My first non-Cowboy Bebop fic! More of an SAC fic, but there is a connection with the second movie later in the story.Oh, andGhost in the Shell characters and world in SAC and the movies are not my intellectual property. This story is. -Neg
Here We Come A' Caroling
"Come on Ishikawa! You'll live through it, I promise!" Togusa was actually begging now. He turned to Paz and said, "It will mean so much to her. She used to go out every year in America, but she's embarrassed to here. She thinks no one does it in Japan."
"She's right, Togusa. No one does it in Japan," was the dry response.
"Does what?" asked the Major, entering the conference room.
"Christmas caroling," moaned five voices in unison. Aramaki chuckled and rose to acknowledge the Major's entrance. Togusa punched Ishikawa on the arm in annoyance, then slumped down on the sofa.
Ishikawa gestured to the crestfallen Togusa and said, "The ambassador of Christmas here has been trying to convince us to go sing for his wife, and then..." Everyone shuddered as he continued, "He wants us to go to out to other people's houses and sing for them!"
Major sat on the arm of the sofa and looked inquiringly at Togusa . "Christmas caroling," he explained. " My wife used to do it in America as a child. A group of people would go around to other houses and sing Christmas songs for them. She's all nostalgic about it this year and I thought it'd be a great surprise if we all went caroling with her." He sighed and looked away. "I can't get any of these turkeys to do it." He turned back to thegroup, "How about if weonly go to my place?She'd love it if we just came over and sang one stupid carol for her and the kids."
No one responded. The Major looked around the room, noting each face, and the conspicuous absence of a certain one. She met Aramaki's eyes and asked, "Where's Batou?"
"He went home already." A grin began to spread across the Major's face as Aramaki continued, "These fellows were about to go do some public drinking until Togusa's big idea. We're all done here until after the holiday, barring any unforseen political emergencies of course."Heading for the door, he said, "I'll see you all next week."
Still grinning, the Major watcheduntil the door clicked behind him. She stood up, suddenly deadly serious, and announced, "Okay! We are all going to Togusa's and singing! Since I don't trust any of you to meet me there, I will drive." Stunned silence filled the room and no one moved.
"This is a direct order from your superior officer and I expect it to be obeyed!" the Major boomed. Then she smiled again and added, "And after we sing there, I'm going to take you someplace special for an encore performance." Something about the tone of her voice and the twinkle in her eyes made Saito and Paz perk up. They looked at each other, then in unison saluted the Major and bolted for the door. Motoko herded Ishikawa and Borma into the hallway and Togusa followed, bemused.
On the way to his house, Togusa rode in the front of the personnel carrier with the Major. He couldn't contain himself any longer and finally asked, "Where are we going that's got Paz and Saito so worked up?" The Major glanced sideways at him, then answered mysteriously, "Oh, they're just thinking of the last time I took them someplace special!"
Togusa looked confused for a moment, then blinked in surprise and said, "Umm, well, I think I'll just skip that part, you know, being a family man and all." Laughing out loud now Major said, "No, Togusa! You have to come and I promise you, your wife won't mind where we're going!" She glanced through the window into the back of the carrier and in a lower voice added, "Paz and Saito may be disappointed however!"
Next time: Where is the Major taking them and what mystery awaits them there? You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out the disturbingcontinuation to our story! Look forward to it please!