s-CRY-ed Christmas Special

Chapter Three

Scheris scanned over the choices of gowns that were laid amuck on her bed as she scratched her head in thought. "Hmm, I really should've decided last night. Perhaps, the turquoise one." she contemplated as she picked up the ocean green dress and huffed silently, throwing the garment back down on the mattress. "That one sucks too." she berated, heading towards her closet.

With finesse the Alter User tore her closet doors open, her blue eyes narrowing as she looked around the hangers of garbs. Her view slowly slipped towards a wrapped box lying patiently in the corner of the small space. Scheris smiled and placed her hand to her heart, "Ryuho, I just know you'll like it." the girl grinned as she spotted a very attractive ruby dress, hanging in the middle of the closet.

Scheris removed the garment and placed it against her body. "Just the same colour as his eyes." she observed as she backed up towards her bed so she could come into view of her vanity mirror. "Looks like it'll fit."

!!!

"Ah, Ryuho, your still here?" an Alter User with shoulder length brown hair inquired as the supposed youth raised his head from the computer screen he was gazing at to his commander. Martin Jigmar crossed his arms and raised a brow. "Everyone except for security has been relieved of their duties and took the opportunity to prep for the party, shouldn't you do the same?" the twenty six year old asked with a smirk as he took a seat beside the teen.

"I still have work to finish?" he said simply as he turned from his superior and went back to his typing on the computer, taking quick glances up at the large monitor watching the Native Alters reactions to the introductory process. Suddenly a thought struck up in the Alter User of Zetsuei, "Commander Jigmar you said all members have been relieved of their duties except security, right? So that must include the research and medical units as well, correct?" he questioned already knowing the answer.

The leader of Holy nodded his head and raised a brow in surprise in suspicion. "But why are you interested in...." the older member of Holy was cut off as the emerald haired youth got up from his seat and began heading towards the exit in a rush.

"Excuse me, Commander, but I think I will leave.......to prepare for the party, that is." he stated as the automatic doors slid open, allowing him to depart. The Commander frowned slightly and typed something into the computer. The screen sizzled as it began to show previous security tapings. The man found the one he was looking for.

"Just what was Mimori Kiryu-san speaking so hushly about with that Native Alter?" the member of Hold questioned as he carefully eyed the monitor.

!!!

"Heeehhh, so you're doing all this to complete a favour for a person you've barely known? And you're getting nothing in return, as well?" the white garbed man asked with a grin as he stared keenly at the disguised woman. Mimori raised her eyes from the fake i.d. card she held in her hand and wriggled uncomfortably on the large crate she was sitting on.

"Hai." she said simply holding onto the box as the truck made a speedy turn. The woman straightened the glasses that sat on the bridge of her nose. Ishlaah shook his head and gave a shrug in confusion.

"How odd. If I were in that position I'd be doing things much differently....but since I'm receiving a generous business sum from all this, I suppose your decision isn't too bad." he replied selfishly as he crossed his legs. A few moments of silence passed as the male of the two spoke up. "You know you're too kind Mimori-dono...no not kind but too idealistic." he stated as the brown haired girl's eyes widened. "You hope to obtain something personally from all this, am I right?" he questioned in no need of an answer.

The girl rocked her head from side to side and straightened the wig on her head. "I suppose....you're right, but still...." the member of Hold muttered barely above a whisper as the truck came to a halt.

The Beanman crossed his arms behind his head as he took a look at the closed cargo door. "We've reached the exit of the city. Just play it easy with security, ne, Minato-san." the white robed man cheered referring to her fake name. The truck came to a steady halt as the very apparent noise of rustling footsteps and muffled voices got louder. The disguised eighteen year old cringed as she almost fell off the box she was perched on as a loud knock vibrated throughout the cargo hold.

The doors began to rumble open as the Beanman seemed to lean back more into the fading shadows. Military and Hold officials stepped into view as they held their weapons in their hands. "Well don't just sit there come out!" the leader barked as he pointed his gun at the two passengers. Mimori leapt off her box and quickly exited the rig, followed closely by the white garbed man. "I.d." the man said as Mimori nodded her head and handed him the card. "Check her bag." he told his subordinates. "Minato Kikumaru is it?" he read.

One of the soldiers nodded his head and wrenched the girl's bag away looking through the contents. He nodded his head again and tossed the bag back to the researcher. "Clean, sir, shall I check the other one?" the subordinate questioned as he began stepping towards Ishlaah.

The leader nodded his head as he passed back Mimori's fake i.d. "State of purpose for leaving the city?" he asked harshly his black visor staring coldly down at the disguised female worker of Hold.

The Beanman quickly stepped, "Just a simple transfer mission of goods and the girl is just hitching a ride for a safe passage to the wastelands to meet with some friends for Christmas." the almond coloured man responded as Minato vigorously nodded her head. The leader of soldiers sighed as he placed his hand in the air giving the all clear.

"Well get out of here, everything checks out fine." he explained as the Beanman and the researcher nodded their heads and headed back towards the cargo hold of the truck. "Just a moment." he called as Mimori stopped in her tracks, he seemed to be addressing her, "Merry Christmas." he said simply as the girl's eyes widened behind her glasses.

"Hai, Merry Christmas."

!!!

The heir of the Ryuu family stood stubbornly in front of the Kiryu heiress' front door. He pressed the doorbell once more making it a count of four times he heard the same buzz! "If she's not at headquarters, or her apartment, where could she be?" he questioned mentally as he backed up and started heading to the exit. "She also said she would not be heading back to the mainland for the holiday." he remembered as he stepped into the elevator.

Ryuho placed a hand on his chin in thought, "Just what is Mimori planning, why did she lie to me about having an extra assignment from Hold?" he questioned as his mind only came up with one way to find the solutions to these answer. "Mostly likely he's involved or plays an important hand in this," he concluded as he stepped out of the elevator. The image of the Alter User of Radical Good Speed graciously awarding Mimori with a kiss burned in the back of his mind.

"Cougar."

!!!

"Kazu-kun. Kazu-kun, let's go. Let's go!" Kanami cried as she tugged on her guardian's sleeve with one hand and held onto a tearing plastic bag in the other. The girl looked pleadingly at Kimishima who was chuckling softly in the corner as he saw Kazuma struggling with his ward. "The sun is already setting we don't want to be late." she berated pulling harder on his clothes.

"Ahhh, you go with Kimishima-kun for a while, I have to get something." The Shell Bullet stated as he walked the young girl over to his friend and handed him her hand. The male Alter User shoved his hands into his pocket and shuffled out of the room as he headed towards his sleeping area. "Now where'd I put it?" he questioned scratching his burgundy head as he saw a paper bag hidden behind the tree that grew through the crack in the building. "There it is..." he said going for the package.

"Ehhh, Kazuma, get a move on, we'll be late." the teenager with the spiky hair shouted as the sixteen year old, scoffed slightly and ungracefully picked up the bag holding onto it between his arm as he headed towards the window hoping out. "Bout time." Kimishima nagged as he juggled a box in his arms.

Kazuma looked around and frowned at his friend, "Where's Kanami, where'd she go?" he inquired as the seventeen year old grinned and jerked his finger to the right. The Shell Bullet tilted his head and saw his ward walking off in the distance, her back facing them. "She left by herself?" he muttered as he began to jog after her, Kimishima close at his heels. "Eh, Kanami, wait up!" the young man called as the girl chuckled and slowly began to break into a run, the bag in her hand jiggling softly.

!!!

Merry Christmas! Welcome to Hold's Christmas Eve Party!

Ryuho blinked, as he in a perturbed fashion eyed the three Tokonatsu sisters, all dolled up in three different styles of Santa dresses. Each had their very own red hat with a small piece of cotton donned on the tip. Banka, Chuka and Shoka smiled adoringly at the emerald haired man. The teen muttered a short Merry Christmas and quickly walked away. "Ah-ah, Ryuho-sama looks so handsome in his suit." Chuka breathed as her sisters nodded their heads in agreement.

"But, he'll never be as handsome as our Master." Banka praised as she eyed the Alter Capabilist, Kigetsuki approaching them. The tallest of the sisters clapped her hands together and skipped towards her master, the two other alters hot on her heels as they latched themselves onto the worker of Holy.

Shoka grinned along with the other two sisters of eternal summer as she snuggled her head deeper into his chest. "Kit-kun, you're so handsome." she sang in a sing-song voice as the Alter Capabilist couldn't hold his smirk.

"Of course, such bright girls you are. Definitely my type of girls." he said walking them towards the center of the room, where many couples were dancing and friends were chatting and mingling amongst themselves.

Ryuho scanned the room, his ruby eyes searching for two individuals. His frown deepened as he saw one of his searches. The man had a book with a red bow on it covering his face and was leant against the far wall closest to the stuffed buffet table, a bag sat at his feet. He was dressed similarly to Ryuho, in a white dress shirt and black suit, but in his breast pocket was stuffed with a fist sized purple flower. The emerald haired teenager quickly walked over to his colleague. When he reached him the Alter User of Zetsuei cleared his throat to gain the person's attention.

Cougar's brow rose as he tore his gave from the teachings of a speed engrossed philosopher and lowered his Christmas present to stare at his colleague. "Oh, Merry Christmas, Ryuho!" Straight cheered as he placed the book onto the side of the buffet table, careful of the dishes and gave the teen a small bow. "Enjoying the party?" he asked his voice dripping with innocence.

"Quite." Ryuho stated staring at the book and reading the title, "Speed: The True Essences of the Soul....by Archimedes Finch?" the seventeen year old muttered as he turned to face the ecstatic Speed Alter User.

Cougar lowered his sunglasses and flicked the single orange strand from his face, then clasped his hands together. "Of course, the teachings in this books are wonderful and all about speed." Cougar began his word slurring into a fast pace as the boy seemed to be eyeing the bow which still had a piece of paper on it. "You see Ryuho, Archimedes Finch was able to grasp the true meaning of speed and like myself he shared....heeeh," the man trailed off as he followed the emerald haired youth's gaze. "Ah, if you were wondering, this is a gift from Minori-san; I just decided to open it early."

Ryuho's eyes widened slightly as the corner of his mouth twitched, "Mimori." he corrected as he closed his eyes in concentration and stared determinately at the twenty-one year old. "Speaking of Kiryu-san, do you have any idea where she is? She doesn't seem to be at the party or her apartment." the man observed as he looked questionably at the redhead.

"She'll be here, sooner or later." Cougar replied as he angled his head to stare out the window. His green eyes watched the yellow orb sink deeper into the darkness casting a shadow over the Lost Ground. "Just give her time, that's the lea....." the Alter user of Radical Good Speed stopped as he stared at the very attractive fifteen year old that approached them.

"Ryuho." the young girl called as the emerald haired man blinked and twirled around, coming face to face with a flushing Scheris Adjani, dressed in a silky dark scarlet dress topped with a white jacket. The girl grinned, "Well how do I look?" she questioned playfully as she gave a small twirl.

Cougar blinked, an impish smiling gracing his features as he applauded the girl, giving a small wolf whistle. He placed a hand on Ryuho's shoulder. "Aaaareee, Scheris, that you? My I have to say you look very nice, the red dress, the look.....very sexy." Straight Cougar commented nodding his head.

The fifteen year old blushed as she scratched her head, her yellow hair pin shining. "Cougar, that idiot." she scolded mentally as she stared happily at Ryuho for his response to her outfit. "Ne, ne Ryuho, say something.....anything." she pleaded as she placed a hand on her hip.

The seventeen year old shook off Cougar's hand and stared meditatively at his female associate. The man blinked watching her tired expression as his fingers twitched, "Scheris, you look very lovely tonight." The Alter Capabilist complimented watching as her eyes lit and her pinks lips broadened into a more joyful smile.

The female Alter User's ears twitched as she heard the music chime and then began to tap her feet with the rhythm. "Ne, Ryuho, let's dance, I love this song." she said as she placed her gloved hand on his arm and dragged him towards the dance floor, the boy trying to sputter eligible words to release him.

Straight flashed the couple a smile as he turned back to look out the window, his green eyes focused on the area outside the city walls. The man allowed a small sigh to escape his lips as he looked down at the bag at his feet, "What am I going to do with these?" he questioned referring to his colleague's presents, Cougar curiously gazed at the fifteen and seventeen year old waltzing gracefully across the dance floor. "Hmmm."

!!!

Three Minutes Later

Scheris allowed her gloved hands to slip from Ryuho's grip; a pink flush stained her cheek bones. The green haired Alter Capabilist made a small bow, "Thank you for the dance." he stated as he planned to continue his talk with Cougar. The Alter User of Zetsuei whirled around and blinked in surprise, "Cougar....he's gone." the male worker of Holy noticed as Straight's book, bag and Straight himself were gone from his previous spot and were nowhere to be seen in ballroom.

!!!

"We should be almost there, Mimori-dono." The Beanman stated after a few minutes of silence. His eyes searched for the girl in the darkness. He saw her quietly sitting between two boxes, her eyes slightly open, the package she held tightly in her hands. "Heh," he chuckled as a vibration set off. Ishlaah frowned and tapped the communication in his ear. "What is it?" he questioned.

Through half hooded eyes the researcher watched the man, wondering if he was speaking to the man in front. "Ehh, you say there's someone coming straight towards us....an Alter?" the white garbed man inquired softly, not to alert his buyer, as he snuck a glance towards the girl.

Mimori shifted in her spot as her eyelids rose in apprehension as she straightened her shoulders and began to look around. "An...alter....?" she questioned forlornly hoping that with this new discovery the evening would still continue smoothly.

!!!

Kazuma narrowed his eyes suspiciously, they were very close to Kanami's friend's house, but the thing that worried him was that his ward, a few meters ahead of him had stopped moving. "Kanami, what's up?" the Shell Bullet asked as Kimishima scratched his head and looked around in the darkness. The male Alter heard the girl emit a small whimper as Kazuma saw the headlights of a large vehicle heading towards them.

"Don't tell me....that can't be Hold, can it?" the spiky haired teenager whispered into the Alter Capabilist's ear. The Shell Bullet growled and marched primly towards the young girl, his best friend quickly following. Kazuma placed a calm hand on Kanami's shivering shoulder as he guided her towards the seventeen year old.

"Kanami, I want you to go with Kimishima and head directly to your friends house," the sixteen year old ordered laying his paper bag on the ground and looking sternly ahead. The eight year old frowned ready to protest but her guardian fixed her with a harsh look. "Ahhhh, why are you still here, I said to get going, I'll be along shortly." he barked as the girl jumped and the eldest of three quickly dragged her away. "Thanks Kimishima....now for those Holy bastards!"

The vehicle outline was becoming more apparent in the darkness, the crunching or rocks was getting louder as the two beams of light shone mercilessly on the smirking young man. His shoulder sagged slightly in his launching position as the familiar glow of numerous colours surrounded his body and most particularly his right arm. Kazuma gritted his teeth as rocks and other pieces of matter dissolved and his once human looking right arm altered into a red and golden claw.

The sixteen year olds nose flared as his burgundy hair stood on its tips and solidified into spikes, the three fins on his back glistening in the night. A ragged breathe escaped the man's lips as his claw tightened into a threatening fist. "Shocking," he yelled retracting his right arm back, "First," he called launching himself into the air and towards the vehicle, "Bullet!" he screamed as his knuckle made contact with the metal. "Wait a minute....this isn't a Hoy convoy." Kazuma realized his eyes as the truck began to tip over.

"Oh crap......"

!!!

Cough! Cough! Mimori straightened the skewed glasses that hung loosely on the bridge of her nose as she sat upon her knees. "That was some impact....are the gifts alright?" she thought nervously as she looked at her bag and noticed thankfully nothing looked damaged.

"Mimori-dono, are you alright!" the Beanman's voice called in an impatient tone as the girl brushed herself off avoiding the boxes and crates.

"Hai, I'm just a bit scuffed up." the worker of Hold responded as she turned towards the trembling cargo doors, they were being pulled open. Crack! Correction sliced open as the girl saw a red claw tear against the metal and curl it downwards so that there was a large hole. "What's happening?" Mimori questioned as the Beanman shuffled over to her side.

"Ah,...Oi!" a voice called as the hole was ripped even larger. Mimori's ears twitched, whomever it was their voice was very familiar. "The driver said there are two of you back here, you alright?" the man questioned as he began to step in the truck his red claw disappearing and his spiky hair flattening.

The disguised female's eyes widened in disbelief as flashes of memories of the Native Alter, Kazuma, and code named by Holy, NP3228 flashed before her eyes. "Hmmm, hey you're...." Kazuma trailed off pointing at the two with wide amber eyes. The Kiryu heiress stiffened thinking he was pointing to her.

The Beanman wrinkled his nose slightly and emitted a sigh. "Nice to see you again, Kazuma of the Shell Bullet." he greeted taking Mimori's hand softly and guiding her towards the jagged exit of the tipped vehicle. Kazuma smiled bashfully as he backed out of the truck and stepped where the driver was standing and allowed the two passengers to step out of the cargo hold.

The Kiryu heiress looked around curiously, the place seemed even more desolate than the last time she journeyed in the badlands, but just up ahead she could see the faint outlines of a few demolished buildings. The sixteen year old cleared his throat, "Errr...sorry about....ahem...wrecking your truck, I'm sure Kimsihima-kun'll do something about that." Kazuma laughed downheartedly giving a silent prayer, "You see I was heading to a harmless party with friends and I thought you were Holy trying to crash it and....oi, have we met somewhere?" the Alter Capabilist asked looking straight at the researcher.

The eighteen year old blinked and nervously shook her head as the Beanman stepped in front of her. "Most likely you have in some of the demolished habitats in the badlands. You see we were giving this girl, Minato-san a ride to that house over there." Ishlaah pointed his finger forward, "She was given a special task to deliver a package to someone." the white garbed man explained scratching the back of his head.

The burgundy haired man blinked suspiciously and leant towards the disguised teenager, distrust on his face. "Hmmm, deliver something?" he inquired as he snatched Mimori's bag from her hands, "Deliver what and to who?" he asked digging his hand into the bag an impish smile on his face.

The brunette haired girl flushed and grabbed the item back a scowl on her face, "I don't thinks it's any of your business but I'm delivering something to Hitomi-san and Kairi-san on the behalf of Kurim-san. They live in that house right?" she asked as she held the package to her chest.

Kazuma stiffened and looked curiously down at the girl, "Kairi....san, is that the same girl that's Kanami's been talking about?" he questioned as he slowly nodded his head to confirm Mimori's question. "Yeah, they live in that building." Kazuma stated as he began to back up.

The girl bobbed her head up and down, her scolding demeanour fading as a more tender look etched upon her face, "Thank you, Kazuma-san, Merry Christmas." the eighteen year old breathed as she turned to the Beanman, "Ishlaah-san...?" She questioned as the man shook his head and gave a small shrug.

"Go on ahead without me Minato-san, we'll see what we can do with this truck." the man muttered narrowing his eyes at the male Alter User. Kazuma balked and sashayed out of the way as he headed towards the bag he left on the ground earlier. Mimori bowed slightly and headed forward a stern look on her face as she grew ever so closer to the house.

"This is silly, why am I so nervous?" she questioned as she passed the Alter Capabilist of the Shell Bullet who was digging around in the brown bag he picked up.

!!!

"Oooooooh, to fulfill the promise of a friend on Christmas Eve.....humans are.....incredible! Romantic! Inspiring!" a voice sang as the certain individual sped his way through the Lost Ground his vehicle madly tearing up the dead earth. The man grinned as his glasses reflected the flower that hung in his breast pocket.

"So that's why I must....!" Cougar shouted as he quickly spun his steering wheel right.

!!!

Mimori exhaled a deep breathe and knocked on the front door with her free hand waiting for a response as a she held herself in a very rigid posture, hearing loud footsteps behind her. "Ehhh, what are you waiting for just go in!" Kazuma ordered as he snuck an arm around her opened the door himself and pushed her through.

The Kiryu heiress stumbled as she entered a very bright room filled with acidic colours of tinsel and trashy looking Christmas ornaments; nonetheless the place smelled of home-style cooking and had a friendly atmosphere. "Oh, Merry Christmas!" the crowd of people cheered looking at the two newcomers with bright smiles. The Shell Bullet slammed the door shut and continued to push the researcher forward.

"Merry Christmas!" Kazuma shouted back; Mimori a bit to stunned to manage anything audible as she tried to regain her dishevelled composure. The male Alter User grinned and placed a hand on his forehead as he scouted out the area. "Yo, Kanami, Kimishima!" he yelled as he stumbled past the other houseguests towards his friends. The researcher blinked it was the same man and cute little girl she had met when Kazuma attacked the medical unit.

The brunette girl gulped and looked around as she saw many people talking to each other making jokes and what not. "Now I have to find, Hitomi-san and Kairi-san." she thought as she began to walk around. Kiryu cringed as she felt a tap on her shoulder and came face to face with middle aged man with broken glasses and a kind face. "Uh, ha...hai."

"Oi, ojo-san care to dance?" he questioned with a chuckle as he pointed towards the dance floor. Mimori smiled awkwardly as she shifted the bag in her arm.

"Ah-ahhhh, Devon, leave the young thing alone." a kind voice berated as the Kiryu heiress turned around to see a pretty woman with short beige hair. She was dressed in a simple white dress and was carrying some sort of casserole dish.

The man named Devon sighed heartedly as he prepped to leave. Mimori blinked and looked down at her shoes and then towards the man, "Anou....perhaps later in the evening, please save me a dance." the eighteen year old requested as Devon grinned and sauntered off.

"That was quite nice of you, young lady." the woman observed with a small giggle as she passed the casserole to a more ample woman and directed her to set it down on the table. The beige haired lady approached Mimori and leant towards her ear, "Would you be so kind as to accompany to the kitchen, there's a dessert I'd like you to try," she said not waiting for a reply as she spun around and walked out of the room.

The disguised researcher tightened her hold on her package and followed after the woman, entering a small yet cheery kitchen space but lacking most of the modern time items like a refrigerator and stove but there was a smokestack oven and a grimy looking sink. In the middle there was rickety table with a pie on top of it. The lady of the house crossed her arms and stared suspiciously at her guest. "Tell me who you are and what you're doing here? I've never seen your face among any of towns of the Lost Ground....unless you're from the city." the woman declared, "Don't tell me you work for Hold."

Mimori stiffened and placed her bundle onto the table, "I...I mean you no harm I was sent by a Kurim-san to deliver something to his daughter and girlfriend." the Kiryu heiress explained as she pointed to her bag. The Inner blinked harshly and looked carefully at the bag, her fingers tightening into fists at her side. "From your reaction I can only assume that you are Hitomi-san." the teenager whispered and she reached towards the package and pulled out an envelope.

The woman known as Hitomi wandered from her spot and went towards the door. The eighteen year old lowered her hand with the letter, suspecting the Inner was going to leave. The beige haired lady placed a chair against the door to barricade it, turned around and sauntered towards the table and sat down. "Sit," she pointed towards the chair beside her. Mimori quickly sat down and placed the letter on the table pushing it slowly towards her companion. "Could you do me the courtesy of telling me your name before we begin?" she questioned as the young girl bit her lip, "Your identity is safe with me I won't tell a soul."

The Hold researcher nodded her head and took off her hat and messy wig, feeling slightly liberated and not as confined as she placed the items on the table. "My name is Kiryu Mimori, I work for the medical research unit of Hold." the girl explained as the older woman bobbed her head in understanding. "A few days ago a Native Alter was brought in with terrible injuries...."the girl stopped with her story as the Inner cut her off.

AuThOr'S nOtE: Finally I was able to post this chapter, I hope I'm not Ryuho's jealousy too apparent but I want him to feel something for the Cougar and Mimori fluff, ah well tell me what ya think gang. You know the usual drill read and review and some insight on Scheris did I make her too pushy or not pushy enough with her scene with Ryuho and Cougar. Oh well Bye-bi.