Standard Disclaimer : Vandread is not mine. It is the sole property of GONZO studios.

The Way Love Works.(CHPTR : 1)

It was Christmas Eve. Everyone, including the men, who are new to this custom of Christmas, was very enthusiastic and excited. It was almost a year after the Men of Talark came onto Nirvana. Though at first it was a bit rough, the crew found it was possible to get along.

Bart, still over his (bald) head, was explaining to some of the men about Christmas. "On the Eve of the 25th of December, women celebrate a festival called Christmas." "Christmas?" The men repeated, confused. "During this time, women exchange presents with each other to improve their friendship." "Nani????? You mean we have to give presents to every last one on the ship??????????" The men fired back. "Err..you see.." "Bart, you suck when it comes to explain about Christmas." Paiway suddenly popped out of nowhere behind Bart. "What do you mean!?" shouted Bart. "Ok, ok, Bart. You don't have to shout. Look, just let ME explain." "During Christmas, we do exchange presents with each other. But, we don't have to do it with everyone, you know." Paiway casted a mocking glance back to Bart. "Anyway, you................." As Paiway continued to explain, there was a distinguished blush on the face of some of the men. (Since all of the crew got along with the men, here and there were rumors about 'extended' relationships between the some of the men and women.) During all the commotion, Bart stared out to the bridge...then, all of a sudden, he, too started to blush.

"Hibiki? Hibiki?" Again, Dita was rummaging around Nirvana searching for his dear beloved Uchujii-san. Since Hibiki called her name that fateful day they went to Talark to recruit men to come onboard Nirvana, the unprecedented feelings for Hibiki grew stronger. As for Hibiki, though he didn't tell it directly, Dita knew that he loved her. But one thing hasn't changed. Hibiki still thought Dita was a bit annoying.

"Here you are!!" Dita finally found Hibiki, who was hiding inside of an old room(the one they found the x'mas tape) "Pyoro-san said that I'll find you here!!" Dita said this as she lunged forward to hug Hibiki. "Doko? Hey..when are you guys gonna stop necking huh?" Jura was mocking as she said this. With a winking motion, she said "Don't go too far guys, especially you, Dita. You can't fight if you're pregnant, you know?" Both Dita and Hibiki were blushing like crazy by now. "I..we.." Dita was repeating again and again. Hibiki, still blushing, burst out "What do you mean???!! I.we.I mean..what are you talking about??" "You don't think I don't know about it, don't you?" Jura looked at Dita and continued "Misty told me that the both of you asked her about 'that thing' the other day. Pyoro was there, too, right? He also told me that the both of you had very 'cute' faces when you learned about it . Oh, how I wished I was there to see those faces you had back then." "Misty..Pyoro..I'll kill the both of you when all of this finishes."





Hibiki was just about to burst out again when Duero and Parfet came into the room. "Did anyone of you seen Bart? He set Nirvana on to AutoPilot and now he's gone!" asked Parfet. "So, what the heck is the problem? There's no enemy or asteroids, right!? Why worry?" replied a very furious Hibiki. "It seems that Bart set Nirvana to orbit the comet we're passing by." The doctor replied. "Are? What did Mr. Pilot do that for?" "Now that I think of it, some of the crew said Bart took a bangata out just a while ago." Jura said, after thinking for a while. "Eh?! Is he doing what I think he's doing? You remember, right Dita? Last Christmas, you know!? The Christmas when I gave you a piece of ice from the comet as a present?!" "Huh? Sorry Hibiki, I don't remember at all." Hibiki frowned at this response "Really, you girls really are forgetful." "I was joking! I was joking! Hibiki, you look really cute when you frown." At this remark, Hibiki blushed heavily when Dita put her hand on his cheek. "Ano. Come on guys. Let's leave these love birds alone." Whispered Jura to Duero and Parfet.

"Are-wa? Where are you guys going?" Dita's voice sprung up when she saw the trio tiptoeing their way out of the room. "Are you going somewhere?" "Uh...no, we're not going anywhere. We were just going to go out and lock the two of you together for Christmas. Jura replied with a sweat dropping. "I see.....NANI!!!!!!!!???????????" Hibiki retorted. As he lunged to get to the door, The lights went off. *CRASH* not seeing, Hibiki crashed into a pile of boxes piled up next to the door. "Hibiki? What was that sound...I can't see anything!" Dita's voice called Hibiki as she walked around the room looking for the light switch. *Clunk*(the sound of doors locking.) "Oh no...Hibiki! They locked us up!!" Cried Dita. "Never mind! Just find that darn switch and find out the way outta here afterwards!" The both of them fumbled around the room looking for the light switch. After about half an hour, both Hibiki and Dita were tired. "ARGH!!!! I swear! When I'm outta here, I'm gonna rip off everyone that made this mess!!" frustrated, sweating and tired, both Hibiki and Dita took off their jackets. This left them with only their inner shirts on. "Huh.come on.just open the damn lights.." muttered Hibiki as he stretched out both his hand to the wall to lean with his hands. Suddenly the lights came on. "Huh!? WooHoo! Alrite! Dita! Come on! Now, let's find a way outta here!" "I'm right here Hibiki." Hibiki turned his head around just to face a truly awkward and unprecedented situation ^^.

Meanwhile...A sketchy figure of a Bangata can be seen on the surface of the icy comet. Is it Bart? Or..is it something else.????????

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