(Note: all next five of these chapters, [including this one] will take place in the third person.)

It was that time of year already.

Everyone's out shopping, and concerning themselves over what gift to give that really hard-to-read uncle or aunt that you just don't know what they like.

It's also the families gathering together, around the fireplace, and carolers going out to spread some joy and glee around the town.

It's Christmas time.

And once again, she had to give everyone a gift that they would absolutely adore.

She didn't settle for anything other than perfect for that individual, and wouldn't even dare to get them something that didn't have at least half an hour of thinking or time spent to prepare it.

But, she had already gotten everybody their gifts... in September.

Yep. She thought way ahead, because she wanted this time of year for spreading love and joy everywhere she went.

She made sure to spend time with all her family members, and with all her friends. She even got some couples to kiss romantically under the mistletoe.

And that's where her problem comes in.

Aurora wanted to catch Tendo under the mistletoe.

Now, to anyone else, that wouldn't seem like any sort of problem. But, knowing Tendo, he would act all shy and nervous about it, and maybe even try to back out.

Which was why she would accept the challenge of kissing him underneath it.

It was December 15; ten days away from the actual Christmas Day. She wanted to kiss him before then, but if she had to do it on Christmas, then it would still work out. It might just be even more romantic because of how special the day was.

So here she was, at Tendo's house.

She was helping their family set up all the Christmas stuff, because they didn't have time before, as they were all too busy with their work to do it any other day.

So when Tendo's mother called her father, and said that she was setting up Christmas decorations and invited them over to help if they so desired, then there was no way she could pass that up!

So, her and her father went over to their house sometime that morning, and helped them set it all up.

Now, they were relaxing, and eating some snickerdoodles that Tendo's mother had baked.

Tendo's mother, Serene, (that was her name,) looked over at Aurora, and smiled. "So you and your father have any plans for Christmas?"

Aurora nodded. "Yeah, we do. We're gonna get up early in the morning, and bake a nice big Christmas breakfast together, and when the family comes over a little later, we're going to play some games, and open some gifts. Then, we'll go caroling!"

Serene smiled warmly. "That sounds wonderful."

Aurora's father nodded. "It will definitely be a fun evening. Would you and your family like to join us in caroling? I promise our family won't bite."

Serene thought about it. "We might. I would have to ask the boys. I know that Yeper would be all for it, but Constan and Tendo aren't exactly singers. They might rather just stay home."

Aurora got a little sad to hear that they might not go, and Aurora's father half-smiled. "Well, it would be a shame for them to miss out on something like this."

Serene smiled. "I'll see what I can do."

Aurora's father looked around the kitchen. "By the way, where are your boys?"

Serene pointed down the hallway. "They are in Yeper's room. They said that they were planning something 'big' for a Christmas celebration."

Aurora's curiosity got the better of her, and she got down from the table, and headed toward Yeper's room.

She used her ribbons, and knocked.

"Who is it?" A voice asked.

"It's Aurora." She said softly.

Suddenly, the door opened quick, and a light green paw grabbed her, and pulled her into the room, before shutting the door.

Tendo cracked the door slightly, and peeked out. He then breathed a sigh of relief and closed it. "Phew. Glad that it wasn't our mom."

Aurora looked around the room. It was definitely Yeper's. Ice themed decorations for Christmas were all around, and some hand-knitted dolls and blankets were scattered here and there.

Aurora looked at Constan and Yeper who were sitting on the floor. She then looked at Tendo. "What's going on in here?"

Tendo sat down by Yeper. "We're... planning something."

Constan nodded, and then pretended to be a mad scientist who wriggled his fingers. "Yes! We are devising a scheme to rule the world!"

Tendo and Yeper both simultaneously smacked Constan.

Tendo looked at her. "We're planning a party for Christmas."

Aurora swallowed back her fear. "Christmas... Day?"

Tendo shook his head. "No. It would be the Saturday after."

Aurora breathed a sigh of relief a little too loudly.

Tendo looked her over. "Is something wrong?"

Aurora shook her head quickly. "No! I mean no. Just... glad you aren't doing it on Christmas Day."

Constan spoke up, "Why?"

Aurora shrugged. "Because... because I would be busy and not be able to be there."

Tendo nodded. "We thought that people might be busy on the day. Which was why we thought about doing it the Saturday after."

Aurora smiled. "So, can I help somehow?"

Tendo smiled back. "I thought you'd never ask."

(And that portion of the story will be continued in another chapter. Back to the original plot.)

She had attempted to catch him under the mistletoe at four different occasions.

One, she was just plainly standing under a slightly hidden mistletoe, and pretending to be doing nothing.

When Tendo was walking toward her, she got ready to get him, but he suddenly turned off in another direction, and continued plans with the party thing.

Another time, was when she was in public with Tendo, out shopping for party supplies, and there was a mistletoe underneath the entrance to a store. So, she tried to persuade him that they needed 'supplies' from that store, but Tendo shot her down with logic.

The third time, she got desperate, and tried just carrying around the mistletoe until they came across each other.

Since they were at her house, she had the advantage. But, when she when to catch Tendo from behind, he moved somewhere else, and she ended up trapping herself and Constan underneath it.

"Oh... gosh..." Constan said when he saw the mistletoe.

She sighed from not catching Tendo, and decided to just kiss Constan's cheek.

After a while, she told Cindi of her problem. Cindi smirked. "It's easy, watch."

She then walked up to Constan, and looked him straight in the eyes. "Follow me."

Constan did so, and she led him to under the mistletoe, where she proceeded to knock him down in a kiss.

Aurora nodded from understanding. 'Maybe I could try that.' She thought.

So later that day, she walked up to Tendo, got his attention, and said, "Would you please follow me?"

But... Tendo shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I am helping my mom move a few boxes. Maybe in a second ok?"

But, at that point, she mostly lost the thrill of the moment.

Now, it's December 24 at 11:56 o'clock.

It was Christmas Eve, and she still hadn't gotten to kiss him.

All she really wanted was just a small, sweet kiss. But, he was always too busy. Was she just trying to get him at a bad time every time? Or was this his way of avoiding it?

She didn't know. But now, she wouldn't be able to kiss him under the mistletoe until the day after Christmas.

It was 11:58 now.

She was sitting outside in the cold, with a blanket wrapped around her, when the back door opened, and out came Tendo.

"What are you doing out here this time of night?" He asked her.

Aurora sighed. "Nothing really. Just enjoying the moonlight and stars."

After shutting the door, he walked outside, and sat down next to her. He then leaned close to her, and let his body heat help her warm up a little more.

She smiled. "Thanks."

Tendo looked at her. "I was gonna ask you; what's the matter? To me, it seems that you've been a little glum lately. Is it just too chaotic for you?"

Aurora looked at the stars. "It's... nothing."

Tendo shook his head. "It's not. I am concerned about you, and I want to help. So please tell me what's wrong so I can help."

She looked back at him. He looked quite handsome in the moonlight. "Well, it's just that... I-I've been trying to do something since ten days ago, but I can't seem to be able to."

Tendo was a bit confused. "What is it?"

Aurora smirked slightly. "Well... catching you... under the mistletoe."

She wasn't sure, but he might've blushed. "Catching me under the mistletoe?"

Aurora nodded, and looked at the snow-covered ground. "Yeah. I wanted to do it, partly as a challenge, but mostly cause I wanted to give you a romantic moment between us this time of year."

Tendo thought about what she said. "Well... it's not too late."

Aurora shook her head. "It is though. I won't be able to do it with you tomorrow, because I'm gonna be busy all day. And I wanted to do it before Christmas ended."

Tendo then understood. "Oh..."

She nodded. "Exactly. But, it's ok. I've always got next year."

They sat there in silence for several seconds, until Tendo spoke up, "Ya know, it may be cold out here, but I know a way to warm us both up without moving."

She looked at him. "You do?"

His arm was up in the air, and when she followed up the length of it to find that little plant at the end, she instantly was cheered up.

Tendo smiled, and it was almost enough to warm her up in the cold. "Hey, look at that. Mistletoe."

She smiled at him. "Thank you."

He smiled a little more, and they both leaned in and kissed under the starlight.

Tendo let his arm with the mistletoe drop, as he didn't need it anymore.

Aurora was happy to finally accomplish her goal. It wasn't just about the challenge to see if she could actually do it, it was more about how she wanted to show him her love to him.

But, in this moment, she found that he wanted to do the same.

In spite of the cold winter weather, she instantly was warmed up...