Frostbitten Mistletoe
Christmas Mistletoe

Toshiro's eyes watched as Rukia and Ichigo went to speak in the corner of the room. A frown spread across his face. Karin tapped his shoulder. "They're not arguing. They're both upset that Rukia's brother and dad sprung the marriage contract on them when they did."

"Yes... but don't they like each other... you know how Kaien-dono and Miyako-dono did?" The young taicho turned to look at the two girls as his frustration appeared on his face.

"You can say they're your mom and dad Toshiro..." Karen shook her head at him. "Rukia-nee says marriage is not in their plans."

"I can't believe they aren't jumping on it... it is obvious they like each other." Yuzu let out a deep sigh.

"What ever... let us put up the last of the decorations. Ichi-nii can put the star on top of the tree for us. That leaves..."

"... the mistletoe!" Yuzu let out a squeal of delight that caused Toshiro to flinch.

"What is... mistletoe?"

"You don't know? It is one of the most romantic things about Christmas!" The brown haired twin clapped her hands together.

"It... what?"

"On Christmas Eve and Christmas... a person caught under the mistletoe ends up kissed." Karen rolled her eyes.

"So... we could use this on Kurosaki and Kuchiki? To get them to admit their feelings for each other?" Toshiro's eyes widened as his mouth frowned. He watched as the two girls eyes widened. "What?"

Karen nodded her head. "We need to be secretive about where we place the mistletoe."

"Yeah... Ichi-nii and Rukia-nee are watching." Yuzu's head tilted over to the side. "That would ruin the surprise."

Toshiro took the small box from her. "I'll handle it." The two girls opened their mouths. "I know. Christmas isn't really my thing. But they're denying the fact they have feelings for each other... so why not help them along. While the girls had Ichigo put the star up on the tree he slipped out of the room. He headed outside and pulled out his blade. He ran his finger over the length and swung it to create a block of ice.

Placing the blade back he rubbed his hands and let the frost come out of his mouth. He began to chip away until the decoration was complete. He then pulled the decoration into the room where the Christmas tree was. As late as it was, everyone else had already headed to bed. He took a deep breath and carefully frosted the room over so that the ice sculpture wouldn't melt. He then took the time to place the mistletoe in a place that was above the sculpture.

He arrived at the room that was his when he was at the Shiba clan. He opened the door and blinked a couple of times. Ichigo was sitting in a corner reading a book. The orange haired teen looked up. "You're not happy that I'm here?"

The young taicho shook his head. "The Shiba clan... you're the head family."

"Toshiro... that's not what I meant. This is your room. I'm not taking it over." Ichigo watched as Toshiro's mouth opened and closed. "Kukaku-san said she could put together a room for me, but I asked to stay in the same room with you. You don't have a problem with that do you?"

"No... I mean..." The boy looked at the ground before heading over to his futon. He froze at seeing the pajama set. "What the..."

"My dad."

Toshiro felt his shoulders tighten up as he looked at the pajama set with the ugly Santa Clause and candy canes over it as well as the yucky pale green color. "Seriously..."

"I hid the set Yuzu and Karen picked out for you under the pillow." Ichigo watched as the boy turned to look at him in surprise. "My dad's sense of style is lacking – what he thinks is cute is not."

The young taicho knelt down next to the futon and moved the pillow to see a dark blue pajama set with snowflakes. "Did Kurosaki have more say on this then Kurosaki?"

"Toshiro... call my sisters by their first names. And yes... Karin is the one who insisted on this set. She knows you quite well. Go to bed... sleep in as long as you want to. Tomorrow is going to be a lot of fun." Ichigo's smile suddenly fell. "I think. Never can tell with dad. Ganju is likely the same way. Still can't believe he's my uncle."

M

Toshiro found himself sleeping in until breakfast was brought to him. He then tried helping in the kitchen again only to find himself kicked out by Karin. He went and re-frosted the room with the decorations again so the ice sculpture would last until the evening. He looked around with a rather pleased look on his face when a clearing of his throat caused him to turn to see Shiba Kukaku glaring at him with her arms crossed. He let out a yelp and disappeared. He found himself in the room with the family shrine.

He lit the incense and followed through with the ceremony only to find himself staring at the pictures of Kaien and Miyako. He remained there for a good period of time until Isshin sat down next to him. "You know... Kaien and Miyako would both be proud of you."

"I'm not really into this whole Christmas thing taicho. I don't know what to do."

"Do any of us know what to do around Christmas time. Kukaku, Ganju and I put double presents for you under the tree. Ones for Christmas, the other is for your birthday." The man watched as Toshiro glared at him. "What?"

"Taicho... I don't need gifts. Plus... I didn't get anything for you."

"You've given me the best thing ever Toshiro. You're my cute, little third seat who is now my cute, little nephew."

"Still..."

"Don't worry about it." The man left, and the young taicho leaned back to take a nap until someone came to tell him it was time.

He stood up and headed to the room and passed through the doorway. Karen came up and kissed him on the cheek. He looked at her with a horrified look on his face until she pointed up. Above the door frame was the mistletoe. "How?"

"Ichi-nii snuck out of your room after you went to sleep and moved it."

"Yes... but..." Toshiro blinked a couple of times as his cheeks flared red. "The intent was too..."

Rukia waved at him from where she was. "We know. You three were to obvious when you were talking. I never though you would do something like that Hitsugaya Taicho."

The young taicho paled and he bowed to the girl. "I'm sorry."

"Why?" Ichigo shook his head. "It was a rather clever idea. I also like the detail you put into that horse drawn sleigh too... though it is starting to melt. I took a picture with my phone."

"Yes... but..." Toshiro stood up as confusion spread across his face.

Yuzu came over with her typical pout. "I don't get it. Why can't you two just admit that you like each other? Why do you insist that there are no wedding plans?"

"Because we don't like the idea of being rushed into things." Ichigo watched as the three young ones looked at him in surprise. He let out laugh. "We felt like they were rushing us into a relationship when we want to take our time."

"Nii-sama apologized for bringing it forth like he did. He thought it was simply his way of giving his approval to court. Of course... the Shiba clan elders took it differently. They think it is as sure as your betrothal to Karen."

"What..." Toshiro's eyes widened as more color left his face. Karen's face paled as well.

"Oh... didn't you know? Apparently there was some kind of promise dad and Uncle Kaien made of marrying their first born son and daughter. Dad brought it up as a joke... but..."

"Oh... Bah-humbug!" The words came out of Toshiro's mouth without realizing it. He blinked a couple of times and found himself smiling as the others laughed.