thin gold band.

The woman herself was thin; her shiny black hair was cut sharply at chin. Thin lips were held in a distasteful frown and her cold black eyes scanned the dusty shop with a look of detestation glowing in them. Her bony form was covered in an expensive pair of jeans, a Juicy Couture top with a Coach jacket and a Burberry scarf wrapped around her neck to ward off the chill of winter. An expensive Chanel (did I spell it right?) purse was swinging from one arm. The man who walked in with her wore a simple, black Armani suit, his shirt collar unbuttoned and the tie was missing.

"Ami, is something wrong?" he asked her, taking her right arm and hooking it with his.

"Yes, there is. Why are we here?" she snapped, glaring over at him.

The moment Midorai heard the woman's name she realized why she looked so familiar… it was her mother. All the expensive clothes she wore were bought by her enslavement to Wyngs. Grateful she was in a different form, she did her best to look away from the woman who walked up to the table, being led by the man she was with. Midorai now knew her mother had gotten remarried while she was in Wyngs, so what happened to her father.

"Dearest Ami, we are here so we can find you some beautiful vintage jewelry. You said you liked older stuff better," he replied, kissing her gently on the cheek.

"Hmpf. You, girl," she suddenly pointed over to Midorai who started, looking up at her, trying her best to look unfazed.

"Yeah?"

"Yes, dear, yes. Ugh, teens never have any manners. Shouldn't you be out on a street corner?" she smirked, her eyes gleaming wickedly.

"St… street corner?" Midorai asked, confused. Then it hit her. Her mother thought she was a…! She broke out in a wide blush, pulling her jacket closer around her body.

"Ami, don't be so cruel, perhaps we should give her some money so she can buy some decent clothing?" the man added, reaching into his jacket pocket for money.

"Yes, I do love charity," Ami replied.

'Well, at least she's not as bad as she used to be,' Midorai thought silently to herself.

"Here," her mother placed down a 100 yen piece and walked off with her husband, not even bothering to buy anything.

"She sure is cheap," the owner muttered, looking down at the 100 yen.

"Here, to pay for my stuff," Midorai muttered, a deep crimson blush running across her face as she handed over a large wad of bills.

"Right, I'll get your change," he replied, opening the cash register.

"It's alright. Consider it a reward for putting up with that… woman…" Midorai replied sadly, picking up the 100 yen and leaving, grabbing her bag.

"Thanks…" said the owner to her back, watching the girl walk of sadly.

Midorai quickly made her way to the park, ducking into a restroom stall and returning to her natural form, pushing her long white hair over a shoulder. Picking up her bag she headed back to the Niwa house.

When Daisuke finally came home it was late. After telling his mother and father that he was home he made his way into his room to see that Midorai's door was open. Curious, he walked in to see her curled up on top of her sheets, clutching her hands to her chest, holding something. As Daisuke came closer he saw it was a tarnished 100 yen piece, though she held it like it was something important. He sighed, leaving the room and closing the door silently behind him, heading into his room, eager for rest…

-There we go, another end of another chapter! Can't wait for the next, how about you? The interesting thing with all of my fanfics is that I never make a single outline, I just type and let my finger carry me where my muses lead me. Now then,

-Inkheart! Sorry your inspiration has not been coming to you, I know from experience that it really sucks. And Cyn, writing is in no way that simple. Yeah… the last chappy was pretty much angst-y, but what can you do? Midorai may look very pure but she had very dark thoughts. (and no, dark as in no light, not Dark!) Cyn, you're welcome for appreciating you. And you're making me blush, I'm a genius? Hm…. But thank you, and to all the rest of you who reviewed. And here we go… are you ready?... 20TH CHAPTER! WOOT! YE-AH! (does happy dance) thanks, and get ready for number 21.