Happy Winter Solstice everyone! :D

Part one of the two part Christmas story arc! This is pretty long, but I think you'll all like it! :)

P.S. If you watch Doctor Who, look for the hidden quote! ;)

Chapter Fifty-Two:

"Alright, Pudding, I give," Zakuro said, folding her arms as she looked up at the monkey girl on the ladder. "What are you doing?"

"Hanging mistletoe, na no da!" Pudding said.

"Why?" Pie asked, coming to stand beside Zakuro as he, too, looked up at the blond teen.

Pudding sighed and looked at the two young adults like the answer should have been obvious.

"So Ichigo Onee-Chan and Kish Onii-Chan will finally get their first kiss, na no da!" Pudding said patiently, like someone trying to explain to a five year old that one plus one equals two. Then she started rubbing her hands, her eyes glinting with a wide, mischievous grin on her face. "When they step under the mistletoe, they have to kiss, na no da! They'll have no other choice!"

"That explains the sudden increase in greenery hanging from the ceiling," Pie said.

It was true. You couldn't take a step without being under the mistletoe. Pudding had set up an elaborate string pattern shaped like a spider's web, the plant hanging from the string at regular intervals. Pie and Zakuro glanced up and quickly shuffled away from each other, both too close for comfort to a piece of the decoration.

"It's to guarantee Ichigo Onee-Chan and Kish Onii-Chan get their kiss, na no da!" Pudding said proudly.

"I'm not the only one who thinks there are a lot of ways this can go wrong, right?" Zakuro asked dryly.

"You are not." Pie said, folding his arms over his chest.

"What could possibly-" Pudding started, but then cut herself off.

They watched as, not knowing the peril that loomed overhead, Ichigo and Masaya paused briefly so that Masaya could hand something to Ichigo. Then Ichigo's eyes happened to glance up and she turned red as she saw the mistletoe. Masaya's eyes followed her gaze and he, too, turned red as they exchanged an awkward look. Quickly, Masaya kissed Ichigo's cheek, then both hastily walked away from each other, cheeks still burning. Fortunately for both of them, Kish didn't seen any of the uncomfortable exchange.

"Oh," Pudding said, dejected. "That." She sighed and her shoulders slumped. "Pudding will take it down now."

"You don't have to take it all down," Lettuce said as she came up to stand beside Pie, getting on her toes to kiss him. After her lips left his, Pie looked up to see that he—without realizing—was standing underneath a piece of mistletoe.

"Hey, where's your uniform?" Rirī asked Lettuce.

"I just came to pick up a cake my mom ordered," Lettuce said, gesturing to the plastic bag in her hand. "We're leaving for my grandmother's in an hour for the holidays."

"I hope your cousin likes the demonic dolls," Tart said sarcastically.

"Hey, we properly exorcised the demons out of them," Zakuro said with a smile. "They're fine now."

"Thank goodness, too," Ichigo said. "So, anyone else have plans for the holidays?" Ichigo asked.

"Same as usual for Pudding, na no da," Pudding said from her ladder. "Stay up on Christmas Eve to see Santa Claus, na no da!"

"Have you ever seen him before?" Kish asked curiously.

"No, but Pudding will this year, na no da!" Pudding said, grinning mischievously.

"Can I stay up to see Santa Claus, too?" Rozū asked, looking at Pie and Rin. Ever since Pudding had told her about Santa Claus, the young Cyniclon had become obsessed with him, eagerly counting down the days till her first Christmas.

"You would be asleep by midnight," Pie commented.

Rozū scowled at him.

"No, I won't," She said defensively.

"Hundred yen says you will," Pie teased.

"Only a hundred?" Rozū said challengingly, her hands on her hips. "Sounds like you don't want to lose much money when you lose that bet, Onii-Chan."

"Ten hundred, then," Pie said, the corner of his mouth lifting at Rozū. "Better?"

"Much," Rozū said, grinning.

"Well, I've got Christmas Eve plans, too," Mint said, grinning.

"With Shinji?" Ichigo said, grinning slyly.

"Of course," Mint said, rocking onto the balls of her feet. "He's taking me to Odaiba to see the tree. And… more than likely a make-out session."

The four other Mews groaned.

"What?" Mint asked, offended.

"Mint Onee-Chan, have you forgotten the Curse of the Tree, na no da?" Pudding asked exasperatedly as she jumped down from the ladder.

"Crud," Mint said with a scowl as she face-palmed. "I did."

"The… Curse of the Tree?" Rirī asked, raising an eyebrow.

"See, ever since we became Mew Mews, the big Christmas Tree in Odaiba has caused us nothing but trouble," Lettuce said. "Every year, something happens to us involving that tree."

"So, it's the same tree?" Tart asked, confused.

"Different tree each year, same place," Zakuro said, her eyes narrowed.

"First Christmas as Mew Mews, we learned the hard way that Mew Aqua is," Ichigo scowled as she put her fingertips together, her eyes narrowed. "Volatile."

"Understatement," Pie, Tart, Kish and Masaya said in unison.

"Then the year after that," Zakuro continued. "There was this guy who had this plan to take over the world… from his mother's basement. He had this giant robot that was attacking the island on Christmas Eve. We managed to blow it up. However, the blast resulted in us ending up in the tree, tangled up in the lights and tinsel."

"We got to know the members of the Tokyo Fire Department very well that year, na no da," Pudding said with a sheepish smile.

"Oh, and to add to that, one of the firefighters who was getting Ichigo down got a call in from the station, asking him what he was doing," Mint said with a wicked smile. "And what did he say Ichigo?"

" 'Oh, nothing, just getting a cat out of a tree'," Ichigo muttered, not looking at anyone as her cheeks turned red while the others laughed.

"Then last year we were chasing down this thief," Lettuce said. "Well, he's running around the tree, and we're still too far away, so we throw some attacks his way. Except he ducked just as they were about to hit him, so that it hit the tree instead."

"So, you blew up the tree?" Kish asked.

"No," Mint said. "It was a bit worse than that."

"See, the tree fell over," Ichigo said. "And it took down a power-line with it. And when that power-line went down, it caused a domino effect, taking down all the power-lines in the general area. Long story short, instead of a White Christmas, we had a city-wide blackout."

"Geez, you girls are cursed," Tart said.

"Exactly why we have been avoiding Odaiba for the past month," Lettuce said. They all turned to look at Mint, who tilted her chin up, folding her arms over her chest.

"Well, I'm not cancelling with Shinji!" She said.

"Didn't think you were going to," Ichigo said. "Just be careful."

"Oh come on, what could possibly go wrong?" Mint asked. She paused before groaning. "And… I just jinxed it, didn't I?"

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"Santa Claus is going to love these," Keiichiro said, looking at the cookie sheet full of freshly iced sugar cookies. The 'chefs' AKA, Rozū, Pudding, Tart and the five youngest Fong children, beamed.

"'Nee-Chan, can we put our sleeping-mats in front of the fireplace when we get home?" Chincha asked.

"You can move them while Pudding and Daddy cook dinner, na no da," Pudding said as she put sprinkles on a star cookie.

Rozū frowned.

"Why do you need to put the sleeping-mats in front of the fireplace?" She asked.

"So that we can see Santa Claus when he comes down the chimney!" Honcha said.

Rozū's head tilted.

"Huh?" She said, not having been told this detail about Santa Claus yet.

"Santa Claus comes down the chimney with the presents!" Lucha said.

Rozū paled.

"Keiichiro Onii-Chan!" She exclaimed, running to her sister's boyfriend to hold onto his arm with panicked eyes. "We don't have a chimney or a fireplace! How is Santa Claus supposed to get in?"

"Don't worry, Rozū," Keiichiro said, smiling at her, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Santa Claus always finds a way to get into houses without chimneys. You can wait next to the tree for Santa to arrive."

Rozū relaxed at that, hugging Keiichiro.

"Arigato, Onii-Chan!" She said before running back to the cookies.

"Mmm," Kish said with a grin as he walked into the kitchen. "These smell delicious."

He reached for one, but only got his hand smacked by Pudding.

"These are for Santa Claus, na no da," She said. "And last time Pudding checked, Kish Onii-Chan wasn't Santa, na no da!"

"Though he could pass for an elf," Ichigo said as she came in through the back door.

Kish stuck his tongue out at her playfully, which she returned.

"Hey, Ichigo," Zakuro said from where she sat with Heicha on her lap, the little girl decorating a cookie shaped like a snowman. "You bring the reindeer feed?"

"Yep," Ichigo said, holding up two bags of carrots. "Where's Ryou, Pie and Rirī?"

"Well, two someones got bored this morning while waiting for the Fongs to come over," Rin said as she pulled a cookie sheet out of the oven, looking over her shoulder to glare at her siblings. Tart and Rozū grinned sheepishly. "So, long story short, they're finding new hiding places for presents."

"It wasn't our fault you guys put them in a place where we could easily get into," Tart said. "Anyone could have innocently gone into the attic and opened that old trunk."

"And taken the lock off without the key?" Keiichiro teased. Tart and Rozū just shrugged.

Ichigo chuckled.

"Why do I have the feeling they had a green-haired accomplice?" She asked.

"Hey, don't look at me," Kish said defensively as Ichigo wrapped her arms around his waist. He winked at Ichigo. "I've worked too hard to get on the Nice List this year. I'm not doing anything to jeopardize that."

"I know you've been good," She said, touching her nose to his. She grinned as she ran her hands underneath Kish's sweater, her fingers going over the muscles in his back as she pulled him closer to her. "Very, very good." She said in a husky whisper.

He grinned and leaned down…

"Hey, not in front of the kids, na no da!" Pudding said suddenly, covering the eyes of her two closest brothers, who both looked very confused at suddenly having their sister's hand covering their face.

Kish and Ichigo both turned to glare at their friend, who didn't even look abashed.

Rin, Keiichiro, Zakuro and Tart just laughed.

That evening, after Pudding had took her siblings home, Ryou, Keiichiro, the Ikisatashis, Zakuro and Ichigo hung around the Café, eating the cookies not set aside for Santa and drinking hot chocolate and eggnog.

Around ten o'clock, Rozū started setting up her campsite beside the tree, with pillows, cozy blankets, a flashlight and a few books. After that was set up, she went to fill up a plate with cookies and carrots and a glass with milk and set both beside the tree. Pleased with herself, Rozū went to put on her red pajamas, grabbed another mug of hot chocolate, wrapped herself in a blanket and eagerly waited for the arrival of Santa Claus.

About an hour after Rozū set up her Santa watch site, Ichigo stretched out on the floor beside Kish.

"Nya!" She said with a yawn. "It's getting late. I'm going to have to head home soon."

Suddenly, they heard a loud beeping noise coming from downstairs. They paled.

"Really?" Rirī groaned. "Doesn't Mylo know it's Christmas Eve?"

"More accurately, does he care?" Zakuro asked with a sigh as she stood up.

"I will go get Lettuce," Pie said, grabbing his jacket and slipping on his boots before teleporting off.

"But," Rozū said, her eyes wide and her lower lip trembling. "What about Santa Claus?"

"He'll still come," Ichigo promised. "He knows you're here, and he's not going to let anyone on his Nice List go without presents."

Rozū still looked upset.

"I'm sure Santa Claus will understand that you're not here to see him because you're fighting Mylo," Rin said, kneeling down to Rozū's level with a smile. "And I know he's very proud to know that you're making sure Mylo doesn't take over Earth."

Rozū hesitated, but nodded after a moment.

"I'll go get my stone!" She said, rushing for the stairs.

After she was gone, Keiichiro, Ryou, Ichigo and Zakuro shared a look with a sigh.

"Well, now it's time for the difficult one," Zakuro said, pulling out her cellphone and punching Pudding's number.

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Pie appeared outside Lettuce's grandmother's house. He saw that all the lights were off, indicating that everyone was asleep. He floated up to a window and saw Lettuce through the glass, sleeping in a bed with a girl that looked to be her age but had short, dark green hair. He gently rapped his fingernails on the glass, waking up Lettuce.

Lettuce blinked for a moment, then grabbed her glasses and got out of bed. She opened the window.

"Pie?" She said. "Everything alright?"

"Mylo has decided to give us a Christmas present," Pie explained. Lettuce sighed.

"Let me pull on some clothes," She said, backing away from the window. "Come in out of the cold."

"Arigato," Pie said, entering through the window. After doing so, he leaned down to kiss Lettuce's cheek, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I have missed you." He whispered in her ear.

Lettuce gave him a hug in return before standing on her toes to press her lips to his.

"I've missed you too," She whispered. She smiled as they reluctantly let go of each other. "I'll be right back."

She grabbed a bundle of clothes and slipped into the adjacent bathroom.

As soon as the door clicked, the other girl in the bed sat up blearily. Upon studying her face, Pie noticed that she had some resemblance to Lettuce and guessed that this was one of her cousins. The girl's head tilted as she looked around the room sleepily. Then her gaze landed on Pie. She smiled wryly.

"I'm in my nightclothes," She said.

"Yes, you are," Pie said with a nod.

"And there's a hot stranger in my bedroom, my roommate having mysteriously disappeared," She said, her grin widening.

"It appears so," Pie said.

"Anything could happen, right?" She said, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief as she pulled back the sheets on the bed invitingly.

Pie just grinned and shook his head.

"No." He said cheerfully

The girl's smile fell into a pout just as Lettuce emerged from the bathroom.

"Ah, I see you've met Jade," She observed. "Pie, this is my cousin, Jade. Jade, this is my boyfriend, Pie."

"Pleasure," Jade said, getting out of bed. "So, what exactly is tall, dark and mysterious boyfriend doing here?"

"It's a bit of a long story," Lettuce said. "Look, I have to go. Cover for me?"

The corner of Jade's mouth lifted.

"My dear Lettuce-Chan, are you about to do something completely crazy and reckless for the first time in your life?" She asked.

"Something like that," Lettuce said with a shrug. "We shouldn't be too long."

"What exactly are you going to do?" Jade asked.

"You promise not to tell?" Lettuce asked.

Jade held up her pinky, eyes twinkling. Lettuce held up her own with a grin.

"Cut your finger and promise, break it and you'll have to swallow a thousand needles," The girls chanted together as they wrapped their pinky's around each other's.

"So?" Jade asked.

Lettuce smiled.

"Mew Lettuce and Warrior Black need to go help the rest of their teammates," She said.

Jade's eyes widened as she grinned.

"Well, then, get going," She said. "And you and I are going to have a very long talk when you get back." Then she glanced over at Pie and pointed at him, glaring menacingly. "No funny stuff around Lettuce-Chan."

"I would not dream of it," Pie said, taking Lettuce's hand.

"Bye, and thanks!" Lettuce said with a wave as they teleported.

Jade shook her head and climbed back into bed, staring up at the ceiling. She chuckled.

Who would have thought?

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"But Onee-Chan!" Pudding moaned over the phone. "Pudding will miss Santa! And she hasn't been able to see him the past few Christmases, na no da! What if he thinks I don't believe anymore, huh?"

Zakuro sighed. She was currently in the basement while the others were outside, waiting for her. They had known Pudding was going to protest, and Zakuro had a few cards up her sleeve, one in particular that she didn't want Rozū to know about.

"Pudding, let me ask you a question," She said patiently, deciding it was time to draw the card in mind. "What do you think will be the first thing Mylo does if he captures Earth?"

"Uh, force Rin Onee-Chan to kiss him, na no da?" Pudding asked.

"Okay, second thing," Zakuro said. When Pudding didn't respond, she continued. "He is going to take control over every person on this planet. That includes Santa Claus. If Mylo takes over, there are going to be no more Christmas Eves waiting for Santa to come, no presents, no reindeer, no Christmas trees or candy or anything. Now, are you going to fight like a Mew Mew to protect Santa and Christmas Eve for children all around the world?"

The line was silent.

"Pudding?" Zakuro asked hesitantly.

"Pudding will be ready in five minutes," Pudding said softly.

"Arigato," Zakuro said, hanging up the phone. She emerged from the basement and sent Tart to get Pudding.

"So, where's the Chimera Animal?" Ichigo asked as Ryou pulled out his laptop. He hit a few keys then had a wry grin on his face.

"Where else, Ichigo?" He asked with a humorless chuckle. "Odaiba."

Meanwhile, Mint was thoroughly enjoying her time with Shinji. That is, she was until a giant, mutated polar bear got in their way.

"What are all these people running from?" Shinji asked as hoards of people ran past them. Then they saw the Chimera Animal.

Mint groaned.

Of course. I just had to go and jinx it!

Shinji grabbed Mint's hand and started to run with her. Though he kept trying to pull her so that she was running in front of him, she kept deliberately trailing behind, despite that she could easily keep up with the soccer star thanks to years of ballet training and being a Mew Mew. He kept looking back to check on her, which was sweet, Mint had to admit, but it was hindering her from going to fight the creature they were running from.

With a sigh, Mint slipped her hand out of her glove, quickly turning to go against the mob of people, her heart breaking as she heard Shinji scream her name.

Shinji had turned as soon as he felt Mint's hand come out of her glove. He stopped, panicked, searching frantically.

Finally, he saw two black odangos in the midst of the crowd. He frowned. Why was she going back?

He didn't think, he just started after her, not apologizing as he ran into people.

Mint ducked into a deserted alleyway and panted for a few seconds. Once her breath was back, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out her pendant.

"Mew Mew Mint, Metamorpho-sis!" Mint said as she kissed her pendant. Within seconds, she was in her Mew Mint form.

She grinned as she called her bow to her hand. She was ready to take on anything and everything.

Except…

"Mint?"

Mint's eyes widened and she slowly turned, shaking. Shinji was staring right at her, his eyes wide and his mouth open slightly.

She swallowed hard, fighting back tears.

Shinji had seen her transform.


Of course there's a cliffie. There's always a cliffie. ;)