Silent Night
Started 12/11/00
Players: Deathlife Knight, Elizabeth, Guardian, Illusionary Knight, Nephlite, Sailor Amazonia, Sailor Creation, Sailor Jurei-Jurei, Sailor Peace Keeper, Sailor Thundercrash, Sailor Venus, Thunder Knight, Venus Knight, and Zoisite

Silent Night.
Holy Night.
All is calm.
All is bright.

Jeremy Satterlee let his single eye rest on his small house and let his heart smile with pride, even if he didn't show the pride on his outward appearance. He flexed his single gloved hand and glanced at the house he lived in, lit for the holiday for the first time since he moved in. It wasn't often Jeremy let himself get caught up in any holiday, even less often when he let any shred of a decent human being show through his iron-cold facade. That had been before a couple nights ago though. Before he had visited Elizabeth and actually confronted her. The memory still burned in his mind of that night as he stared at his lit house and nodded solemly. It was Christmas Eve and he was alone, just how he preferred it.

The Von Mond house hold was a buzz of activity. Elizabeth was running around placed decorations here and there. Soon people would be arriving to her first Christmas party since she moved her. *I hope everything goes ok,*she thought. She walked into the dinning room. The food was ready. Glancing at the clock it was 5:55pm. *Five more minutes until the guests start to arrive. Lucky I got ready before then.* With that thought she walked to the recieving room where the front door was and waited.

"Okay, that's 6,000 yen," said Dura's mom. "Thanks for shopping here!" Quickly she attended the till as her husband Sho hustled the heavier stuff to the customers' cars. When he had a spare moment, he grumbled to her, "Why can't that daughter of yours stop moping, come out, and help us?!"
"Someone has to cook Christmas dinner," was the reply.
"It's Christmas Eve, not Chritmas yet!" Sho protested.
Back in the kitchen, Dura reached into the pantry to search for the chicken marinade. After she found it, she stood and bumped her head again against the door frame overhead. She groaned as she fidgeted with her amber crystal necklace. "Dura the Amazing Colossal Superfreak rises again," she muttered to no one. "Thanks a lot, 'Benefactor!' Some Christmas gift!"

"Ow! Dammit!"
"For okonomiyaki's sake, Blake-chan, get your rear in gear!!"
"This stupid outfit we picked out is THREAD-BARE! Do you know what that means?! It means it's @&^*&@ cold out!!"
Jakurin Kitsune & Blake Ketsumi trudged out of Tudo's, dressed in... well, normal attire to them. Jakurin had on a red suede jacket trimmed with white faux fur, red jeans with white boots, and an extra long red Santa hat that had a huge golden bell trimmed on the end. Blake was freezing in his green jacket (no fur for him!), green turtleneck and black pants, a spring of mistletoe pinned to his green and red checkered scarf by Ureshii. Both carried packages as Jakurin fumbled with her keys, while they walked around to the back of the restaurant.

As the wind picked up outside, Zachary Sanjoun was brushing out his crimson-blond hair in a green silken kimono, glad for once that there wasn't a rush for energy in the Dark Kingdom. Otherwise Nephrite would have sent him out there in that blasted cold to get some. Placing the brush down on the obsidian dresser, he primped in the mirror, then pouted. It had been awhile since he had been out, and wondered if the slack was because of the humanistic holiday called 'Christmas'. ~If anything, the humans would be expending a lot of mental and emotional energy on the festivities all around them... there might be a chance to gather some undetected...~ The wind howled outside, and Zachary shivered. No way he was going out alone.

Jay looked around. He half expected to get jumped on. He wasn't even sure who the girl was, but had recieved an invite, so he had decided to go. He just hoped the gift he had was OK...

"THIS is the house?" asked Blake, looking up at the tiny cottage. "It doesn't sound right..."
Jakurin nudged Blake. "Look, if I had wanted to get lost, I would have let YOU drive. Now, come on! We got a lot of gifts for the senshi we gotta drop off."
Blake stuck his tongue out at her as he gathered up the gifts. "Jaku-chan," he said, stressing the chan, "the mailbox doesn't say Von-"
"There's also SNOW everywhere, Blakers," replied Jakurin, skipping up the steps. "Who cares about a mailbox!"
The duo stood on the steps as Jakurin racked with the brass knocker, while Blake stared hard at the directions in one hand.
"Jakurin, did you take a left at 22 or a right?"
"A right, why?"
"Baka! We were supposed to go left! This is the wrong house-"

"Hey, Dura-chan," asked her mom as she wheeled into the kitchen. "Who are they?" She held up a party invitation.
Dura shuffled her feet a bit. "The Von Monds? Don't know. They must've sent an invite to every athelete. Chicken will take a little longer..."
"Well, they were decent enough to invite you over on your first year here. The least you can do is drop by, say hi, and send them a fruitcake." And she presented a freshly baked fruitcake from her wheelchair's side box.
Dura shifted. "C'mon, Ma, I gotta cook dinner. And Dad will think I'm off shirking..."
"A lump of coal for him," Ma said with a mischievious wink. "He'll keep. And I can't let you smother me all the time. I'll tend the kitchen while you're gone."
"Ma--"
Dura's mother got very firm and quiet. After a pause, she said, "Dura-chan this isn't 'it's OK to go out and relax.' It's 'I don't want you here for the next two hours. Scram.'"
Nodding to the adamant, Dura hung up her apron, took the cake, leaned down to hug her mother, and went to get her coat.

Jeremy grudginly opened the door and stared at the two individuals standing there and shook his head, "VonMond's are a left at 22."

Both Blake and Jakurin froze, blinking wide eyes.
~It's him!~ they both thought, one in awe, the other in confusion.
~I didn't know he had a house to himself.~
~I didn't know he lived by himself!~
"J-Jeremy?" said Jakurin, a bit timidly. "W-what are you doing here?"
At this, Blake snapped out of his thoughts and rolled his eyes. "Baka, it's obvious he LIVES here! I told you we went the wrong way!"
Jakurin blushed as she snapped back, "YOU were supposed to dictate directions!!"
"I WAS until YOU demanded the invitation yourself!!!"
"Hush!...er... Jeremy, um,... well, hi!" said Jakurin brightly. "*Merry Christmas and all that jazz*," she added in English.
"*He knows English*?" asked Blake, a bit of an impressed look on his face.
"Jeremy was the best tipper I've ever had on my rider," explained Jakurin. "You don't forget tippers like that."
"Obviously not..."
The two stood there in awkward silence as a cracked lightbulb suddenly went off over Jakurin's head. She turned and dug through one of the bags and then pulled out something wrapped in tin-foil. "Raspberry Almond Torte!" she exclaimed. "Have a slice!" she said excitedly, pumping it into his hands and glancing at an invisible watch. "Wow, man, we're late! We gotta jet! Bye! Come on, Blakers!" she grinned, scooting down the steps.
Blake peered into the bag and whined, "Hey! That was my piece!!"
"I said, COME ON!" she growled, still smiling and pinching his arm. Dragging him off to the ATV, she wished Jeremy every kind of Holiday greeting she knew of, plunked Blake in the back, and zoomed off.
"Geez, Jaku-baka!" shouted Blake over the motor's din a few moments later. "What was all that for?!"
"He makes me feel weird, Blake!" she shouted back. "He's a nice guy but... hey, and how in the heck he knew we had to go the Von Mond's?!"

Jay stepped back into the street as the ATV flew past. "Whoa, somebody has got to give her driving lessons." He walked off to in the same direction the speeding bike had gone. He really needed to learn more of Tokyo

Jeremy simply closed the door to his home and shook his head, taking the slice of Raspberry Almond Torte to the spacious kitchen. He glanced about the well-kept house and shook his head, no one would ever think of him the loner keeping his home a tidy as it was. This was the only place where he was most likely safe. He set the Torte in the fridge so he could have it later and headed back to the living room. He paused only a moment to glance at the invititation he had got for the VonMond Christmas party and then collapsed on his couch, another Christmas Eve alone.

Michiru knocked on the door with a ton of misletoe in her hands. *Might as well get into the spirit!* she thought with a giggle.

Lucas and the band finished their sound check and waited for more guests to show up.
"Hey, are we going to do everything in a rock beat, or just the normal "Deck the Halls with balls of fraley...fra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra?" Alex asked laughing.
Lucas shook his head. "The next time you watch that movie will be your last. You'll shoot your eye out!" he replied.

Elizabeth heard the door and then opened it with a smile. "Michiru! How are you...?" she said and looked at all the misletoe with wide eyes. "Wow! That is alot of misletoe," she said and smiled, letting Michiru into the house and closed the door. "You brought the misletoe which I forgot to get," she said and giggled. She then looked around. "Hang it wherever you like," she said.

Michiru smiled and bounced to every door way in the house. There she hung up as much misletoe as possible. She then put a large piece over the main door. "I think that one deserves more than a kiss." she commented.

Dura hopped off the bus and looked at the map, making sure she was at the right place. Then, pulling the fruitcake from her big, puffy coat, she sauntered up to Michiru, who was planting the mistletoe on the door. "Excuse me, is this the Von Mond residence?" she asked.

Jay came up behind Dura. "Hey Michiru." He looked at the misletoe everywhere. "Man, I'm glad I had that extra garlic bread now. But can even this keep Michiru away...? Hey, are Jakurin and Blake here yet? I saw them before, just a block or so away."

Michiru smiled to Dura. "Hey, a fruitcake...oh sorry Jay I didn't mean you!" she said with a laugh and pulled Dura inside. Michiru turned around and smiled brightly to Jay. "Would you like a tic-tac?" she asked holding out a box of breath mints. "You might need it for tonight?"

Alex walked over to Lucas and Derrik with three balloons. "Ready to start?" he asked holding out the balloons.
Lucas narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "I told you I'm not going to do it. I don't care how much fun it's suppose to be, I don't kill off my brain cells from this band." he said sternly.
Alex inhaled a little bit of helium. "Come on Lucas, it's Christmas!" he exclaimed like a chipmunk.
Lucas bowed his head in defeat. *I'm never going to hear the end of this!* his mind cried out as he inhaled the helium with his fellow band members and they sang "The Chipmunk Christmas Song" in three part harmony for the guests.

Jay took a tic-tac. "Hmmmm, it will keep my breath fresh for two hours, and only two calories! Michiru, you better show me threw your mistletoe mine field…that garlic was my only protection." With that he popped the tic-tac into his mouth. "Nice music..."

Surprised by Michiru's tug, Dura coasted inside the house. Smiling, she looked for a table to drop off the fruitcake. She forgot her apprehensions about all that mistletoe when she heard Lucas' band sing five notches above sopranissimo. Without a single hint of derision, she clapped and giggled like a schoolgirl. *Maybe coming wasn't such a bad idea after all,* she thought.

"Me I want a hool-a-hoop! We can hardly stand the wait please Christmas don't be late... Merry Christmas everyone!" the band completed. Each member went to his respected...well..maybe not as respectable now as before that song...instrument and started into the set of Christmas songs. ~I better not hear a word from anyone about that!~ Lucas sent out with a mental laugh.

Michiru giggled loudly as she pointed out the miseltoe to Jay. She made it a point to stop under each one and give the young man a kiss on the cheek... each kiss getting closer and closer to his lips...and then starting on the other cheek as a tease. "Enjoying yourself?" she asked giggling still.

Jay was more than slightly surprised. Someone interested in him? Naw, she must just be messing me around. But then he decided he might as well take advantage, have a little fun. He moved very close to Michiru’s ear. “Why, Michiru, I do believe I am. But, do you think I should go find something so potent it can keep even you away? Or shall I just kiss you back?”

"*Piece of garbage!!*" shouted Jakurin, as they turned down the stairs of yet another wrong house. Blake gave her a look as she plopped herself on the ATV, flicking his cigarette away. "Can I drive?" he asked in a flat tone.
"NO!" came the vehement reply as the two sped away.

An apparently hurried woman was quickening her pace towards a doorstep. *Argh, I hope I'm not too late. My boss is killing me! Making me work all those extra hours... and only for some pennies! I should get another job *sigh*
She rang the bell and waited, Christmas pudding in hand. *I hope I dressed properly for the ocasion,* she thought looking down at her stilleto shoes and her long and brilliant black night gown.

Dura came to the door, in a loose fit flaxen blouse, and warm tan corduroy jeans. "Hello! Merry Christmas!" she said brightly. Then she noticed the small, wispy creature in front of her. "Hey, let me get that for you," she added, taking the pudding. "Wow, you look sharp! Did you dress early for New Year's Eve?"

"Oh... w-well... hee hee," Misa stammered, her face slightly blushing. "I just... well, I... hmmm... may I go in?" She thought that maybe she was too 'produced' for the ocassion, but deep inside she didn't care. She felt comfortable in her clothes.

Elizabeth heard more knocking at the door and opened it to find Dura and Misa at the door and who ever else was waiting to come in. "Welcome to my home. Please come and make yourselfs at home. There is food and drinks in the living room and," he said looked back at the misletoe that was all over the place. "plently of misletoe around," he said and motioned for everyone to come in.

Michiru giggled. "Now, would that be fair to everyone else if you hogged me all to yourself all night long?" she asked Jay. She thought about what she said for a moment and then answered for him. "It most certainly would, but its Christmas and sometimes you can get a little greedy for yourself." she replied taking his arm and laughing some more. Michiru's red, short, tight santa dress blended in with the festive arrangement, but was a bit too short and every now and then...

"Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Rock!" The band played on for the guests. Stacy ran to the front door with a large smile wearing one of the band tee-shirts and blue jeans and an angel halo. "Sorry, I'm late. Excuss me!" she said as she rushed by the crowd at the door and headed up towards the band. She grabbed a mic, the tamborine and started singing with the group.

Jennifer remained quiet as she entered into the giant house and looked around in awe. She use to think her home was impressive, but his house simply amazed her.

Jeremy stared quietly a the blazing fire in his home and swished around the wine glass in his hand and glanced at the bottle beside him. He could never resist a good couple glasses of wine on Christmas Eve. He turned and glanced at the invitation on his table and then at the stairs. Shaking his head in regret he lept to his feet and headed for his room.

Dura looked up at the ceiling. "Mistletoe, huh?" she said. "You do know that's a poisonous plant, right?" She didn't mean for it to sound as grumpy as it did. But the guys weren't coming to her in droves. Not that that was a bad thing in itself. "So, Michi, know any guys who need a dance partner?"

Michiru smiled for a moment. "Sure, here, you can Jay get to know each other, I'm going to wish the cute keyboardist a very merry christmas." she said. She kissed Jay on the cheek and wondered off into the crowd.

Dura looked over the chap. Literally. Then she looked down a few inches to him. He was taller than most of his classmates, but she still topped him by half a foot or so. Even when she accounted for that, he seemed rather slight and slender for someone his height. *Whoever feeds that poor thing isn't doing their job.* She smiled warmly. "So, Jay, right? Who's your fave band?" And she kept her ear open for the next song, hoping her moves would stay with the beat.

Misa entered the house quickly. "Oh, a band!!The band who performed at the club the other night! Hey guys!" she said approaching them, "What about playing a song we all know? So we can sing! hmmm... something like a Queen's classic. C'mon!" She kept looking at them with a big smile.

Michiru was over on the side giving to keyboardist a very huge grin. *I'll get him under the mistletoe before the end of the night.* she thought to herself.

Alex, the lead guitarist leaned down to the girl cllose to the stage. "Sorry, sweetheart, but we were told only to play christmas stuff. Unless you know a Queen Chirstmas tune that I don't, I can't really go against orders. Sorry, but I'll see what I can do." he promised with a smile and wink.

Nephrite watched through one of the higher windows where he would be undetected. "Christmas, Bah! Humbug! I just hope Zoisite does his job."

Zachary entered the party. His hair was braided loosely down his back with a green ribbon threaded through and tieing it off at the bottom. In his hands he carried a white box with an emerald green ribbon. He approached Elizabeth with a dashing smile. "Merry Christmas." he said.

Jay looked up at Dura. It was the only way he was going to escape a sexual harassment case filed against him. "I can't say I like music that much. I tend to watch more Anime and read Manga. But the chipmunks on stage seem alright. I think..."

Dura knew most guys at first meeting didn't see "eye to eye" with her right away. But if they kept talking to her chest after their second sentence, that's when she had a few choice words. It seemed Jay had gotten over it, though. She smiled appreciatively. "Hmm, anime, huh? Not my specialty, but I hear some pretty good stuff off the soundtracks. I really love some off the Sega Saturn and Playstation BGM stuff, too. Especially the Library song from Konami's Dracula X, Gekka no Nocturne. Great for my plants." She shrugged. "And occasional Backstreet Boys in small doses."

Jay nodded. "Nice. Good choice. I avoid boybands though. To much lovey dovey stuff for my taste. I had no idea Anime music was good for plants. My mom likes plants. I take after my dad though: we avoid them, because we just end up killing them. And that ain't nice."

"Oh... I'm sorry... I didn't know you had been hired. I thought you were guests as well. Ignore my request then." Misa then walked away from the stage to get a glass of wine.

Alex stepped back from speaking with Misa and the band cranked out the next song.
"It's Christmas at Ground Zero, and if the radiation level's ok, I'll go out with you and see all the new mutations on New Years Day."

Zachary left the gift with Elizabeth and started to mingle into the crowd. *The band has got to go.* he thought with an evil gaze up at the band leader.

Jennifer walked gingerly into the large room, staying back and away from the others. She was afraid more than anything that these people were so different, even though many were her allies. Jeremy Satterlee stood outside of the VonMond house and kept his mind clear, he still wasn't sure this was such a good idea. He took a deep breath and walked to the front door and knocked.

Elizabeth took the gift that Zachary left with her and placed it with the other. She did a walk around of the rooms where people were at. Elizabeth smiled and was glad that the christmas party was going so well. Knowing this was her first Christmas here she was glad to be sharing it with people from school. A knocking on the door came to her attention and she walked over to it and opened it. "Welcome," she said with a smile. "I'm glad you were able to come Jeremy. Please come in. Make yourself at home," she said.

Dura smirked at Jay's editorial comment. "Typical guy response. Actually most anime music done classical-style is good, but the more rock and rollish stuff kills weeds pretty well." Then she noted Jeremy come in. "Hey! 'Scuze me a sec." She sauntered over with a smile. "I don't think we've talked since my first day at school. How ya been?" Feeling a little sorry for Jeremy with his half-face, she unconsciously turned on her sweetness and warmth up a notch.

Jay smiled at Jeremy. "Ah, Mr Saterlee, isn't it? Now why did you not appear to be the kind of person to come to a party. Can I get either of you a drink?"

The band finished their song. "Alright, we're taking a break." Alex said and each member started to get off the stage and mingle.

Michiru approached Derrik and latched onto him She whispered something in his ear to make him blush and they walked off towards a corner of the room.

Zachary stood at the punch table, slowly sipping his drink, watching everyone around him. *Why is everyone so happy right now with everything that is going wrong? I guess the Dark Kingdom isn't doing a very good job.* he thought with a smile. *I'll just have to change that.*

Jeremy glanced at Dura and kept his expression the same neutral tone as always and nodded, "I've been as well as can be expected."

Elizabeth smiled and went into the living room and moved in front of the fireplace. She turned to everyone in the room and smiled. Even from this position when someone was talking it carried to the otherrooms. "I would like to thank everyone for coming. I hope everyone is having a good time tonight," she said and looked over to the dining room and noticed the buffet was ready. "Now if anyone is hungry there is a buffet in the dining room. Enjoy," she said and walked over to a chair and sat down.

Dura shifted uneasily. A buffet? "Please... not here... not now..." she whispered to herself. But soon she saw the crowd strt to gravitate to the food all laid out in a row. She searched for a glass of water. But the aroma of good cooking hit her nose like a wrecking ball. Dura sat down, hoping and searching for someone to talk to who wasn't hungry.

Jay looked at Dura. "Are you alright? You a little ill. Want me to get you something? A drink, or someting to eat?"

Dura smiled and nodded tenatively. "I'm perfectly fine. Could you get me the biggest glass of water you can find? I'll lose all control in there if I go."

Jay nodded. "This I can do." He was half way to the buffet before he thought, 'Why is she so bad around food?' Oh well.

Zachary finished his drink and headed out into the backyard, away from all the lights and noise from inside. *What a drag.* he thought as he snapped his fingers. Inside the box he brough a small green light came on. And a digital timer started counting down seconds, starting at 10 minutes.

Michiru got her wish and started dragging the keyboard player towards the nearest misletoe.

The battle of wills raged on inside Dura. She didn't want to eat, knew she shouldn't, couldn't, mustn't. She had drunk water, period, for so long and she was still getting larger, heaven knew how. All those calories, that fat, that starch would not... Roast turkey... stuffing... soup... chocolate... freshly baked cookies... With a wail, she bolted up, ran out the back door, stopped in the middle of the back yard, stooped with hands on knees, and fought not to cry.

Zachary looked at the young girl and backed away slowly. *Its Godzilla reborn as a female* he thought heading back inside.

Lucas apprached Elizabeth with a smile. "It seems to be going well." he said. "Thank you for hosting this. I believe that with such a joyful time of year we should be happy. Instead of worrying about little things."

Elizabeth looked at Lucas and smiled. "Yes. Things are going very well," she said. "Your welcome. I just wanted to do something for the all people have I have met since I moved here. Throwing a Christmas party was a good idea," she said.

Dunican and Minako walked too the door. "I wonder if we should just walk in?" he asked and knocked instead. "I hope no one gets mad that we are late," he said.

"Fashionabely late," Minako corrected with a grin, " And the more the merrier!" She couldn't wait to get into the party and show off her new ring. Of course they were late because Dunican's car broke down on the way there.

Even if Misa had only approached the table to get a glass of wine, she went blind at the sight of all that delicious food! *Oh my! I guess I will forget about the calories for tonight. Ah well, like I don't eat junk food everyday!* she thought half smiling. She started picking at the food on the table, taking a bit of everything. *God! I'm so glad I came!*

Jay returned with the water for Dura. He'd got a big glass for the big woman, but she wasn't here. He went over to Zachary. "Yo, you seen a big girl around here? She was a good few inches bigger than me, so you must of noticed her. Can you tell where she is?"

"Food is food, you shouldn't be so afraid of it that you run from it nearly in tears, Dura," Jeremy's even voice flowed from the back door as he stepped down into the yard. "Starving yourself and being afraid of food is not the way to maintain your figure, if anything you're merely hurting yourself. Perhaps not physically, but at least emotionally."

Jennifer glanced around the group of people filling the large home as she ate her food. She had only been in the school for a month or so and already her life had changed so much. Her mind flew back across the various things that had happened to her since arriving in Japan. She had entered a new high school where there was some grim guardian-like kid with the same last name as her. That same kid also emitted an aura of confidence and trust that she seemed to feel, one that almost made it feel like she knew him. Then there was becoming a Senshi. That had been the biggest revelation yet and the one thing she could not let her mother know of. She would freak if she knew that her little girl was off playing hero all the time. She simply shook her head and turned back to her plate, *Life is funny at times.*

Dura looked up, creeped out. How'd he know? They rarely talked! "Maintain my figure?!" Dura sniped back. "Look at me! She stepped up to him. "I wasn't this big when I came here! In fact, I was even shorter than you! And this is living on nothing but water and vitamins! Do you have any clue how much I'd probably bloat out if I ate like everyone else?" She shrugged with a forced smile. "Besides, Ma and Dad have dinner waiting for me at home."

"Hey, Minako-chan! Dunican!" called Jakurin, waving as she tried to spin around and park on the curb.
"B-baka!!" shouted Blake, a pair of huge eyes taking up five eighths of his face. "You're gonna smack right into the snow drift!!"
"Huh?!"
On cue, the Illusional Twins were pitched forward off the ATV as it made contact with the plowed snow, frozen to the curb.
"Aiyaaaaah!" cried Jakurin as hit the snow face first. Blake tumbled end over end, finally coming to a stop by a pair of legs. Shaking the stars out of his line of vision, he sweatdropped as he saw poor Jaku's legs kicking with all their might.
"You're such a bad driver, y'know that?" he growled, pulling her out.
Half of Jakurin's body was practically blue as she tried smacking herself to get some of the color back. "At l-l-least the p-p-presents are o-o-okay..."
Both looked over at the neatly strapped in bags... when a suddenly gust blew it over and scattered the contents to the ground.
Blake just closed his eyes as Jakurin sniffled.

Zachary just smiled from his position. He comtemplated making another gust and perhaps blowing the younger boy's clothes off, but that might prove a bit over the top.

Jeremy bit back the words he had, the theories he had formed. Not in this setting as Jeremy Satterlee could he even think of addressing them, "Somehow I don't believe you. Dura sometimes things happen beyond our control, weight can be one of them. It's just our genes. Don't blame yourself for what you can't control, don't hurt yourself for something you can't help." He paused for a moment, his voice remaining calm yet the volume lowered, "Most of all, do not give up on yourself."

Now there was something equally amusing in the backyard; the one-eyed bully of the school actually being looked down by a raging giantess. ~Maybe they were a couple in past life,~ Zachary thought with a wry grin before turning to the obstinate inquirer. "How could you not see her?" he replied in an insulting tone, thumbing in their general direction before pushing off and heading back inside the home of the Von Mond's. It wasn't his choice, really. All he had said to Nephrite was that is was dastardly cold out, and he was inside with nothing to do. Maybe the fates were playing a joke when Nephrite had waved the invitation in his face, devised a plan, and sooner than one could say, "Youma!" Zachary Stanton, with pearl-white canines chattering, had sprinted up to the intended destination. And not one person here would expect it. And, per usual, Zachary would play out the role of the innocent as much as he could. Taking a few energy hits along the way of course.

Coming into the front door, Jakurin noticed the mistletoe and puckered instantly, eyes closed.

Blake breezed right on through with determination, dropping the bags in the foyer and marching straight up to Michiru and planted a shockingly cold one on her cheek. "Merry Christmas, Michiru-chan," he said softly, a bit of shyness suddenly creeping up inside.

Zachary passed by the foyer and paused. It was that blonde mousey girl, Kitsune Jakurin. He resented the fact that after showing her in numerous ways that he was not interested, she and Kunzite still had two things in common: their last names, and the pursuit of himself. Of course, he'd let himself be caught by Kunzite anyday, in any form.

He smiled. The poor girl looked so pathetic as she dripped snow from her clothes, waiting for a kiss under a white berried plant. Arching a brow of crimson gold, he cleared his throat to get her attention. "Waiting for something that will never come?" he remarked casually before moving into the grand living room.

Jakurin blinked as she let her arms drop to her sides and pouted. Scuffing her boots on the WELCOME mat, she gathered up the packages where she had dropped them and followed Zachary.

Michiru smiled at Blake, letting her catch go back up on the stage. "Merry Christmas to you too Blake. I got something for you." she said handing him a gift.

Lucas nodded to Elizabeth. "I think break is over. I better get back." he said, finishing off the rest of his punch and getting behind the drum set again.

Blake blinked. "For me?? Really?! Rock on!!" he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear and ripping into his present like a two-year old on Christmas morning.

Jakurin steered clear of Blake and Michiru and headed towards the buffet table. Quickly finding the host, she proudly handed Elizabeth Von Mond a large cake pan with foiled bundles. "Raspberry Almond Torte' and Bananna Bread! I made them myself... with a little help from Ureshii. And here!" she said, handing her a package that reeked of cinnamon. "I madeja an ornament for your tree. And unless someone starts chewing on it," she joked, pulling off her hat and shaking out her hair, "it'll last for years to come."

Zachary was slouching comfortably on the large couch, eyes half-slitted. All this silly fuss over one holiday.

Michiru took a step away from Blake as he opened his gift. Inside the box was a calico kitten. She looked up at Blake with two golden eyes and gave a small cry. Around her neck was a green ribbon and a tag. *So you'll never be lonely* it read.

"A cat?!" exclaimed Blake as the calico climbed up his shoulder and meowed in his ear. "Holy whiskers, Batman...! Michiru! Thanks!!" he said, giving her a heart-felt grin from ear to ear and tickling the kitten under her chin. His whole demeanor changed as he blushed a bit. "I-I hope you like your gift, Michiru-chan," he said softly. "I know you really liked that mirror at the Hang Spot, so..." he trailed off, watching people open gifts.

Zachary yawned when a jolt went through his spine. Someone had crash-landed onto his end of the couch with as much grace as a hippotamus. Eyes of jade casually shifted towards the new-comer on the couch. "Hello," he said overly-polite, flat tone. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

Michiru looked at the mirror and smiled as she touched the glass. "Blake, its beautiful. Thank you so much." she said and kissed him on the lips.

Dura shifted her feet uneasily as she looked at Jeremy. Then her smile came a little more naturally. "Well, I appreciate your say-so. Thanks." Then she saw the gift-swapping inside. "Well, sorry, If I had known, I'd've brought you something. Want to see what Santa got our buddies?"

Blake was so surprised as the kitten climbed onto his head and mewed. This was what he had been waiting for...and no freaky 20+ boyfriend in sight... Sending the kitten to the floor, he dipped Michiru under the archway of the kitchen, where mistletoe was hanging, and proceeded to give her a deep kiss. The calico mewed and trotted off to the tree, the tag dragging on the floor.

Michiru's eyes went wide as she was dipped backwards. She didn't fight the kiss, but it caught her off guard.

Stacy sat down on the couch and listened to her brother and the rest of the band. "Aren't they great?" she asked with a big smile to Zachary.

The band, however, started their set off with "The Little Drummer Boy" for the rest of the audience.

Jeremy shook his head and turned towards the interior, "It is never the gifts that matter, they are merely material goods. What matters is that you are with those whom you care for and call friends on this day." His mind shifted slightly as he started in the door, "And I believe my presence here is not what is necessary."

Misa was sitting near the table, right next to 'the chocolate section' as she called it. She was indulging herself with it. Suddenly, she felt something very nice and soft was rubbing her shin. At first, she blushed. But looking around, she saw nobody was near enough to rub their feet against her shin. Plus it felt like... hairy! She quickly pulled the tablecloth up and was greeted with a cute 'MIAOW!'

Smiling, she picked the animal up. "Hey, sweety!" she said placing the cat on her lap. "Are you lost?"

"Not needed?" Dura asked, gently catching Jeremy by the elbow. "I don't think so. At least let's see how everyone else is doing. That's the REAL fun about gifts... seeing the expression on everyone else's face." And she headed in.

Jennifer chuckled slightly at Blake's actions and then shook her head, she herself couldn't believe that he had done it or that Michiru was tolerating it. Jennifer shuddered, it was probally her upbringing but a guy like Blake to her was just gross even if he didn't smoke.

Jeremy didn't followed Dura into the building to humor her and then slowly slipped into a dark corner upon his arrival to watch the others and prepare for trouble if it came.

The expression on Zachary's own face was one of mild annoyance, but he kept himself in check at this blonde child with the dreamy look on her face. "If you like ancient historical chants in a drum circle, I suppose so... if you'll excuse me," he said, standing and moving out to the foyer again so he could skip the kitchen and living room altogether. Unfortunately for him, there was plenty of mistletoe but no Kunzite to kiss under. The sakura sighed as he paused and leaned against an archway molding frame, staring up into the set of padded stairs that were decorated for Christmas. Wooden men in red, thread-bare suits with white cotton balls glued to their face sat with painted smiles on the corner of each step, as the rich scent of pine was entwined between a popcorn and cranberry strand around the banister. Zachary's mind drifted to the bedroom, wondering how it was decorated for this commercialistic festival... and breifly considering leaving to decorate Kuzite's club. The ice king might even find it amusing.

Jakurin Kitsune finished her conversation with the host and skipped to the end of the kitchen, only to be greeted with the sight of Blake ending his kiss with Michiru, bringing her back to a standing position. Underneath the peachy skin, Jakurin could feel her face flush as jealousy suddenly rose within her. How could he?!... he WAS single, but he was supposed to be HER Knight! Why couldn't he fall for her!! Why did they ALL fall for Michiru!? She breezed by the two with her gaze off to the side, determined not to let it bother- And then she saw him. Under the mistletoe. No date in tow, no Kitsune around... and totally off guard. With a look of sweet revenge on her face, Jakurin walked boldly up to Sanjoun Zachary and tapped him on the back of the shoulder. The sakura blinked, caught in a day-dream as he tried to focus on where he was. Turning however proved to be the biggest mistake of his life, as his neck was grabbed and his face was pulled downwards. Shocked wide eyes of jade fixed onto golden-eyeshadow as lips touched lips for a savage kiss from Kitsune Jakurin.

The kitten cuddled in Misa's arms and began to purr loudly.

Dura walked on in, puzzled. *I'm done trying to figure that Jeremy guy out... one minute he's kind, another he's cold...* She spotted and giggled at the liplock between Zachary and Jakurin, and went "Awww..." at the scene with Misa and the kitten. Then she spotted the green package and timer by the tree. "Ano, who is this for?"

Michiru never pulled away from the kiss. She was enjoying it too much. It had been a long time since someone kissed her like that. Not since... Darien. The band on stage continued into their next song. "alright everyone, we want you to sing along this time! One the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...."

"Awwww..." Misa caressed the cat's belly non-stop, and the cat seemed to thank her with his sweetest look. "I'd give you some chocolates, but they are not good for you." She looked up and spotted the two kissing couples. She blushed. *Well! It seems everyone is having a lucky night!

Zachary shoved Jakurin away, sputtering and shouted, "Woman, are you quite mad?! What made you believe I have any interest in you whatsoever!?" he continued, but the band played over him as the flush returned to his rather pale skin.

Jakurin slammed into the archway and let out a small grunt as her left shoulder blade connected. Zachary might look like a waif, but it seems he's stronger than he knew, thought Jakurin, rubbing the back of her neck as she fumbled for an excuse. "G-gomen nasai!...it's just that... well, you were under the mistletoe, and... I was there as well and um...um..." "Idiot," snapped Zachary at her and stepped away, heading for the kitchen. "Z-Zachary-chan?! I'm sorry, gomen!!" cried Jakurin after him, and then lowered her gaze to the ground, hands clenched in fists under her chin. She had had enough of this party: getting lost, losing out, and being given the shaft by one of the cutest guys in school. Quietly as the band got the crowd singing, she walked farther into the foyer, put on her jacket and silently went out the front door. Let Blake find his own ride home.

Blake finally stood Michiru back up, and gulped. "Wow... I-wow," he said, gasping a bit. "I didn't know I had it in me!" He turned as Lucas and the band began playing "The Twelve Days of Christmas". "Hey! I know a better version of that song!" he said, and began singly loudly (and slightly off-key), "On the second day of Christmas (it's such a pain to meeeee!), putting up the @&*@%$# lights and findiiiiing a Christmas Treeeeeee!"

Zachary wiped his mouth with the back of his shirt sleeve. The very nerve of that FREAK to try and assault him with romance! Walking towards the buffet table to see if he could wash his mouth out, he groaned as he heard the band singing yet another horrible song about a partridge in a pair of Christmas Trees or something along the lines of that. (It was hard to tell, for someone was singing another set of words)

The kitten mewed in Misa's arms and rolled over, climbing up her shoulder, then it wiggled its behind as it suddenly made a flying leap onto Zachary's head of crimson blonde. The sakura yelped and tried in vain to get it off as the kitten fell down his back and hooked her claws into him, holding on for dear life.

"EH? OH! I'm sorry!" Misa stood up and grabbed the cat, who was almost falling down. "I don't know how it happened... she just climbed... and... well..."

She checked to see if the cat was okay. Misa was a little mad at the way he had shaken the cat from his head. "You should be softer... and I mean with EVERY living thing," she said a little ironically, looking to the direction where Jakurin had gone.

She walked to the window, kitty in hand, and looked out. *Poor Jakurin... she may want to be alone.*

Jay walked up to Jakurin. He had already downed both the drinks and Jaku looked bored, so he went over to her. "Hey, Jaku, want a drink. Im bored, thirsty, and so far two women have run off from me. Im looking to make it three and a half, if I can find a really small girl. Or a girl who only just classifies as female. Did I offer you a drink? I cant remember."

Jakurin turned her head a bit to glare at Jay. "*Yahoo, another under-age alcoholic,*" she snapped sarcastically in English as she crossed her arms over her body, hugging herself. "Have you no tact when you're loaded?" she continued in soft Japanese. "I'd rather be alone for a few moments so I can get my 'holiday cheer' together before I go home."

Zachary had no time as to so much snap a remark about living things when he noticed Dura shaking his little gift, and a tiny smile spread across his pale lips. Checking the kitchen clock, it was about twenty more minutes before the party would REALLY get started. And as for that foolish girl... she should have learned from Michiru by now that he was in no way interested in women. Most students after the incident in the library had begun to shun him, especially the females, which was fine with the sakura. Less 'acquaintances', less questions.

Blake continued to sing loudly along, encouraging others to be just as obnoxious and make up their own words. He could have sworn the drummer was giving him a dirty look all the while.

Jay spread his arms wide. And he smiled, a cold, hard, almost nasty smile. "Well, I did say I wanted to get dumped by three girls in one night, but I didn't actually mean it. Oh, you might want to find out if someone can understand the language you insult them in before you insult them in it. My Grandfather was British. I've had two drinks, one of which was water. I never, ever get drunk in public. I drink, yes, but getting totally smashed just ain't my style. That, and I'd probably go and knife someone in the back. But then, I'm probably the only one of us Knights and Senshi with a killer instinct. The other name for that is psychopath, someone with no conscience, with no remorse. I may be the Knight of Life, but I seem to be a bringer of death. And if this little speech scarred you, try and think what it does to me. So gather up your Christmas Spirit, Jakurin, because I ain't got any to spare. I'm going back in to say bye bye, then I'm going home to drink myself into oblivion. That way, I don't have to think about what I'm becoming, or about my family." Jay's nasty smile had long ago slid from his face, to become a mask of anger. "Good night, Jakurin. Have a pleasant ride home." He turned around and headed back to the house, wondering if Jakurin would get him first. And if he still cared.

After giving up figuring out what was inside the timed package, Dura saw Jay come inside in a huff. She came over. "Jay, I'd like to say sorry about bolting off like that... I, uh, had a problem with my stomach." She glanced at him with a little sympathetic worry. "Hey, everything all right?"

Jay smiled slightly at Dura. "Yup, just fine and dandy. Listen, I'm not feeling too good myself. Must be a bug or some such. Anyway, I'm just going to grab my coat, say goodbye to everyone, give our hostess my regards and head off home. If you're feeling ill do you want me to help you home?"

"Oh, I feel fine, but I think I had better be going back myself. Folks excused me for a party, and I got to get back to dinner," Dura said. "But I could use the company. Can we go after this song?" She couldn't make out the chorus, though. Nobody could decide if it was "finding a Christmas tree" or "a Japanese transistor radio."

And finding a Christmas TREEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Woo-hoo!!" yelled Blake, grinning from ear to ear. Now he was full of the Christmas Spirit; he had the chick he wanted on his arm, wasn't wasted quite yet, and could still make a fool out of himself and encourage others to loosen up as well! "This is great! I need to do this more often!" he said to Michiru. "And for once, there ain't no school aides like the old coach we have to worry about!"

Zachary sauntered over to the tree and also nonchantlantly back-kicked his 'present' further into the huddle of gifts under the rather large tree, staring at the band's leader. What a nuisance his singing was. Perhaps he could get the man alone and quietly dispose of him, while suggesting to the hostess that she find another way to make music. A CD player, perhaps.

Jay looked over at Dura, then at the main door. Letting the song finish might let Jakurin cool off a little, or leave totally. If she was going to come gunning after his hide, shed do it anyway. "Yeah, that should be about right. I think Im going to get shot at if we leave much earlier. But never mind. Oh yeah, I kinda drank your water to make sure I dont get a hangover. If you drink water or a soft drink between bouts of alcohol, you dont get a hangover. Sorry about that."

Michiru leaned over to Blake and whispered in his ear. "Blake, how much did you have to drink so far?"

Lucas turned off his mic so that only the members of the band can hear him. "Can we take a break? Please? I've got a headache from that tone deaf drunk who thinks he's one of Evermore." he pleaded to their leader. Blake shrugged, grinning. "Don't know, can't be too much for the holiday spirit I got! I love singing Christmas carols, especially when you can make up your own words! It's fun, Michiru!" he laughed, throwing an arm around her waist. "And speaking of fun, Jaku brought this torte with raspberries and nuts in it and it actually doesn't taste like a fruit cake! Come on!" he said, leading her into the kitchen.

Jakurin held her head in her hands. Screwed up again. She briefly considered updating her scrapbook to include language skills, sometimes it got her into trouble. Like now. "This stinks!" grumbled Jakurin, putting her hands behind her back and kicking at the ground.

As soon as they took off the stage, Zachary straightened his shirt and intercepted Alex. "Excuse me," he said, flashing a bright smile. Well, bright for HIM, anyway. "But I just wanted to say thank you for the... entertainment. With the exception of the lastest addition," he said, casting a glance at the backs of Blake and Michiru. "However, you did quite well... holding your own against the crowd. I like that."

Dura shook her head. She hated it when people got blotto like this. Now seemed like an even better time go get back home. "No prob on the water, Jay..." she said. And she hustled after Jakurin and the hostess to say her goodbyes.

"No one ever said life was simple Jakurin Kitsune," Jeremy's even voice filled the air. He half wanted to laugh at how easily he moved through the party hardly being noticed simply because of his lack of festivities.

She jumped a bit upon hearing his voice again. "J-Jeremy??? You were invited, too??" she said to the cold air, looking this way and that before letting an irritated grin cross her face. Placing her hands on her hips, she said in English, "*You know, it's alot easier to talk to someone I can see, wouldn't you agree?*"

He stepped from the shadows with his normal voice and expression apparent, his English clear and pronounced, "*True. I suppose in that regards I owe you an apology.*"

Even in a crummy mood with only a one-eyed bully for comfort, Jakurin flashed her trademark grin at Jeremy. "I knew it," she began in Japanese. "You really don't own that house; ya rent space from the moonlight, ne?" she said jokingly. Getting a bit more serious, she hugged herself again. "And I know life isn't simple. Of all people I think I should know. But why does life have to be so darn HARD?? You're older; what kind of adolescent wisdom can you bestow on me?"

Misa was having a great time playing with the little kitty. She hadn't had so much fun in the whole night.

Jeremy shook his head, his voice calm and collected, "Not much to offer, I am an outcast as well but what I can tell you is not to push things or rush. If you truly want to find the person to spend your life with let it occur naturally, you'll know when it comes." As a side comment he added, "And if you want I can show you the deed that proves I own my home."

Michiru smiled and followed Blake to the kitchen. *He seems so happy, so free. I wonder what changed in him all the sudden.* she thought.

Alex smiled. "Thanks for the sympathy. It gets really bad when we have to open for karakoe nights downtown." he said with a laugh. "Your Zachary Sanjouin, right? I've heard about your older brother's class and refuse to take it."

Lucas shook his head and walked out onto the porch for some fresh air. *Nights like this make me wish I was still in Germany, or France, or America, or....* he thought as he sighed and rested his head between his hands.

Dura worked her way around and caught Jakurin and Jeremy together. "Hey, Jakurin, I'm about to pack it in for the night... I had a pretty good time. Do you wanna come by my place tomorrow and compare gifts?"

Elizabeth had been walking around the house. Looking after her guests and making sure that they were comfrontable and having a good time. For some strange reason she had a feeling in the back of her head that she knew everyone so well but just meet them. As Elizabeth walked outside she noticed there was a bit of conversation going on.

Zachary smiled as he edged a little closer to the band leader. "Hai, my older brother can be a bit offish, which is why I dropped his class as well... at any rate, I'd like to discuss a song with you if you'd like. Follow me to the kitchen for some cider?" he said with a small smile, gesturing slowly with a slender hand towards the buffet and blinking two innocent eyes of jade... He could see the timer in his mind. Less than two minutes to go.

Jakurin suddenly grinned mischievously. "Yes, since you offered, I do wanna see that deed," she said before Dura spooked her. "Dura-chan! Oh, um... yeah, you can even come over tonight and grab an ornament for your tree! You have plenty of them, anyway," she joked, her attention span on Jeremy cut short.

Jeremy simply sank back again and let his even voice fill the air, "Stop by sometime if you want the truth. I do not make it a habit to carry important papers of such manner with me at all times."

"Plenty of what? Ornaments?" Dura asked. Her eyebrows narrowed. "If this is another chest joke, ya litte..." Then it clicked. "Oh. Hai! Plenty of TREES. OK, got it, baka me." She grinned as a sweatdrop trickled down. "Tonikaku, may I swing by a little later? I gotta walk Jay home first."

"Sure, whatever you'd like!" said Jakurin enthusiastically, jingling her keys in her hand and glancing around. "Dangit, that Jeremy Satterlee guy slipped away... ah well. I'll catch you at my place, then, ne?" she grinned as she walked to the curb and hopped on her ATv. "And tell everyone to help themselves to the Torte'!" she called, waving as she put on her helmet and roared the engine. A few moments later, her back wheels kicked up dirt and snow as she rumbled down the road. ~If only Jeremey wasn't right~, thought Jakurin. ~If only I could find a natural love...but I thought it was natural for Knights and Senshi to pair off.~ Dunican and Minako certainly did, and she was sure that Rikko had a thing for Dura, in some weird way. But her Knight was fawning all over their un-official leader and Juuban easy-girl. And a homesexual had rejected her totally. It was enough to drive a fool crazy.

"You got to try some of this torte, Michiru-chan. It's the best!" said Blake, serving her a slice as Zachary lead Alex into the kitchen as well. Pouring himself then the band leader a drink, he offered it to him with a bat of his eyelashes. "So, what are your plans for the future of your band?" One minute.

Michiru smiled and excepted the torte from Blake. "Thanks. So what are you going to name the kitten?" she asked with a giggle.

Alex shurgged. "We just play wherever possible. If there is a free gig somewhere we audition and play it. Things have been really slow since our drummer got that job though. I think its just for the chick he works with, but he says otherwise."

Zachary nodded. "Well, you know how women are. So demanding, pushy, and yet they can't really hold a candle to us, can they?" he said, sipping his cider and smiling. "Now, as for men like us-" And then the timer went off. A eerie wind blew into the living room, as Zachary Sanjoun narrowed his cat-like eyes. Now, the festivities would really begin.

Dura turned about just before she headed on out. "Hey, someone get the window, there's a draft!" she said.

A pine green body with lithe dark green angel wings unfurled from the center of the tree amongst the clinking and jingling of ornaments. Her face looked sadly serene with a halo of silver garland around a page-boy of red hair, complete with a flowing robe of red. She sadly comtemplated the guests before her. They had yet not taken noticed. Such was the pity for them. The soft face took on a harsh grin as she hissed, mouth open revealing a set of perfectly pointed canines with a forked green tongue. In frightening quickness she launched herself forward and over-powered Stacey on the couch, draining her of her energy in one bite.

Stacey let out a small cry before fainting on the couch.

Alex looked over Zachary's shoulder at the small yelp. "That sounded like my sister." he said softly, leaving Zachary's side to go check it out.

Michiru looked at Blake, smiling happily. "Why don't we go elsewhere..." she suggested and stopped at the cry. "What was that?"

Lucas's head snapped up at the cry. He rushed back into the room to see the monster over Stacey's body. "Get off of her!" he demanded.

At the cry, the cat jumped from Misa's lap and hid under the sofa. "What is happening?" asked Misa trying to look through the multitude.

Dura whipped her head about and saw the Yuletide youma atop Stacey. She silently swore. *No peace, not even on Christmas!* She looked about for Jay, ready to excuse herself, and find another inconspicuous spot to transform.

Jay looked around. A youma attacking a band member. He could not honestly say he was suprised. They seemed to be following him. He reached over to one table, grabbed a drink and downed it in one gulp. Then coughed slightly. "Smooth" he muttered in dry, gaspy voice. "I think now would be a good time for you to leave, Dura. This may well get ugly, although the youma ain't too pretty."

Michiru pulled away from Blake. "What was that? A scream?" she asked looking towards the living room. "Come on. Let's go check it out." she said grabbing his hand.

With a hiss the youma spewed a white 'snowy' fog into the room from its mouth, filling it up and killing visibility in about a few seconds. Zachary dropped his mug on the floor, a shocked look on his face. "Wait!" he cried. "Don't go in there! Something weird's going on!" he called to Alex, then chased after him before allowing himself a small smirk. ~The youma is working well, after all~ sent Zachary to Nephrite, as he grabbed what he assumed to Alex from behind and drained him of all energy in one shot, clamping a hand over his mouth. Sanjoun Zachary had to keep from laughing out loud as he called into the fog, "What's happening?! Where is everyone?!" He then lightly punched himself in the stomach, getting an "Oof!" and then began to lower Alex on top of him as the two headed for the floor. Everyone would seen the monster had struck again... funny. Alex felt a little different than what he had sized him up to be.

Lost in the fog, Lucas transformed into the Thunderbolt Knight. ~Come on senshi, there's an attack in the living room!~ he called out, feeling around for the monster.

Alec entered the living room just to see his sister laying helplessly on the couch. "Stacy!" he called out and ran over to her, only to be drained of his energy upon reaching her.

Michiru lost hold of Blake's hand as she went towards the living room. ~Give me one second, Lucas.~ she sent as she reached for her crystal to transform, someone grabbed her from behind. ~What the hell... no... I can't....~ she called out and then felt herself be slowly placed on the ground, as the last of her energy left her body.

Misa ran to the living-room, transforming in the way. She found several people lying on the floor, unconscious. Drained, she thought. She spotted Michiru. She could be useful in the battle. There's got to be a way to make her recover her consciousness.

Turning to Blake, Creation said, "I'll attack the youma, and in the meantime, you take Michiru and carry her to the kitchen, ok? "

"Forth of the four elements, unite!!" she yelled, aiming her attack at the youma.

Fumbling for a pair of silver-rimmed glasses in his breast pocket, Zachary Sanjoun threw them on, wondering if pretending to be a human was not wearing down his eyes after all. Outwardly, he blushed and gritted his teeth, but inwardly he kicked himself. He had mistaken the band's leader singer for the school slut, Kaioh Michiru. Both had about the same hip size, but if he had only made for the chest, he would have known. "A-Ano, what's happening??" he asked, trying to sound timid as he slid out from underneath her.

Jay had pulled his knife out. It was less likely to cause a problem than changing into Deathlife Knight, even with all this fog to conceal him. ~Where are you guys? I can't see a goddamned thing in all this fog. At least it ain't sleeping gas or anything like that...~

Thunderbolt Knight saw the sparks of light from Misa's attack. ~The youma must be over there.~ he thought as he made his way over. ~I'm in the living room, but it's so hard to see. We need to get some windows open or something so we know who or what we're fighting!~ he suggested.

The youma snarled as it hissed more smoke into the rooms, and leapt upon another object and bit it squarely on the shoulder, drawing some blood but sucking energy.

Zachary blinked behind his frames and realized that if the youma was blindly attacking, he might be next. Trying to back out of the room, he backed into a wall of flesh. He yelped, stumbling forward. "Who's that?!"

Jay cried out in agony as the youma bit deep into his shoulder. "Get off damn you!" He roared so everyone in the room could hear, if they had not heard the scream. He then brought up the knife in his other hand and aimed it straight at the youma's head.

Just then, Zachary saw two very strong gloved arms reach around him, and pull him up and back quickly. His back thumped into what felt like a satin-covered tree trunk, and his head into what felt like a big, plump pillow. Then a female voice rang out: "Don't worry, sweetie, I'll get you out safely!" And with a pivot, Sailor Amazonia carried him outdoors at a dash.

"Everyone get down! You know lightning Never strikes Twice!" Thunderbolt exclaimed. "Lightning Brigade!" he called out as various bolts of lightning flashed around the room, striking random targets.

"Amazon Stoneback!" Zachary's wrap-around went from toned-up flesh to hard, polished rock. Then he felt it lurch forward, as a stray lightning bolt hit Sailor Amazonia squarely in the back. While she was nonconductive, the strike did knock her forward into the snow. She twisted in the fall, hoping to land on her side. A half ton of marble on top of Zachary was the last thing he needed.

In this horrible fog, Zachary couldn't see much either, and decided to pull up his tent pegs and leave for greener pastures. In other words, the sakura rolled out of Amazonia's arms away and teleported, leaving behind a few cherry blossoms to mark where he had been. He reappeared a few feet above the roof, in his Dark Kingdom regalia. Only this time he was prepared as he put on a muff and cap to keep himself warm. Scowling, he rubbed his arms where the senshi had held him, trying to get rid of the positive energy. He'd wait...

"GRAAAAAAAAH!!!!" howled the fog-inducing, energy-sucking vampiress as a lightning bolt hit her square in the forehead, causing it and the rest of her body to vaporize. The fog, however, still hung in the air as Blake, now Illusionary Knight stumbled about. "Michi-chan?!" he called, smacking into a solid form. He stumbled back and called out, "What the hell is going on!? I know my singing wasn't THAT bad... was it???"

Jay dropped to the ground as the monster disintergrated. His left cheek had been singed by the lightning bolt, and his shoulder hurt like hell. He could still move it, though only just. He said, "Deathlife Power Activate!" He changed into Deathlife Knight. His armour would help protect him. ~This is Deathlife. I've been hurt. I'm next to the punch bowl~

Michiru slowly started to wake up. "Blake... what happened?" she asked slowly.

Lucas looked over at Deathlife, or what he could see the blasted fog just wouldn't lift. ~Man, I'm really sorry. Those bolts are all random I have got to stop using them before someone dies or something. Hang tight I'll get over to you and get you out of here.~ he sent back and started making his way through the chaos to Deathlife's side.

Sailor Amazonia stared befuddledly at the vacant space between her arms where Zachary was. "Huh?"

Deathlife gestured vaguely with his good arm, then sent, ~Don't worry mate. A Youma was taking a munch on my shoulder. One of those bolts wiped it out, and probably saved me a good deal of pain and death. So thanks.~

Illusionary Knight cradled Michiru in his arms. At least, he hoped it was Michiru. "I don't know," he said quietly. "Everything was fine until a present blew up in the house. There was a youma and the whole house is filled with this thick ass fog, but I think... I think it's gone..." he said cautiously, wondering who was transformed, who wasn't, and what the hell was going on. He also realized that since the monster was dead, it might look bad if the fog cleared out and he was in his armor. Closing his eyes, he concentrated as the energy swirled about his face and left him feeling a bit lighter. "Yo, anyone got a fan?!" he called out. "Von Mond? EverMore? Anyone???"

Sailor Amazonia looked around as she sent to her friends. ~I got Zachary out of the house. He fell out of my arms, and rolled off. I can't see him... I think he's okay but I don't know for sure.~ Then she looked onto the snow and the prints where Zach landed. She didn't see any footprints leading away where he might have run. She saw hers, the big imprint where she landed (~Oh, no,~ she groaned, ~I'm getting wider!~), and Zach's landing spot. It was like he just flew away. Then she spotted the cherry blossom petals. This was VERY suspicious. ~I think Zoisite's the one to thank for livening up the party,~ she sent.

Shivering above, Zoisite raised out both his hands from the muff, closing his eyes and searching for what little energy his youma had collected before a Knight had oblierated her body. There was a senshi and a knight amongst them that had destroyed his youma, and it sounded like a Knight had been close by. Since half the group were men, however, it was hard to tell who had done what. It could have very well been the band member he had his sights set on. One thing he was sure of now, though. He had definately profiled one of the senshi, Sailor Amazonia. There's was no doubt in his mind that she was the tall woman at the party, and there was little to no chance of two girls ever being of that size, color, and height, especially in the same house. The odds were too great. Storing that tid-bit away in his mind, the sakura tried to come up with her name as he sucked up the end of the vampyre christmas youma and uncrossed his legs. ~Nephrite...it seems the festivities are over... I'll be returning to you shortly.~ sent Zoisite, conjuring up a small fire-ball. He had heard a song earlier about some form of food being roasted over an open fire, and a small smile played upon his own frosted lips as he raised his arm to shoot down the senshi girl.

Then, of all the luck, more guests appeared in the back yard. Quickly snuffing out his beacon of destruction, he frowned. Get in, get the energy, get out. He'd get to play around the next holiday. With another flurry of cherry blossoms, he teleported back to the mansion.

"D-... Amazonia, what the heck are you doing out here?!" hissed Blake, the kitten approaching and mewing plantively as it yanked on the end of the body he was dragging. Blake balked as he saw he had grabbed Stacey instead, who was quite out of it while Michiru came up and leaned on the door frame, coughing. "Damn this fog!! Damn the Dark Kingdom! Can't we just have a regular day for once, any day, any time!? Just once!!" Blake nervously propped Stacey up against the door and gestured for Amazonia to come inside. "You'll freeze to death out there!" he said. Stacey slid to the floor with a thump to make Blake's point. A sweatdrop went down his face as Michiru looked over her shoulder and started giggling. "Some party, huh?" she said and sighed, walking back inside to the kitchen. The kitten mewed and starting chewing on Stacey's hair.

Sailor Amazonia held up a hand asking for a minute as she went to a not-so-conspicuous section of the Von Mond Estate. There, she crossed her arms, nodded, and let herself change back to Materyo Dura. With that, she let out a sigh. "Another inch. Just what I always wanted this Christmas. Thanks, Dark Kingdom." And she trudged back in. "Hey, guys!" she hacked, playing the Clarissa Kent routine. "Is everyone all right?"

Elizabeth was walking around the mansion, the look on her face was a bit pale. She wasen't expecting a monster to appear at this party. Espiecally the fact that this was the first one she had ever thrown before to celebrate a holiday where sharing times with friends and family was important. All she wanted was to meet new people and make friends. She stopped at the door to the back yard and looked out over the area. Slowly she went down onto her knees and sighed.

Jakurin hopped off her ATV and shivered, wiping away a tear that scratched her face in the cold. What she really wanted for Christmas she didn't get. A knight of her own. She guessed that when Blake showed up that they would be kismet, like the Venus Pair. Rikko and Dura were funny together, when Rikko was actually around. And Hotaru and Jay complimeted each other perfectly. He spoke enough profanity to get both their points across. And her Knight... her Knight wanted the school slut!

"Jaku-chan! Let's celebrate!" came the cry from the third floor window, dumping a small wreath on her head and giggling. "Uri-chan!" called up Jakurin, the smell of pine filling her nostrils. "What are you doing?!" "Come up and see! Be quiet as you do, Oyaji's sleeping but I'm up and about! Come on!" she giggled, closing the window. Jakurin laughed and shifted her packages before entering the resteraunt's basement. At least there were some moments she was thankful for.

Michiru placed her faux fur jacket on as guests started to meander out. She stuffed the mirror down her dress awkwardly, hoping it didn't fall down and out. It was a nice mirror. "Ano..." she started to say as she say the host sitting on the edge of the porch, "Nice party?... we should do it again sometime..."

Blake hustled out, kitten in tow on his shoulder. "Where's Jaku-baka?!? I'm supposed to ride with her!!"

"I think she left. But that's alright Blake. You can come home with me."

Blake blushed bright red. "Anything y-you say..."

Jay stumbled out of the house, a peice of cloth held to one shoulder and his arm hanging limply. He was swearing alternatively in English and Japanese. He was very good at it. He pulled the cloth away and noticed it was soaked through. "Anyone got a piece of clean cloth?"

Lucas shook his head. "Sorry man, I did the best I could. Elizabeth, if you don't mind me leaving my drum set here while I take my friend to the emergency room?" he asked hopefully.

Elizabeth got to her feet and looked at Lucas. She nodded her head slowly. "Of course," she said to him. Trying to remain calm. "They will be here when you return," she said to her.

Dura saw Jay hurt, and dashed over. "Oh no!" she gasped. And simultaneously, her blouse ripped as she reached over. She shrugged. She needed an excuse for a bandage, and she'd probably get new clothes for Christmas anyway. She ripped off the rest of her sleeve and began to press. "Let me set something up before you go," she said to Lucas.

Then she saw Jakurin come in, right after the nick of time, no less. She shook her head sadly, wondering how to explain to her friend that the guy she had a crush on was a Dark Kingdom sleazoid.

Lucas looked at the bandage Dura had made and smiled. "That looks better than the job I did." he said. "Elizabeth, thank you for everything. When I get back I'll help with the clean up. You should really just get some rest." he said sincerly. He then helped Jay out of the house and headed for the hospital, which was only five blocks away.

Jay grinned at Lucas. "Hey, I think that Dura chick has a crush on me. Now thats a fun idea. Thanks for the lightning back there mate. If you hadn't cooked that thing it would of chewed my arm clean off. Well, not so cleanly."

Dura watched Jay and Lucas hobble off. Confident they were in good hands, she headed back inside to see the Von Monds to thank them for a good time, and excuse herself back to her house.

Michiru and Blake (who had to go back for the kitten) huddled into a taxi, a bit out of breath, and full of questions about the night's events.

"Do you think they know who we are?" asked Blake finally, stroking the kitten. "I mean, how many people are having parties. How many houses and apartments? And the Dark Kingdom just shows up at ours..."

"I hope not, but the attacks have been getting more and more centered at us, ever since the Benefactor all took us away that one time..."

"Michiru... maybe you might not want to hear it, but do you think it could have been... the drummer?"

"What?? What??" stammered Michiru, shaken out of her Preacher meloncholy. "Evermore???"

"Well, yeah," said Blake, turning to face out the window. "Lucas is with us. Stacey got jacked up, and Alex was shouting all over the place. And not once did I see that drummer do anything. When I could see, I mean."

Michiru's eyes glistened as she stared at Blake. She was horrified that he would suggest such a thing, and yet with Darien...

She sighed and leaned her head on Blake's shoulder. He paused, then very slowly gripped her free hand on his knee.

The kitten mewed plantively as the two rode home in silence.

The End