Author's Note: Hooray! Christmas party, I love it! But sadly all good things must come to an end. (Sobs)
Rena: Now, now, it's only this story, besides the tale must go on! (Pats authoress on head).
Right there is still the sequel to work on (Wipe eyes, *I did mention that right?*).
Kazuki: anyway let's go on with the story.
Enjoy!
I DO NOT OWN GHOST HUNT
Chapter Eleven
Rena's P.O.V
Glare, glare, glare.
"That list isn't going to get any shorter by glaring at it, Rena," Gene told me I was sitting cross-legged on the floor of my room while he sat on my bed. I had written a list of all the people I was getting gifts, the question was what to write next to it so I could go get it tomorrow. I know, last minute Christmas shopping is evil!
"I know Gene, but how about helping me instead of just sitting there," I responded he jumped down.
"Well, why don't you get Masako a scarf," he suggested.
"Are you serious?" I asked baffled.
"Well it doesn't say I don't like you but it does say that you're okay with her," I gave him a look, the old safe option of a scarf.
"A green scarf it is," I said writing it down.
"Yasu would probably like a book,"
"I'll inflict him with good literature like good old Shakespeare," I smiled writing down my all time favorite play, Hamlet.
"You can get me—I gave him a look.
"I'm not telling you what I'm getting you,"
"Why not?" he demanded, giving me his attempt at puppy dog eyes.
"Because it's a secret, I can get Ayako scented candles, most likely roses, Bou-san I saw something from that Drift Store, John is getting a journal, and Mai," I stopped looking at the list again only one person was missing.
"What are you getting her?" Gene asked I frowned.
"I'll see," I told him. "But now it's time for bed," I gave the clock a look, it was pretty late.
"Roger," he jumped back onto the bed. I followed, yawning, my mind running through countless of possibilities, sleep, that's what I need.
I'd snuck away from Noll, Koujo, and I'd left Gene at the office with them, I was walking through the mall, I'd found everything so far except Mai's gift, I was extremely pleased with myself. Masako's scarf was a soft green material with spiral patterns, very pretty, Ayako's candle was tall and thick made out of real scented wax, it was a deep red with ferns carved into it, I'd gotten Bou-san a leather bracelet with a tiger on it, John's journal was brown with a tree coming out from a corner, and I'd scored Yasu's present for sale. He'd told me the other day he could read English so I bought it in English. Now that only left Noll, Koujo, Gene, and Mai. Pause walked back. I looked into the window of the store I'd just passed resting on display was a silver bracelet with three charms hanging off it, a wolf, a cat, and a little circle with, you better believe it, the Chinese word for thank you.
Okay one down three to go.
Mai's P.O.V
I smiled brightly, I'd finished everything I needed to, I'd even gotten Rena a present, well with Yasu's help, that day we'd gotten back from the case he surprised us with a camera. He'd even caught Lin-san and Naru in the picture all I did was buy a nice frame. I'd gotten Lin-san a music box, it was something I'd seen in a Drift Store, it was a simple wooden box and if you opened it a nice little tone came out, I didn't recognize it but it sound sweet. Naru had his standard black journal; I'm sure with how often he writes in that he'd need one weekly. I was so happy. I jumped a little when I heard something crash in the front of the office, I walked out of the kitchen.
"GD?" the cat was lying on the floor on his side he looked so sad. He looked back at me and went back to his position on the floor; I smiled a little and picked up the tray he'd knocked to the ground. He was so attached to Rena; I remember that when she'd left him alone with us in the room he'd gone insane. He'd run from one end of the room to the other. Now he was just lying there looking like someone had run him over. I petted him softly.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Rena will be back soon," I told him. "I got an idea how about I give you some cookies we still have some," he perked up a little and then went back to lying down, I sighed and voted for placing one in front of him. He sniffed it but he didn't eat, I raised an eyebrow. Wow, well that cat was really depressed.
"Why are you so attached kitty?" I asked him playing with his tail. He purred a little and looked up at me, he had pretty blue grey eyes; they looked familiar. "You have pretty eyes kitty," I had seen those eyes some where before I almost had it but he looked up at the door as it opened.
"Hey Mai," Rena called as she walked in throwing her coat on the racket. GD ran at her and she laughed picking him up.
"You missed me?" his answer was to lick her cheek.
"He's really attached to you," I commented getting up from the floor.
"Yeah, we haven't ever really been apart for long periods of time," Rena told me sitting down. "I'm pretty attached too,"
"I wish I had a pet but my building won't allow them," I complained.
"Well that sucks, they're great company," she said lifting GD up. "Aren't you?" he broke free and jumped onto the ground. "Wild cat,"
"I think he jut went for the cookie," I told her she raised an eyebrow.
"What is a cookie doing on the floor?" she asked me I smiled nervously.
"Well you see he looked really depressed so I tried giving him one but he wouldn't eat it, I guess now that you're back he suddenly got an appetite," I said she shook her head.
"I have an insane cat," I nodded my head in agreement.
"You should probably take him to a shrink," I offered.
"I know, all the signs are there but I was so afraid," she said dramatically.
"Don't worry, you can get through this, for him," I told her gripping her shoulder and looking at GD.
"I hope you're right," we looked at each other and started laughing.
"Maybe we should visit the shrink, we're the ones making fun of a cat," I told her she scoffed.
"You started it, if you'd like I can drive you to one," she said with big eyes I gave her a playful glare.
"If I go down I'm taking you with me," I warned.
"Yeah right, I'd like to see you try," my eyebrow twitched.
"You don't think I can do it do you?" I demanded she smiled.
"I never said that,"
"But you meant that," I said. "Am I going to have to call you Nara?" she looked at me for a long time.
"I cannot believe that you just suggested that I and Noll are on the same level," she said well maybe not. "I am clearly superior,"
"Don't lie to yourself Watson," I looked at Naru's office door.
"And you need to find a new hobby besides spying, Homes!" Rena responded kneeling on the couch.
"Watson, Homes?" I asked she looked over at me.
"It's a really complicated story," she said. "Really complicated,"
"I've got time," I told her.
"Mai tea!"
"Not anymore," Rena said happily sitting back down on the couch I gave her a look as I walked backwards to the kitchen.
God we were going to have watch where we were stepping if we wanted to survive the duo of Homes and Watson. May the gods have mercy on us.
NEXT DAY
Naru's P.O.V
We were driving back to the apartment for the day.
"Damn it," I looked back at Rena she had just slammed her fist on the seat.
"Don't hurt the car, what happened?" I asked her.
"Bou-san took something that I need from the office and I forgot to ask for it back," she complained.
"What was it?" Lin asked her looking back at her.
"Something really, really, important, isn't his house near by, can we please, please stop by and get it?" she begged me and Lin shared a look.
"I guess we could," I said my suspicion that something was wrong growing.
"Thank you!" she said brightly Lin turned and we headed in the opposite direction. She lightly kicked her legs happily and I decided it leave it alone for now.
We eventually pulled into the driveway and she hopped out we followed closely behind as she walked towards the front door. Rena knocked on the door and we waited until Takigawa opened the door.
"Rena, Naru, Lin, what a surprise," he said I caught the glint in his eye.
"We just stopped by to get my stuff," she said.
"Well then come in," Takigawa told us ushering us inside his house. "It's in the living room,"
"Thank you," Rena said cheerfully she grabbed my hand and dragged me further in.
"Rena," I started but stopped when we walked into Takigawa's living room, everyone was sitting down a stupid grin on there faces, even Masako was perched on the couch, I looked around taking in the decorations, and the Christmas tree in the corner of the room surrounded by piles of gifts.
"No," I said everyone smiles fell.
"What is it Naru?" Rena asked.
"We are not staying," I told her.
"Okay, just let Bou-san get my things," she told me I raised and eyebrow, I won that easily.
"Sure thing Rena, in a bit," lord have mercy I did not win that, so that was the plan, we were going to stay here until Takigawa decided to get her 'things'. This was just great.
Lin's P.O.V
It had been three hours since we'd gotten here and we were no sooner to leaving then when we got here. I'd opted to lean against the window while Rena calmed Noll down across the room; everyone else was sitting and enjoying themselves.
"Gomen, Lin-san," I looked down at Mai, when had she gotten there?
"I imagine this was planned right after we got back from the case?" I asked she nodded her head.
"We just thought that it would be a good idea to get you guys to relax a little," she explained. "You should at least try to enjoy yourself," I looked at her. Nope I could see no hint of evil intentions in her eyes, how wrong was I though.
"Pray tell, then, how do you suggest I do that?" I asked her she smiled like a kid on Christmas morning although that wasn't far off the mark.
"He said yes," Mai said to everyone else.
"What?" I demanded but it was too late I was dragged to the couch and sat down followed by Noll who apparently also been fooled by Rena. Everyone else had sat around us the table had shot glasses enough for us, my suspicion grew.
"What is going on?" Noll demanded Rena had his hand pinned to the seat so he wouldn't get up and I was surrounded so I couldn't get up.
"This game is real simple, we each say something that we've never done or had, then whoever has done that takes a drink," Yasuhara explained a grin on his face.
"Drink what?" I asked glaring at the collage student.
"Since we have minors I am afraid that it will be Coke," Takigawa said filling the glasses up, "We'll go in order from youngest to oldest, Masako you go first,"
"I have never cooked a meal," she finally said, expected. We all drank our shot and Takigawa refilled them.
"Okay, Rena," she thought for a moment.
"I have never owned a car," she said a smile on her face. We all took a drink again excepted for her and Mai.
"My turn," Mai said happily she put a finger to her chin cutely. "I have never had siblings," again we all took a drink.
"Well, I have never failed an assignment," Yasuhara said. Noll and Yasu were freed.
"Naru it's your turn," Ayako said smiling.
"I'll pass," he said
"What you can't pass," Mai told him.
"I sign your paycheck, I have every right to pass," no one disputed him after that.
"I have never killed a plant," well shoot, we all took a drink.
"Okay, I have never read a full book," Bou-san said proudly.
"That's not something to be proud of!" Rena told him he smiled.
"I've read, but I've never read every page in a book," he explained.
"I can't believe you," Mai said.
"That explains a lot," Ayako told him.
"Oh and what does that mean?" he demanded.
"Now, now, let's all just take a drink and leave Bou-san be," Yasu said he was clearly shocked we drank again. Everyone turned to look at me and it took me a few seconds to realize why, it was my turn.
"No,"
"Come on Lin-san don't be a poor sport," Takigawa said I gave him a look and shook my head.
"We didn't make Naru go," Mai said quietly.
"I know but that's because he signs our paychecks," Ayako said.
"And I write in the amount," I said evenly.
"Okay Rena it's your turn!" They said happily, yes life was good.
We had gone through five bottles of coke and by now everyone was a hyper mess, even Rena but the others were too hyper to notice.
"We want desert!" Yasu said.
"Okay!" Rena jumped up from her seat and bounced over to the kitchen I shared a look with Noll.
"I suggest we sneak out while we can," I told him he nodded and were about to make our escape when Rena ran back into the living room.
"Noll come help me!" she sang and all but dragged him to the kitchen. Well that went well. After much fighting and yelling the food was gone and everyone was giving out gifts, shockingly enough Rena had done our Christmas shopping.
"Here you give this to Mai-chan!" Rena said and dashed back to Noll forcing him to give Takigawa his present, I sighed and gave Mai her present.
"Merry Christmas Mai," I told her handing her the gift, she looked shocked.
"Thank you Lin-san here you go," she said cheerfully. "Your sister's hyper isn't she?"
"And you aren't?" I asked playfully she smiled.
"Maybe just a little," she explained.
"Well then I should watch what I'm doing," I said she smiled.
"Yeah you should,"
It took all my power of persuasion and Noll's to convince Rena to walk out of Takigawa's house and to let them let her go. The drive to the house was silent since Rena crashed before we even reached the apartment; Naru had voted for sitting in the back and was holding Rena against his shoulder.
"We really need to remember not to give her sugar," he said looking at his various bite marks I chuckled.
"Well it wasn't that bad," I said.
"That's because she didn't knee you in between your legs!" he exclaimed this time I did laugh that had been hilarious, Noll had refused to say thank you when Mai had handed him his present so Rena did the 'appropriate' thing and kneed him. "It's not funny,"
"But you should know better by now," I told him he glared at me as I pulled over into the parking lot.
"Fine but you carry the things up," Noll said climbing out of the car and picking Rena up, I sighed and looked at the back of the car it was piled with presents that we had received that night. That lucky, never mind, he wasn't worth it, I followed after them. Well this was an interesting night.
Naru's P.O.V
I woke up a little irritated by the morning light but pulled myself out of bed and walked towards the kitchen.
"Good morning Sleeping Beauty," Rena said she was cooking pancakes.
"Blueberry?" I asked.
"And chocolate chips," she told me I nodded and looked around.
"Where's Lin?" I asked serving myself water.
"Still sleeping, I think," she said.
"Shouldn't you be knocked out, until, oh I don't know, tomorrow?"
"No sweetie, sugar doesn't have the same effect on me as it used to," she told me I rolled my eyes.
"Sure didn't look like that yesterday," I told her she started laughing and I cringed at the memory.
"I'm sorry,"
"Why are you two up so early?" Lin asked walking into the kitchen.
"Morning, and it's not early it's the middle of the day," she commented.
"No way," I said looking at the clock but sure enough it read 12pm.
"Oh take it easy you two, it's Christmas," she reminded us.
"And that makes it better?" she nodded her head; after we'd eaten she forced us to sit down and open presents.
"Let's open Masako's first," she said I took the green wrapped present she handed me. Rena started dying from laughter when we looked at our scarf's she started crying.
"What is so funny?" Lin asked she calmed herself down.
"Nothing, it's nothing, John's next," blue wrapped present. I got a bookmark, Lin got a book, and Rena got a light brown journal with a tree coming out of the middle.
"Why do you get the better presents?" I asked her she smiled at me.
"Because they like me better, Yasu's up," golden present. We all got a book.
"You know what's funny?" she asked I looked up at her. "I also gave him a Hamlet in English," I smirked.
"That was convenient wasn't it?" she tossed a dark blue present at me.
"Who's this from?" Lin asked.
"Bou-san," figures I had some CD from band I didn't recognize, Rena smiled.
"What is it?" she showed me the bracelet she'd gotten it was a sliver chain with some sort of charm hanging off of it.
"Interesting, what's the charm?" Lin asked.
"For protection," I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Next," I said she smiled at me and handed me a red one. "Ayako," she nodded. She gave me some sort of calming incent. Rena had gotten a thick yellow candle.
"Natural bee wax," she said turning it in her hand a pensive look on her face.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Oh it's just pretty weird," the cat said jumping onto the coffee table.
"What is?"
"Well,"
"Shut up Eugene," Rena snapped I whined a little but ignored it. "Here, it's from Mai," I unwrapped the purple present that had gotten me kneed yesterday. It was a black journal, how fitting, Lin had gotten a music box, interesting, but Rena was looking at her present her head down.
"Rena," she looked up at me an unreadable expression on her face.
"How about we pick this mess I have some last minute shopping to do," she said Lin and I shared a look, what had Mai given her?
Rena had left a few hours ago; I walked into the living room and spotted something that hadn't been there this morning on the coffee table. I picked up the picture frame it was a picture of all of us the day after the case and on the wooden picture frame there was one word, live.
Author's Note: Well isn't that interesting? I don't know I just thought that word would be the most useful for Rena, Naru, Lin, and Gene, don't you think?
Rena: I can't believe that we practically gave each other the same things.
Kazuki: don't worry Rena I'll get you something even better!
Rena: But I thought this was the last chapter?
No, what gave you that idea? I was just crying because the next chapter is the last chapter. (Tears)
Rena: Oh
Last chance people, pick either we end it with Rena and Kazuki, and the theme of the next story, or we go and take a look at Syaoran and how his side of the story is (In other words we get to see Syaoran, kind of).
Anyway, it's what you want (Or if no one reviews: what I want).
So please review!
I Love you all!