Conte de noël

~A wish from the soul is the most powerful thing, one would even say it's magic~

But there is one thing even more mysterious and it's Christmas' enchantment.

I do not own skip beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.

(I didn't forget the other story, i fell ill, twice and then i was in Christmas mood, if i have time, i will update it once or twice in december)

Persephone screw my Christmas's schedule, damn it. But be gratful to her, it's because of her you all have the first chapter sooner.

Let's make a wish

One day before first december

Ren was nursing a drink untouched on his freezing covered in snow balcony and looking at the beautiful lonely stars.

The sky was miraculously clear tonight and you could see the midnight blue wonder that was a starry sky in the middle of the winter just after cotton snow had fell upon them covering everything in a pure white sleepy veil.

But if Ren's eyes glassed over this beauty, his eyes only mirrored lonely thoughts turned toward a woman for who the gold of her eyes just echoed the one of her heart.

He signed.

"I miss her…"

Two years had passed and they were closer than before but Ren had understood she would never felt the same and let her take off into the world, hoping she still would have time and place for him in her life even if he would only wish for more.

He had tried to move on for a while but no one could manage to move his heart; only her. So, he just accepted that it would only ever be her and that it didn't matter to be with someone if he couldn't be with her.

He longed for her like a plant languished for the sun, his soul withering for every passing moment away from her, from her smile, from her eyes, from the warm her heart glowed over him. Her endearing moves, her blushes, her determination, her blowing talent and her compassionate nature still all vivid in his mind even after those years away.

They talked, time to time but they were both very busy and didn't have much free time. He was acting in a movie in Korea and she had been in Canada shooting a movie until a few days ago. The shooting being on break, she was now back in her temporary flat in Sherbrooke city in the Quebec's state. She was planning to only have a short break and didn't see it really worth it to come back home as everyone would be busy.

Which was true of course, her friends were in US, Maria in London and he was busy indeed. Even if the movie was a mess and nastily managed. He could fathom what keeps her away, was only overcome with the raging pride he felt over her accomplishments.

But the absence was all the same. And he couldn't bear it.

He signed. Dreams plagued his every night preventing him from sleeping correctly and his days were haunted with invisible visions. Places he remembers acting with her, seeing her, talking to her…And sometimes,

Sometimes, he could swear that he had seen her…That for a blink of a moment, his mind had pushed it enough to see something that wasn't there…to conjured visions of the past into the present reality just to nurture his malnourished heart for a second even if it increase further his misery.

Oh, he knew it was only nonsense or wishful thinking but he had got to the point of not caring anymore. If it kept him standing, moving and permit him to see her, he'd rather be delusional. Madness was a cheap price to pay when you already wished for an forbidden paradise.

At this very instant, on this very second, he only desired for one thing. He wanted to see her, to be with her.

Against all and everything, against the odds, against all common-sense telling him it was impossible he wished to hold her in his arms, to things to be different, that by any sort of miracle suddenly they were able to be together; that she would feel the same.

Puffs of cold airs were coming out of his mouth as he breathed heavily in the night and raised once again his desperate eyes to the midnight sky.

If there is any way… He thought.

If there is anyone listening to the fool I'am…

"Please…I just wish to be with her…in any kind of the sorts…

I wish to be with her…"

"Please…" He thought again and bowed before resting his head to the balcony to hide his sorrow to the stars.

Minutes passed agonizingly slow and he waited like a fool, eyes closed.

Of course his wish wasn't answered and he went back inside before getting sick thinking of Her scolds and moved directly to bed thinking he had gone completely nuts.

As if a wish could be granted like that…I'm not her…she's the one believing in fairies…

she rubbed on me too much…

…

The next morning he woke up surrounded by a wonderful soothing scent and got up after a stretch to get ready to work but in his movement he fell on his hands and feet from the very high bed.

"ouch"

He tried to get up but weirdly tangled himself and fell on his backside and stared at the very big ancient engraved mirror overlooking him.

I don't remember this mirror… he thought. There were little creatures engraved in the frame and other drew directly on the glass. But something distracted him when he caught the reflection of it in the glass mirror.

…Why is there an enormous fluffy cat in my room?! Ren observed with wonder.

He raised his hand to his temple, thinking the drink he had half drank had been more strong than he thought and the cat scratched his own head.

He didn't think anything of it until Rent tried to rub his neck and the cat copied his movement.

He froze. Shook himself with an inward laugh but in his tentative it happened once more.

He moved again and again, realisation hitting him while on the other hand he was trying to persuade himself it was a dream.

He attempted to talk but a hoarse mew came out and he jumped on the side and rolled, groaning and growling all the while, desperate.

"I'm a cat. I'm a fucking cat."

He pinched himself but scratched his arm, no, leg instead.

I'm really a cat…It's not a dream!...I'm a fucking cat! Ren thought with panic setting inside.

He observed himself in the glass with growing horror, a little mane a bit lighter than the rest was circling his neck, he had hair sticking on his ears, his big paws were also full of hair and a big plushy tail was moving from side to side with vigour.

"What do have hair everywhere? Since when cats have hair between the toes?" Why is there fur everywhere?! Damnit!"

He looked down and breathed a sigh a relief.

At least, everything it's there Ren thought that would have been too much to bear if he had to witness he was castrated. The three pieces all there. Wait.

Wait. Wait. Wait.

He looked down again.

One. And two.

Where is the main part?!

Where is my penis?! Who is the incapable vet who did this to a poor cat, currently me?!

He run in loops frantically looking for it until it hit him and he dropped himself on the side heavily. Cats and lot of animals had retractable genitals.

I'm an idiot. A fucking idiot. Try to remember your courses, man

Leisurely stretched on the carpet and tired after his recent panic, Ren looked at his reflection in the mirror and his nerves rattled again.

Why am I a bloody cat? Why am I a bloody cat?

Why am I a cat?!

…

Kyoko was drinking some coffee still half-asleep and sustaining food for Snow. The cute furry white thing throwing herself at the food like she hadn't had any for days. Kyoko chuckled.

"You know, I fed you last night. Don't gobble it like that, it's not your last dish."

The little voracious thing ignored her of course and Kyoko pet her in attempt to slow her down.

"You are going to throw up later if you syphon it like that."

The snowy white cat purred but didn't stop and Kyoko gave up stopping her, her thoughts drifting away.

To a familiar huge man who the sweet husky voice never failed to entrap her in some sort of sexy spell. She had him on the phone one week ago. And sure enough, once again, she was jinxed by his sensual voice full of promises she knew she was only imagining. She had been away for a bit more than two years now and the hazard made it so they never once were able to meet. She was too busy with some of her roles and work and Ren too. She would soon be twenty and Kyoko regretted she wasn't able to see him for the holiday season. With time away, she had become quite fond of the Christmas traditions and its magic that were a lot more present in Canada or in the US. But more of all, she just missed him greatly. They had become closer and her feelings had increased.

She wanted to be with him and though she knew it was unlikely she couldn't help sometimes to feel that there were underneath messages and that he wished for it too.

She had travel a lot and met some men and with time she somehow started to understand when a man was flirting or interested with her. So, the reason, it was so confusing. Ren was sending some of the same messages and it didn't make any sense. He would say something very sweet or his voice would turn especially tender or full of innuendos and Kyoko would froze on the spot, persuaded she had just imagined it half of the time and would brush it off.

But then she would remember he was just being Ren. And he has always been a flirty teasing person with her and she figured it was just his way to be with her and well; that's all, unfortunately.

Still…I miss him…

She was approximately there in her reflexions when an agonising screeching sound coming from her bedroom echoed in her flat and made her jumped high in the air.

God…What was that? Kyoko thought, passing her hand in her slick copper short hair to calm herself.

"Miargghhrrrowwwwwwl…"

Kyoko raised a brow. It was a scary noise. She took a broom and went to her room in subdued steps.

She creaked open the door, on edge, but what was her surprise when she discovered an incredibly colossal black as night main coon cat on her carpet. Growling and forcing out all kind of sounds out, the fur standing from end to the other, the beautiful massive thing was rolling on himself like he had a hard time staying upright before he feel once more and hit hard the nightstand.

Kyoko giggled. How did it get inside?

"Now, what are you doing here, cute little thing? "Kyoko said chuckling to herself in the irony of her choice of words.

The cat, upside-down, turned slowly and his eyes grew in fear in front of before it shrieked again, paralysed and starring at her. What a weird cat.

…

Ren didn't notice the door opening too busy panicking on his new state and then he hit his head hard on something and couldn't focus until he heard a voice.

Not a voice. Her voice!

But it couldn't be; she was in another country.

Ren turned his head slowly and sure enough, his beautiful Kyoko was staring at him with amusement and perplexity.

No way. No way. No way.

What are you doing there? Wait, the scent on the bed. It's her scent. What am I in her bedroom?!

He blushed inwardly at that thought but sobered quickly, there was something vital here.

She can't see me like that…I'm a fucking cat…hide…I must hide.

He scrambled to get in a standing position when she talked again.

"Come here, kitty. I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise."

Not coming, not coming. Not in hell. Come on come on…An hideout quick.

Under the bed!

He was finally standing and ready to spring to the bed when two soft hands grabbed him rudely.

Hey!

Two points of views in one from now on.

Kyoko lift him in the air to see him more clearly.

"What a beautiful thing you are. I never saw such a huge cat. I knew main coons were big but you must be one of the biggest existing."

He's really a giant one…his fur is so smooth and fluffy…

"So fluffy and cute" Kyoko said before kissing the nose of a stone frozen Ren.

He blushed violently under his fur.

What are you doing?! I'm not a cat! And I'm not cute!

"Now, I wonder who is your owner? It's unlikely such a beautiful cat doesn't have a home."

It's because I'm no cat. And I don't have an owner.

He growled lowly and Kyoko reprimanded him.

"Stop it, would you. I won't harm you. It's not polite. You seem to have a strong character quite different from your outside look though. "

Kyoko rubbed him under his chin and a weird sound start coming from his throat.

"I was always told main coons are just cuddly bear-cat very clingy and kind. There, isn't it better. No need to freak out."

I was shifted forcefully into a cat, am I not allowed being a little bit upset? He thought bitterly. What's that? What's coming out from my throat?

"What a rough purr" Kyoko exclaimed Kyoko with delight.

It makes me think of a voice I know…

Though, his voice is more of sensual rough kind of way than a raspy one Kyoko thought.

Purr? I'm purring. You've got to be kidding?! And I can't seem to stop! Kyoko, stop rubbing my chin! No, my head is no better. Stop it. I don't want to purr. Sto-…purr

"Now, let's see if you are male or female, though I have a good guess but just to be sure."

Ren's eyes blinked open in shock when he was lift even higher.

I beg you pardon!?

Where are you looking at?! He begun to miaowled hysterically and tried to cross his hind legs desperately.

"Just a second, sweetie. I just need to check quickly."

No no and no! No way. You absolutely don't need to do that. I'm a man, of course, I'm male. Isn't it obvious.

She unfolded his legs and he gurgled outrageously.

Kyoko Mogami!

Stop looking at my private area!

Wow Thought Kyoko.

"Well, you are incredibly well-furnished."

I'm…what?! He groaned in an agonising miaowl, embarrassed to death. Please stop. It's a dream. Just a dream, I finally went mad with how much I missed her and I'm dreaming…

He miaowled and miaowled until finally she stopped looking at his balls.

Thanks god…

"There, there. It wasn't so bad, was it now?" Kyoko said before holding him against her.

It was traumatising…And so tiring…why am I so tired?

She pet him some more and soothed by her scent, he progressively calm down. It's not so bad like that…it's very comfortable, even. I missed you so much and you are finally there and I'm fucking cat…I can't even talk to you…

"Hum, well I don't know what I'm going to do with you but we might need to go to the vet to operate you. I bet it's like that you came here, you are intact so you must be wandering around a lot. I'm going to call the vet, come with me. Maybe he might even know you or your owner" Kyoko commented going through the hall in direction of the kitchen where she left her phone.

Ren's eyes snapped open in terror.

You are going to what?! NO!

-Miaowww….Miaowww….Miaowww….

No no no no…

He struggled to get out of her embrace but to no avail, he didn't have mastered how to use his paws yet and was very clumsy.

"Don't struggle so much. Don't worry, I know the vet isn't something cats like but it will be okay."

Kyoko couldn't let him wander everywhere like that, he could get caught by the animal shelter and might not see his owner ever again if it was to happen.

No, it won't! Please! I don't want to be castrate. I want to have children one day….I want to have children with you...

She reached her phone and Ren sweated.

Kyoko Mogami! He growled, I forbid you to castrate me or I swear to god even if I adore you I'm gonna bit you!

-Miaowwwwgrll!

Kyoko looked at him with wonders, he looked furious and terrified. Could he have figured what I planned? She wasn't sure she would be able to get him to the vet with how much he fight to leave her arms and she didn't know him enough to know to act with him. He wasn't scratching her but she wasn't sure if she wanted to push her luck without knowing him. Taking his tail on the way, she secured one hand under his butt but he squeaked and she thought she had hurt him.

"Sorry, did I hurt you?"

He stared at her with pleading eyes and for the first time she noticed the beautiful emeralds eyes he had.

The tone of it, the colour is so similar to the one of…

She couldn't believe it; it really looked like His eyes.

Ren noticed a little white fur ball on the counter and recognized from the pictures he saw the cat of her Kyoko.

"Miaow…help" He asked. Maybe she could help him convince Kyoko he didn't to go to the vet. She was his only chance.

She ignored him.

He tried again.

"What? "The little cat finally said turning her blue eyes to him.

"Tell her I don't need to go to the vet…"

"I'm a cat, she can't understand idiot."

He sighed.

"She wants to castrate me…"

"And? "

"How do you escape it when she wants to take you to the vet?"

"I don't, most of the time."

"Please. I'm not a cat, I'm a human."

The little cat looked at him like he lost his mind and Ren thought it was a dead end.

Kyoko noticed the looks between Snow and the cat in her arms, knowing she had to act fast.

"Oh no, you won't Kyoko said. That's one of the reasons you can't stay like that. I won't let you go trying to woe my Snow and make her babies."

Ren miaowled, shocked and dead-embarrassed.

He huffed and hissed angrily.

"What would I want her…It's you I want…"he miaowledwith irritation.

Snow hissed with irritation.

"I'll help you" Snow still grumbled eventually and Ren sighed in relief.

Snow miaowled at Kyoko and she turned to her.

"What? "Kyoko asked

Snow moved on the counter and subtlety brushed a little box of meds then again and again, banally like it was an innocent move but Kyoko's eyes caught it after a while and Ren saw thinking for a while.

"Fine, you both win. I suppose I can ask a vet to come check on you and ask if there are pills for males cats at the same time. But I won't let you come close to each other until then."

It's ridiculous…Thought Ren. But inside, he was pretty relieved. He would escape castration if everything goes well.

"Thank you" He said to Snow.

"Don't thank me yet…I'm still not convinced you are saying the truth…But you are enough weird for it to be doubtful…Plus, you have to escape the vet intentions once he sees you…"

Fortunately enough, pills for males exist and when the vet came beside a very intimate and intruding check out, he got out of it unscathed. Though now Kyoko was committed to give him the contraceptive pill and he was hell-bended on not taking it. The vet hadn't find any owner of course and Kyoko had accepted to keep him with her if there wasn't any change or person reaching out in ten days.

She even tried to feed him cat's food but he simply refused to even come close to it. He wasn't a big fan of human food so if she thought he was ever eating this, she was delusional.

Ren focused the remaining of the day in calming himself, hoping he would wake up from a dream, trying to walk like a cat under the laughing eyes of Snow and her mistress and to not fall asleep all the time.

The tiredness of the day eventually won and after hiding himself in a corner, he fell asleep.

He woke up some time later in the early hours just before the sun rose, unsettled by a weird feeling crippling under his fur.

I'm still a cat…

In the quiet flat, He supposed Kyoko was sleeping and he got out of the closet he had hide himself in.

Ren went into the living-room and noticed the little light coming from the moon coming through the window.

He closed in and looked through the window at the sky wondering what could have happening and how could something like this be real. On one side, he was really happy to see her, finally after all this time but on the other hand Ren felt quite anxious. How was he going to get himself out of this. The only way he could think of was to make her understand he was him but it didn't mean she would have a solution. It was a completely different league of issue.

Ren wasn't really looking, his ears a bit bent and his tail flapping the tiles with stress when a star seemed to shine brighter than others and a translucent figure flew down to him floating in the dawn air like a petal, free of bonds and swaying toward him. Becoming brighter, growing bigger and blinding him in this indescribable cold and shiny aura.

A foot touch the ground and some sort of humanoid being stood in front of him with an inviting smile. Ren couldn't really definite what it looks like, his form had stayed luminous, like a too bright white lamp. He could tell it was feminine because of the hair and very blurry curves. He could tell it has wings through which he could still see the sun rising. He could tell he has some animals parts in it. White tail, white ears.

But that was about all.

I must have lost it…there is no other explanation…

The female being smiled at him.

"Hi Ren. Or should I say Kuon Hizuri?"

Ren grimaced but was forced to admit he wasn't dreaming.

"Hi,hum?"

"I'm the Star of fairies."

I feel like I stepped in one of Kyoko's favourite stories…Definitively gone nuts…

"You have a tail and ears "Ren blurted out.

"Appropriate considering the context, don't you think?"

"Are you saying what I –"

She smiled.

"Am I saying it's because of you? Am I saying I'm the one who transformed you? Yes."

"Why?"

"Can't you guess already?"

"I'm not sure of anything right now, so no. I just feel like I changed of reality "Ren grumbled with a disabused smile.

The entity stared at him with understanding.

"My other name is the Christmas Star."

"I don't see how it enlightens me…"

"The Christmas Star is the one that grant wishes, especially around Christmas time where my abilities are the strongest. "

Ren was ready to protest when the being cut him.

"You are right. Christmas is still 25 days away. Mind you I can't do that with everyone unless they formulate it explicitly or unless it's around five days' timeframe from Christmas which usually for the last one reduce considerably the possibilities to act and fulfil in the right ways the wishes. But you answered the first imperative. You made a wish."

"I did?"

He didn't remember making a wish to become a cat, a giant fluffy cat nonetheless.

"You did. You made a wish."

She chuckled like she was reading his mind.

"Magic is something that has a mind on its own…it will follow the best way it thinks to grant a wish…"

"I don't understand…"He said, lost. What does it has with everything?

"You did make a wish, last night…But not to become a cat, am I right? The entity said with another smile."

Ren's jaw went slack when he finally understood and he nodded numbly.

"You wished to be with her."

"I-..I did."

"But I'm a f***-…I'm a cat, sorry Ren try to rationalize. My wish wasn't that. I wish to be with her like-"

"I know. You wish to be together. Not in the same place. But in the same feelings" She said with a gentle smile. "But here is the thing, the wish isn't necessarily grant in the instant. It's like, the process to accomplish it begun. The wish can fulfil itself in different way."

"How so?" Ren asked." I'm a cat. I can't talk to her. I can't be with her, I can share her life like this."

"Yes you can. An animal can share a lot of things with its owner. The wish made you closer from her in the space but it isn't something you just win."

Ren just observed her, trying to understand but failing. He did wish to be with Kyoko but how could he-

She smiled again, shaking her head and raising a hand to cut any more protestation.

"It's love you want from her "she explained." It can't be force upon her. We can make you close to her but you have to win her loves by yourself. But as I said, if you can't it will the wish will find a way to fulfil itself."

"I'm not sure I understand" Ren said. He didn't want Kyoko to love him because of magic but she just said that if he couldn't do it, the wish will find a way.

"As I said, love it's a free electron. We can't manipulate it. Let me explain how it works. "

He nodded.

"The wish made you a cat so that you could in the same place than her, with her. But for it to works you will have to make her loves you. But first you will have to make her understand you are Ren as a cat. You will not be able to become human again. More precisely, you might become human one or two hours in the day and more like three in the night as you come closer to the full moon but for everyone beside you, you will still look like a cat. It didn't happen this night because it was the night the spell befell on you but it will start after this night."

"You mean I will become human again?"

"Yes. But only to you. Everyone will see you as a cat. And only for very short periods of time at first. It will only be around Christmas and when the time of the full moon close in that it will reach something like five hours day and night confounded where you will be human."

Ren thought for a moment.

"Then what's the point? For me to become human if no one can see me otherwise than as a cat…"He demanded, frustrated.

"Because, the entity said raising a finger, there is a catch. You have to prove to Kyoko you are Ren and she must accept it. But the moment she believes it, she will be able to see you as an human when you will shift. "

Ren's eyes grew in understanding.

"She has to believe I'm me for her to see me as an human."

"That's right. But there is more " The entity warned with a severe face.

"I'm listening "Ren said finally finding something good in all this.

2You will have 25 days to make her understand and believe the form you donned as a cat hide in fact Ren Tsuruga. 25 days Ren, no more. Starting now. Because I came later than planned and you didn't know, you will have to the dawn of the 26th December to not only make her believe the cat is you but also to make her loves you. If you manage that, the spell will be broken and you will become an human again permanently. But it has to done explicitly. Both party have to express what they feel explicitly."

"What?!"

"That's impossible" protested had need years to be just friends. There was no way he could make her see him as a man in 25th days, let alone makes her love him. And even more as he was stuck in a cat form.

She smiled in a kind but sad way.

"It's not. I can assure you that it is possible and you being a cat is supposed to help you do that, whatever you're thinking. Not exactly the same, it already happened. All will depend on you. You had just been given a little push."

Ren sighed. There was no way.

"If you don't believe in it. It sure won't happen."

Right. I need to at least try.

"One last thing, she added after a while. "If you can't do it-"

"If I can't?"

"I said it, the wish will find a way to accomplish itself. So, if you can't, you will stay with her forever. "

"How is that b-"But he interrupted his sentence, beginning to understand what was the price.

"As a cat "they both said at the same time.

"That's right she nodded, you will be with her and the wish will be granted by keeping you to her sides as a cat. It's not the way I wish for things to go for you of course. But you had to know what's at stake. Because if you ask me now, right this moment to undo what I've done, I can still do it."

"I will become human again?"

"Yes."

"But I will be back at my flat in Korea, right?"

"Yes."

"And I will miss what might be my only opportunity in years to be with her?"

-"Maybe" the entity answered with a slight pull at her lips.

"I'm going to bet on my foolish wish."

Oh, he knew he had not high luck in this but for the first time in years he could spend time with her and once the first shock passed and explanations done, he was willing to do it. His soul couldn't bear to not try, to be that far, to not see her for who knows how long…

If it's my only chance to be with her, then…

He was starting to think being a cat but with her was still better than not being at her sides.

"I accept it."

"Alright then, the female figure stated with authority," by the powers whose are mine I'm now granting a wish, an opportunity for this man with many names, Ren Tsuruga, Kuon Hizuri, Corn. Starting this hour, he will be given 25th days in the form of a cat to make Kyoko Mogami believe this cat is him, that he loves her and makes her loves him. If success, he will win back his human form to be with her, together in hearts. If he fails, he will remain with her permanently as a cat."

The entity pulled out a glassy snowy paper and presented to Ren.

"Put your paw on it and repeat the wish you made last night inside your head," she instructed.

He did so without any hesitation, putting his left paw on the snowy parchment and wished again, I want to be with her.

The paw-print glowed a light blue and the parchment disappeared.

"It's sealed. I will visit you five days before Christmas. Good luck. Let's wish Ren. "

Yeah, let's wish Ren thought.

PS: So , I hope you will like it. It's the first chapter of 12 or 13 chapters in honour of Christmas. I will normally post second chapter on December 1st or 2nd and then depending, once by two days.

I was supposed to post this one only on 1st December but Persephone is getting impatient so I decided to tease her a bit even though she already read this. Nyarkk.