Jingle Bell

Chapter 2: Something is in the air and it's just not the snow

By: Kenka

Disclaimer: I think once is enough? I mean, don't you just feel tortured saying that you don't own such an excellent anime? I sure feel that.

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The door chime jingled noisily as the door opened and Akane looked up and smiled widely as she saw her older sister, Nabiki, coming towards her.

"Onne-san, how are you?" Akane asked amiably as Nabiki sat on the vacant seat opposite of Akane and gave her a suspicious glance. They were seated in a table for two in a not so popular restaurant away from the window where they could take secretly without anyone noticing or overhearing them.

A waiter promptly arrived and took their orders and the two sisters gladly named their selections. When he left, Nabiki turned her calculating and curious eyes to her younger sister. "So, Akane, why did you ask me for lunch?"

It had been a surprise to her when Akane had phoned her dormitory  room in college asking for lunch together. And Akane had that eager and thoughtful look in her eyes that clearly meant she was up to something. When it came to planning and having devious – though effective -  ideas, Nabiki's the master of it all.

Akane smiled mischievously at her. "Well, Nabiki-onne-san, you do know that it's nearing Christmas, ne?"

Nabiki arched an eyebrow at her sister. Of course she knew. It was so obvious with the snow, the red and white decorations everywhere, the Christmas lights and trees hanging in all stores and homes and the annoying Christmas songs and carols sounding everywhere. Even the little restaurant they were in was decked in red and white and the speakers were blaring with the song 'Rudolph the red nosed reindeer'.

"Well, I had noticed" Nabiki replied with a hint of sarcasm. But Akane was still so intrigued with her own idea to notice. "And, you're also aware that during Christmas we give each other gift's and well wishes?"

She was starting to get slightly annoyed at Akane. She could have gotten straight to the point on why she invited her for lunch without having to go through all these little sub-points along the way. But she kept her face neutral since even under the greatest of all pressure, Tendo Nabiki remained cool and composed.

Nabiki nodded. "Yeah and what has this got to do with your reason on why you invited me?"

Akane opened her mouth to answer when the waiter came back bringing a tray filled with plates of food. He left again and the two sisters started to dig in.

"So, Akane, what are you up to?"

There was a momentary pause. For someone who was very eager with the plan she had created, Akane suddenly felt nervous and apprehensive about it. When she had played with the idea in her head it seemed great and very touching and she was sure Ranma would like it. But now, facing the Mistress of all Plans, wily or not,  she wondered if her idea is actually as good as she thinks it is.

Nabiki frowned a little at Akane's unexpected silence and slight frown as she brought a piece of cut chicken to her mouth.

"Akane?"

"Well…you see Nabiki-onne-san, Ranma said to me earlier that well…"

"Aha!" Nabiki suddenly interjected at the mention of Ranma. "So, you are doing this for Ranma-kun, huh?"

Akane nodded as she chewed her noodles thoughtfully. "Yeah, I'm doing this for him because you see he hasn't experienced a real Christmas and he's feeling prejudiced against it…" Nabiki remained silent as Akane explained to her Ranma's feelings, her face devoid of emotion as usual. But internally, she was naming all the reasons why she should do whatever Akane was planning since her sister was still elucidating, and why she shouldn't do it.

"Okay. You're telling me that Ranma hates Christmas and it's all Saotome-san's fault, no surprise there, because he had never shown Ranma the true holiday and you want to do something to change his mind." Nabiki paused for Akane to correct anything but all she did was nod in agreement. "And…do you have any plan whatsoever to achieve your goal?"

"Yes, I do. I was pretty excited about it and I called you and asked you to meet me here so that you can improve my idea."

Nabiki rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she picked up her cup of tea with her other hand and took a sip. Akane bit into her sushi and waited for Nabiki to say something.

"And you're plan is…?"

Akane nodded and leaned over the table to whisper as Nabiki did the same. Akane cupped her hands around Nabiki's ear as she told her sister her plan in a whisper. Then, Akane's hands fell down and they sat back in their seats. Nabiki was quiet for a second before she smiled lightly.

"For someone who doesn't like surprises, you sure are a surprise yourself, Akane."

The younger sister's face broke into a huge and relieved smile and she felt glad that her sister, again, Mistress of all Plans, wily or not, liked the idea and thought of it as good.

"You're going to help me?"

A devious, small smile curved Nabiki's lips. "Sure, for five thousand yen."

Akane spluttered on her juice and wiped her lips with her napkin. "Nabiki-onne-san!" Her voice was chiding and exasperated.

Nabiki grinned and shrug, amused. "Just kidding. I'll do it Akane, under one condition."

She was half-prepared to do anything for her plan to pull through so Akane nodded.

"This'll be my Christmas gift to you and Ranma, got it? I won't get you anything else" Nabiki said. Her right hand was extended over the table for a handshake.

A smile lit up Akane's face and her brown eyes sparkled with laughter. She nodded and grasped her sister's hand and gave it a jaunty shake.

"Deal."

They sealed their bargain with a handshake and a drink of juice.

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There! Chapter 2. I know that I didn't exactly elaborate on Akane's idea but you should just find out in the coming chapters. That way, you keep reading and reviewing to know what she's up to. Thank you so much for all your nice reviews!