Boss Rush: Gift of the Martyr

An LLS Production

Note: by Chapter XXX and above it's still August. I'm just speeding ahead the schedule to show that despite crazy things happening, life can still be rather normal for such people...

Although the outside chill and wet rain indicated otherwise, Fudo Ryuusei awoke perfectly warm and ensconced in the bedclothes. Further study showed that most of the house was already awake, as indicated by the indistinct murmurs and other sounds outside his bedroom door.

Floating somewhere beside the window ledge, Marguerite cocked her head at him. "What is the occasion?"

"Christmas?" Ryuusei mouthed. "You mean... well, 'course not, Christmas doesn't exist in the spirit worlds."

"I can think of several festivals that the realms celebrate at this time," Marguerite considered. "The Triumph of Ra is one, as is the solstice. It is bounty in a season of weariness."

"Right," Ryuusei nodded as he sat up. "So you'll be going with Aussa and Hiita to these festivals? Merry Christmas, enjoy yourself then!"

Marguerite chuckled to herself as Ryuusei exited the room. "Oh, I intend to."

"Good morning, Nii-chan!" Seika called as Ryuusei entered the room. "Merry Christmas!"

"Morning," his father and mother greeted, both of them looking rather more interested in coffee.

"Morning, everyone," Ryuusei nodded. "Merry Christmas. What are we doing today?"

"We're still doing our usual ritual," Yusei nodded. "So... it's a trip to Martha's place again."

"How nice," Aki murmured. "That reminds me, tonight..."

"Yes, yes. Tonight we'll have to go over to your parents' house," Yusei nodded.

Ryuusei paused in the middle of cereal. "We're going to Jii-sama's place for Christmas dinner?"

"Long story," the Fudo parents sighed together. "That means that Ryuusei... we're so sorry."

"That just means that girls will be there, right?" Ryuusei mumbled.

"Yep..."

"...we'd better get to Martha's place, then."

Most of the orphans, some members of the Movement included as well, as a rule, tend not to splurge on celebrations. Therefore, décor was kept to a tasteful but adequate minimum, and presents tended to be mysteriously standardised. There was also much to be said about social work in the middle of Christmas, in that even, despite most misgivings, everyone usually ended up enjoying themselves.

In the kitchen of Martha's Orphanage, Tsugare was hunched over a large pot, stirring whatever was inside over a stove. "Boss and kids and soup..." he grumbled halfway even as it continued to simmer. "I'm freezing here and they're still-"

"Oi, is it done?" Koichi leaned against the doorway of the kitchen, grinning madly as he held up a camera. "What do they call it... Kodak moment, right?"

Tsugare flushed crimson. "Don't you dare!"

"Behave," Martha herself called as the orphans laughed at the two. "Still, I'm so glad that Tsugare-chan managed to snag such a dependable man for himself. I give my blessing, Yamamoto-san."

"Martha! I'm not a daughter you're marrying off!" Tsugare warned, flushing as Koichi bent over, shaking in laughter. "And you, stop laughing!"

Somewhere outside, Youkai was also bent over, laughing.

Chase just sighed. "Sooner or later, you'll be the same as well."

"No way!"

"Oh, Nowaki-kun is getting domestic again," some of the kids mocked, even the stoic-faced Yukina Suiren present.

"Shut up, brats," Youkai scowled as it became Chase's turn to laugh. "And you!"

Rex just grinned at the sight, occupied as he was with his father and mother, in the middle of juggling piles of presents brought in from the garage. "We've got it, Martha."

"Excellent," Martha primly smiled at the Atlas family, especially at Carly. "I understand how hard it is on you, caring for two Jacks at the same time."

"I- It's no trouble," Carly hastily assured as she bounced a sulking Reina on one knee. Everyone was dressed in their best one way or another, even if more and more former orphans kept coming and more people arrived.

"Odd," Martha remarked. "Where's Shimotsuki-san?"

A sudden silence fell.

"She didn't want to come," three Misawa and one Hibiki hunched over quietly, some having just entered. "Erm..."

"Setsuka-san was busy," Suiren solemnly informed Martha.

The elderly matriarch simply shook her head. "That child always says the same thing... then she sends almost all the unoccupied members here, and forgets about herself. It's most troubling."

"She'll be fine," Rex muttered. "Besides, can anyone see her involved in celebrating? Most likely she'll turn this place into a winter wonderland first."

"We're here~!" and Tenjouin Fubuki strolled in, accompanied by a scowling Michiru.

"Tenjouin-sensei...?"

"Oh, Fubuki-san, you're here!"

The train of conversation turned away soon enough to Tenjouin Fubuki's latest distraction, for anything involving the man would indeed be distracting. The thought of Setsuka was immediately lost.

The party was raging, raucous and loud in every sense of the word. There was a large clearing, in the middle of which a garden had somehow sprung up. Many people were dancing, male and female and monster alike, and some bustled about in quick arrangement of everything. Despite the cold that seemed to descend, the clearing remained rather warm, fairy lights strung amidst the surrounding trees. Flowers seemed to bloom, and the garden looked suitably festive for a celebration.

It was in the midst of the party that Ryuusei would land in later, and the Summer monarch would then show himself, stutter through a few words, and proceed to have several conversations in between food, though not in that order. Likewise, as the Winter spirits would arrive in their revels show, Duel spirits really did know their way around a party.

"A- A- Are you quite sure-"

Setsuka gave a small smile that showed teeth, even and white. "I am quite sure I can manage, thank you, Nakamura-san, do follow Kaname-san out, there's a good man."

"But, Missy-"

"I insist, Nakamura-san. You've more than deserved a day off. I'll be perfectly fine. Please, don't let me detain you."

"Missy-"

"If you were to return before sundown, I would be very cross. I will be." And she closed the door in his face, heaving a sigh. "Well-meaning man."

Having ascertained the flat for herself, she put the electric kettle to boil, got out a book to set by the armchair, prepared some tea leaves in a strainer, and then made a cup of the leaf before setting it out, wrapping herself into a cocoon and prepared to generally while away the hours with a collection of stories to chase away the loneliness.

She frowned at the dark clouds, muttering about rain and snow.

As it began to snow outside once she looked up from her book, she frowned past the blinds, turned to the now tepid cup, and then sighed at that she was the only one home this day.

"Merry Christmas, Father, Mother."

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Please review!