(Before anyone asks, NO. I decided not to make them blood siblings.)

If it wasn't for the deeply concentrated look on the more exotic saurian's face, Judge might have thought that his companion was unsure of how to play the game. After all, besides the roaring fireplace underneath the big flatscreen installed in the living room and the bowl of popcorn between the two reptiles, there was nothing to distract Redemption from the game. Slowly, the Guilmon nudged his long-time friend gently, "Are you confused? I thought it would be a simple game to understand."

The Guilmon X blinked politely and turned her head, giving him a vicious smirk, "Are you calling me simple? I was merely planning my next move." Red was cocky as wver, being the smarter one, technically, with a digital IQ 2 or so points higher then Judgement. Not that it meant much, but it had it's quirks, "Checkmate." Redemption carefully depressed a button on the controller in her claw with one long talon, making her knight move to take Judgement's king in one smooth move. the smirk widened on the female's muzzle.

"Wha... Well damn, I think I've been bested.. again." Judement set his own controller down and shook his head in disbelief. It was nice of Rayner to get the two of them some classical games to give them something to do other then bicker about foolish concepts and such. Still, their tamer could have chosen a hobb that she couldn't beat him at five games in a row.

Allowing herself a mild chuckle, she stretched onto her feet and walked over to retrieve the TV remote, again carefull pressing the buttons to not break the thing. The screen changed to a scene of christmas time around Digital City, with many new shops open. Rayner had given out their gifts and then taken Miuki and Ryu out to look at the shops and events, but she and her brother had decided to just lay low and play their new games, as odd as that sounded for a pair of reptilles with poor finger articulation for joystick controls.

As Redemption set the remote down and padded into the kitchen to find something to drink, Judgement finally got up and followed, taking the signature santa claus hat that he had been conned into wearing with him. Consequently, while the Guilmon X busied herself with getting sodas from the fridge, Judge opened the cupboard and fished out two glasses, accidentally knocking a third item out of the dark corner in the process, "Whoops."

Setting the glasses down, he gingerly picked up the plant-like item and examined it, clueless to its purpose, "Hey Red, what's this?"

Redemption looked back and spotted the special item in Judgement's hand, "It's Mistletoe. Miuki went and got some. She says she's plannign a special present for Rayner later tonight." she shrugged and began filling the glasses with ice, having to pick out one cube at a time due to her extended claws.

Still slightly puzzled, he inquired more, "Well, what's it do?" he sniffed at the plant, "Does it glow in the dark? It doesn't have that much of a scent to it... It's not an aphrodisiac, is it?" he said, almost alarmed. He DID know Miuki's idea of a "special" present might be a bit abnormal. As in, they might not get any sleep tonight...

"Retaining her old smirk, she emptied the soda cans' contents into the glasses and threw away the aluminum remains. "The last one would be closest, I guess. It doesn't do anything, but there's some silly human tradition tied to it. Two people standing under mistletoe are supposed to share a kiss." her voice changed from that of a strict coach to a softer, definitely more feminine purr.

"Oh..." was all Judgement had to say to that. Trth was, he didn't know what to say really. It didn't really dawn on him that the look Redempt was givign him now might have been telling him more then to read up on human customs, "Well, I guess I'll put it back then. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise." A sensible answer, especially given the change of mood in the room, which he felt but couldn't understand. He reached up to replace the small piece of flora.

Redemption was smiling now, as much as a lizard could smile at least. She swiftly stepped closer to the other child level and knocked his arm back, placing it ever so easily above the both of them. "Whoops." she giggled, sounding almost like a humal girl at that. Did Redemption have a soft side? The reaction actually reddened the already red cheeks of the guilmon, who kept the mistletor held high in shock.

"Cut it out, I can't even kiss with these lips." Judgement tried to call her bluff, acting much more dominant then he felt at the moment. His jaw was, unfortunately, clenched shut when he wasn't talking.

"You just haven't tried. You have to move your muscles differently, like this." Redemption leaned closer, looking for Judgement to take the same lead and do what she was doing. True, the muzzle wasn't exactly meant for small kissing ceremonies, but Redemption was managing it well.

The utterly confused Judgement strayed away though, memory of past moments where he had teased her of getting too friendly with her opponents led to a bloody nose or a snacked snout. She was usually so sensitive to those kinds of play. He couldn't back away though, not now, that he was so close to her. That look in her eyes was so... curious? Inviting? Wanting?

Redemption sighed sligtly as she stepped closer, "You don't want to? We're as close as friends can get without physical contact. Have you never thought about it? Not once?"

This was the part where Judgement looked a little too comical for his liking. He swallowed hard and tried to think of an answer. Sure, he thought about a lot of things. Dream big was a great rule to live by, but he also had low expectations too. "Well, I just didn't want to upset you."

"OH, I see." Red pulled back a little, looking hurt. Was she actually playing him? She smiled afterwards and turned to move away from him, "If you don't have the balls to do it..."

While he wasn't a prideful creature at heart, he knew when she was tauning him! Who does she think she's talking too?!? he thought as he bared his fangs a little and stepped forward, still holding the misletoe up without knowing he was doing it. He spun her as gracefully as two dancers would have on the ballroom floor, much to a wide-eyed Redemption's surprise, and brought their muzzles together, improvising the kiss as quickly as she did without practice.

The Guilmon X, stunned because she hadn't expected such a wild reaction even from her taunting, blushed as he kissed her. She felt like moaning or showing some signs of approval from the action, but she's like the guilmon in front of her, was unpracticed in this event. He didn't stop there though, and she didn't know whether he was trying to prove a point or he didn't know what he was doing, but if surprise was her reaction to the first part of the kiss, then disbelief must have been for the second.

Red melted into the moment, and that was when Judgement slipped his long tongue into her mouth. A surprised look soon turned into an expression of pleasure as their tongues entwined. The kiss temporatily removed the stone cold fighter in her. From that moment, she was just another happy female.

It broke after only thirty seconds, but like all things so perfectly sweet and wonderful it felt like hours, days, and whatnot. Both were a brighter shade of red then normal, and out of breath. Judgement didn't have to ask Redemption's intentions, and Red didn't have to tell him how much she enjoyes that. Silently, Judgement replaced the misletoe back where Miuki had hid it and followed Redemption back towards the living room, red with the drinks she had poured earlier. As they settled in, it almost seemed as if one of those rare awkward silences was building. Then, with a smile as she scooted closer to Judgement to nuzzle under his neck and rest her head on his shoulder, the silence was broken.

"Merry Christmas... Mir."

The Guilmon put a large clawed arm around his long-time companion, hearing that "old" name from long ago, and closed his eyes to let the moment sink in, "Merry Christmas, Sky."