This is a Shitennou christmas story that I started writing last year around this time, but didn't finish. No idea if I'll finish this year, but perhaps you'll like the chapters I have.
This story isn't connected to any of my other stories, and I tried to give the Shitennou some new facets.
"I don't see why we can't just throw our money together for something more impressive..."
"Please, Kunzite," said Mamoru and suppressed a sigh. "The senshi are throwing this party, and they want it to go like this, so you should play along. They invited you all, for the first time, and I think this is a very good thing."
He firmly looked at each of his Shitennou.
"It won't hurt you to loosen up a bit," he said to Nephrite.
"Socialize," he said, looking at Zoisite.
"Be nice," to Jadeite.
"Enjoy yourself," in Kunzite's direction.
A disapproving moment of silence followed his words.
"So we all can get drunk except Jadeite, because he only wants to start fights when he's drinking," grinned Nephrite finally.
"The hell I do! Why don't you just shut up before we talk about what you like to do when you're drunk?"
"That proves he starts fights whether he's drinking or not, so maybe this year we could allow him half a glass of wine," said Zoisite and answered the dirty look he got from Jadeite with his sweetest smile.
"Guys, please..." said Mamoru. "Moderate drinking, if it helps you to get into the spirit. But this party is supposed to be nice and friendly. Should we go through the Secret Santa rules again, or have you understood that one?"
"That's not too hard", replied Kunzite with confidence. "Each of us gets assigned a girl to make a present to, and they are not supposed to know who they got their present from."
Mamoru nodded and gave them a proud smile. "Yes, you got it. It's really easy."
Jadeite scratched his head.
"Yes, but... it doesn't really make sense, does it? Shouldn't presents earn the bringer some acknowledgment?"
"Exactly," said Nephrite. "You only give a present anonymously if you think the recipient will hate it. And we don't intend to make crappy presents. We Are The Shitennou."
Mamoru sighed again. "Guys, please. Secret Santas are skipping a lot of issues about making presents, and I think it's really going to be easier for you to get into the spirit of things if you don't take this kind of thing too personal. It's just about spreading good feelings."
To his surprise, they now seemed to finally get deep "oh"s and "ah"s made Mamoru doubt they had been understanding a thing before.
Zoisite smiled.
"Presents, emotions, and surprise pairings, it's just like in the old days!"
"I knew it!" exclaimed Kunzite with a smirk, "This modern christmas is the same as our old winter solstice celebrations."
Mamoru paled.
"It's not! Not at all! I mean, yes, there are some things that are similar, but at the core, it's different. Christmas is family friendly!"
"Solstice was family friendly too."
"Hard to imagine what would be more family friendly. There wouldn't be families without that kind of celebrations."
"No!" interrupted Mamoru them firmly. "Just take my word for it, this christmas party is not going to be a 'turn off the lights' game!"
The Shitennou exchanged a glance.
"They might just be too polite to say it in the open."
"Exactly... inviting a matching number of boys and girls, and then do random pairings... what else would it be?"
"They are making it pretty obvious already, they don't need to speak it out any more."
"NO! Just no... listen, everyone, you are not supposed to get ideas. You will just bring one present for one girl because the girls want to make the whole shopping easier for you, assuming you might not be familiar with it. They are giving you a chance to take it slow. They absolutely don't have a second thought about it. Believe me. This present, and the whole party, is just about friendship, togetherness, and appreciation... it's just about having a good time - in an entirely fully clothed way!"
"Uh-huh..."
"Uhm..."
"Hrm!"
"If you say so, Master..."
Mamoru decided that he would let the information sink in, stop explaining at that point and get the whole thing over with before he would remember too many of Endymion's solstices.
"OK, so now that this is settled, we'll have to do the lottery part."
