Disclaimer: ………
Title: Christmas Time
Rating: PG
Chapter 6: At The Coffee Shop
"So... How are we supposed to find a tree in Tokyo?" Kamui asked, while hugging himself to keep himself warm. The Dragons (well, the men, anyway) were gathered in a coffee shop near school to plan where to get the Christmas tree for the mansion.
"There are various tree farms around here, Kamui." Fuuma said, patting his friend's back.
"True. The question is, which one are we going to go to in order to get the tree?" Seishirou inquired.
"I'm thinking the one in Shibuya would be nice. I've been there before with my sister, and they always had a great selection. All our Christmas trees were bought from that farm." Subaru said, sipping his mocha coffee. He'd said it quite calmly... which probably would have been a big feat for him. After '99, he'd finally learned how precious his friends were and that though one should never forget the dead, he always must move on with his life, not back off and live in only memories and hate.
Seishirou put a comforting hand around Subaru's shoulders. If one did not know him well, they would never have seen the glint of regret and infinite apology in his eyes (yes, eyes. Both eyes. ^-^v)
"I've been there when I was little too. And I have to agree with Subaru-san; they do have a great selection of trees there every year." Yuuto fiddled with the rim of his mug. "I always thought the trees there were pretty when I was a boy. Haven't been there in a long while though. Would be nice to see how it is now... changed or not." The underlying message of 'what may have come to happen' was hanging in the air. Yuuto cast an apologetic look to everyone. "Gomen nasai, minna. I shouldn't have made the mood so down."
"Nah, it's okay." Sorata gave a grin. "We were all thinking the same stuff, anyway. It doesn't really matter whether anyone brings up the subject or not."
"No, it doesn't." Seiichirou agreed. "The idea would have popped up sometime, whether it be here and now or not here and not now. It doesn't matter, now that we're all well and alive. And that's enough, I guess. We have another shot at life. Tokyo's almost back to the way it was. I'm just grateful the fourteen-no wait, fifteen, that is- of us have another chance. Not everyone could come back to us, but at least we all have each other, past animosities forgotten."
"Yes, it's great to actually see the members of the Chi No Ryu without fighting to death, or at least certain injury. No more hospital bills. No more shots. No more surgeries. Yay!" Sorata's bouncy attitude seemed to instantly cheer everyone up.
"Eh, now that we're done with our coffee, and we're done with the conversation, I think we should head to this tree farm in Shibuya. If Subaru-san and Yuuto-san think it's that great, I REALLY want to see it." Kakyou laughed.
"What was that supposed to mean, Kakyou-san?" Subaru gave Kakyou a frown, but one can clearly see the merriment in his eyes.
"Nothing, nothing... Well, shall we get going?"
After the Dragons got out of the coffee shop (Seishirou, Yuuto, and Aoki got into a battle because they were deciding who would pay for the bill - as they were one of the only ones who made money and had jobs - but this was all settled when Subaru silently paid the frightened cashier while the other three of the "worker elite" were arguing), the Dragons all piled into cars and headed for the Shibuya Christmas Tree Farm.
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While the boys were talking in a coffee shop next to the CLAMP School Campus, the girls were also in a coffee shop chatting, though this coffee shop was located in the food court of the mall. Various bags were next to the table, each filled with cute outfits and gifts wrapped in bright wrapping paper.
"I'm so happy we can all come shopping together!" Yuzuriha said happily, while eating a Hagen Daaz Cookie Dough Ice Cream (Don't ask me how she can eat ice cream in the middle of winter… I've actually seen people eat ice cream in the streets with short sleeves on in the middle of February).
"It's a first, isn't it?" Karen agreed. "I looked forward to shopping with all the girls."
"You mean you never shopped together before?" Satsuki asked. She was the only Chi No Ryu in the group, but she thought all the others had gone shopping together at least once.
Arashi shook her head. "We never went shopping together. None of us had time- either Yuzu-chan and I were in school or Karen-san was working." She carefully avoided talking about The Subject. If Satsuki noticed, she didn't say anything. Smart move.
"And I was REALLY looking forward to this year, because everyone was gathering. Now we really can have fun!"
"You sound as if you barely go to the mall all year." Satsuki teased.
"Ehehe…^^;;;"
"Nevertheless, it's been a while since we've seen each other. We should have all the fun we can today. Especially since the boys aren't here" Karen pointed out.
"Why not the boys?"
"One: They're getting us a tree; Two: We can't talk about girl subjects - namely THEM - in front of those men; and Three: they WILL be joining us next time to carry our bags or us." Karen had a wicked gleam in her eyes.
"I like the sound of that... but I don't think the men will be too thrilled about it." Kotori smiled.
"Well, they're men. It's their job to hold the luggage for us." Karen pointed out. Yuzuriha smiled when she heard Karen point out the idea of men carrying luggage, for some reason.
"Yeah, just because they're men doesn't mean they can weasel out of the glory of shopping." Satsuki was beginning to get more and more into the subject.
"I should imagine you make sure Yuuto-kun carry all the bags for you, hmm, Satsuki-chan?" Kotori teased.
"Of course! He carries everything - from the grocery bags to the overnight bags I take to sleepovers. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G."
"Hmm…How about you, Karen-san? Does Aoki-san carry everything for you, too?"
"Well, we do our fair share, but yes, he does carry most of the bags and/or luggage. I believe your brother and Kamui-chan do everything, though?"
"That's the thing. They refuse to let me work. And I'm perfectly fine, too, with doing my share."
"They just love you that much. You should understand."
"True…"
"While we're on the subject..." Satsuki turned her eyes to Yuzuriha. The latter gulped nervously.
"I wonder, when will Yuzuriha ever get a boyfriend?" Satsuki said. Yuzuriha gasped.
"You wouldn't..."
"I would."
"Noooo!"
"Come on, it's gonna come out sooner or later. And you realize we can help you out with this."
"But it's so embarrassing..."
"What? What is it?" Karen and Kotori, naturally, were enthusiastic. Arashi didn't say anything, but the smile she was giving told Yuzuriha she had her attention.
"..." Yuzuriha had turned beet red. It seemed as though she was trying to make herself look invisible. Of course, this didn't work, and Satsuki took up for her.
"She has a crush on one of the older men."
"Oh, who?"
"He's..."
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A/N: Onward! ONE MORE LEFT!!!!!!!