The air around the Makai contained it's usual smell of danger and decay, however the stingy sensation of the cold air was something Yusuke was not use to. He was use to human world's winters with the cold cool winds and the light fluffy snow. The Makai's winter was nothing like this. The wind's chill seem to blow right through the half breed's skin, cutting through him like a knife. The snow, if he could call it that, fell dirty as if mixed with ash and seemed to pile up on the ground with bits of black in the off white slush.

"A winter wonderland, isn't it?" Yusuke sighed.

"It's very different from Japan, or anywhere else in living world for that matter." The kitsune smiled, holding out his hand and collecting a few flakes before licking them carelessly off his bare hand.

"You seem like you…prefer this to human snow?" The raven haired man stared. The fox seemed almost so careless, Yusuke even half expected his friend to twirl and prance through the forest like…well a fox.

"Don't get me wrong, Yusuke. I fully appreciate the purity of human world's seasons. But this snow has a lot of memories for me." The red head seemed to smile secretly to himself his green eyes taking on a quick rimming of gold.

"Well…when in Rome?" The mazaku smiled, opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue. A few flakes landed on pink muscle before Yusuke crinkled his nose. "It tastes like…blood."

"I'm sorry I forgot to warn you. Would you like some water?" Kurama offered gesturing to his pack.

"No it's okay." He hesitated. 'I recognized the taste of blood instantly…but I feel like it's alright somehow. My human side is still going through a moral shock, though perhaps the bigger shock is that I have no morals to begin with…so what's with this whole head conversation…damnit I'm losing my mind…I'll stop now…now…GAH!'

"Yusuke? Are you listening?"

"Huh?"

"I said we're almost there."

"Oh, about time. The guys sure picked a house way out in the freaking boonies."

The duo continued walking a few more meters before spying a structure with western architecture in the distance. The home, covered with snow, seemed to have black lines around it like spider webs. As the two approached closer Yusuke noticed the 'spider webs' were actually wires. The wires all seemed to be dangling off the roof collecting into a thick stream controlled by a lone blonde figure.

"Work damn you!" He shouted jiggling the cords. For a split second the wires seemed to come to life sparking a fantastic electric rainbow over the entire house, before a crackling sound snapped causing the entire glow to dim in a matter of seconds. "My genius will not be insulted because of a faulty pack of mere festival lights!!!"

"Your genius is certainly up for consideration."

"Don't you even start Shishiwaka~"

"You're sitting there criticizing the lights as if they were store bought, when it was your, what was it? Genius self made brilliant lights!!! Don't they just LIGHT UP!"

The blonde man growled chasing a small looking bird around the outside of the house.

"Something's never change do they?" Yusuke laughed. "Hey you bunch of vain demons. Why don't you put some of that energy into making sure the extension cord is plugged in?"

The two arguing demons stopped, turning to the voice. "Yusuke! Kurama!" The blonde waved as Shishi paused perching on the taller man's shoulder.

"I'll have you know my beautiful mind is far too complex than to worry about something as meager as extension cords!"

"My question, however," Kurama smiled. "Is if your complex mind has included young Rinku's mischief?"

Mint green eyes lit up with relief followed by a quick twinge of anger. "Rinku!!!" The irked blonde cried before rushing into his shared dwelling.

The two friends looked at each other before turning to face the now transformed samurai who gave a short bow before speaking, "That's Suzuka for 'please come in'."

The two friends smiled following the tengu into the house. Their long journey to the house was well worth it for their heart warming greeting. Their good friend Chu was reclining in the chair his leaned back with a bit of liquid dripping off the corner of his mouth. The floor around the aussie seemed to be littered with liquor bottles.

In the corner Suzuka had a motherly pose with his hands on his hips as he interrogated a brunette sitting down in the corner.

"I told ya. I have nothing to do with your stupid lights!"

"I have serious doubts about that!"

"Look, here I am." Rinku glared waving his arms franticly around himself to gesture. "There is the extension cord." He again over gestured. "Notice the lack of involvement."

The inventor huffed, turned up his nose, and gave a profound. "I shall return." Before storming outside. As soon as he exited the door Rinku gave a small chuckle before clapping his hands causing a bright rainbow glow to come in from outside followed by, "Damn the clapper!" from Suzuka.

"And to think it was my gift to him last year." The child smiled, standing up to a height now closer to Touya's.

"Whow. Someone's been drinking their milk." Yusuke smiled, walking over to the star child and giving his hair a tussle.

"Hey Yusuke, Kurama. Glad you guys made it." He smiled, giving a brief hug to the older men.

"Glad to see you again, Rinku." Kurama smiled. "I heard from the others your training for the next tournament is really giving them something to worry about. They say as competition you'll be a challenge."

"Yeah don't praise me." He waved. "I'm still not going easy on you. Or YOU for that matter Urameshi."

"I look forward to it." He smiled. "Meanwhile, is that big guy in the chair drunk or dead?"

"Drunk last time I checked. OH! But don't wake him up. We're going to decorate him later."

"Just make sure his drooling is under control before you plug in the electric lights this year, okay Rinku." The ice ninja announced coming into the room.

"Sounds like your traditions are as festive as ever." Kurama greeted, giving the shorter man a quick embrace.

"Tis the season to avoid as many trips to the hospital as possible, and since Jin is forbidden to deep fry the quails this year…well I'm a bit on edge since his eyebrows only grew back a few months ago…Yusuke." Touya smiled, giving the half-blood a hug.

"Hey short-stuff. So where is the eyebrow-less wonder?"

The blue haired man held up a finger as if to say 'wait a moment'. Before a gust of wind from the upstairs came blowing down the stairs swooping the former detective off his feet and spinning him around with the hyper active redhead. "Yusuke! Happy Holidays! Ai I've been mission ya boyo! How you been do'in?"

"I'm alright man. How have you been ya bastard?" Yusuke grinned, clapping his friend on the back.

"Ai, wonderful, Urameshi, wonderful! We're so happy to be celebrating the holidays. And to be havin you and Kurama with us just makes it all the more great!" The Irish man grinned, coming down onto the ground with his friend.

"Actually I'm afraid I can't stay to long." The red head declined. "I'm afraid I have business back in human world that cannot be delayed very long. Also as I'm sure you've heard the political matters with Lord Enki…well I promised I would attend the council meeting with Yusuke next week, so my time is limited here, with all the back and forth traveling it comes with. I'm sorry."

"It's a shame you can't stay." Touya said.

"Yes a shame." The samurai agreed. "So is it true that Yomi has gone to la resistance?"

"Shishi." The ninja elbowed.

"No it's alright." Kurama sighed. "As of now those are all rumors…no actual proof of Yomi's betrayal has been proven. That's why there is such a hasty movement for the council meeting."

"Tis a shame that, that bloody business be keep'n you apart for your newly wed bride Yusuke. It was nice of ye to be coming so. I'm sorry Keiko couldn't come to demon world with the energy the way it is. After she had us all over for your Christmas last year. So tell me Urameshi how is married life been treat'n the both of ya?"

"Umm well." The raven haired man squeaked, turning to face Kurama with a look that clearly asked for help.

"Yes it's a shame we weren't invited." Shishi snubbed crossing his arms. "We just assumed our invitations got lost in the mail."

"No you guys were invited-er are invited…well." Yusuke sighed, "You guys are invited…since Keiko and I aren't exactly married yet."

The remaining demons stared slightly shocked. In fact it was the youngest member of the group who felt he had the wisdom and sensitivity to deal with such a matter. "You coward why not? How long are you going to post pone this thing. I thought you were suppose to marry her after the first tournament!"

"Rinku." Touya sighed. "It's not our place to interrogate Yusuke about this right now."

"Bloody right." Jin declared, swinging an arm around his buddy. "We'll sort out your mess over dinner Urameshi. Get ye all fixed up." With that the red head pulled the protesting half human into the dining room.

"On second thought." Kurama laughed. "Perhaps I better stay for dinner after all."

Whew! Chapter two! So yes since in this story the festival holidays last a week. I figure I will try to have this story wrapped up by New Years. Then resume work on my other fics. So hopefully in this jam Yusuke and get by with a little help from his friends. So happy holidays one and all! I own nothing and as always REVIEW!!!