Chapter Twenty-Five

Yuletide Crisis

"Hey, can you do me a favor?" Raize asked Chaud.

"Um... sure," Chaud agreed. "Like what?"

"Go down to the basement and get some firewood," Raize instructed.

"I'll do it," Mamoru offered, standing up.

"No, it's ok," Chaud said, starting down the stairs. He thought vaguely about what had just happened between him and Nami.

---

"Nami, Terry, why don't you guys run your sketch?" Ailee suggested. "We might be able to help you guys out."

"Sure..." The two of them got up, starting to act out a scene.

Raize sneaked up the stairs, quietly looking over the two actors. She shook his head, laughing to himself.

"I can't believe you're gonna do this," Torch sighed. "You're nuts."

"So? If it'll get Chaud outta here, it's worth a shot."

"But— oh, whatever. It's not like you're listening."

"You are correct." Raize took the mistletoe out of his pocket again.

"You know he'll do it," Torch said. "No ifs, ands, or buts."

"I know."

"So STOP before you get killed."

"No!"

---

Chaud took the stairs back up, firewood in his hands. He sighed, still thinking. I can't believe it... this is the BEST Christmas I've ever had... and that tournament starts tomorrow too! He smiled to himself, imagining what sort of competition he and Nami would face together.

When he opened the door from the basement, he saw a quite interesting scene. Raize was holding the mistletoe over Nami and Terry as they practiced a sketch for drama.

"Raize," Mamoru said warningly.

"Aw, c'mon Mo! Just a harmless joke!" Raize moaned, putting the sprig of mistletoe back in his pocket.

"It is not a harmless joke," Mamoru snapped.

Nonetheless, in front of the rest of the room, Terry pulled Nami towards him, and kissed her on the lips.

He watched in shock and relief as Nami pushed Terry away from her, looking almost as shocked as Chaud felt. Mamoru let his head fall into the palm of his hand, looking as though he could have burnt something just by looking at it. Raize, however, was laughing quietly to himself.

Chaud strode into the room, dropped the firewood at Raize's feet, and demanded, "WHAT is going on!"

"Nothing," Raize choked out, still laughing. "Nothing—"

"Terry, I'm afraid I must ask you to leave," Mamoru said in a low voice. "Now."

Terry nodded, glared defiantly at Chaud, and left without further words.

Nami sank down onto the chair behind her, absolutely shocked speechless.

"Nami..." Sean was still in the corner, looking shocked as well. "What... are you..."

Nami looked up at Raize, absolutely livid. "Raize!"

"Oh, shoot!" Raize ran up the stairs three at a time, dashed into his room, and slammed the door shut.

"Raize, why do you do this...?" Mamoru stood up. "I'm sorry, but it appears as though this little 'party' is over..."

"I'll go now," Chaud offered.

"Please do. But, before you leave... you might want to look under the tree."

"Huh?" He knelt down by the tree, seeing one last package. A note was attached:

"To Chaud:

Open this at home.

–From the Hallissys (but especially Nami)"

"I... well..." He looked back at Nami, her face was hidden in her hands. "Nami?"

"Hm?" She looked up, slightly afraid.

"Nami..." Chaud smiled at her. "I love you. No matter what happens."

She looked relieved. "I love you too, Chaud... and you'd better be ready for that tournament tomorrow!"

"Absolutely!" He left the house, the small package in his hands. It felt almost like a book...?

((A/N: I am SO sorry I haven't posted in a million years, and that this is sooo short, but this next chapter is cataclysmic! I swear!))