Disclaimer: Kairan Akiyama does not own Ouran High School Host Club. Kairan Akiyama does not own A Christmas Carol. This could probably be considered SHOUNEN-AI. Probably.

NIGHTSHADE: The special word is SHOUNEN-AI, i.e. meaningful phrases, lingering touches, and penetrating stares.

KAI-CHAN: Ha, you said penetrating.

NIGHTSHADE: Don't like SHOUNEN-AI? Steer clear of Kai-chan.

"…" – talking

"italics" – thoughts

italics – emphasized

-x- – scene change

-x-

Arigatou-hamsters!

Hobo3: I've just been going through a technological snafu, all that's done now. Oh yes, Tamaki's given this Christmas Carol a different spin, you'll see. I try not to abandon stories, hopefully this one will survive. You actually got Renge for Mrs. Cratchit too. Wow, just noticed… (headesk)

firedragongirl: Yus, more Kyoya for everyone.

StarRuby: Sorry it's taken so long; between not having the story for like half the year and then not working one it… it's been rough. I'm working on the fifth chapter now too so here's to a quicker update. XP.

almightyswot: We find out (Christmas Past) this chapter, hon. (winks) About Mori being Christmas Future…no. I'm really surprised no one's gotten it yet. And Scrooge's fiancée is pulling triple roles. (only hint)

maybethedremisdreamingus: (claps as well)

tamakiXkyouyalover: Smut will be the bonus chapters, yus. Much fun as it would be to have Mother and Father mackin' on the stage, a kiss is as far as they'll get for now. And sadly the twins can't make-out on stage either, lol. They're very upset about that. 8D!

Enjoy the ride.

An Ouran Christmas Carol

Chapter Four: Journey to the Past

There was a swift set change; the reclining chair was replaced with a four poster bed, the black curtains drawn closed. A small nightstand stood right of the bed, a silver double-bell alarm clock silently tick-tocking the hours away. A single enclosed bulb of light dimly lit the stage hanging from above the clock, wavering to give the impression of candlelight. A long window stood in place of the fireplace. A small flame emerged from the darkness, signaling Kyoya emerging from the downstairs and entering his bedchamber. His freed groped in the darkness, spying the glimmer of the clock and setting the candle and it's holder onto the table. Setting his glasses beside the items, he reached over and blew out the bulb, casting the stage in darkness. Sighing against the bed, he breathed out a firm "Humbug" and doused the second flame, undressing his glasses and placing them on the edge of the table. The curtain flaps rustled loudly as he closed them shut again, succumbing to sleep at last.

The clock continued to count away the hour, it reverberating in the auditorium. As it climbed to one, the tick-tocks began to slow until finally, there was one final TONG. A small light appeared, growing brighter from the west wing. Suddenly, a healthy glow erupted on the stage. Standing at attention was a small boy dressed only in a glowing white tunic. A flame of fire pulsed above his crown, as though he was a living candle. A candle snuffer was fastened across his back and he held a staff of holly firmly in his hands. "Wake up, Ebenezer," the boy called, Shiro Takaoji so out of character the older girls couldn't contain their shouts of surprise. He waited a moment before crossing to the bed and shoving the staff into the darkness of the curtains, catching Kyoya on the skull. "I said wake up you old toad!"

Kyoya rubbed his head amidst the curtains, swearing under his breath. He was going to get Tamaki for letting Renge cast the wild child. "Are you the Spirit that was foretold to me?" He answered from within the curtains. Reaching a hand from the darkness, he gripped Shiro's neck quickly before releasing him and grabbing his glasses. He swung his legs over the edge entirely and gave Shiro a look over. "I thought you'd be taller."

"!?" Shiro resisted the urge to knock Kyoya again. "If men were measured by kindness, you'd be no bigger than a speck of dust. I'm here for your welfare and salvation so listen up." Shiro held his hand out to Kyoya. "Come with me to your past, so that I may make you suffer – I mean…to show you Christmases long past." He pointed his staff at the window and it opened, cold frigid air and snowflakes billowing out across the stage. Shiro rose in the air, floating to the window.

"But Spirit, I'm mortal and liable to fall," Kyoya argued.

"Don't be a chicken-wuss," Shiro barked over his shoulder. He turned to face Kyoya again. "Take my hand and you shall fly."

"…" Kyoya reached up and took Shiro's outstretched hand, he too now rising in the air. The two passed through the window and the stage blackened.

The stage was broken down immediately, changing to a snowy landscape. A frozen lake was in the background, skaters twirling and swirling about. A snow covered arch was a bridge from the back to foreground. Renge was already on the arch, looking out to the audience with her arms folded over the railing. She was in a deep red cloak, thick white fur fringing the end of the hood and her wrists. Kyoya was stepping onto the bridge, snow sprinkled across his black top hat and navy blue overcoat. Taking Renge's gloved hands into his own, he began. "Isabelle…"

"Tell me Ebenezer," Renge pleaded. "Do you still love me?"

"Isabelle –"

"Answer me, Ebenezer! I've waited so long and I can't bear not knowing. You've changed so much from the man I met years ago; please tell me your heart hasn't closed to me!"

"I do love you, Isabelle, I still do," Kyoya defended. "But the market, the time, were we to marry now, we'd be living in nothing more than a box; there's hardly any profit in it."

"Profit!?" Renge turned scarlet. "There's no profit!? Isn't my love for you enough profit?" She turned away from him, tears falling onto her cloak. "I cannot… I will not forgive you for this. Goodbye Ebenezer." She ran off the bridge, crying into the wings.

"There is another Christmas, much more painful than this one." Shiro joined Kyoya on the bridge.

"No more, Spirit; leave me." Kyoya shook in anger, cursing his stupid young heart.

"These are only shadows of your own past, you've done this to yourself." Shiro turned to leave. The stage began to darken; Shiro's light being the lone source. "Come Ebenezer, there is more to see."

"I SAID LEAVE ME!" In a rage, Kyoya grabbed the candle snuffer and forced it down upon Shiro, a single ring of light glowing from the cone. He forced his weight onto it until finally even that halo of light was black.

The candle on the nightstand flickered to life again, the clock chiming one o'clock. Kyoya looked up in surprise; even the cone which killed the spirit was gone. Pulling off his glasses and opening the curtains with a jerk, he climbed back into his bed with a curt. "Humbug."

A staff made of holly was resting against the night table.

-hateshi nai-

(slumped over the keyboard) Wow, it's been quite a while, friends. Here we are again, plowing through. With all technical problems out of the way and Christmas upon us again, I have renewed vigor to finish this; yay! Thanks for being so patient, I really hadn't planned to be away this long. I plan on making it worth your while to stay around, don't worry. XD. Thank you again for sticking with me (bow) expect better updates (hopefully) and maybe even some new fics should I get the energy. Ganbare!

Finalized Roles:

Haruhi – Bob Cratchit

Kyoya – Ebenezer Scrooge

Kaoru – Fred

Tamaki – Jacob Marley

Shiro – Spirit of Christmas Past

Renge – Isabelle, Clara (Fred's wife), and Emily Cratchit