Hello there peoples! Thanks for the reviews so far, it's always to hear something nice after spending so long on something. :) This chapter includes lots of mangaquestshippyness and a new character you all were probably dying to see. This chapter was inspired by this fan-made story on this Japanese website. Hope you enjoy!
Characters:
Crystal Nagareboshi - age 16
Red Sohma - age 17
Gold Sohma - age 16
Falkner Sohma - age 25
Dia Sohma - age 14
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or Pokémon
New Year's Festival
"Sheesh, you're absolutely no help."
"You're the last person I need to hear that from! Are you trying to start something?"
Crystal came into the room after hearing all the yelling to find Gold and Red glaring at each other and books scattered all over the floor, not to mention the broken sliding door.
"What happened?" Crystal said with her eye slightly twitching.
"Oh, you know, the usual," Falkner said leaning on his hand at the table with a look of annoyance on his face. "Gold and Red-kun were helping me move the book shelve downstairs but ended up dropping it sideways into the sliding door."
"It was Red's fault! His end fell first!" Gold shouted while pointing at Red who shot him a disapproving look.
"Really? Your eyes must be as weak as your arms, stupid cat." Red said.
"Either way, they ended up smashing the house again." Falkner sighed.
"I'll fix it. It's easy to repair." Crystal said as Gold and Red gave her a look of surprise. "I'll just go buy some supplies first."
"I'll go too. I'll help you carry the bags." Red offered as Gold shot him an annoyed look.
Crystal smiled and nodded a thanks as Gold let out a groan of annoyance.
At the supply store, Crystal quickly found and put the supplies she needed to fix the door into the basket that Red offered to hold for her.
"When we're done here, why don't we go to the super market?" Crystal asked turning to Red.
"What are you making?" Red asked.
"I'm making osechi." Crystal said with a smile. (osechi- a ceremonial meal for the Japanese New Year) "Tell me which one you would like."
Red's expression suddenly became concerned. "Nagareboshi-san, we're going back to the Sohma house today, including Gold."
"We always spend New Years at the Main house," Red said. "I guess it's tradition. I'm sorry we forgot to tell you."
Crystal's face showed a hint of disappointment, but quickly disappeared. "I see..."
Red noticed this and looked at her in concern.
Laughing was heard from behind and Crystal looked over to see two little girls running towards Red, not looking where they were going.
"Red, watch out!" Crystal cried.
Red whirled around, but it was too late, one of the little girls ran into him, causing him to transform in a puff of smoke.
Crystal quickly scooped Red in Pikachu form and threw him into the bag as the little girls continued running through the store.
After Crystal paid for the supplies, she walked home carrying all of the bags.
"Sorry, Nagareboshi-san," Red said walking beside Crystal with his head down. "I was suppose to carry the groceries for you..."
Crystal sighed. "It's all right."
Red looked up at her, not feeling too reassured.
A little after Crystal and Red came home, Crystal was busily fixing the screen door while also preparing dinner for herself.
Gold watched her from the living room while leaning on his hand that was propped up on the coffee table while Red took a drink of water.
"Hey, you two. It's almost time to go," Falkner said putting his jacket on. "Don't you think you should get ready? We're going to be late."
"I don't know about the rat, but I'm not going." Gold said, shocking both Red and Falkner.
After Crystal was done with the screen door, she moved to the kitchen to get her dinner ready.
"I SAID, I'M NOT GOING BACK!" Crystal heard Gold shout from the living room.
Crystal came into the room to see Gold and Red glaring at each other once again while Falkner sighed.
"What's going on now?" Crystal asked with an exasperated expression.
"Well, Gold says he doesn't want to go back to the Main house with Red and me. Pretty childish if you ask me." Falkner said as Gold shot him a warning glare.
"You think someone who left home four months ago would go back just because it's New Years? Why should I even bother going?" Gold said in annoyance.
"Listen to yourself, you sound like a bratty little kid." Red commented as Gold shouted at him to shut up and grabbed his shirt collar.
"You attended it every year in the past. Why should this year be any different?" Falkner asked in curiosity.
Gold gave Crystal a side glance as a small blush appeared on his face. "Peh, does it really matter?"
"I heard from Diamond that the New Year's festivities are a major event for the Sohma family." Crystal said as Gold grunted.
"Yep. It's the biggest event of the year to us. The whole family comes home and celebrates. Just the greeting itself is a lot of work. And the most important part is the Chinese Zodiac banquet." Falkner explained.
"The banquet can only be attended by those possessed by the spirits of the Chinese Zodiac. The Zodiac members representing the new year and the old year dance together. This year it will be Diamond-kun and the year of the Lopunny. But nothing could compare to Red's beautiful dance four years ago."
Suddenly, three pieces of pickled radish were thrown and hit Falkner in the face, sticking to him.
"I told you to never talk about that." Red said with an annoyed look on his face, obviously the one who threw the pickled radish, causing Falkner to sweatdropp.
'A banquet just like in the old folktale.' Crystal realized.
"Yeah, so why should I go if that stupid banquet has nothing to do with me?"
Crystal looked over at Gold who had a frustrated look on his face.
"The Meowth isn't allowed to join the banquet." Gold grunted in annoyance.
"Why not?" Crystal asked.
"Well, it was decided long ago that the Meowth couldn't come. I guess that's just like the legend too." Falkner said as he ate the pickled radish that Red threw at him.
"It's not that big of a deal. I won't go home just because of some stupid banquet." Gold said looking away.
"It's probably because he doesn't want to have to deal with Whitney if he went back." Red whispered to Crystal, but loud enough so that Gold could hear.
"Shut up!" Gold shouted before laying down on his side, facing the wall.
"Anyways, if we all went back, we'll have to spend the first three days of January there. So in that time, super-serious gal would be left all alone."
Red and Crystal looked at him in surprise.
It was true, her mother was now living in a different city and would take hours to get there by bart. She was touched that Gold was thinking about her, even though he won't admit it.
"That was very optimistic of you, stupid cat." Red said with a smirk.
"Don't call me stupid!" Gold immediately shot up and grabbed Red by the shirt collar again.
"What's wrong with calling a stupid guy, stupid?" Red said with a bored expression.
Falkner sighed while running a hand through his hair. "Well, if you really aren't going to come back with us, here."
Gold glanced up as Falkner handed him a flyer.
"What's this?" Gold said looking at the flyer.
"A New Year's Festival?" Crystal asked coming over, looking at the flyer.
"Yep, try not to get into too much trouble now, Gold." Falkner said as Gold glared at him.
"Well, we're off." Falkner waved from the door with Red behind him.
"Have a good time you two!" Crystal waved.
After Red closed the door, they started walking down the side walk towards the Main house.
"Do you think it's alright to leave those two alone?" Red asked.
"Please, I doubt Gold could get away with anything with Crystal there." Falkner asked as Red smiled sheepishly while sweatdropping, knowing that he was right.
(Back with Gold and Crystal)
Gold looked at the flyer while waiting outside for Crystal to change. He had a black collared tank top on with gray sweatpants and had his goggles around his neck.
Though it was winter, Gold didn't mind the cold too much and felt more comfortable with a tank top on than being bundled in a giant coat and a scarf.
'I guess this is better than going back to that accursed house.' Gold said to himself as an image of a man walking away and a woman slapping a small boy suddenly flashed through his mind.
Gold's eyes widened in horror before gripping his head in pain.
'No... Stop it!' Gold cried in his head.
After a few minutes, Gold was able to calm himself down as he lowered his hands to his side.
He was breathing heavily as if seeing a ghost before letting out a sigh.
The moment of silence was interrupted when he heard the door behind him open.
"Took you long enough-" Gold's eyes widened as Crystal came out in her light blue kimono that was decorated with shadows of autumn leaves.
Gold couldn't help but stare at Crystal's stunning appearance as the porch light shone radiantly on her kimono.
A small blush appeared on Gold's face before quickly looking away.
Crystal was surprised by his reaction before a look of annoyance appeared on her face.
"What's wrong? You think it doesn't look good on me?" Crystal said looking away causing Gold to sweatdrop. "Fine, make fun if you want."
"N-No, i-it's not that! I-It l-looks really good on you." Gold stammered waving his hands in front of him frantically as his blush intensified.
A small blush appeared on Crystal's face as she looked down at her feet. "Oh, um... thanks."
The two stood in silence for a while, both seemingly embarrassed about one another.
Breaking the awkward silence, Gold reached out and grabbed Crystal's hand and pulled her out the door.
"Hurry up, or we'll be late." Gold said with a sheepish grin with a hint of blush on his face while he pulled her down the road towards the festival.
Crystal had a slightly stunned look on her face before glancing down at Gold loosely holding her hand, causing a small smile to form on her face.
When they arrived, paper lanterns were hung up, lighting up the whole area. There were food stands game stands with lots of prizes. There were also a lot of people, causing Gold and Crystal to walk along the side so there wasn't as high of a chance of Gold transforming.
Crystal took the time to look around at the sights of all the stands and paper lanterns. The atmosphere seemed to hold a happy feeling as well as a relaxed one.
"So, what do you want to do first?" Gold asked putting his arms behind his head.
"Um..." Crystal looked around, not sure what they should do first.
Gold pointed to the side. "What about that?"
Crystal looked over to see a ring toss stand. There were several plushies that were sitting on the shelf. One row had all the starters from Kanto, another row that had the Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh starters. One in particular caught Crystal's eye.
Gold grinned. "Bet I can beat you."
"Please, how childish can you get?" Crystal said looking away as Kenta' grin broadened.
"Heh, are you afraid of losing against me, super-serious gal?" Gold prodded poking her slightly on the cheek, using the nickname he gave her.
Crystal slapped his hand away before glaring at him. "Fine, but you're paying."
The man in charge of the game gave Gold and Crystal several rings and told them that the one in the middle was worth 100 points.
"Heh, seems easy enough." Gold said giving a cocky grin causing Crystal to frown in frustration.
'How can he be so laid back like that?' Crystal wondered before tossing one of her rings at the targets.
It bounced off one of the 50 point targets before falling to the floor, much to Crystal's disappointment.
Gold smirked before throwing his ring, which landed around the 70 point target.
Crystal sweatdropped as Gold lifted his eyebrows in a suggestive manner at her, causing her to flush in frustration.
She tried to get one of the 50 point targets, but all of her efforts lead to the rings ending up on the floor.
Crystal sighed in exasperation after using up all of her rings and wasn't able to get one around any of the targets.
Gold laughed at her expression. "Looks like I win and I didn't even have to use all of my rings."
Crystal shot him a glare as he threw the rest of his rings at the targets in one toss, not really aiming for any targets but happened to get one on the 50 point target and another on the 100 point target, giving Gold a grand total of 220 points and Crystal with 0.
"We have a winner!" the man running the booth announced as everyone around applauded.
Gold put his hands on his hips with a smile of triumph on his face as Crystal dropped her head in defeat.
"Which one would you like?" the man asked as Gold pondered at which prize to get.
"That one." Gold said pointing to a Chikorita plushie.
"Here you go!" the man said as he handed Gold the plushie.
Gold took the prize and turned towards Crystal with a grin. "Told you I'd win."
He placed the plushie on her head, causing her to look up.
"Huh?"
"Personally, I prefer Cyndaquils to Chikoritas. So I guess you can have it." Gold said as Crystal took the Chikorita doll of her head and looked up at Gold.
"Aw, what a cute couple." a couple of people said passing by, causing Crystal to blush.
"N-No! He's not-" Crystal said as Gold started laughing. "What's so funny?"
Gold poked her on the forehead. "You always get so defensive when someone comments about that. You're so serious."
Crystal blushed while placing a hand over her forehead where Gold had poked her as she looked up at Gold with a surprised expression.
Gold gave her a well-humored grin before putting his arms behind his head again and walked off.
"Let's see what else I can beat you at." Gold smirked as Crystal stood speechless before glancing down at the plush in her arms.
"Oi! Are you coming, or do I have to leave you behind?" Gold called as Crystal snapped out of her thoughts and jogged to catch up with him.
"Here."
When Crystal came up to Gold, he readily handed her a caramel apple on a stick.
"T-Thanks..." Crystal stammered as she slowly took the apple from him.
Gold gave her a toothy grin before walking away, gesturing for her to follow.
Crystal looked up at Gold, seeing a relaxed expression on his face as they walked past several stalls.
'I didn't expect this... Gold is actually being really... sweet.' Crystal said to herself, blushing slightly while clutching the Chikorita doll in her arms tighter.
While Crystal was lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize that she was separated from Gold.
"Ah! Gold!" Crystal called but didn't see him anywhere through the sea of people.
Crystal sighed as she decided to just wait instead of tracking down Gold in the large crowd.
'Where could that bonehead have walked off to? But I guess it was partly my fault since I wasn't paying attention.' Crystal thought as she looked up a the paper lanterns.
'But, I am curious to know why he's doing so much for me. He even skipped out on spending time with his family at the Main house because he knew that I was going to be alone...'
"Hey, cutie!"
Crystal snapped out of her thoughts and looked over to see two men. One had a turquoise colored, bowl-like hair cut with a baggy white vest with a black shirt underneath and white pants. The other had a blue bandanna with a skull-like pattern and had a blue vest with a black and white shirt underneath and wore baggy blue pants.
"Watcha doing there standing all alone? Why don't you come along with us?" the bandanna wearing man asked with a suspicious grin on his face.
"Ah, that's okay." Crystal said as she slowly started backing away.
"Aw, don't be like that! We'll have lots of fun!" the man with the turquoise hair said grabbing her wrist with a playful smile.
"H-Hey! Let go!" Crystal cried as she kicked him in the leg, causing him to howl in pain.
"Why you little-!"
!SLASH!
"WAHHH!" the turquoise haired man cried clutching his face.
"H-Hey! What's wrong?" the bandana wearing man said.
"Back off."
Crystal looked up and was both shocked and relieved to see Gold with Aitaro climbing up his back and onto his shoulder.
"If the lady doesn't want to have anything to do with you lugs, leave her be." Gold said narrowing his eyes.
"Oo ah! Oo ah!" Aitaro cried with frown.
"What the hell?" the man with the turquoise hair cried.
"Why don't you mind your own business, you punk!" the bandanna wearing man shouted as he lunged towards Gold.
Gold dodged the man's attack before getting down on the ground and swept the man off his feet, sending him crashing to the ground.
"This here gal is my friend, so it makes it my business." Gold said as the turquoise haired man rushed at him, winding up to punch.
Gold merely let out a yawn as he blocked the man's attack and struck him right in the ribs with his elbow.
"Aitaro, finish em' off with Swift!" Gold commanded as Aitaro jumped off his shoulder before releasing a barrage of stars from a swing of its tail.
Both of the men let out a shout before being sent crashing to the ground in a heap.
"Are you okay?" Gold asked urgently.
"Y-Yeah-"
"Good, let's go!" Gold said quickly pulling Crystal down a stone path and away from the two men.
"Where does this path even lead to?" Crystal called while Gold continued pulling her.
"Doesn't matter! Keep running!" Gold shouted back as the two turned a corner.
Gold could faintly hear the two men yelling, but were getting farther and farther away.
When they turned a corner they found themselves at a shrine of some sort. They finally came to a stop and sat down on the steps leading up to the shrine to catch their breaths.
"You always seem to attract trouble, don't you, super-serious gal?" Gold smirked. "First that guy comes to your house, threatening you and now this. Heh, do I always have to save you?"
Crystal remained silent as she laid her chin on the Chikorita plushie, looking towards the horizon that was lit with the stars in the sky.
Gold realized she wasn't giving him a retorted answer and looked at her worriedly. "H-Hey, I didn't really mean anything by that-"
"It's nothing..." Crystal said hugging her Chikorita doll.
Gold frowned, knowing that there was something else bothering her than just her encounter earlier.
Gold grunted in annoyance. "There you go again."
Crystal looked up at him puzzled as he rested his chin on the palm of his hand that was propped up on his knee.
"Don't keep things bottled up inside so that you're the only one that's suffering. If something's bothering you, just say it. I don't mind." Gold said closing his eyes.
Crystal looked down at her lap. "This is the first year that I won't be spending New Year's with my mom..."
Gold opened his eyes again to see tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
They sat in another awkward silence as Gold glanced over at Crystal, seeing how lonely she must be.
Without thinking, Gold reached over and pulled Crystal to him, having her lean on his shoulder but also so that he won't transform.
"It's okay. You won't have to spend New Year's alone... You won't have to cry alone." Gold said, his bangs covering his eyes.
A tear slipped down her face as she closed her eyes, feeling fortunate to have Gold by her side at this moment instead of being alone.
"Thank you... For everything today, Gold." Crystal said wholeheartedly as a small smile appeared on Gold's face.
"Your welcome."
After a moment of just enjoying the other's company, they suddenly broke apart when fire works were suddenly shot high into the night sky.
Crystal looked at the light show going in the sky in awe with a big smile on her face as Gold watched with a look of contentment on his face.
"Welcome back!"
"Good to see you, Falkner-san."
Several people greeted Falkner as he walked down the hallway of the main house while giving a curt wave and nod.
"You're late."
Falkner looked over to see a tall young man with spiky, orange, auburn hair and green eyes. He was wearing a dark green coat and wore a stoic expression. He also had a strong-looking Scyther sitting next to him.
"You're the last one to arrive." the boy said.
"Hey Green, long time no see." Falkner smiled.
"... Where are Gold and Red?" Green asked.
"Well, Gold decided not to come this year. But Red is right..." Falkner looked behind him, only to find out that Red was no where to be seen. "... behind me. He was there a second ago."
"... I can imagine Whitney is not going to be too happy about this... And Cyrus, quietly steaming." Green said with a bored look on his face as Falkner sweatdropped.
Green then sighed. "... I was hoping to get in a battle with Red one last time this year. Guess I'll just have to wait next year. I'm also curious to see how much better Gold got after his training on Mt. Silver."
"Just don't destroy the house." Falkner said.
"But I understand why they'd want to skip out," Green said narrowing his eyes. "Even I have things I can't stand here..."
Falkner's expression softened as he shook his head. "No, I don't think it's because they're trying to run away this time."
"What do you mean?" Green asked while lifting an eyebrow when suddenly Dia came rushing up to them in his dance costume.
"Falkner-niisan! Green-niisan!" Dia said with a smile, quickly coming to a stop and causing his Munchlax to trip and fall. "You finally made it! The banquet is starting!"
"Alright, we're coming. I'm looking forward to your dance." Falkner said with a smile.
"... But before that, Cyrus. I wonder how he'll take the news." Green said without emotion.
Falkner sighed. "I'll go tell him. You two go on ahead."
Green nodded before following Dia down the hall towards the banquet room.
"How do you think Cyrus will take the news? This is the first time the Pikachu will be skipping the banquet." Dia said worriedly.
Green shrugged. "If it's Red, he probably knows what he's doing."
Falkner turned a corner and entered a dimly lit room with a single window.
Cyrus was standing by the window with his arms behind his back.
There was also a Honchkrow perched on the window, looking threateningly at Falkner.
"Good evening." Fakner greeted with a small bow. "I came here to tell you that Gold and Red won't be coming this year."
"Not coming?" Cyrus said turning towards Falkner while narrowing his eyes.
"Gold decided to skip this year and Red seemed to have slipped away when I wasn't looking." Falkner said.
"... Those two really are fools." Cyrus said darkly.
"Honch! " the Honchkrow screeched.
"Welcome home!"
Gold and Crystal stared blankly at Red, who was sitting at the living room table with Poli holding a bowl of oranges.
"What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be at the New Year's Banquet?" Gold shouted as Red stuffed one of the oranges in his mouth to stop him from shouting.
"I just didn't like the idea of leaving the two of you alone." Red said, causing Crystal to blush.
Gold pulled the orange out of his mouth and glared over at Red, debating whether to throw the orange at him or not.
Red came over to Crystal and handed her an orange. "Happy New Year, Nagareboshi-san."
Crystal smiled before taking the orange. "Happy New year."
"But is it really okay for you just ditch like that?"
Red chuckled sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head, causing Crystal to sweatdrop.
"It's fine. We'll go back and wish them a happy new year before the third of January." Red smiled.
'Maybe...' Gold and Red both thought.
"Thanks you two." Crystal smiled. "I'd hug you, but you'd transform."
A mischievous grin appeared on Gold's face as he suddenly appeared behind Crystal, causing her to jump. "I don't care if I transform."
"Pervert!" Crystal shouted before slapping him.
"OW!" Gold cried while clutching his face in pain. "Sheesh, do you always have to resort to violence?"
Crystal fumed while blushing as Red laughed.
'They're probably in the middle of the banquet right now. But somehow, I don't feel guilty at all.' Red said to himself.
He glanced over at Gold who was looking at Crystal with a soft expression while rubbing his face.
'He undoubtedly feels the same way.' Red said with a small smile.
Crystal went to go change in her room and when she was finished, she found Gold waiting outside, his cheek still red from her slap.
Gold looked away with a slight blush on his face. "So, uh... Did you have fun at the festival?"
Crystal was shocked for a moment before softening her expression. "I did. Thanks to you."
She walked over to him and gave him a small peck on the cheek before giving him a smile and walked downstairs.
Gold's eyes were wide with shock before as he brushed the place where she had kissed him with his fingers.
A small, humble smile appeared on Gold's lips as he put his hands in his pockets before walking downstairs with his normal grin.
'... The truth is, what I really wanted... was to spend the New Year together with her.'
"Alright, this year, I'm going to beat you damn rat!" Gold said pointing at Red.
Crystal let out an exasperated sigh as Red gave him a bored look.
"Yeah, yeah, wouldn't that be nice." Red said rolling his eyes.
Crystal couldn't help but let out a little giggle. 'I wonder what the new year holds in store?'
To be continued...
Happy 2010 peoples! The last bit of it seemed a bit cheesy to me, but oh well. Hmm, I may have unconsciously copied the kiss part from the part between Kenta and Marina in Mystery of the Kingdoms, one of my other stories, but it's still cute. Hope you all enjoyed, please review!
