Silver Lining: Chapter bonus 3- Christmas Special
A/N: Hey everyone its Katel and since i'm in love with the holidays i' super stoked to have my favorite yuri couple in a christmas fanfiction. Thank you to everyone who's been reading and reviewing you guys are awesome friends! I find it ironic our christmas special starts out so festive with another psychopath Jo has to go after, followed by traditional holiday decorations..and fluffy stuff! Oh and sponsership I dubbed my first Naruto song so if your into Boys Love as well as Yuri please check out my profile ^_^
~Enjoy~
"Our latest target is a criminal known for his attacks on women as well as sexual assaults on children as young as 9. He's been a threat to everyone in Tokyo Our job, simply to acquire as much information as we can on him and destroy him." Sei ascended her thoughts to the group of mercenaries.
"Needless to say, I'll need your help, especially you Jo" Sei dictated, feeling an eerie vain begin to pop in her head, she wasn't about to be under-classed by Jo regardless of how their private relationship was; she still had responsibilities to take care of.
"What a creep!" Meg emphasized grabbing onto Jo's arm she triumphantly spoke. "We'll take them down," the red-head grinned at Jo, "As I am your number one Partner!" she boasted a smile deep inside her face, so joyed to be by Jo's side again even she had less an adequate skills in combat. But Sei figured they grew up together, close friends, almost like a family..and Meg happened to come in at unexpected times, so she agreed.
"For the first part of it yes, but if the situation gets bad- I'd like you to stay inside for when we infiltrate our targets home. I have good reason to believe he's not living alone in his apartment and he will have other partners, some who are cybots as well." Sei emphasized her point to Meg, a cold glare was given in return.
Sei, figured she had done it, and feared for her team disbandoning.
"Oh and also it is Christmas tomorrow so I thought since we are like family.." Sei chided, seeing an eyebrow raise on Jo's forehead. "We would have a Christmas 'gathering', Kyouhei is coming with one of his friends, and our group of course. I even purchased our own Christmas tree." Sei cheeks flushed, at her announcement yes her team was getting older, but if it meant the team being closer. It was worth the humiliation.
"Yes, Sei?" Jo voice was soft but firmly encouraged her to continue.
The dark haired woman pointed to a brown closet down the hallway of their trailer, "..it'll take some time to set up, but I think it would really lighten up the atmosphere. "
"Yay! See Meg I told you Sei wouldn't forget about it!" Amy jumped up and wrapped her arms around the older sister figure she adored. She stuck her tongue out at Meg, who returned the gesture.
The silver haired mercenary gleamed at Sei, seeing her excitement of a holiday Jo merely passed by. She still hadn't gotten the hyperactivity Amy and Meg would share while bouncing up and down, during their announcement, Jo was "officially an adult." The dramatized actions tended to irritate Jo, but for some time she started to be happy seeing her friends happy.
Jo scratched the back of her messed up hair, and began to memorize the lining of Sei's face and the small spark of excitement that the silver haired woman could not help but smile at. A cold shiver began and Jo shook , her shoulders began trying to shrug off the feeling.
It was worse then the angel of death remembered. She was becoming fragile for her leader, and these silly holiday gestures, and lectures she put on were slowly becoming more and more interesting.
"Jo?" Sei had confronted Jo who was now isolated by herself. The dark haired leader grinned, taking advantage of the scrambled mess upon her lovers face. "Are you ready?" she asked very close to the younger girl. Her smile sinking into Jo, before she could shake it off.
Jo took her turn of control and filled a small gap between them, whispering in her leaders ear.
"Of course."
~~~Christmas Break~~
The dark haired woman gritted at the site she saw her girls in, specifically Meg caught unarmed among a hoard of cybots. It clearly wasn't fair and Sei worried over this. Not just her in specific but Jo was the only one Sei could truly trust to take care of herself. In a town as dangerous as this.
Then again that was Sei's own issue.
"Damn it!" Sei cursed into the communication screen to Jo and Meg. Of course Meg didn't listen to her, and she snuck along with Jo anyway. She would always be at Jo's side, even when it was illogical. But now was not the time to go on about partners, Sei knew how Jo cared for Meg. She also knew of Meg's feelings and her truth she'd never admit is that she really is just human and couldn't do anything in the situation at all.
Sei could tell looking down at Jo, her hands clenched around her weapon, and her eyes on the captured girl, it was wearing down on her. Not in the way Meg herself was irritating, though Amy and Sei could disagree in this situation, but that she would rush in without thinking. It was hurting the team.
Sei's mind blurred as she continued staring at her toughest mercenary, she could say the same for herself.
"Sei, its fine!" Jo confronted her eyes stern, she knew this was nothing they've been on countless missions before dealing with creeps. It struck a nerve her leader would get panicked over something, so easy, something she should know would be over and sent to hell in a matter of minutes.
Sei began to sigh, holding her head within the palm of her hand. She couldn't help but feel frustrated there always was a chance of casualties. No matter what relationship or lack of Sei had with Meg didn't matter, she felt a bond to everyone in her group. They were a dysfunctional but still a 'family.'
Jo stared intensely at the half-man, half-cybotic creature trying to hold Meg captive. It was sickening, and yet sad to see how a person would end up like that.
The silver haired girl held firmly onto her two silver twin pistols ready to take aim at anything that would harm a loved one.
Her eyes began to shiver and it felt another person took control of her for the instance she destroyed the cybot easily and managed to take Meg away from its hold. Jo gave Meg the signal to go, before their main target and every other of his partners flashed away in a fiery death.
"Welcome to Hell!" Jo grinned in a way that she knew Sei would be terrified of, but this was what she needed to do. She would always fight and as her world expanded beyond that of her partner Meg, she knew she needed to. She cared too much for others.
The silver haired angel was relieved to see Meg had gone back to the trailer with Amy and Sei. She bit on her tongue seeing the jittering swirl of fear in her leaders eyes. Sei sighed for a moment and forced a smile.
"Good work, Jo."
She wouldn't give up or lose Sei to fear, she would earn her trust and protect her until the end.
~~Christmas Break~~
Sei parked into the driveway, picking up some Christmas decorations, a star, ornaments and gifts for Meg and Amy, her gift for Jo long stored away.
Sei and Jo both arrived into the trailer. Their eyes widened, and Sei opened her mouth a little seeing a mess of tinsel, wrapping paper and ornaments spread all over the floor of the place.
"Hello?" Sei spoke, hesistant only to see both Meg and Amy in a comical state. Meg had flour in her hair, old oven mittens on and Amy was covered in frosting with some wrapping paper trailing on the bottom of her shoe.
"We thought, hey you've always taken care of us." Amy announced excited, running up to Sei in a warm hug. Some of the frosting on her landed on Sei but she didn't mind, her face became reddened and Jo winced seeing the tears held behind Sei's eyes.
She was always doing this, her mask. Her team meant the world to her, even if she counted it as business. The spark that lit up not only in her eyes but posture entirely gave that away.
Even Kyouhei had come, chatting idly in the kitchen with a tall brunette male. If Sei didn't know better she would have sworn they were dating. Kyouhei stopped abruptly when he saw Jo and Sei enter the household. "This is Akio, he was my friend from back in Jr. High" he stated, a glimmer in his eyes. Akio gave had a pause studying his friend, before he held out his hand to Sei.
"Its a pleasure to meet you," he greeted as Sei took the teenagers hand and shook it.
"The pleasures mine anyone who's a friend of Kyouhei would be ours, I believe our team would have had some serious eating problems, if it hadn't been for Kyouhei,"
Said boy blushed, bowed before Sei. "Thank you so much Sei.." he stumbled out and returned to a more relaxed tone as he saw Sei smiling, her hand interlocked with Jo. This was insurance to eventually tell the team what they expected all along. Kyouhei felt fingers massaging his hand before clasping around his hand. He leaned a little closer to Akio. They continued to talk and bake beautiful Christmas themed desserts.
Sei took her leave from the Kitchen to great Meg and Amy who were struggling to put the tree up. Jo quickly assisted after giving a small squeeze to Sei before taking over the 5 foot something tree that nearly assaulted amy.
Jo looked over her, simply awaiting orders. Sei laughed at her expressions, knowing Jo never cared for these holidays despite this she still helping out. It was something admirable that Sei hadn't quite expected from her. Jo was giving a face of agony, not hearing anything from Sei ,and certainly not wanting to carry the tree around all night.
"Oh, the tree. You can put it right there in the middle. That's perfect." she smiled, not knowing how much a simple compliment from her shook up the angel.
"Do you need help?" she asked referring to the tangled string of lights around the tree. Jo smirked, "No I've got this, Sei." her voice smoothed out her name as if it was delicate. She spoke right into her ear too, which helped a lot to add even more tension that night.
She wasn't used to relying on people even though she'd known since meeting Jo, Sei needed help. Even the small things like decorating the tree. What Jo, Meg, Amy and Kyouhei did- was so sweet, It was dysfunctional but they had become a family.
Jo beckoned for Sei to come over, worry burrowing across her face. Beside Jo was one of the bags filled with ornaments, and their very own star.
"I think Sei should put the star up." Amy announced happily sticking her tongue out at Meg. Though Meg's sweet side started in after seeing the luminescent smile ghosting over Jo's face.
"Fine, but I'm pretty sure I should be the only to add the ornaments and inspect if some people"she glared at the Amy. "Remember not to hang them one in front of the other"
She formed a soft and falsely innocent smile. "I would never do that Meg.."
Well it was agreed upon Sei went up to the tree trying hard standing on her tiptoes to put the star up. Every time she got it up there it flopped down and got lost amoung the top branches or it would only stay on for a few seconds because the branches couldn't hold the weight of it.
"I've got it." Jo took an initiative and wrapped her arms around Sei's waist from behind. "What are y-" but she didn't let her leader protest at this, there was nothing wrong they were putting the star up. The mercenary lifted up Sei to reach the top of the tree where she found the solution. There was a large branch on the top that needed to be sticking up, this was the one the star should be attached to. As she put the light up she felt her body being whisked down, Jo's arms still around her waist. A little to intimate and she knew Meg must be hating her.
"W-well" she said flushed "Let's add some ornaments now!"
The team attempted to ignore it, though it was quite hard to. They continued adding their favorite ornaments and put their own gifts under the tree,
The team exchanged their gifts, Kyouhei was giving a Christmas allowance as well as a complete 24 piece cooking set, including individual "cupcake" and brownie makers. He didn't know what to say. His face had the biggest smile and he kept repeating. "Thank you Sei" For everything, accepting me here and believing in my dreams and passion.
"I know you'll become a great Chef one day. Keep holding onto that dream!" Sei encouraged, her voice very light it just was filled with good energy.
He thanked her returning the favor and giving her the groups gift, yes it was less expensive but very well thought out. It was a scrapbook of sorts containing pictures of their missions, meals, holiday decorations and assorts of candids. Along the side of each of the girls page was a memo, talking about how important they all were to his life. He also of course made a gift basket for the group.
"Thank you Kyouhei this is so sweet."
"Akio also helped a little with the editing." he smiled at his friend on the coach a little bashful. "Well I didn't really do much."
"Still this was very sweet of both of you" Sei thanked great fully.
He was caught as he leaned down toward Akio on the coach his head resting against his shoulder. However Sei didn't say anything, nothing like 'its not normal' or 'I thought you liked girls' she just smiled. "Congrats." she spoke subtly so no one else in the room would hear.
Both Kyouhei and his new boyfriend flushed.
Sei gave gifts to Meg who received all new clothing and designer brand cowgirl boots. "They're perfect" she exclaimed. Amy had gotten a new computer games system as well as a "Action Replay." system to cheat the game. Amy grinned.
"Oh shit," Sei cursed herself almost forgetting how long their Christmas party had gone on. "I'm sorry but i'm going to have to leave to my grandfather's for Christmas, all of the Bai Lan workers are required to be there.
"Well i'm coming along." Jo stated, no caring to hear any protests or pouts from Meg and Amy that she's leaving them on Christmas eve.
"Huh, if you feel the need to-fine." Sei tried to make it all seem casual and that she didn't have a jealous girlfriend on her hand who would be inspecting everyone at the party.
"You guys feel free to stay here overnight we have extra guest rooms as well." Sei shouted seeing Jo going into her room. Again not caring to be suspicious and changing.
"Don't you need to get dressed up or something?" Jo asked, Sei sighed again.
"Yes..I do." her words came out and they dictated how awkward this changing session would be.
~JoSei Christmas Party alone~
Sei strolled out casually out of the mobile-home as if it were an everyday meeting to attend to. Though Jo could still spot some nervousness through her clenched hand and slightly shaken eyes. She was dressed in a long red traditional Chinese style dress with small purple flowers across it. Her hair was put up in a bun with a rose shaped silver hair tie.
Jo remained quite silent until Sei came in front of her. Her throat started to feel very dry, the dress made her look even more elegant more like a woman. Jo shook her head, not seeing her leaders hand grope upon her shoulder.
"Is anything wrong Jo?" she asked quite clueless.
Jo shrugged not answering, though she knew the older woman would find a way to get it out of her. She held the door open for her leader, Sei quite surprised she almost feel into the drivers seat to her car. Jo shrugged again as she got in on her side. "Well, its not like I'd want you to trip or something trying to get into the car.
Sei simply blew off the suggestion, knowing every word Jo spoke had alternate meanings. The dark haired woman chuckled a little and drove off.
They were going to meet with her grandfather and Bai Lan over Christmas eve. Sei insisted on going alone, but then the thought of last times meeting and how things can go haywire started to sink in.
There was no way any arranged marriages were going to happen either.
Jo kept a firm grip around her leaders arm. She acted like the perfect bodyguard-protective girlfriend to Sei. It was an understatement to say when men or women found themselves staring too long at Sei, Jo got a little pissed. And sometimes she acted on it, giving a glare that if looks could kill..well.
"Really Jo, you're going to scare our guests away.." she said put out, holding her forehead within her hands. Jo simply smirked, this was really only natural. They weren't going to lose each other. No way was Sei going to get separated with any of these Bai Lan workers.
'No, you won't have to be alone' Jo pondered in a possessive way.
"Ah, and who is this beautiful lady" an older male voice asked into the crowd. The lot of many people separated as Sei's grandfather walked over to him.
"Yes, this is my granddaughter Sei, she's destined to take over Bai Lan in the years to come, there truly is no one more suitable." He spoke out distinguished a smile grace his face.
"And the person next to her?" the older man once again asked, curious, a suggestive eyebrow waved. He didn't even state a gender.
"This is Jo." and curiosity began to sparkle in his eyes, Sei could tell Jo was quite as annoyed so she held the girls crumbled hand behind her back. "She's my escort for tonight."
Then as soon as they confirmed in their minds, Jo was a girl, it didn't seem to matter the relationship he just went on his way.
"Thank you for taking care of my grandchild," Sei's grandfather gave a courteous nod, his smile even wider around his face. His eyes lit up seeing how much more at ease Sei was with someone at her side. "I'm very thankful she has such good comrades at her side. I know things are not easy now i'm Tokyo, but what you've both accomplished has helped greatly" He smiled at Jo, seeing Sei slowly separate away from Jo, as she released her hand.
"Thank you." Jo spoke still neutral even bowing for a split second at the compliment. Sei had thought she'd seen everything, even if it did seem like a teenager being forced to befriend people at a family reunion, it was still thoughtful. For Jo doing this for her it was so out of character, yet so sweet.
"Grandfather your much too kind, I hope to achieve with Bai Lan, what you've been doing these past decades and to bring Tokyo to a peaceful state." Sei breathed out the words so naturally, it was like her every day speech. Jo looked at the older man staring at her with great pride in his face, his smile looked like it would melt off.
Sei had her eyes closed almost like that was her daily prayer. Her duty in life. Jo pondered briefly she sighed a little at the responsibility Sei made herself uphold. There were things the rest of the team, never let known.
"Well, the festivities are about to begin so feel free to come inside to our main lobby for our gathering"
Sei walked on ahead, shortly after the older man. Her arm was seized by the angel and she was suddenly caught in a staring contest that felt lasted for hours. "I'm staying with you." Jo attempted to order, but the very slight flush of pink on her face gave it away as assurance.
"Thank you," Sei answered, her hand gripping around the younger women's arm. She laid her head against Jo, who again remained silent to the obvious flirtation and then Sei decided to go back to responsibility.
Gifts were exchanged in the reception room. A large stall green tree, at least three times the size of the tree in Jo and Sei's home. It was decorated with very detailed glass ornaments, ranging from all different colors and shades. A large glowing white star was sat at the top of the tree, it magnified everything underneath and really made the whole tree more beautiful.
Sei's grandfather had walked over to the pair over girls with a small wrapped box. There was gold covered wrapping paper and a small white Bow on top of it. Jo couldn't help but stare it was intriguing the diamond necklace shaped into a dragon, that must have cost a fortune even engraved with her name in Kanji on the back of it. Sei held her hand over her lips and tears again would form.
Sei however had to struggle not to led a few fall her hand nearly suffocating Jo's. "Thank you..so much." The acknowledgement from her grandpa was wonderful, it was like having two 'family's to spend on Christmas with.
The chinese woman held tightly onto Jo's hand before she bid, each and every organization member on their way out of the mansion.
"Thank you Grandfather," she hugged tightly onto him kneeling down due to his disability. "I love you, very much. "
Jo stood by idly before hearing those words. The first time she heard it uttered from Sei's lips, it started to make her cringe. They were family after all, but perhaps in the future it would be just as natural.
Sei finally left the holiday party, hand and hand with her "escort/bodyguard." Her chest tightened, and she stared at the timeless decoration hanging above the doorway.
Yet looking behind her she had known everyone already left.
The small green plant tied with a large red bow, caused a larger form of laughter Sei hadn't recognized was her own.
"What is it Sei?" Jo asked curiously her voice very light as if she were whispering into her ear.
"Its Mistletoe. You see there's a tradition that began where when two people stand underneath it..well-" She didn't know how to break something so simple with someone she was already intimate with. Jo probably wasn't even interested in Christmas let alone stories.
"Never mind." The angel shrugged as they both got into Sei's car and drove off.
~Back Home break~
Sei yawned driving the red sports car into the 'driveway' right before their residence. She death glared the alarm clock that sprung out bright numbers "
Jo held open the red door to Sei's car for her, she leaned in and smirked. Her lips touched Sei quickly. Sei nearly fell back at the surprise to which Jo snatched the dark haired woman's body against her own. It was an accidental embrace.
"Ah.." Jo clarified in an awkward voice, almost cracked. "Amy told me about that Christmas tradition before, 'Missal tow-' or whatever that stupid traditions called" she pronounced the name a little annoyed, her pointer finger swirling in the air sarcastically showing her thrill for the holiday.
"I know you like this though and I like it way more when your happy." Jo admitted embarrassed at the glow in Sei's eyes. "Che, I mean I can't have a leader who's depressed around the holidays, can I?" she teased, again holding her leader close. This embrace was meant to be intentional.
When they broke apart, Jo saw her lover lean down by the tree. "This was supposed to be one of your gifts but I wanted to save it for later."
Jo's eyes engaged on Sei for a moment, before she took the box from her hands. Jo unwrapped thy e paper mercilessly, really caring about what Sei put inside. To this action Sei felt something like a vein popping on her forehead but she blew it off. Jo was holding the gift itself like it was so delicate. She looked over the usually thought to be plain "orange" colored scarf, it had her name engraved on it and held it like it was the most precious piece of clothing to her. As she unwrapped the scarf Jo saw inside of was a small ring.
Jo had that same smile that seemed to only exist for intimacy her eyes were glimmering as a light glow of red mixed into her eyes.
"Thank you, Sei. Beautiful." Jo spoke those words separately making the moment linger, this gift was coming straight from Sei's heart so all it could be is more then she would ever ask for. It was the gift and the giver that held create such a sensation through the angel.
Jo was baffled for a moment not sure what it meant, she didn't know how someone would react. On the inside it made her really glad, and relieved. "I also have something for you." she gleamed looking Sei directly eye to eye.
Jo reached into the pocket of her long coat. The ring in her pocket was a simple gold band a small rock upon it in the shape of a heart.
"So does this mean?" Sei asked uneasily "We're engaged or something.." her voice strangled out and her face heated up knowing fully well she wasn't ready to reveal everything she felt now.
"No, I don't think I even understand what marriage and that is suppose to mean, but I do want you by my side, and I'll promise to protect you, as long as i'm still breathing, I will be with you until the end," Jo said as she placed the ring on Sei's delicate hand who's eyes were forming with tears. Its a promise
Sei in turn managed to hold on and place her own silver ring on Jo's hand. She kissed Jo much more passionately then she had before and worried someone may come up early since it was Christmas morning.
She led Jo back into the room that slowly changed from 'her' to 'their' bedroom. It was simple kissing, passionate. Some long and warm so short causing their heartbeats to race to the point where it blocked out all other sound.
Sei laid on top of Jo worn out her head rested on Jo's chest where she could hear her heart racing just like her own. Sei drifted to sleep shortly before her lover their hands intertwined still having their rings on.
Jo couldn't help but look helpless she was drawn to Sei and the need to be close to her grew every day. She looked at the scarf lain out on the bed with her name engraved and her ring. She kissed the ring on her finger, smiling down at her girlfriend.
"I love you." she whispered making sure her partner was asleep. "Sei.."
~Thank you for reading Break~
A/N: I consider this to be a random mission as I don't recall the exact episode but were before the Kyoto arc where Takane steps in. Love her or hate her she seems to strike a nerve between the group, and I can imagine more love triangles going on. I am obviously not an action writer (despite my love for shounen-series) but I like to get inside characters heads during the "fight" scenes. Its harder for me to write action in fan-fiction because I like to try to stay in tact with their own fighting styles..with original novel characters its easier to write my crack. Jo and Sei are not engaged and have not said "I Love you yet.." consider the ring a promise ring. Overall I love the holidays and will keep this ongoing through 2012 and make a valentines day Fan-fiction chapter ( OCD with reading those.) This was very fun to write :) See you guys next year! Make good new years resolutions mine has been to continue going to sleep (9pm) and getting up early (5am) its given me a lot of energy! Merry X-mas! Love-Katel
