A/N: Hello! Oh look another fic, I really need to stop but I'm not going to. But this one's short, so it should work out.

Challenges:Tale in Fragments challenge, 10 prompts, list 2 for the prompt 'laugh' and for the Diversity Writing Challenge G50. write a post canon fic, and for the Advent Calendar challenge Day 24. Write a fic between 3-5k. Well, hopefully by the end of this, it will be.

Warnings: Mild cursing. If that.

1. It Shouldn't Be This Funny

"Stop snickering!"

He knew it was a pointless order, since Kotone had the energy and easygoing mirth that overtook children, moreso now at ten than she had at seven, but she was a lady of war! She needed to improve on her elegance. Not to mention... it really wasn't that funny in the first place!

"Why?" the girl guffawed. "You're sitting here asking me... seriously?" She had to stop laughing long enough to bang the chair back onto its four legs. In the process, she nearly fell forward, but didn't seem to care. "Dang, you're some kind of dork or something, Kiriha." She had caught herself by this point, but it probably wouldn't have mattered if she hadn't.

"And you're just utterly incorrigible," he grumbled and she smiled, a sweet little expression that reminded him that this holy terror was, in fact, the sister of his potential girlfriend. He never stopped wondering how, since she pretty much wore every single emotion on her face like an open book and Nene rarely did unless she really truly felt it. But they had the same weird ass, manipulative smile that could catch anybody in a net if they tried hard enough.

Oh god damn it. This wasn't the time to think about this. Kiriha took a deep breath, mussing up his blond hair again. Kotone watched this in amusement, fingers threading through her brown locks. She had given up the buns a year ago, settling for letting her hair grow out. Nene adored it, though Kiriha just thought she was insane, or had a sister complex.

Then again, he hated his brothers. So there was that.

"Does that mean yes, or do I have to strangle you and blame it on one of your neighbors?" he asked with a sigh.

Kotone grinned. "You oughta be nicer if you want me to let you date my sister," she said loftily. He blushed and cursed. "The case ain't looking too good for you, buddy."

"How are you two even related?"

"Alien abduction?" she offered and he pinched his nose. Kotone smiled like a cat.

Kiriha put his head in his hands and breathed, praying to the little divinity he had faith in that he could either get what he wanted or have lightning strike down the child in front of him. The latter would solve most of his issues at the moment. He could always say she had died in an accident.

… God damn it.

Kiriha raised his head slowly. "What do you want from me?"

Kotone rocked back on her heels. "To date Nee-san?"

"No, to conquer the world," he deadpanned. "Yes, to date your sister."

Kotone shrugged, then hopped from the chair. "How about you be less of an ass?"

She walked out of the room, leaving him flabbergasted. "Why don't you look in a mirror?" he shouted.

"You're doing it again!" Her voice reeked of triumph.

The door slammed shut and Kiriha groaned, hiding his face.

"That lady is going to be the death of me."