A Christmas Carol
A CCS Parody
by SyaoranSword
Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura. CLAMP, and other companies I may not know of own it all. A Christmas Carol was written by Charles Dickens. This is a fanfic and is meant only for the enjoyment of the author and any would-be readers.
Notes: I don't think anyone has tried to do this yet, so I'll give it a try. It is the classic Dickens story using the cast of CCS. I don't know how this will turn out, but I liked the idea. Enjoy it, everyone!
Chapter 1: The Man Known as ClowOur story begins in late 19th century London. It was Christmas Eve morning, and the general mood was of happiness and glee. Although it was snowing and very cold, the marketplaces experienced brisk business, and the children laughed as they picked snowball fights. Everyone was enjoying the festive spirit... except for one.
As a figure concealed mostly in a heavy black cloak stalked by the street vendors, all activity stopped. The man was known for his heart of coal. His greed and ruthlessness made the citizens wonder if he had a soul. There were even rumors that this dark-haired and spectacled miser practiced black magic. Whatever the accusation, everyone knew that you did not mess with Clow Read.
He passed the gawkers with a smirk, thinking of how they must envy him. Clow strode proudly to his counting house, and looked to the sign hanging to the left of the door that read: Clow and Marley. "Ah, my old partner, Marley. You were a man after my own heart. It's been seven years since you left your fortune." A wicked smile played on his lips. "And it was very kind of you to leave it all to me."
Clow opened the door and was shocked at the sight in front of him. "Li-kun! What do you think you are doing?"
Clow's only employee shivered as he stood next to the rarely used furnace. His breath came out in clouds as he said, "Gomen nasai, Clow-sama! I- it's just that-"
"You know the rules. You have already burned a piece of coal this week. Would you rather be in here working and be cold, or would you rather be _out_ in the cold?"
Fear gripped Syaoran Li as he meekly placed the coal he held back in the bucket. "It won't happen again, Clow-sama."
"Good. Now get to the books! You should appreciate the fact that I won't dock you for wasting a minute of my time." The young man scrambled to his desk and began his work in earnest. Syaoran did his best to write legibly while his whole body shuddered from the freezing temperatures. The thin coat covering him did little to help. Clow, on the other hand, had no qualms about the cold as he seated himself at his large counting table. He then began his favorite activity: counting his money. "1000... 2000... 3000..." Clow said each number with a rather disturbing amount of glee. "4000... 5000... 6-"
He was interrupted by the opening of the door and a friendly shout. "Merry Christmas, Clow-ojisan!" A moderately well dressed young man with midnight-blue hair and sapphire eyes set behind spectacles had come and was brushing the snow off his hat.
"Eriol-san!" Syaoran greeted the visitor. "How are you? It's been a while since you last stopped by here."
"I have been well, Li-kun. I hope my dear uncle hasn't treated you too badly."
Clow pushed his glasses up disdainfully. "Bah! What are you doing here, my damned nephew?"
Despite the cursing, Eriol Hiiragizawa kept up his cheerfulness. "Now is that any way to talk to your favorite relative? I've come to wish you a Merry Christmas, Clow-ojisan."
"Christmas? Humbug!" The man rose to meet his nephew. "What is Christmas besides a fool's holiday? I will not have anything to do with a day filled with eggnog, mistletoe, and such nonsense! If I had my way, every moron who wished me a 'Merry Christmas' would be boiled in his own pudding!"
Eriol smiled throughout his uncle's tirade and responded, "Christmas is surely more than what you make it to be, dear uncle. It is a time for giving, for family, for what is truly important. The season of Christmas is one of the only times in the whole year when we celebrate with those not like us. Whether richer, poorer, larger, smaller, darker, or lighter, everyone can be happy for one another, and I say that it is indeed a Merry Christmas!"
Syaoran applauded the nephew's strong speech. He immediately stopped as Clow glared at him. "Gomen nasai, Clow-sama. I was... warming my hands." His face was buried again in the books.
The miser turned to his nephew. "So is that all you came here for, to irritate me?"
"Actually, I wanted you to come to dinner tomorrow. We are having quite a feast."
"Dinner? With you and that woman?!"
"Onegai, Clow-ojisan!"
"Why in all the world did you get married?"
"Because I am in love with her!"
"Because you are in love with her. A fine excuse. Now get out!"
"But uncle!"
"You heard me. Get out!"
Eriol put on his hat and turned to leave. When he reached the doorway, he said, "My invitation still stands, uncle. It would really be good if you could come. I must go now." Eriol smiled as he faced Syaoran. "A Merry Christmas to you, Li-kun."
"A Merry Christmas to you as well, Eriol-san."
Clow walked back to his table. As soon as he sat down, the door opened again. "Now what?!" He stood up as a young lady entered the office. "What may I do for you, madam?"
She smiled warmly as she handed a brochure to him. "My name is Sonomi Daidouji, president of the Daidouji Fund, and I am collecting for charity. There are many people without food or shelter this Christmas, and my heart goes out to them. All the money collected will help pay for good food, warm clothes, and even toys for children. How much would you like to give?"
"Nothing!"
The woman blinked in surprise. "N- nothing?"
"Yes, I said nothing. The poor doesn't need your help, and it certainly doesn't need mine." He led her to the door. "Good day to you, madam."
The hours passed without interruption for the rest of the day until it was closing time. Clow double-checked his pocket watch before rising from the table. "It is the closing hour, Li-kun. You may go."
Syaoran had been trying to warm his hands with his candle when he heard the news. His amber eyes brightened as he put on his hat and snuffed the candle.
"I suppose you will want tomorrow off as well," Clow said.
"It is only once a year, Clow-sama."
"I still think it is a crime for having to pay a day's wages for no work, but since I am in a good mood, you may have your day off. Be here very early then the day after."
"I will, and thank you very much, Clow-sama." Syaoran then ran as fast as he could to be home with his wife and his children.
Soon after, Clow locked up the counting house and walked through the whipping winds and the blinding snow to his own home.
To be continued...
Characters:
Clow Read – Scrooge
Syaoran Li – Bob Cratchit (guess who's Mrs. Cratchit ^_^)
Eriol Hiiragizawa – Fred, Scrooge's nephew
Sonomi Daidouji – Charity worker
So how was it? I will try to finish this in time for Christmas, possibly neglecting my other fics. Read and review please!