Chapter Thirty: Preparation, 筹备

Just as a little warning, there's a little bit of …um, what do I call it? …Religious infringement for some people. Just so you know: Just because I make Komori agnostic, does not mean that I am.

Ronin's Temporary Lair, 暂时的兽穴

Ronin shivered in disgust at the room that lay before him, which was less than satisfactory: it somehow had a metallic scent, the walls were barren and caked in suspicious-looking lichen, there was a small sliver of grey light that was able to trickle out from the ceiling, and the damp, humid air hung over like an ominous cloud that suffocated anything that tried to take a gulp of air.

But more than anything Ronin hated the unnatural warmth that filled the room. The hot, sticky, disgusting warmth. After becoming accustomed to the intense cold that had filled his previous headquarters, the warmth was completely unbearable. Ronin grimaced.

How could I let her slip from right under me? Why did I run away from my own lair?... That girl has sentenced me to an unending torment. I'm going to make her wish she was never born!

He clenched his paper-white fists in an effort to control his fury. Sorrel glided into the chamber with a gleeful smile on her face. Ronin immediately stood from his near-fetal position on the floor; he couldn't show any signs of weakness.

"I assume you have good news?" Ronin questioned, unable to control the spark of excitement that lit up his usually morbid tone.

"Indeed I do: Kiyoshi's coming this way…and he has her with him." She sneered. Ronin pondered for a moment. He waved his hand lazily to dismiss the thought.

"I'm not feeling up to it. I'm still injured from being attacked by that infernal machine. Do whatever you wish." Ronin said, rubbing the wounds on his arms and legs. Sorrel simply nodded and strode out to track down her quarry.

Sorrel perched on the roof of an abandoned, decrepit old building. She took in a deep breath and tasted the air on the roof of her mouth, discovering Kiyoshi and Komori coming in her directions. Their footsteps crunched softly on the mushy sleet that filled the street. Sorrel steadily leaned farther over the edge to get a quick glimpse of them: Komori, looking like a frightened little puppy, clung to Kiyoshi as if her life depended on it; Kiyoshi held a folded piece of paper and Komori in his arms. He was being much more alert and cautious than Komori was. He tentatively tasted the air; a look of disgust dominated his face. Sorrel violently cursed herself for not disguising her scent. Kiyoshi swerved Komori around, sternly whispering something to her. Sorrel ground her teeth to prevent her scream of frustration.

I will get you next time.

Back at the house…, 回在议院…

Ryou had combed over the map hundreds of thousands of times, scanning it on his computer, painstakingly researching each area at a time over a period of a week. A few more 'kitchen incidents' had happened with Kish, one involving a food processor; it had become normal to awaken to Kish's cries of pain. I decided that we really needed to lock up all the kitchen appliances.

Christmas fell on a Wednesday this year. It had come to my depressed attention that we didn't get out of school for Christmas, which absolutely SUCKED. In order to keep my American heritage (and my sanity) alive I still decided to get into the festive holiday spirit. While Keiichiro and Ryou were down in the lab analyzing the map as usual, I managed to obtain an arsenal of ancient Christmas decorations from the basement.

It's better than nothing, I guess…

While I was in the middle of unsuccessfully hammering a string of tinsel on the wall, a knock came at the door. Kiyoshi! I stumbled down the small ladder that I had propped up against the wall, nearly falling flat on my face as I raced to the door to greet Kiyoshi.

I flung the door open, my hair frizzy and a near-insane smile on my face. Kiyoshi uncertainly stepped inside, eyeing what decorations I had managed to put up.

"Wow…" Kiyoshi breathed. I put a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

"Do you like it? I decided to decorate while Keiichiro and Ryou were preoccupied." I managed to say. The cold air had added a rosy tint to his cheeks, making him nearly irresistible. He smiled warmly.

"It's wonderful. But I think it might go a lot faster if you had someone to help you." Kiyoshi hinted.

"Does that mean you want to help?" I asked hopefully. He pretended to think it through.

"Weeeeell…… I guess so." he said merrily. Kiyoshi seemed to already be in the Christmas spirit. Kiyoshi took my previous position hanging up the tinsel.

"That's what I was working on!" I accused. Kiyoshi grinned mischievously.

"Yes, but now it's what I'm working on. Go put those stockings up or something." He retorted, returning to his hammering. I huffed angrily and commenced with putting up the stockings. I'd taken the liberty of getting a stocking for everyone: Keiichiro, Ryou, Kiyoshi, and, quite grudgingly, the aliens too. After I had somehow managed to tack the stockings onto the mantle above the unused fireplace, I turned to find Kiyoshi reclining on the couch, the tinsel already hung in a flawless line.

"Hey, how did you get it done so fast?" I asked in astonishment.

"Never underestimate me." Kiyoshi replied with a mischievous grin. I rolled my eyes and went over to sit by him to admire our work. The shimmering red and green tinsel reflected the small amount of light that came from the lamp near the couch, the stockings were hung in a semi-neat line, and a miniature Christmas tree that I had managed to drag up two flights of stairs that was embellished with cheapo lights and small dust-covered red bows was placed in the corner of the room. I felt like I was back home with mom… Mom. Why now, of all times, would I be missing the person who sentenced me to exile? For the first time a wave of homesickness crashed into me. Right now mom would be putting up the tree and making a big home cooked meal; alone for the first time. I shook my head in a futile attempt to clear her out of my mind. Mom was of no importance to me right now. Kiyoshi noticed my inner anguish and slid me closer to him.

"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly, caressing my face in his hands. I gave him a crooked grin and gently pushed his hands from my face.

"Homesickness, I guess." I muttered, still aching to be back home. Kiyoshi smiled knowingly and pulled me to his chest in an effort at comforting me.

"Ah, that's a feeling I know well. You see--." Kiyoshi was interrupted by loud footsteps from the stairs. Keiichiro emerged from the stairway and took in the decorations with a look of pleasant surprise spread across his face. At least, until he spotted me and Kiyoshi, then his expression turned embarrassed.

Uh-oh.

"Um, I'm not…interrupting anything, am I?" Keiichiro asked nervously, unaware of Ryou entering directly behind him. Ryou's eyes flickered around the room quickly, ending on where Kiyoshi and I laid completely tangled up in each other. Ryou put both his hands up and said, "Whatever." He grabbed Keiichiro's collar and dragged him behind as he walked out of the room. Kiyoshi and I turned to stare at each other in boggled unison.

"Um, that was completely awkward." I broke the silence. Kiyoshi dipped his head down and stifled a chuckle.

"It's a good thing Ryou has grown fonder of me… Anyways, where was I? Oh yes. You wouldn't believe how celebrations differ on each planet! It's completely phenomenal... I see here you celebrate the birth of your 'savior', Christ, correct?" Kiyoshi said. I deliberated for a minute before responding.

"Not exactly. Not everyone believes the same thing. There are different religions, and in those religions are also separated sections of how you worship. I'm Agnostic; I'm not one-hundred percent sure that God exists, but I still like to celebrate Christmas." I stated. Kiyoshi's eyes burned with curiosity.

"That's pretty cool. On my planet we had something a little like your Christmas, except it celebrated the merry rule of our first king, many, many thousands of years ago. It's also considered our 'New Year's'. But I do find it funny how many of our decorations are the same: the tinsel, the tree (ours don't look anything like Earth trees, though), the lights, and most importantly, the presents." Kiyoshi's face flowed with pleasantness; he was probably reflecting his holidays past. I pressed my face back down into the crook of his neck; his hand lifted up to my neck and slowly trailed up and down. I managed to utter a string of words, "So…um….what do you want for Christmas?" I tried to be casual, but with the way he was touching me, it was becoming increasingly difficult. I heard a wispy chuckle come from him. He continued to stroke me gently.

"What do I want for Christmas?... It's a difficult question. What I really want…what I really want… Yes. What I really want for Christmas is you." Kiyoshi grinned. It was clichéd, but it was sweet. I blushed furiously, thankful to be buried in his shoulder.

"That's a song, you know." I grinned.

"Really? Is it that commonly said?" Kiyoshi questioned, amused. Was he getting closer? I could hear the steady huffing of his breath.

Oh, temptation, how I loathe you.

He lifted my chin to his level. His raven locks hung loosely over his eyes, making him look even more like a supermodel, and twice as irresistible.

"Don't freak out this time, okay?" he whispered.

"Okay." I breathed. He tilted his head as he pressed his slightly parted lips to mine. His kiss was gentle, his lips soft and warm. I leaned in as he enthusiastically leaned a little too far, sending me on my back. One hand wrapped securely around my waist, while the other caressed my head.

And what a wonderful sense of timing Ryou had, walking back in to see us practically eating each other's faces. He yelled in horrified alarm and ran over to us.

Oh…my…

"Woah, there!" Ryou still yelled, pulling Kiyoshi off of me. Kiyoshi seemed utterly embarrassed. Ryou breathed in slowly, new to being a parent. I felt a small twinge of pity for him.

"Look, I'll pretend that didn't happen if you promise that I won't ever walk in on you two…doing… that! Especially on my couch, I mean, gross…" Ryou grumbled, walking back out. Shock was mutual between Kiyoshi and I. We stood where Ryou had left us for several minutes, unable to move. Kiyoshi broke the awkward silence, putting his face in his hands and taking a seat next to me on the couch.

"Oh…my god. That was completely mortifying." Kiyoshi grumbled.

"It was stupid, too. We were just kissing, I mean, what did he think we were doing?" I asked, meaning for it to be a rhetorical question. Kiyoshi laughed shakily.

"He knew we were kissing, just…um. Never mind."

"No, what?" I was growing impatient.

"He thought we were having--." Kiyoshi tried; I held up my hand to stop him.

"Okay, okay. I get it now."

Sometimes Ryou could be so stupid. He interrupted a perfectly semi-innocent kiss! I wanted to get my sword and bash him over the head, but I decided that he would be of use later; it would be pivotal to allow him to live a little longer. Unless he interrupted again…

Indeed, Ryou pretended that last night never happened, but now regarded Kiyoshi and I with a sharp, scrutinizing stare every time we were together. Christmas was this week: Wednesday. I had managed to track down gifts for Ryou, Keiichiro, and Takara, but it eluded me as to what to get Kiyoshi. "All I want for Christmas is you." Well, it would be pretty difficult to wrap myself up in a box. I didn't know what he liked to do in his spare time, besides fencing. But I guess Kiyoshi really doesn't have that much free time, with school, battling Ronin, and me.

On Tuesday, Christmas Eve, I went browsing all the shops with Takara as my official budget advisor. We were currently on an excursion on the inside of a quant little shop on the street near the Kiyoshi's lighthouse. The shop gave off a warm ambiance, like how you feel when you go to visit your Grandmother and she has a big cake baked especially for you. Curious trinkets filled the oak shelves; I had no idea where to start. Takara seemed quite disoriented as well.

"Where to begin?" she asked, motioning to the aisles and aisles of potential gifts. I shrugged and started to walk down the first aisle.

"I guess the beginning is always a nice place to start."

Many of the little trinkets looked incredibly breakable, and intimidated me each time I dared to touch one investigatively. They were freakish little things; they were deformed in the Picasso sort of way.

There's no way I'm going to find Kiyoshi anything in here.

The first three aisles didn't help at all, but they did manage to frighten Takara and I. She grabbed the edge of my sleeve in fright.

"Komori, let's go! This place gives me the creeps: I feel like the little ceramic cats are staring at me!" she uttered in fright. I brushed off her hand.

"Just wait a little longer. I want to look just a while longer." I said, continuing down the aisle. Takara whimpered and halfheartedly followed behind me.

On the back row the items had gotten a bit more normal; but I did share Takara's feeling of being watched. Amongst the endless sea of bizarre staring ceramic cats, I saw it: the perfect gift. I excitedly picked it up from its place on the shelf. It was a small porcelain bat with a small white star painted on its chest. Its eyes were a deep, eerie emerald and its face fox-like. And best of all, it wasn't horribly distorted like all the other figures that collected dust on the shelf. I grinned: it was perfect.

Takara, of course, had her doubts about the figurine, claiming that it came from a 'cursed shop'. She wouldn't shut up about it the whole walk home.

"Komori, I'm telling you! That shop is cursed! Why do you think all those things were staring at us?" Takara ranted. I raised my hand and violently slapped it over her mouth.

"I'm going to let go. And when I do, I don't want to hear any more of this 'cursed trinket shop' business. Got it?" I hissed angrily. Takara nodded her head. I lifted my hand and she didn't say another word.

"Good."