A Christmas Carol

By: Jaha Canon

Disclaimer: I still do not own any of the characters that I obviously do not own.

Yes, I am bored so I decided to continue on today…

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Takeshi and Akira landed at CLAMP School High School Division.

"This is here you attended school, right?" Akira asked.

"Right, so why are we here?" Takeshi asked in return.

Akira gestured in the direction of two high school boys walking up to them.

"Takepon! I bet you didn't eat breakfast this morning!" one of the boys told the other, pointing an accusing finger.

"That's Kentarou back when we were in high school." Takeshi said.

"Yes, and there's you too!" Akira added.

"How do you know?" past Takeshi asked.

"A good wife can sense these things!" Kentarou said beaming. "Like magic!"

"WHY YOU-!"

And Takeshi chased a giggling Kentarou away.

"I don't know why that bothered you so much." Akira commented.

"Well… erm… umm… I…" Takeshi stammered.

"But it looks like summer vacation started…" Akira politely interjected as they watched people run by them cheering. "Everyone is heading on some vacation somewhere!"

"Not everyone is going on a trip." Takeshi said.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me and my family?" high school Kentarou asked Takeshi's past self.

"No…" younger Takeshi replied. "I got stuff to do."

"Are you sure?" asked Kentarou.

Young Takeshi nodded.

"Okay… but I should remind you that the Bahamas are pretty romantic this time of year." Kentarou said.

With this, Takeshi turned and walked the other way grumbling.

"Have a good vacation!" Kentarou called after him.

"But you didn't have a good vacation, did you?" Akira asked Takeshi.

"It was okay…" Takeshi said.

"Except for the part when you collapsed due to malnutrition… you really should have listened to your friend, you know?" Akira said.

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"Takepon!" past Kentarou ran into Takeshi's hospital room. "Are you okay? I came as soon as I found out!"

"How did you find ou-" Takeshi started but was interrupted by a bear hug from Kentarou.

"I'll never leave you alone again! I promise!" Kentarou said.

Akira's expression was "Awww…"

Takeshi's left eyebrow was twitching.

"Why are you showing me these things?" Takeshi asked, "How is reliving my past going to help me?"

"These are memorable events that happened in your past…" Akira started.

"No- besides the hospital, these events are practically everyday of my life!" Takeshi said annoyed.

"True but-" Akira started.

"Haunt me no more, this is a waste of my time…" Takeshi said.

Akira looked unsure, "Okay then," he walked off, "I tried, Kaichou."

The minute Akira disappeared from sight, Takeshi passed out.

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He awoke again in his own house. He looked around- confused, knowing that the second spirit would surely show up. After a long time searching, he sat in his comfortable arm chair- wait- something is not right here.

"Could you please get up- sitting on people is not very nice!" came a voice from under him. He jumped up and turned to see a blonde boy sitting in his chair with a mischievous look on his face.

"Who are you?" Takeshi asked.

"I am Nokoru, the spirit of Christmas Presents- I mean Present!" he replied giggling. Hiding his face behind his fan. "Shall we go?"

Takeshi nodded. Nokoru stuck out his arm and Takeshi grabbed the robe's sleeve. They went out through the wall.

"Do you know who's house this is?" Nokoru asked.

"It's Kentarou's." Takeshi responded.

"Let's look in!" Nokoru said as he pulled the mortal closer to the window. Inside, Kentarou was having a party.

"It's your party, Kentarou, you should decide what game we play!"

"How about 20 questions?"

"Okay."

"Eri, you go first."

"Okay," Eri said. She looked thoughtful for a minute. "Okay, I'm ready."

"Is it living?"

"Yes, but I don't think it truly knows it is."

"Is it cold?"

"Most of the time."

"Does it live in a zoo?"

"No, it doesn't."

"Oh! I bet it's a penguin?"

"Not a penguin, Kentarou." Eri said as she hit him over the head. "Penguins live in the zoo."

"Is it Kentarou?" someone asked randomly.

"No, it's the exact opposite!"

"Oh, I know!" exclaimed one of the guests "It's that Takeshi guy!"

Takeshi started into the window ". . ."

"I've seen better games of 20 questions, though…" Nokoru said. "Come on!"

"Where are we going now?" Takeshi asked.

"See that little kid?" Nokoru asked.

Sure enough a small child was walking down the street. He hobbled on his crutch with stubborn determination.

"Do you remember that child?" Nokoru asked.

Takeshi searched his memory, "Not really."

"He asked you to donate money for his surgery 2 months ago, and you told him no."

"I thought someone else would fund it for him…" Takeshi replied defensively.

"So did all the other Takeshis of the world… unfortunately for this small, crippled, sick boy there are too many." Nokoru replied.

"But- he looks so ill and-"


"and what?"

"How much longer is he going to live?" Takeshi asked.

"Not much longer, according to his doctor." Nokoru answered.

Takeshi found money in his pockets and ran up to the kid… and right through him.

"I guess I can't give money to him now, huh?" Takeshi asked Nokoru. "Nokoru?"

But the spirit was gone.

Takeshi passed out once again.

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Alright, I hope you are enjoying this story. Let's see if I can get it done before Christmas!

Until next time,

-Jaha Canon