Seasons greetings dear readers! I may not get time to update the main story before Christmas but I started writing this a while back and thought I'd finish it off. Hope you all enjoy it.
The title is not what you think. Grin. Hint; remember the true dragon names of Tezuka's twins.
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Disclaimer: P.O.T is not mine, Christmas is not mine. Waaaa!
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Mythic Brotherhood presents:
"Ocean Rainbow Christmas."
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Story: Tora Macaw
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Entering the living room of his families secluded island home, Fuji Syusuke smiled as he placed a steaming cup of herbal tea beside his life mate's chair. Marking a page and closing his book, Tezuka Kunimitsu laid the object aside while reaching for his lover with his free hand.
Drawing the willowy young man into a gentle embrace, Kunimitsu kissed Fuji's light tan skin while murmuring his thanks. Lowering his shorts covered buttocks; Fuji voiced a light silvery laugh as he sat down on Tezuka's lap.
Arms wrapped around each other, they were just warming up to a great display of their deep love for each other when the sounds of running feet coupled to happy childish cries interrupted their fun.
Giggling, Fuji stood up just in time to greet his sons now bursting into the area. In half human form, their golden dragon features gleamed through a fine coating of grit and lifting one eyebrow, Fuji gazed upon his twins like wise covered skins. Grinning through the masks of white beach soil plastered on their cheerful young faces, Kunisuke and Kunitake both 'eep'ed' as they belatedly remembered one of their mother's rules; never barge into his nice clean house while covered in sand.
Looking down, they gazed guiltily on the fine layer of earth dropping from their bodies to mar the gleaming wooden floor boards before hastily backing out. Standing on the back porch, they shook and scraped at the offending layers until they were mostly sand free.
Meanwhile, Yuki had fetched two dust pans and hand brooms. Silently passing the cleaning tools to the twins, he then stood over them until the spill had been removed to his satisfaction.
A hot bath had followed and with the setting of the sun, the Tezuka family gathered about the dinning table. Talk soon turned to Christmas day and pointing out that the event was a week away, Syusuke brought up the idea of celebrating a white Christmas.
"That would be nice." stated Kunimitsu while casting a glance at his eager seven year old sons.
"I love the snow!" gasped Kunisuke; his big russet eyes sparkling with delight as he recalled past yuletide parties in the Alaskan wilderness and Japanese forests.
"We can make snow men." Kunitake enthusiastically chimed in. "And have snow ball fights!"
"Daddy, can all of our friends come too?" Kunisuke asked suddenly; his serious little face bringing grins to those seated about him.
"Yeah!" Kunitake yelped happily. "It would be much more fun to have the gang around; it gets a bit boring with just Kunisuke and me!"
Leaning one elbow on the table and cupping his chin with his hand, Fuji gazed enquiringly at his life mate. "Well Mitsu, how about it?"
Somber eyes sweeping across his family, the king of dragon kind gravely announced that if his hatchlings wished for their friends to attend then they had best ask them right away.
Whooping triumphantly, they loudly declared that they would start calling the others immediately. Reaching out, Fuji quietly; but firmly stopped them leaping from their seats.
"Finish your dinners; then you may go."
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Great leathery wings pushed up then down with a loud whoosh of displaced air. Pumping in a constant steady rhythm, the huge flight limbs effortlessly carried their owner towards his chosen destination. Sunlight reflecting brightly off dazzling golden scales, Kunimitsu Tezuka turned his head just enough to gaze upon the small group of companions flying to his left.
Flanked by his life mate and surrounded by his brood, the mighty bronze Kabaji carried Atobe and family on his back. Close by, Shishido ferried several creatures while Saeki gave his own family and friends a lift.
Swinging his head right, Tezuka nodded to Ryuzaki carrying both past and present members of Seigaku while a host of Thleerium and Hikari enjoyed the way their own dragon friends were traveling sedately through the sky.
Behind the leaders many other dragons, assorted flying Mythics and their passengers soared upon the thermals and arriving at the Christmas party's location, every one of the huge Mythic lizards lifted their heads to voice a joyful bellow.
Sweeping low over the mountain tops, the massed gathering quickly descended. Laughing as adult wings stirred up huge clouds of loose snow, many youngsters slipped from the backs of their landing parents to cheerfully zip around them. Rising, the flyers spiraled together before breaking apart to cut fantastic shapes in the frosty air while on the ground, those bound to the Earth ran wildly about.
Sliding from his lover's neck, Fuji quickly removed two huge bags from the mighty gold's back. Shrinking down to his half form, Tezuka assisted the dragon kin and his Hikari guardian in setting up a large tent and unpacking a huge swag of Christmas party supplies.
All around them, the scene was repeated by many others and before long, the formally deserted and silent mountain peaks were covered with colorful tents and large tables laden with treats and echoing to the merry sound of carefree laughter.
Once everything was ready, the adults called their playing children to order and the holiday feast began.
"You know..." Fuji cheerfully remarked while gazing in amusement at the horde surrounding him, "... when the twins first asked for their friends to come with us, I really just expected all of Seigaku to be here."
"Hnn."
Applying himself to his food, Kunimitsu knew better than to comment. The huge response to his offspring's invitations had come as a big shock to him. But resigning himself to his fate, the king of dragons was prepared to suffer the chaos of a big noisy party (rather than his preferred much quieter normal family Christmas) for the sake of his young ones.
"But next year, we are definitely hiding." he thought while wincing at the harsh sound of a few Christmas crackers popping close to his sensitive ears.
Chuckling over his life mate's discomfort, Fuji silently thanked him for going along with their children's' plans. Sipping at his mug of hot egg nog, the dragon kin smiled as he recalled the events of the last few days.
The organization of Christmas day had started with a call to Eiji and Oishi's family that had been followed by a call to Inui and Kaidoh's family. Momo' and Ryoma's household had been next then the boys had excitedly called Takashi and Akutsu.
Akutsu's daughter had rung Tachibana's house hold while Eiji and Kaidoh's daughters had telephoned their friends. Word had rapidly passed from one Mythic to another and before long the entire Mythic population of Japan knew of their king's up coming party.
Phone calls and e mails confirming attendance had come flooding in and poor Kunimitsu's skull had rung to the sound of many sendings from his many subjects asking if they could come too.
By Christmas Eve the guest list was a horror story but an ever calm Fuji had happily taken everything in his stride. Like the Tensai he was, he swiftly and efficiently organized each group to bring certain food or drink items as well as a 'secret Santa' gift pool for all to contribute to.
It was Kabaji who had suggested traveling to the Carpathian Mountains as all humans living below them had been evacuated due to a series of massive avalanches that had occurred on December the 23rd.
Glaring at his second in command, Tezuka had seriously drank in the bronze dragon's somewhat too innocent expression before shaking his head and gravely demanding to know if any humans had been hurt.
'Nah!' Kabaji had replied with a nonchalant wave of his right front foot. 'We gave them plenty of warning then made sure the snow falls were light at first.'
'That was reckless AND careless.' the gold had snorted. 'Dragons do not harm humans!'
'Hey, it was just a little scare!'
'And what of all the helicopters and planes we saw on the news?'
Kabaji had laughed.
'Lord Jinnai and lord Aidon took care of that little problem. Relax oh mighty gold! No humans will come to ruin our celebration.'
Sighing, Tezuka took comfort in the fact that no human lives had been harmed but thoughts of all the property damage resulting in the avalanche still worried his conscious. In tune with his dragon son's concerns, Jinnai had strolled into the room and calmly announced that he'd send a clean up crew to "assist" the humans once the party was over.
Now, here they all were; the biggest gathering of Mythics since his sons' naming day having the time of their lives and Fuji couldn't help preening himself a little as he cast his closed eye gaze over the lively party.
With lunch over, the restless children wasted no time in returning to their games and for a short time, different groups gravitated together to participate in an assortment of activities.
Kunisuke and Ponta made a snow dragon but soon erupted into a loud argument regarding the art work looking more like Ryoma or the mighty gold. Face cracking into a wicked smirk, Kunitake led his friends in a charge of snow balls aimed at the bickering pair.
Roaring, the two youngsters retaliated in kind and seeing the furious barrage, the others were swift to abandon their pursuits and join in. Instantly, the friendly battle turned into a rampant mad house of fun that even the most stoic of adults were quick to jump into.
Bidding his ever present halo of servants to build him a strong barricade, Toshihiro gave a fair imitation of a general directing his troops as he haughtily commanded his followers to defend him.
But of course, such action only provoked his friends into launching an all out attack and laughing like a pirate king, Sengoku's son Kosuke yelled for his team mates to follow him over the wall.
"Look out China, here come the Huns!" he screamed; his arms loaded with snowballs as he nimbly dodged Toshiro's defenses.
Drawing himself up, the seven year old issued a bold challenge.
"Ore Sama does not approve..."
Sadly, the boy never got to finish his sentence as hordes of combined Yamabuki, Fudomine and St Rudolf invaders over ran; then conquered the snow fortress.
Elsewhere; Rikkadai, Jyousei Shounan, Rokkaku and Kevin's former all American team and their kids converged upon Seigaku's own hastily constructed snow castle.
Shaking his head over the fierce battles and appalling din, the king of dragons quietly asked Fuji if he should stop the fighting.
"Let them play!" laughed Fuji before inflating his lungs to loudly cheer Seigaku on. "How often to they ever get a chance like this?"
"Someone could get hurt." Tezuka grumbled.
However, a plan to halt the increasingly noisy hostilities was quickly forming within his mind and moments later, his loud musical bugle as he launched himself skyward turned every head on the mountain.
In full dragon form, Kunimitsu flew to the top of a tall spur of rock jutting from the crown of the highest peak. For a few seconds, he clung to the sturdy formation with all four sets of talons before flinging himself away. Performing a graceful back flip, the mighty gold straightened then swooped down to belly flop forcefully onto the snow.
Wings extended; his eyes bright with excitement, Tezuka displayed his own style of skiing as flew down the incredibly steep slope. Approaching the end at a furious pace, Kunimitsu voiced a joyful bellow as his high speed body zipped up a short upward curving shelf of rock then was catapulted back into the air.
Once clear, he barrel rolled a few times before swinging around and heading back to the spur. At once a collective cry of awe rose from the children and snow fight instantly forgotten, every winged child present raced up to join their king on the slope.
Those without flight ability hitched rides on the backs of willing adults and before long, the snow covered mountain side was coated with all kinds of assorted creatures enjoying themselves to the fullest.
Turning their long thick bodies into toboggans, many Basilisks laughed as they carried excited screaming youngsters down a slope that leveled out at a lower elevation while others rode dragons off the drop off.
Dismantling a large plastic table, Fuji used the top as a snow board; his large golden wings spread out for balance as he hurtled down the steepest slope. Following his example, others quickly pulled tables apart then swiftly joined the Tensai for a friendly competition.
Lightly touching down next a deserted tent, the king of dragons suddenly noticed something. While all of the Mythics were going insane on the slopes, one small child held himself apart from the merriment. Strolling up to him, Tezuka regally nodded a greeting.
"You are Kano"
Looking up from the large open book resting on his lap, the boy shyly returned his ruler's salutations.
"Yes sir."
Indicating the child's possession with a small wave of a huge curving talon, Tezuka made a polite enquiry.
"This is my art book sir." the boy respectfully replied. "I like to sit and draw the things I see."
Holding the book up, Kano displayed the picture he had drawn. Fighting down an urge to voice a low whistle of appreciation, Tezuka merely inclined his head in approval as his pleased eyes drank in the exquisite work.
The scene now frozen in time had been perfectly captured with each little figure almost alive on the crisp white paper.
"Such incredible talent for one so young." Tezuka thought as he studied the magic of the picnic against the rugged beauty of the wild mountains.
Sensing eyes upon him, Tezuka turned; only to frown as he caught sight of Sanada. The first Demi-Dragon was glaring at Yukimura's son and turning away, he focused all of his attention on Kirihara's son. The dark haired youngster was right in the thick of the hair raising sports taking place above and the way his father was showing pride in Jomei was painful to witness.
Hearing a quite sigh, Tezuka swung his head around to gaze gently upon the part bred high elf.
"Father... doesn't like me."
Tezuka was mildly shocked.
"All fathers love their sons."
"Not mine." said the boy softly. A few tears glimmered within his light violet orbs. "He only cares for my brother."
Uncertain of how to react to such disturbing news, Tezuka was fishing around for something to say when a newly arrived Yukimura's gentle voice broke into his thoughts.
"Kano has inherited the gentle and peaceful nature of the high elves. My son is a sweet boy but Sanada..." here, Yukimura paused to sigh heavily. "...wanted fighters. He wanted both of his offspring to become world class tennis champions but unlike Jomei, Kano has no taste for any kind of conflict."
Instantly, the monarch of the Mythic Brotherhood knew what this sensitive child's life was like. Yukimura could appreciate his rare gift and nurture it to its full potential. But Sanada; who had known nothing but a harsh existence most of his life, could see no point in wasting time indulging in art when there were battles to be fought and won. To the mighty gold, it was a cruel injustice to ignore the boy just for being true to his nature and speaking a few quiet words of encouragement, he firmly reminded himself to have a stern talk with Sanada later.
Walking away from the picnic area, Tezuka stood alone on the open snow fields. He could hear his own sons' happy squeals among those of many others and looking up, he smiled as he watched Fuji playing with them. His family was the most precious and important thing in the universe and he'd love them no matter what they chose to do in life.
Just as he was on the verge of re-joining them on the slopes, a sudden shift in the winds pattern caught his full attention. Nostrils flaring, he breathed in the harsh icy particles floating on the breeze and frowning, he perceived its obvious chill factor uneasily.
He could sense a blizzard approaching and as the abruptly sharp wind tugged at his messy hair, the huge gold dragon reared up to bellow a warning. The effect on the merry gathering was electric. Immediately, every single one of the adults fell to rounding up rambunctious children and herding them towards safety.
Tezuka knew the flimsy picnic tents were no defense against the growing storm but thankfully; there were several large caves a little way down the mountain and nodding, Tezuka watched with grim satisfaction as the great crowd of Christmas revelers headed towards them.
Remaining on the base of the slope where only moments before a horde of Mythic youngsters had been playing, Tezuka acted as a rear guard until all those under his care had reached the caves. With everyone now sheltered he could consider his own safety and spreading his wings, he rapidly flew downwards.
Reaching the sanctuary he paused at the entrance then squinted into the increasing wind. What appeared to be a massive swarm of large black insects now bearing down on him was fact the advance guard of a terrible army and quickly trotting into the cave, Tezuka snorted steam as the first of the coming blizzard's big fat snow flakes swirled past.
Huge golden body all but filling the tunnel, the mighty gold soon followed it to its end. Grateful that it abruptly widened into a high vaulted chamber roomy enough to comfortably accommodate all, Tezuka settled onto his chest as he was joined by his family.
"I'm not scared." Kunitake boldly stated a few minutes later.
"Nor am I." Kunisuke proudly added as the thick cavern walls reduced the roaring winds outside to a chilling moan.
"Nothing can harm us in here." Kunimitsu reassured them.
Throughout the cave, other adults calmed their worried offspring and wanting to lighten the somber mood, the many Hikari and Thleerium of the gathering produced musical instruments. Forming a large group, they struck up a lively tune.
"Hey daddy..." asked a wide eyed Kaemon, "....where did those instruments come from? Surely they didn't have them hidden under their robes?"
"Hikari have a special magic that allows them to conjure up musical instruments no matter where they are." Oishi explained patiently. "Thleerium can do it too and both races are very accomplished musicians."
Seated among Kabaji's hatchlings, Toshihiro learnt the art of flute playing from Atobe while Sengoku gently coached his son in the skills of the harp. Nodding his approval, Yuushi watched his offspring play the violin while Tachibana taught his children to drum.
Curling up in Yuki's lap as the blond angel man played his pan pipes, Kunitake soon fell asleep. Accepting a finely crafted guitar from Lord Jinnai, Tezuka played a hauntingly beautiful song then taught it Kunisuke. Playing his reed pipe, Fuji wove a gentle counter tune.
Watching his grand hatchlings dance as those not playing swayed in time to the music, an old red dragon named Yue kept darting anxious glances towards the cave tunnel. It had been a time much like the party he was seeing now when Aion and his Dark Hunters had attacked. Yue had lost everyone he'd loved; including his beloved son and as hard as he tried to suppress them, the terrible thoughts kept invading his mind to rob him of any chance he had of enjoyment.
Every little moan from the wind made him jump and unable to sit still any longer, he took it upon himself to guard the cavern's entrance.
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Time passed. The afternoon faded into night yet still the storm raged. With the coming of midnight those still awake wished each other a merry Christmas. However, each little speech was tinged with sorrow for the presents they had bought were now lost under the snow's fury and there would be nothing for the children in the morning.
"We have our lives and we have each other." Tezuka declared while breathing clouds of hot steam to warm the freezing cave. "That is the most important gift in the world."
"That's right." Yue stated from his place in the entry tunnel. "Hunters could appear at any time to rip your world apart so be grateful for what ever happiness you have."
'That's enough Forest Burning.' Tezuka silently warned; for several still awake youngsters and a few adults were shuddering at the thought of rampaging Dark Hunters.
'Mighty gold..." Yue started to counter hotly but Tezuka sternly cut him off.
'Do not ruin Christmas with your fears. Let the gathering have this one night of peace; we can discuss the threat of Hunters later.'
Grumbling, Yue subsided but continued to remain alert all night.
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Jerking wide awake, Yue abruptly realized that something was wrong. Standing up so fast that he bumped his head on a protruding lump of rock, the old red dragon stared wildly around him. The cave was dark; a little too dark for his liking and disturbingly quiet. Attempting to settle his nerves, he strained to hear over the frantic hammering of his heart and relaxed only slightly as his ears welcomed the sound of many Mythics breathing. It was a deep rhythmic noise of contented slumber that should have soothed him, yet the silence surrounding it spoke of danger.
Pushing back onto his feet, Yue rubbed his sore head then hurried to the exit. What he found there sent alarm bells running through his skull yet his tense body sagged and his mind spun from a small sense of relief. It wasn't the threat of Dark Hunters that had woken him; but the realization that the cave mouth had been completely blocked up with snow.
For a lesser creature, such an occurrence could easily signal their doom. But for a dragon, a blocked cave could be cleared with a good strong blast of fire. Frowning, it quickly dawned on Yue that the blockage could in fact turn fatal. After all, every creature; from mighty dragons down to little wererats needed air to breathe and with such a heavy snow fall, there was very little fresh air remaining within their current environment. Abruptly, Yue realized that everyone was in far more danger than they knew for without oxygen the entire gathering could all too easily slip into a deep sleep that they'd never awaken from.
Humbly thanking the universe at large that he woken in plenty of time to discover the party's unexpected entombment, Yue inflated his lungs then directed a thick jet of fire at the offending snow barrier. However, to his dismay the snow fall had been extremely heavy and the blockage was very thick.
Doubling his efforts, he soon wore himself out. Panting, he frantically drew what little air was filtering in through the melted snow. Just as he was recovering enough for another assault, Tezuka woke up. Hearing the fire blast he hurried up the tunnel to investigate and seeing the problem, he wasted no time in lending his powers to those of his friend.
Snow melted then collapsed with heavy wet sounding thud. With the pile gone fresh air streamed into the cavern bringing a brisk bite of chilly wind that jolted most of the sleepers into awarness.
"The storm has passed and I wish to present a gift to all of you."
Leading the wondering group outside, Tezuka reared onto his hind legs.
"Merry Christmas."
Following the line of his gaze, all those present gasped in delighted surprise. On the ground before them, the line of mountain tops stretched away into the misty horizon. Covered in a thick new blanket of snow, they shone like an ocean of pure white milk. Riding above it, the granular snow constantly drifted like small wind blown leaves and filling the deep indigo sky a colorful aurora danced as a shimming light rainbow.
Lowering his large head, the mighty gold whispered to his sons.
"For you Jsier and Heurfjz; enjoy your enchanted Christmas."
Laughing, the twins burst away from the cave to frolic in the fresh snow while around them, the new day over the mountains rang to the sweet happy sound of all of their friends joining in.
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Endless....
MERRY CHRISTMAS NYA!