Crunchy White Rain

By Secera Crystalfire

Disclaimer: As much as I wish otherwise, they aren't mine.

Notes of the Authoress: Probably the final chapter. Please, make me happy by reviewing! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Chapter 4: Of Kittens and Christmas Trees

The party was finally in progress. Surprisingly, everything had worked out all right. Even the punch tasted good, Crawford decided. Maybe he should have Nagi cook more often.

Schuldich laughed in the Oracle's mind. I don't think that the kid would agree with you. As an afterthought, he added You know Weiss is here, don't you? Don't turn around, but look under that tree behind you.

"How am I supposed to do that?" Crawford responded, forgetting that he was, in fact, standing to the right of Reiji Takatori and supposedly listening to a conversation.

"My view exactly," Reiji agreed. "It's impossible! We shouldn't…" he droned on.

Lucky, Bradley, very lucky. Schu smirked in his leader's mind. Yes, Schu can smirk telepathically. He's very talented.

Just be glad you're not expected to play bodyguard all night. God, the things I do for a bit more money…

Poor Bradley. Want me to come rescue you?

Don't call me that.

Sure, Bradley.

I'm hearing things! Reiji Takatori thought to himself. I'm going insane!

You see, the Christmas tree seemingly had a vendetta against him. Whenever Reiji walked by or even went anywhere near it, the cursed thing would mutter "Shi-ne Takatori!" in a vengeful tone. Strange, huh?

Nagi was in the midst of making a very important decision. To try the punch, or to not try the punch? That was the question. He was certain that it had something in it. Brad wouldn't approve of him drinking it. But then again, fearless leader didn't know--he himself had a glass of the orange-pink liquid in hand.

Naoe, you accuse me of trying to intoxicate the entire government in one night? You give me too much credit!

Nagi ignored the resident German and slunk away. Maybe later.

It was that moment that he came face-to-face with the blonde-haired computer specialist of Weiss. "Bombay?!"

A startled yelp "Prodigy?!" Bombay a.k.a. Omi a.k.a. Mamoru Takatori dropped the glass of punch he was holding. It splashed across the floor and splattered both of their feet. "Sorry! I didn't mean to…sorry."

"Not a problem," Nagi assured before walking away to find a new pair of shoes and socks to wear. What Omi would do, he wasn't sure. Oh well.

The young telekinetic ran into Farfarello in the hallway. Literally. The Irish man had found yet another sprig of mistletoe and was happily munching on it as Nagi was heading to his room. The distracted Naoe ran right into him.

Luckily, Farf was in one of his better moods. He let Nagi off with just a random comment: "Get rid of it's gone. Tell me if you find her."

Nagi shrugged and continued on his way, only slightly confused.

Gah! I give up! Get me away from here! Brad Crawford sent out the mental exclamation in hopes that everyone's favorite telepath would pick it up. He hated to ask for favors of anyone, but Takatori was beginning to drive him insane.

Hate to say it, Bradley, but you're already insane.

Shut up and think of an excuse to get me away from here.

Hai, koibito. But remember, you'll owe me.

Don't call me that!

"Whoa! Awesome wallpaper!" Ken was currently exploring the Schwarz residence and had broken into the room with the funky wallpaper. "It's like being in a bubble in space! Yotan, come look at this!"

"I'm coming," Yohji called out from down the hallway. He entered the room. "Gah! You're right! Schwarz lives in a bubble in space! Go get Aya."

They heard a door slam down the hallway somewhere. "I think we'd better go…" Ken said. "I don't want them to find us here." He dragged Yohji out of the room and the walked stealthily down the hallway back to the party.

Nagi pulled a spare pair of shoes out of his closet. Putting them on, he noticed a pink splotch on his white sock. Better change socks, too. He opened his sock draw.

And screamed.

For weeks after the Christmas party, people were still talking about the cat that suddenly, as is by magic, flew across the room and splashed into the bowl of punch accompanied by a boy's voice: "FARF, YOUR DAMN CAT HAD KITTENS IN MY SOCK DRAWER!!!"

Owari!