Sakura: Two chappy's one week!!
Kurama: YAY!
Sakura: Happy New Year and Merry XMAS!
Kurama: Many were confused, last chapter was not the Christmas chapter.
Sakura: yeah. But that's ok. I'm just a lazy person! But here it is!
Kurama/Sakura: the Christmas Chapter!
Sakura: It skips through a lot though cuz I wanted to get to...
Kurama/Sakura: The good stuff!
Sakura: Anyways,
Disclamer: I don't own anything... yadda yadda yadda kerplunk.
Kurama: (laughs) Hiei, you are going to kill Sakura!!
Hiei: (ish curious and begins to read)
Sakura: Anyhoo, reveiwers are! dizappearingirl, Hitokiri-of-the-shadows,ForestHanyou,jennifer011121, and Kuranga108.
Kurama: Thanks a ton you guys!
Hiei: hn.
Sakura: SAY IT!
Hiei: Hn... The chapter is dedicated to Konoko-chan. Hitokiri-of-the-shadows
Sakura: Good boy.
Kurama: Anyways....
All: ON WITH THE FIC!
---
Over the next couple of weeks many things happened. Achiko went through her monthly-ish demon cycle and Shiori informed everyone of a little party the kindergarten and first grade were having in celebration of Christmas.
"We're home Shiori!" Achiko cried, hopping into the Minamino household. Shiori stepped out of her room and waved to the happy girl. Achiko, in turn, waved back and proceeded to run and hug the aged woman.
"Welcome home, Achiko dear." Shiori said and hugged the girl back. Kurama walked in with many groceries in his hands.
They put away the groceries together and Shiori sat in the living room with her son and his friend to wait for his other friends, for Shiori was going to inform them on the party. First to enter was Hiei, then Yusuke and Kuwabara, then Botan, Keiko, Shizuru and Yukina.
"All right everyone, this is what's going on," Shiori said, clapping her hands for attention. All stopped their squabbling and talking and looked over to the woman.
"The reason I have gathered you all here today is to inform you of the rules and codes of a chaperone!" Shiori said, ignoring the groans from Kuwabara and Yusuke. "Well, anyways. There's not much to learn- some of you have siblings from what I understand."
Shizuru nodded sadly, looking at Kuwabara, and Hiei glanced sideways at Yukina. Shiori continued on about rules and regulations- no fighting, no abusing the little kids, etc. Hiei and Achiko nodded attentively, never having heard any of this before. At the end of the short half hour they were lectured to, the group felt ready to chaperone anything.
"So, when's the party again?" Achiko asked, and Shiori replied that it was scheduled for next Saturday, a few days before Christmas, and only a few days away.
Most of the group dispersed and Achiko greeted all she didn't know and tried to bribe Botan into giving her the picture of her and Hiei back. Botan wouldn't relent, but Achiko got her share of threats in.
The days passed and it was suddenly the day of the party. There was much rushing around and buying and setting up. Achiko was in charge of decorations, along with Kurama, the taller of the two. Yusuke and Kuwabara were in charge of carrying things, along with Hiei. The girls were in charge of checking and music, food and drinks, etc. Of course, there were other adults there to help, mostly decorations and setting up.
Finally, it was time to party! Achiko pumped her fists into the air with elation, everyone else joining her. The joyous façade she had placed upon herself was working out fine, but inside she was terrified with the thoughts of Koryu and Atticus. She didn't know how she was going to deal with the two demons while also planning a party.
Achiko shook her head, trying to make her façade a reality. The first children began to arrive at the specified time, 4:00 pm; it would last until about 7:00 pm. By the time it was 4:30 everyone was there. Achiko was sitting in a corner thinking, munching on a cookie every now and then. She had to deal with all the first graders making fun of her height and the kindergartners who were too short to reach stuff on the table.
"Ho! Ho! Ho!" boomed a voice recognizable to everyone but Achiko and Hiei. All the children screamed, "SANTA!" and raced over to the doors to greet the jolly old man. Achiko and Hiei looked excitedly at one another and raced to the front of the line where they would ask for presents.
Santa sat down and motioned for the two demons to come and sit on his lap. Achiko and Hiei both went, but Hiei just stood. "What would you two children want for Christmas?" he asked, his voice loud and jolly. A flash went off and Achiko knew it was Botan with her trusty camera. Achiko put a finger to her lips, thinking about what she wanted.
"Ooh! Ooh! I know!" she said, throwing her hands up into the air, "I want brand new twin blades, cuz' mine are still in the forest where I used to live. Besides, they're all rusty and covered in blood..." Achiko mused.
Santa looked startled, and laughed shakily at the demons 'joke'. "OH! And, Botan's cam-er-a's demise!!" Achiko added, sounding out the foreign word. She and Hiei high-fived and Hiei decided it was his own turn.
"I want a brand new bandana for my Jagan eye!" he said, pointing with both hands to his forehead. Santa tentatively patted Hiei on the head, looking curiously around for the two's parents.
"Er... Ho! Ho! Ho! Perhaps on Christmas I shall visit you with said gifts! Until then, have a candy cane! Ho! Ho! Ho!" Santa said, handing the two demons very large candy canes. Achiko and Hiei hopped off Santa's lap and ran to Kurama to show off their candy.
"Maybe such big candy cane was not a good idea,"mused the fox, watching as the two demons walked happily away with their candy. Kurama watched as other kids walked up to Santa, wanting toys and dolls and such. He laughed, sure that the Santa imposter had never heard of such gifts in his life.
Hiei and Achiko hid in a corner, silently munching on their candy canes. They just sat their until the candy was no more, and after. However, as they sat in silence, they noticed the sticky stuff that covered their mouths. Achiko jumped up and ran to the bathroom to wash it all off, and Hiei did the same.
Achiko looked at herself in the mirror, admiring the outfit Botan had given her- a cute little yukata that was a deep sapphire blue, and the obi was a majestic silver with a red string. It ended just below the knee and was followed up by a cute pair of sandals.
The red and green ribbons that cascaded down her raven hair only added to all the festivity. All the adults were in Christmas-y kimono's or yukatas. Achiko walked out of the rest room and back out to the little party. She made sure the children didn't beat each other up, didn't choke, etc.
It was nearing the time to go home for the children and many had already departed. As decorations were torn down and drinks and food put away, Achiko jumped atop the roof of the party hall and sat there, her head on her knees.
It was a brisk night, the sky was clear and starry, not a cloud in the sky. A light snow began to fall, hardly noticeable but making the night feel all the more magical. Achiko had a strange feeling in her gut- like something was about to happen, and jumped when she heard someone step outside be low her. She shook off the snow, crawled down, hooked her legs on the roof and swung down to see the visitor.
"GAH!" came the shocked voice of a midgital fire demon. Achiko giggled and pulled herself back up onto the roof, apologizing profusely. Hiei jumped on the roof with her, still breathing heavily from the scare he had received.
"So, it's been a fun Christmas, hasn't it?" Achiko asked Hiei, glancing at him.
Hiei nodded slightly, licking his lips and enjoying the fresh minty taste that was still on them. He looked over at Achiko, blushing slightly.
"Have you made a New Years Resolution?" the wolf girl asked, thinking of her own- which was to train extra hard and find a way to defeat Koryu and Atticus.
Again, Hiei nodded- thinking of his own. "I have one, but it could easily be fulfilled tonight." he blushed a bit more as Achiko looked over to him.
"What is it? Ooo! I wanna know! I wanna-" she was cut off as Hiei placed his lips gently upon her own, then quickly drawing back- his face mere inches from her own. Achiko's eyes widened and a blush covered her own face.
Achiko smiled and went in for another kiss, planting one on his lips, then putting her arms around his neck and leaning her head on his shoulder.
"So now your resolution has been fulfilled two-fold!" Achiko joked. Hiei smiled and kissed her again, whispering, "Merry Christmas, Achiko," just before he went in for the kill. lol
"Hiei? Achiko? Where are you guys?" came the accented voice recognized as Botan's. Hiei and Achiko abruptly moved apart, blushing and twiddling their thumbs as Botan looked up at their little hide-away. A sneaky look crossed her face but she waved and shouted that it was time to leave.
Hiei jumped down first and watched carefully as Achiko did the same, and the three walked back into the room.
"Now that the kids' party is over, it's our turn!" Yusuke said, watching as the parents left. Kurama bid goodbye to his human mother and Achiko waved happily.
"You kids had better be good! I'm trusting you to keep and eye on them Suichi!" Shiori said smiling. Kurama nodded and his mother turned and left.
"First game of the evening! Truth or Dare?" Yusuke said
"Ooo! Yeah! Some excitement to get the party going!" Botan said, excited as usual.
"Truth or dare?" Achiko and Hiei said at the same time, knowing nothing of the ningen form of fun.
"Well, you get to pick either truth or dare and the person who asks you has to give you either something to do or to divulge a secret!" Botan said.
"I'm not sure I will like this game," Achiko said timidly, but Keiko and Shizuru dragged her over to the middle of the floor where everyone else was sitting. The girls placed her between Hiei and Kurama, and Achiko squirmed around, hoping her friends wouldn't pry too much. It was for their own safety that she didn't tell them everything about her.
"Alright! I want to start!" Botan said, grinning as strangely as ever. She looked mysteriously around the room before letting her eyes rest on…
"Yusuke! Truth or dare?" she asked, looking at the now thoughtful looking Yusuke.
"Dare!" the boy replied, putting on his tough guy 'tude. Botan began to laugh insanely and looked evilly at the spirit detective.
"I dare you… to… kiss Keiko!" Yusuke looked dumbstruck and Keiko blushed madly.
"You people are crazy!" Achiko said and tried to stand up- Shizuru and Botan were there in a flash pushing her back down, kicking the back of her knees until she collapsed. With slight tears Achiko glared and replied that her legs would be bruised for weeks with their aim.
"Make sure she doesn't leave." Botan ordered the two demons beside her and Achiko glanced at the both of them.
Yusuke proceeded to kiss Keiko lightly on the lips while both Achiko and Hiei began to blush madly. So the game went around, each person dared to do something embarrassing or to divulge an equally embarrassing secret would take revenge. Finally, it became Achiko's turn after a wheel of revenge, and Keiko was the one to decide Achiko's fate.
"Achiko-chan," Keiko started, trying to follow Botan's mysterious demeanor, "Truth or dare?"
Achiko looked left and right, searching for an exit before replying, "T-truth."
Keiko looked at Botan and the two conspired a minute before finally asking, "Do you have a crush on or have fallen head-over-heels for someone in this room?" Achiko blushed and glared at Botan, as did Hiei.
"Umn," Achiko started, grinning foolishly, "Well, y-yes. I do." Everyone started to 'Aw!' and many asked who it was.
"That my friends," Achiko replied to those who asked 'Who?', "is for another time! Anyways… Kurama! Truth or dare?"
"Dare!" Kurama said, smiling.
Achiko thought a second and Botan came over to help, to which she was greeted with, "Crazy ferry girl…" but Achiko conceded and used the girls idea.
Her amethyst eyes bubbling with chaos, Botan hopped back to her seat with a smirk.
"Kurama I dare you to… kiss Botan!" Achiko stuck out her tongue at Botan- joining in on the revenge.
Botan blushed and looked at Achiko like she was mad.
And so the night went- each being made to do evil things until there wasn't even a truth anymore- just dares.
"That's it! I have one more!" Botan shouted- deciding to end with her since it started with her.
"Achiko, revenge will be mine! A dare is in order and you must fulfill it! No choice!" Botan did a little happy dance in her head and smiled crazily, "Hiei! I dare you to kiss… Achiko! On the lips!"
Until then, most kisses had been on the cheek. Achiko blushed terribly, her face beet red, and Hiei's face was nearly the same. He shyly leaned over and kissed Achiko full on the lips.
Click.
Botan hid the camera quickly and the two demons were left to wonder what had just happened.
"Good for you, Hiei!" Yusuke said, patting the small demon on the back as they all stood up to stretch.
Hiei growled lightly, Achiko joining in.
The rest of the night was spent partying and eating. Presents were exchanged and hugs and pats on the head given. Achiko looked around to see everyone with gifts, and herself with only some candy canes.
She smiled though, not expecting to get anything. Everyone eventually turned around, smiling and laughing as Kurama walked over and presented a gift to her.
The tag said, "To Achiko, from the lot of us!" with a little smiley face by the signature. Achiko tore through the wrapping and opened the box.
"Oh, Gods!" she said, sliding her hands over the gift and finding the hilt of them. She lifted the two blades out, admiring their craftwork and décor. Especially the sharpness of the blades.
She stood up, swinging them around- they were light, but deadly. Perfect. She ran around hugging everyone, immensely happy that she now had something to protect herself with. Though they wouldn't do much good.
For if Koryu and Achiko were to fight- despite it all- Koryu would win.
---
Days passed. Christmas came and went. Achiko was finally called back to Spirit World with the others.
When December 31st finally arrived, Achiko was all gussied up in a New Years yukata, awaiting eagerly the little party the gang would be having. Every day since she had received them, Achiko had awoken early and trained long, hard hours with her twin blades.
She knew that with enough practice, she would stand a slight chance against Koryu. But she would never be able to beat him when he was at his fullest potential. Botan continued to fuss about Achiko's hair and never stopped doing different things to it until Achiko braided two strands and kept them in front of her at all times.
At around Seven O'clock, the guys started to come in, Yusuke brought Keiko and Shizuru had brought Kuwabara. Botan and Kurama exchanged looks and winked at each other, while Achiko and Hiei made it aware that there was something going on- even though the two clueless demons knew nothing of everyone else's knowledge of such things.
By eight, it was getting rowdy and Achiko told everyone that they were going to watch some episodes of 'Who's Line Is It Anyways?' that Shiori had bought for Achiko. So the gang watched and concluded to begin playing the game, now that everyone knew the rules.
Everyone made room and moved all the couches and tables out of the way except one. Kurama kneeled behind the coffee table that represented Drew Carey's desk.
"Alright and welcome to another episode of Who's Line is it Anyways!" Kurama said, looking towards the audience, of which consisted of Hiei, Keiko, Shizuru, and Yukina.
"Throughout the show you will collect points, but the points don't matter! Yay!" Kurama said, waving his hand and laughing. "Anyways, let's start off with a game called Let's make A Date! Achiko, you are on a dating hotline and are interviewing these three available people. You have to try and guess what it is they are. Bachelors, your personality or whatever is on the cards you were given out. Let's make a date! Let's go!" Kurama signaled with his hand to start.
"Hello there! Bachelor number one," Achiko started, smiling goofily and trying not to laugh, "It's our first date, do we kiss or do we wait?"
Botan looked at her card once more before stashing it in her kimono sleeve. 'A celebrity being chased by rabid fans?' she thought and decided to give it a go.
"Well, babe, if it's our first date I'd- what was that? Was it…" she stood up and hid behind the stool she was sitting on, "fans?" she squealed and started shaking.
"Um, okay then. Bachelor number two?" Achiko said and Kuwabara gave a snort, "Same question."
"Well, I would, umn, that is… of course-" Kuwabara squealed and covered his mouth, "Well, that is,"
"Bachelor number three?" Achiko asked and Yusuke nodded slowly, "I-" Achiko was cut off as Botan started running in circles and eventually out of the room shouting, "My hand! It's broken! I've signed too many things!"
Achiko stared long after she was gone and quickly regained herself, "Ahem, anyways, bachelor three, if we were in a cavern all alone, separated from the rest of the group, what would you do?"
Yusuke thought a moment then growled and made clicking noises.
"You sound like you have a cold, I'll get back to you then. Bachelor two, what's your favorite holiday?"
"Oink! I mean… gah! What's this? boing" Kuwabara began to bounce in his seat and clicked when his hands touched things.
Yusuke made more noises and tried to bite Kuwabara's shoulder. The buzzer sounded and Botan came back into the room, all smiles.
"Alright Achiko, it's all up to you!" Kurama said.
"Er, Botan was some sort of celebrity being chased by fan peoples." Kurama nodded and Botan gave Achiko a high-five. "Number two was… well… turning into a pig I think?" The audience applauded and Achiko went on to say that Yusuke was "The furry guy from Star Wars."
Kurama laughed and said, "Close enough! Now, the next game is for all of you again! This game is called, questions only!"
Achiko and Yusuke went on one side while Botan and Kuwabara went on the other.
"The scene is, Achiko, you are a disgruntled worker who works in a cubicle and has never been offered a raise, you decide to make everyone know you actually exist by threatening random people with a stapler- and Botan is victim numero uno. Start!"
I have become lazy! just for this part
Achiko: why doesn't anyone know I exist?
Botan: What are you doing with that stapler?
Achiko: Isn't it a pretty stapler?
Botan: You think staplers are pretty?
Achiko: Don't you?
Botan seemed at a loss for words so Kurama made the buzzing noise and Botan and Kuwabara switched places.
Kuwa: Are those YOUR pants?
Achiko: What if they aren't?
Kuwa: Does it really matter?
Achiko: Aren't you the one who asked me?
Kuwa: So what if I did?
Achiko: Can I kill you now?
Kuwa:…
BZZZT!
Botan: Are you going on a rampage with that stapler? faints
Achiko: … Um… starts to walk off stage I didn't even kill her yet…
Yusuke: What are you doing on the ground?
Botan: Aren't you going to kill me?
Yusuke: Eh, Why not? pretends to staple Botan
Kurama 'Bzzzt' again and everyone sat down. They continued playing the game- the original four switching with willing people from the audience- only Hiei didn't play. Achiko sat next to Hiei most of the time and finally at 11:36 pm Achiko called everyone over to the TV set to watch the last of the year.
A timeline was shown and everything that had happened was reviewed slightly. Bands began to play, and finally at 11:55 pm, everyone started to change their seats.
Achiko and Hiei remained next to each other while Keiko and Yusuke sat in front of the TV together, Kuwabara had a little kitty in his lap and Yukina beside him and Kurama and Botan looked sneakily at each other before skooching closer to each other slyly.
"It's the countdown!" Yusuke shouted, and Achiko smiled.
"Ten, nine, eight," Achiko and Hiei said together and moved closer to each other, "seven, six, five, four," Everyone moved closer to their dates, "three! Two! ONE!"
"COMMENSE KISS!" Yusuke shouted and planted one on Keiko.
Hiei and Achiko eyed each other before diving in, Achiko whispering, "Rabbit, rabbit," before the kiss. Their arms around each other, Achiko and Hiei kissed for a while, as was everyone else.
"Why'd you say 'Rabbit, rabbit'?" Hiei asked, looking at Achiko who was breathing softly and leaning into his chest.
"It's supposed to bring good luck, but I don't think I need any," she said and snuggled in closer to Hiei.
Hiei smiled and hugged her tight, thinking to read Achiko's mind but settling for another kiss.
Hiei fell asleep quickly, but Achiko lay awake, troubled. She knew that the time would come when she would have to tell everyone about her times of chaos and killing. How she wasn't as innocent and sweet or charming as they thought. That she was a cold blooded killer who hated herself and fought to forget her past before it took over and enveloped her.
Achiko knew she would have to fight Atticus and Koryu, and that it would not be an easy task for they were strong separated, and now that they were working together, they would be a formidable foe to conquer- if they could be conquered at all...
-----
Sakura: Alright, I'll admit. I got lazy.
Kurama: O-o so?
Sakura: EXACTLY!
Hiei: (twiddling thumbs)
Sakura: Yes Hiei?
Hiei: (glare)
Sakura: Oh. He read the chapter...
Kurama: (nodnod) He did.
Sakura: Shoooooot! ; Er...
Hiei: (glaring)
Sakura: Umn, anyways. The story might take a while- the next chapter that is. No more Holiday stuff. It's going to go on now. Go with da flow, ya know?
Kurama: Just say it already.
Sakura: I'm gonna work on the other stories- okay?! Geese Kurama!
Kurama: (triumphant smile)
Sakura: ALSO! Check out me and my coolie friend EvilAbnormalVamp at Rakki-Bakkas an account dedicated to Fruits Basket, basically!
Hiei: Go, just go!!!
Sakura: THAT'S THE SPIRIT! TTFN!
All: Bye!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!