Author's Notes: This is dedicated to my mommy. ^-^ Because, as a write this fic, I'm at my dad's. She wants me to go home now, but I know it would interrupt my train of thought if I stop now and continue there. So this is dedicated to my mommy. I love you—I will be there tomorrow, and we will spend Christmas together!! ^-^
Disclaimer: Milluc, Milluc, Milluc!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I know there's still no sign of THE Tandem, but they will be here—plots in my fanfics are made by me. I AM the only Millie/Luc fan after all [that is, aside from my friends, but they aren't fans FANS if you know what I mean]. But the characters, places—anything in the games are by Konami. Yessssh. I love you, Konami-sama, except for the fact that you made Luc the villain in Suikoden 3, totally changed his appearance, killed him off, though of such a sorry shabby utterly tasteless character such as Sera, made Yuber look like Michael Jackson, brought that Albert who stole Seed-kun's bishie looks, made that sorry excuse for a Suikoden game called Suikoden 3, etc, etc… [goes on for hours].
Carol of the Bells
Chapter 2: Family
"EEK!! Riou-dono!!!"
"T-Tomo!!" Riou sputtered. He dove back in bed and pulled up the covers to his chin, protectively covering his sleepwear. Or the lack of it. "W-w-what, what are you doing here??!" He demanded, his cheeks turning red.
Tomo looked at him through the tiny gaps in her hands. Finding the view safe enough, she removed them. "I have a request, Riou-dono." She said, the pink spots on her cheeks not quite fading.
"W-well…" Riou said, wishing he'd stop stammering. "What… what is it, then?"
"Please, please Riou-dono!!" Tomo glided to the side of his bed and got down on her knees, taking both of his hands in hers. "Please send my father back!!"
"What—but…"
"Tousan," Tomo began. "He and Kaasan are separated. I wish… I wish they would be together again. Tousan respects you—he listens to you. If only you would send him back…"
Riou shook his head regretfully. "I can't do that."
Tomo sighed and lowered her head, not wanting Riou to see the tears that were forming in her eyes.
"You see…" Riou said, trying to explain. "I didn't understand before. Why am I making these people join my cause? At first I thought, I just needed more people, to fight, to kill the enemy—and that… saddens me, thinking I am just collecting more people to die…" He bit his lip.
"But now I realize… this is no coincidence. That I am here… that Tsai-san is here… that you are here…" Riou squeezes her hands and pulled her up. "Tomo-chan…"
"Huh??" Tomo looks up at him. Riou pats the edge of his bed and she sat there.
"All of us are important. Each of us has a specific role to play—a role that no one else can handle." Riou smiled at her. "I can't send your father back—or you. Not now. Not until we have fulfilled our roles—not until we win. All of us."
Tomo smiled back despite her tears. "I-I understand, Riou-dono."
"Hehe…" Riou scratches his head, a bashful smile on his face. "Just call me Riou—or Riou-chan, if you want…"
"Oh…" Tomo blushed. "Okay. Riou—Riou-chan."
"And… if you want… I will tell your father, after this war, to go home with you…" Riou said. "I won't order him though—I will just… suggest it." He gave another shy smile. Tomo can't help but laugh.
"Thank you very much, Riou-chan." She says and hugged him.
"Riou-chaaaaaan!!!!!" Nanami bounded in the room. Her hand flew to her mouth, and she stammered, flustered. "Oh!!! Excuse me!!! Breakfast is ready!!! Must eat now—both of you!!!" She winked at them and laughed before leaving.
Tomo immediately drew back her arms and looked down, wringing her hands. Riou could feel a bead of sweat slide down his forehead. "Onee-chan…"
"H-huh??!" Tomo stared at him.
"Why??" Riou chuckled nervously. "What's wrong??"
"You called Sempai, 'onee-chan'."
"Well," Riou says, looking confused. "She is my onee-chan, y'know…"
"I know!!" Tomo says. "But—you never call Nanami-sempai that!!"
Riou grinned. "Because she'll never let me hear the end of it…"
Nanami stepped out of Riou's room and headed for the kitchen. I have to get some food up to Riou or else he won't eat breakfast again—or he'll eat at Hai Yo's. She frowned. It's almost as if… Riou-chan is avoiding my cooking. Nah, that can't be…
I have to bring something for Tomo too… little Riou's 'guest'… Nanami giggles. Oh well, it's good if they become friends… I've always rather liked Tomo-chan… She's nice, and she's good enough to spar with Riou, that should keep his head in check…It would be good for Riou to make a cute new friend, the only friend he's really ever had is Jowy…
I wonder how Jowy is… Nanami sighed wistfully. I'll bet he's sleeping in—again. He always wakes up late—but then… He's the Highland King now… He's probably busy… Nanami bit at her nails, frowning. I wonder if he's eating enough… What if nobody reminds him to eat his carrots??! He's probably over-exerting himself… he's always like that… Oh Jowy… Nanami hastily wipes away her tears. The Highland King… My little brother's enemy… My childhood sweetheart…Jowy…
"Nanami-neechan? What's the matter??"
"Oh! Millie-chan…" Nanami forces a smile. "Nothing… nothing… I was just—"
"Thinking of Jowy again?" A sad, worried frown marred Millie's face. She pulls out a hanky and gives it to Nanami. "I know you are. You always have that look in your face when you're thinking of Jowy…"
"Yes…" Nanami sighed. "It's just that, I miss him… so much…"
"Yeah…" Millie smiled wanly. "I didn't know him that well, but we had some fun times back at the fort and in Muse, right?"
"Right," Nanami giggled through her tears. "Do you remember that time we first met Templton? Jowy stalked out of the fort and demanded who was 'that brazen little boy who had the nerve to just approach two ladies'… He was rather threatened, I think, I mean, a cute young mapmaker with blond hair and blue eyes like him!! I could almost swear he was jealous…"
"Oh he certainly was jealous!!" Millie squealed. "And there was that time, when we were trying to enter Muse—he blew the whole thing up!!"
"Oh, he did, didn't he??" Nanami laughed. "He wouldn't believe me too, he said I was the one who ruined everything!! Hahaha… I remember that time… I was waiting for him to come back… Riou too, and little Pilika… I almost thought the enemy had captured him… But I knew Jowy would always keep his promises… And he did. He did come back. I was so relieved." Nanami gave Millie an ironic smile. "Little did I know… that one lapse… that was what would lead him to be on the enemy's side…"
"Well…" Millie bounced on her toes—trying to think of a way to change the subject, not liking the direction the conversation was taking. "Y'know what Onee-chan, I'm shopping for Christmas presents today!! Would you like to come with me?"
"C-christmas presents??" Nanami asked incredulously.
"I know it's a little late," Millie pressed on, taking Nanami's hand. "But that's okay, we still have time before Christmas!!"
"B-but…" Nanami stammered as Millie dragged her along. "I still need to get Riou and Tomo some food—"
"Riou-san can manage," Millie says, grinning eagerly. "Come on now!! You can buy Jowy-san a present—and give it to him after the war. It's the thought that counts anyway…"
"W-wait!!" Nanami cried. She dug her heels in the floor, forcing Millie to stop.
"Nee-chan…" Millie looked back, expecting to see an indiganant and angry Nanami.
But Nanami smiled—and this time, Nanami's smile was bright and genuine. "That's right!! There is absolutely no excuse for forgetting to get Jowy a present!! And for Riou-chan as well!!" Nanami flexed her legs a little then ran, pulling Millie along. "C'mon, Millie-chan—hurry up!!!"
"Not so fast, Nanami-neechan!!" Millie squealed. I believe… you can be together again someday, you and Jowy… that's why, we must strive, right now, just for that goal!! You can't forget about Jowy, not at Christmas!!! Millie picked up her pace so she and Nanami are running, together.