Hao: Ashuri does not own shaman king and la de da.
Reviews.
Spiritsflame: Kawai! Super cute. Did anyone else notice that all of the 'potentail futures' not one of them was Ren without Horo. ^^ I did. Oh wait that's cause I wrote it. Heh glad you thought it was cute, even though Ren went a little too psychotic. It was Kawaii!
Gift-of-the-elves: Wo Ren is dreaming of Horo that's a start oh Horo realt is darling at times and Ren is not darling but something nice...don't have a word for it. That ruled and I was sat at the edge of my seat trying to get really really close to the screen to read more and more I would very much like to see more when you have the time Rock-On! I think the dude who called Ren darling was drunk so that's why he said that. Dunno I just wanted Horo to cause I bar fight so yeah. I think if you got close enough to the screen you wouldn't be able to read it. It would blur. But glad you enjoyed it! Excellent!
Jiannetsuke-TAK: T-T sorry for not reviewthe other chapter T_T it was really sweet... This chapter it was weird byt cool... really awesome ^_^ I like very much you fic... Take care and have fun in spring break... Bye-Bye yes the chapter was weird. Ren is cracking. Or going insane. Either or. That's for reviewing! I'm alone all spring break so it should be great!
Chapter seven: Christmas
At long last Christmas came. The weeks of waiting all seemed worth it when you woke up on Christmas day, and excitement of opening gifts took hold. Children were ecstatic and loved to run around their houses annoying their parents, begging for their presents. And normally you would expect an adult to be excited but remain calm and collected. And so at the present time, Ren serious doubted that Horo was an adult.
At the crack of dawn, obviously feeling much better, Horo was up and running around yelling, "Its Christmas! Its Christmas!" Ren, as always when Horo was being a pest in the morning, rolled over and remained asleep, that is until Horo bounded into the guest room and started to jump on the bed. "Get up Ren!" Ren grumbled something and pulled the blankets up higher.
Horo sighed and sat down. He stared at Ren for a while before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. Again Ren grumbled something and didn't open his eyes. Horo smiled mischievously and decided to see what he could get away with.
He kissed Ren again on the cheek. Ren didn't move. He poked Ren in the head a couple times. Ren didn't move. He blew sharply in Ren's ear. Ren still didn't move. Horo blinked. Either Ren was now a very deep sleeper, which he doubted, or he was very good at ignoring him, which he also doubted, or he wanted to see what Horo would do.
Pausing as if wondering if he should press his luck, he closed his eyes and kissed Ren on the
lips. It didn't get Ren's attention. Horo sighed. Why wouldn't Ren wake up? He looked at the clock. Maybe it was too early. The clock read six thirty. It was too early. Horo sighed again and climbed off the bed. Now he was bored. Taunting Ren while he slept wasn't much fun without Ren getting upset over it.
He walked over to the door. What could he do for three hours? Horo racked his brain thinking. After a minute he had it. He would clean the house as a big thank you to Ren for taking care of him while he was sick. And then he would make breakfast.
"Excellent," Horo said and closing the door went down stairs to clean.
When Ren woke up three hours later, there was a tingling sensation on his lips. Sitting up groggily he couldn't register what it was. Deciding to worry about it later he got up and went to the bathroom. When he was finished he yawned and gazed lazily into the mirror above the sink. He was so tired. Horo had kept him up most of the night, running around all excited that Christmas was the next day. It took along time to calm him down, so Ren didn't get to sleep till two AM.
Leaving the bathroom he smelt something like pancakes from downstairs. Blinking he walked down the stairs and stopped dead staring at the living room. It was spotless. The dust that had settled because Ren couldn't get around to cleaning was gone, as were the dishes left there and pieces of paper. Ren pinched himself. Maybe he was still sleeping. It hurt. Nope he was awake.
Turning toward the kitchen, he spotted Horo there, making pancakes. Wait a minute, Horo was making breakfast? Ren stared.
Horo noticed because he turned and smiled at Ren. "Morning Ren," he said flipping the pancakes.
"Morning," Ren replied still staring.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like? Making breakfast."
"Why?"
"Because it's a thank you," Horo said getting plates from the cupboard.
"Why?" asked Ren sitting down.
"Because you took care of me while I was sick."
"Oh."
Horo placed the pancakes on the plate, put them on the table and got Ren a big glass of milk from the fridge and some juice for him. Ren was still staring. "Why are you staring?" asked Horo after a while.
"Cause I'm awestruck," replied Ren.
"Ah I see. Well dig in," said Horo and started to wolf down his food.
Ren sighed and began to eat. It wasn't that bad. When they were finished Ren said, "I'm amazed you know how to cook."
"Pirka taught me," Horo said and began to clean their plates.
"Ah yes the sister must teach the brother everything, even though he is older."
Horo laughed and Ren got up to stretch. It was nice to not have to cook in the morning.
As Horo cleaned Ren watched him absent mindedly thinking about the tingling sensation that had been on his lips earlier. He still couldn't think of what it was. Maybe he was too tired and his brain didn't want to work. He sighed still watching Horo who got fascinated with the soap bubbles and started to blow them all over the place. Ren wasn't paying attention and didn't notice.
Horo turned to look at Ren, when he didn't get scolded for making a mess. The fact that Ren was staring at him and not noticing what he was doing was surprising. Putting the plates away, watching Ren out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Ren's eyes followed him. Even though Ren wasn't glaring it was kind of scary. Horo cleaned up the soap bubbles and stood in front of Ren.
"Ren?" he asked.
Ren blinked. "Hmm what?"
"Never mind," he said and got the cleaning supplies to clean the cupboards.
"Did you clean the living room?"
"Yeah."
"Well thank you," Ren said.
"No problem," replied Horo.
Because they didn't have to go to Yoh's till five, Horo spent most the day cleaning and Ren went back to sleep. Around noon Horo tired to wake Ren up for breakfast but Ren didn't want to wake up. When he softly shook Ren's shoulder Ren said something like, "Leave me alone you stupid fat rabbit!"
Horo stared at him and fought the urge to laugh. He shook Ren's shoulder again. "Ren, you have wake up." "
No you stupid rabbit! I don't love you! And I don't want to be happy with you!"
Horo bust out laughing and surprisingly it didn't wake Ren up he just yelled. As Horo laughed Ren yelled things like, "Leave me alone!" "Go away!" "Death to your family!" and "Don't touch me!" The most surprising thing that happened was Ren yelled, "Horo!"
Horo looked at Ren. He was still sleeping. "Yeah?" he said wondering if Ren could hear him.
"Help me!"
"How so?"
"I don't know do something! It's going to eat me!"
"Ren rabbits don't eat humans," Horo said laughing.
"Then it's trying to make me love it!" Ren said in horror.
"Well why don't you love it?"
"Cause it's smelly and ugly and I don't like it."
Horo laughed again and looked around. He spotted his small stuffed rabbit on a table. Why was it there again? He wandered over and took it from the room. The thing obviously was giving Ren nightmares somehow. Returning to the guest room Ren said, "I'm saved. Thank you Horo."
"Sure," replied Horo, amazed that Ren was still sleeping.
Horo stared at him until Ren muttered, "Maybe one day this dream will come true, it's all I'm wishing for, to be with you." Horo blinked. That was written on the card that he gave to Ren along with the chocolate cake. Ren actually remembered it? That was strange.
"Horo," Ren said.
"Yeah?"
"Why are you still here?"
"Dunno. Do you want me too leave?" asked Horo.
"...no."
Horo sat on the edge of the bed. "Ok I'll stay then."
After a minute Horo, wondering why he was talking to Ren while he was sleeping, asked, "Do you hate me Ren?"
"No."
"Do you like me as a friend?"
"Yes," answered Ren.
"Do you love me Ren?"
"..." Ren didn't answer.
"Ren?" Horo said and Ren opened his eyes.
"That was a great nap," he said a little to quickly. Horo narrowed his eyes. "What?" Ren asked. Horo shook his head sadly. "Nothing. Lunch time."
After lunch they lounged around and Horo badgered Ren about opening his gift. Ren said no, as he would be opening them later along with his other gifts. Horo pouted and didn't press the issue. As it neared five o'clock, they picked up Ren's gifts and started to walk to Yoh's, as Ren said there would be drinking and didn't trust Horo enough to not drink and he didn't feeling like calling the limo dude to come and get them. Horo said on the way that before he got evicted from the hotel, he went out and bought everyone's gifts. Ren said that was smart and Horo beamed.
As they neared the Asakura household, Yoh came flying out the front door. "Hey guys!" he said looking fearfully behind him.
"Hey Yoh. What's up?" Horo said.
"Anna's trying to get me to help Ryu make dinner, but I don't want to!" he grabbed Horo's shoulders. "You have to help me!"
"Um how?" Horo asked.
"Help Ryu make dinner for me."
"I'm not that good. Anna might kill me," Horo said.
Ren rolled his eyes. "How about you take the gifts up to the house and I'll help Ryu."
Yoh hugged Ren tightly. "Thank you!" Ren patted him awkwardly noticing Horo's not so happy look.
When Yoh released him, Ren went inside to help Ryu, leaving Horo and Yoh to get the gifts. "So how are things with Ren?" Yoh asked.
"Fine."
"Is that only because you were sick and couldn't try anything on him?"
"Partially," Horo said giving him a look.
"YOH! HURRY UP AND GET INSIDE!"
"Yes Anna!"
Things went smoothly as more guest arrived. Manta, Faust, Jun and Chocolove, to be exact. With Ren helping Ryu, the dinner got made faster and was very enjoyable. Horo, who seemed to be a little quiet after arriving, opened up a lot after a few drinks, much to Ren's displeasure. After dinner, they all gathered around the large Christmas tree and proceeded to open the gifts. The laughing and tearing of rapping paper filled the house. Even Ren enjoyed himself and had been right about Horo fainting at the sight of the snow board, even if it was just for a minute or so.
When he regained consciousness he threw his arms around Ren and hugged him tightly. "Oh god! Thank you Ren!"
Ren smiled and gave Horo a small hug. "Your welcome."
Because Ren had not beaten Horo for touching him, Jun, came to the conclusion that they were together. She ruined the evening, for Ren anyway. He chased her around the house for a good five minutes before going to the bathroom. Wanting to cause damage to something, he almost punched the mirror, but contained himself.
Leaving the bathroom he spotted Horo outside the door. "What are you doing?' Ren asked.
"I'm sorry. If I hadn't hugged you Jun wouldn't have said that and she wouldn't have ruined your evening."
"Horo, you're a very outgoing person, so hugging, when your happy, comes naturally. Therefor, no matter what, you would have hugged me anyway."
Horo nodded. "I'm still sorry though."
"Fine."
Ren heard Horo sigh and saw him look up at the ceiling. Horo smiled. "What are you smiling about?" Ren inquired.
Horo pointed. "Mistletoe."
Ren looked up and tired to edge away.
"Come on Ren."
"N-no!"
Horo grabbed him around the middle. "It's Christmas though. And when your under the mistletoe you have to kiss the person."
"N-no! You can't make me!"
And they argued. This is what it sounded like from the sitting room.
"Kiss me!"
"You'll have to drug me first!"
"I know you want me too!"
"In your dreams!"
"Maybe one day this dream will come true-" "
Stop saying that!"
"Ren!"
"No!"
"Just one little kiss!"
"N-no!"
"Please!"
"No! Stop it!"
"I know you love me Ren!"
"Ahhhh! The rabbits controlling you!"
"Hahaha that's right!"
"Ahhh!"
"Now kiss me!"
"NOOO!"
"..."
"Don't pout!"
"..."
"Neh."
"..."
"Ah god dammit. Fine."
"Really!?"
"Then leave me alone."
"No problem."
Horo leaned forward and pressed his lips against Ren's. Ren went into his ridged, I am not going to kiss you form. However, after a few seconds found himself kissing back. He tired to pull away, but his body wasn't cooperating. When Horo pulled away, the tingling sensation from the morning was on his lips again. Because it was Christmas, Ren tried not to get angry.
"You kissed me this morning didn't you?"
"I was trying to wake you up."
"What time was this?"
"6:30."
"6:30! Horo you know very well that I'm not awake that early!"
"I know. But I didn't know it was 6:30. I'm sorry."
Ren sighed angrily. "Whatever. J-just don't do it again."
Horo nodded. Walking back to the sitting room, they found everyone staring at them. "What are you looking at?" Ren snarled. They adverted their gaze. Looking over at a clock it was around ten.
"I'm going home." Ren said. "Goodbye."
"Bye!"
Getting his jacket he found Horo behind him. "I know, as soon as I get better I'm supposed to leave. But can I stay for one more night?"
"I suppose."
"Thanks Ren," said Horo smiling. He called goodbyes and left with Ren.
It was snowing, but it was nice outside. They stared walking silently. A couple of minutes past and Ren sat down on a bench.
Horo sat down beside him. "What's up?"
Ren remained silent. He didn't really want to go home, but everyone staring at him was annoying and he wanted to be removed from their presence.
"You know," Horo said. "You say funny things while you sleep."
"Like what?" "No you stupid rabbit! I don't love you! And I don't want to be happy with you!" Horo recited.
Ren stared at him and flushed. How embarrassing. "I was having a nightmare."
"Yeah I concluded that much. How did it end?"
"..."
"Well?" asked Horo, even though he was aware of the answer.
"You saved me," Ren said and looked away his flush deepening.
"Oh did I?"
Ren nodded.
"Why were you dreaming I saved you?" Horo asked.
"I...don't know."
Horo smiled. "Maybe you like me after all."
"...you keep thinking that," Ren said quietly.
"Oh I shall."
Ren sighed and Horo put his arm around Ren's shoulders. Ren froze. "Horo."
"You know why I'll keep thinking that?"
"No."
"Because while I was kissing you under the mistletoe, you were kissing back."
Ren racked his brain looking for some sort of excuse but couldn't find one. He didn't say anything.
"And because I know you quiet well, I know you wouldn't do that unless you had a little bit of feelings for me," Horo said.
"I-I suppose..." Ren started but trailed off. He shook his head. The alcohol was messing with his brain that's it. That's what was happening. He opened his mouth to say so but Horo said, "And its not the alcohol."
Shit. That bloody dream. It was going to come ture after all. Ren shuddered and shivered.
"Cold?"
"A little."
Ren yawned.
"Tired?"
"Yes." Only because of Horo's running around and the constant rabbit nightmares.
Horo pulled Ren closer and he suddenly felt warmer. "Horo, please don't." Horo sighed and pulled away. Ren whined at the loss of warmth but pulled away as well. "We should go now. I don't want to freeze."
Horo nodded and they stood up. But before Ren even walked a few paces, Horo pulled him into a hug. "Happy Christmas, Ren."
"Happy Christmas, Horo."
Because Horo was warm, Ren didn't want to pull away, again he bammed it on the alcohol. Horo had no objections and continued to hug him. The snow continued to fall as they stood there on the sidewalk wrapped in each others arms. Finally Ren's better judgement took hold and he pulled away.
"Lets go." he said and walked away. When they reached his house, Horo disappeared into the house and Ren stood out on the doorstep. Looking up at the sky, he concluded that Christmas was really the most wonderful time of the year.
Ashuri: the end of chapter seven. Hurra. So anyway cause alcohol can make a person act completely different from normal, Ren is kinda acting nice. And maybe liking Horo a bit. Heh heh, anyway please read and review.