I am walking in the streets, all alone, because five years ago I have ran away from home. I wanted freedom, finally, she died and I left. She used to be so weak.

I look at my watch.

12: 00.

"Mum… Merry Christmas…" I whisper.

I continue to walk. Somehow, something made me look up towards the sky. I see a bright star up there, the only star that can be seen in this bright city. I can not sleep, and I do not want to return to my hostel. I decide to follow the star. Perhaps I will find somebody special if I follow the star, I think.

I begin to walk towards the star.

For how many hours I walked, I do not know, but the time is already 5:34AM.I remember Hiei, who had run away since I said those three words. I sat down, in the secluded spot of the city and thought of him. I kept repeating "Merry Christmas" in my heart, as if the wishes will reach him, somehow, someway.

More stars could be seen now. I note, the star that I was following is now above me. I still have not found my special person. I laughed silently at myself, for having such a childish thought. No angels ever appeared in front of me and told me to follow the star.

Is he thinking of me now? I wonder.

The snow flakes continue to fall. White, as white as angel’s wings… what a combination. My coat is white now, as it is. Hiei once remarked that I looked good in white. He seldom remarks, so I wore white eversince he spoke that word.

But since he had been gone I wore black.

Somehow, I feel like wearing white today. So I marched into this store and bought one of my taste. I know, Hiei will like it if he sees it.

If he ever sees it.

He is gone.

Gone forever.

Such a long time…

I sigh, and took out my Christmas present for Hiei. Every year I would buy a present for him. If he would show up, I would give them to him.

It is a pendant of a fox, a silver one, for once he said he liked silver better than gold. With two tigereyes as eyes. Fits me, ne?

If only he is here… it will be the best Christmas present that I can ever receive. But four years… I’ve waited four years… And Santa Claus gave me nothing. Every year it is all I ask for, and every year it is the same.

I fall asleep, for how long I don’t know, but it was 7:42AM when I woke up.

And I awoke to the most perfect scene.

Hiei walking towards me in my direction…

"Hiei…!" I cried out, and ran towards him, hugging him. He put a hand on my back, and we stayed that way for a few minutes.

He was taller, much much taller. But no matter what I still love him.

Finally, I let go. But I still clutch his hand tightly, unwilling to let go. "Why…?"

Open ended question.

"I followed the star."

Simple as that.

"Here… for you…" I reached for the pendant in my pocket and held it out. He took it with his right hand, the one that always let out the Kokuryuha. How gentle it could be if it wanted. "Merry Christmas…"

He hangs it, together with the tear gem that Yukina gave him, and takes out his own tear gem, and hold it out to me.

I take it, with tears flowing down freely before freezing in the snow.

"Thank you…" I wipe them away. "Your presence here is the best present that I can receive."

"As you say, thank Santa Claus."

"Yup, thank him, too…"

"You still look good in white."

"Thank you…"

We walk away into the bright city, where it all comes to life on Christmas Day, and for a moment I think I glimpsed angels hovering at the back. I turn, only to see nothing but white.

"What’s the matter?"

"Nothing… Hiei…"

"Um?"

"Merry Christmas for you."

"I know."

***

Author’s notes…