Ch. 10
Christmas, on the whole, never really interested me. Some fat guy in red could never give me what I really wanted anyway. But this year was different. This year, I had to make a holiday out of nothing.
~
Winter came with the fierceness of a pack of wolves. The fall season had barley arrived before the air turned bitterly cold and everything that tried to grow on the hill shriveled and died. Everything seemed to be covered in a layer of frost and there was no relief from the constant drafts that blew into Rin and James's room.
"Might get some snow tonight," Rin mused, tying the window shutters shut with an old piece of string she'd stolen from the kitchen.
"Do you think we'll get snowed in and won't be able to leave the house?" James asked. He was sitting on his bed, wrapped up in his one blanket. Though it was made of wool, the blanket was threadbare and, judging by James's pale face, nowhere as warm as it should have been.
"Maybe. Don't think that'll stop Spiker and Sponge from forcing us to dig the way out."
"Probably not," James agreed, lowering his gaze to the floor.
"Meh, I can do that part. I'll convince them you'd be better off staying in and tending the fire." Rin sat down on the bed next to her brother. James turned his brown eyes to the cold fireplace set into the wall to their left.
"Could we build a fire in here?"
"We'll probably have to just to stay warm. We can snag some wood from the pile; the old ones won't notice."
James nodded, his body shaking with cold. Unfurling her wings, Rin wrapped the leathery appendages around him.
"Rin!"
"Don't worry. If I hear Spiker or Sponge, I can hide my wings again in no time. For now, you need to get warm." James smiled and leaned his head against his sister's shoulder. He yawned, his eyes falling closed. Rin smiled; maybe James would sleep peacefully now that he was warm.
"Rin?" James whispered.
"Hmmm?"
"Can we put a Christmas tree in our room?"
Rin blinked in surprise. "A Christmas tree?"
"Mmmhmm." James was on the verge of sleep. "I saw the calendar in the kitchen. Christmas is in two weeks."
"Right. Christmas.
Christmas...
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Fat white flakes drifted down from the sky. Rin eyed the snowfall through the department store window, watching as her mother removed her hat and shook out her dark hair.
"My, it's cold outside," Miranda said, clearly glad to be in the heated department store.
"It's not that cold," Rin muttered. The little half-demon scuffed her feet- encased in snow boots- against the floor. She wore a pair of long pants as well, but had refused to leave off her slit no-sleeved shirt. No way was she keeping her wings confined! Thankfully, her mother hadn't seemed to mind.
Miranda sighed, smiling as she looked around the busy store. Her brown eyes were misty as she drank in the soft golden glow of Christmas lights and the rich red and green banners hung every which way across the walls. "Doesn't it look beautiful in here, Rin? All the lights and decorations?"
Rin shrugged. In her opinion, all the pretty twinkling lights and perfumed air couldn't disguise the fact that the department store was loud and smelly! Not to mention crowded! The four-year-old huddled closer to her mother as human after human jostled by, their hands and arms loaded with bags and boxes.
"Why are we here, Okaa-san? Who are we shopping for?" There wasn't any point to this and Rin knew it! But Miranda just gave her daughter a soft smile and answered,
"We have to do our Christmas shopping, sweetheart. I was thinking of making little gift baskets for all our neighbors this year. Won't that be nice?"
Rin didn't answer; every time she and her mother talked about their neighbors and their various children, it always turned into an argument of sorts. Rin was sick of it by this point, but she would never forgive her neighbors for whispering how her father's death was a blessing in disguise.
Perhaps Miranda sensed Rin's resentment because she added,
"And we should get something for your aunt and uncle and cousins, even if they won't be coming for Christmas."
"I guess," Rin agreed. What her demon family might like from a human store, Rin didn't know. But her mother was really smiling today, the first real smile Rin had seen on her face since Father had died earlier this year.
"And perhaps you'll see something you'll want to ask Santa for too, darling," Miranda said.
"Like what?" Rin asked, following her mother down the glittering corridor.
"Well, keep your eyes open. And then we can write to Santa when we get home."
Rin shrugged and kept walking. She glanced around as children her age peered into toy store windows and pointed at desired playthings. The little half-demon shook her head; what would she do with a dumb doll or a stupid rocking horse? The last of her baby toys were long packed away in the attic and Rin had no desire for new ones.
The only thing Rin really wanted was Father back.
"Hohoho! Merry Christmas, children!" a deep voice called. Squeals of delight assaulted Rin's sensitive ears as she watched a herd of kids stampede toward- who else- but Santa Claus. The fat man with the white beard was standing in front of a decorated Christmas tree, a sheaf of parchment in one hand and a basket full of gingerbread cookies by his shiny black boots.
"Oh, it looks like you can tell Santa what you want for Christmas in person today." Miranda chuckled in delight as Rin cocked her head in puzzlement. The shrieking children had assembled into a rather sloppy line and, one by one, they approached the jolly man. Santa's purpose, so it seemed, was to ask the child what he or she wanted for Christmas, consult his list, smile, pronounce the child "nice," pat them on the head, and give them a gingerbread cookie.
"Go ahead, Rin. Join the line." Miranda knelt down and gently pushed her daughter forward. "Go on and ask for something. It can't hurt, love."
Rin doubted it, but joined the line anyway. The other kids were too focused on Santa, but the little half-demon saw more than a few fearful glances and glares aimed in her direction. She glanced over her shoulder at her mother; Miranda smiled and nodded in encouragement, no doubt wanting to see her daughter labeled as a "nice" child. But then, mothers were supposed to think that about their kids, right?
"Hoho, and who do we have here?"
Rin looked up at Santa, her ears easily picking up on the strain it took to sound so happy. She also noted that through his beard (it was fake; she could smell it), his smile was forced. Still, he wasn't shooing her away and he didn't look at any of the other mothers' frowns.
"I'm Rin."
"Ah yes. Well, Rin, what would you like for Christmas?"
Rin paused, tilting her head at the jolly man. She knew this man was a normal human- she knew it- but there was something about him that seemed so genuine. He smiled at her again.
"What can I bring you this year, my dear?"
The words poured from the little half-demon's mouth before she could stop them. "I want Father back." Rin heard her mother's gasp as Santa blinked in surprise.
"Your... father?"
Rin nodded. "He fought back lots of demons and died. I want him to come home to me and Mother."
"I see," Santa replied. "Well, I'm very sorry, Rin, but I can't bring your father back."
On some level, Rin had known this. After all, a mere human couldn't bring back the dead. But for some reason, she hadn't been able to stop herself from hoping she'd had a chance to see Father again. Now, in this season of hope and giving, her own hope had been dashed. Fury filled her and tears welled behind her golden eyes as she snarled,
"Then what good are you?"
Ignoring the indignant gasps from the crowd, Rin darted away, barely aware of her mother's frantic footsteps racing after her. Leaning against a wall, she swiped the tears from her eyes, refusing to let anyone see her cry, not even Miranda who could only put a gentle hand on Rin's shoulder.
She and her mother left the department store without buying anything or saying another word.
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Old memories aside, Spiker and Sponge were happy to make the present as miserable as possible.
"More wood, you two!" Spiker snapped, drawing her fur-lined coat closer to her. "It's to be a cold day and an even colder night."
"Hai, I can tell," Rin answered. She dragged her bare foot through the foot of snow that covered the entirety of the property. James watched her; unlike his sister, the six-year-old was garbed in a winter coat, gloves, and hat. Said garments, however, were quite worn and not keeping her brother warm against the bitter cold. Rin cursed herself for forgetting to pack warmer clothes for her brother and forcing them to rely on Spiker and Sponge's "generosity."
"Aren't you cold, Rin?" James asked now.
"No. Demon blood keeps you warm." Rin gathered up an armful of wood and carried it to the kitchen door. "And you should wait in the kitchen. You can stack the wood by the stove in there."
James shook his head. "I'm not allowed. Auntie Sponge is in the kitchen. She's sitting by the stove having tea and scones and she said we weren't to let the cold air in."
"Ahhh. Well, then maybe she'll roast and Spiker can eat her for Christmas dinner."
James covered his mouth, eyes bright with suppressed (slightly horrified) laughter. Unfortunately, the joy faded quickly and a somber expression sole across James's face once more.
"It's Christmas Eve, isn't it?"
"I believe it is," Rin said slowly.
"And Mum and Dad aren't here." James's voice was heavy. Rin averted her eyes, feeling the old ache of past holidays spent mourning a loved one who would never return. Kneeling in front of her brother, she put her hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye.
"I know, James-chan. Believe me, I do. The first holiday, the first birthday, the first special occasion, they're all hard. But it gets easier. I promise you it does."
James met his sister's gaze. He tiled his head slightly, as if seeing something in his sister for the first time.
"Do you still miss your dad, Rin?"
The half-demon smiled sadly. "Every single day, James-chan."
James threw his arms around his sister's neck and hugged her as hard as he could. Rin held her brother tightly, feeling tears behind her eyes. Squeezing her eyes shut, the young half-demon broke the embrace and stood, giving James a soft smile.
"Come on, James. Let's get the wood before it gets dark."
Rubbing his own eyes, James returned his sister's sad smile.
"And I have an idea for our room. I'll show you later," he said.
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"There. Do you like it?" James stepped back to let Rin view his creation. In the center of the room, a skinny piece of wood had been jammed into one of the knotholes in the wooden floor. James had used a few stray bits of string to tie smaller pieces of wood to the tiny trunk. Around these branches were pieces of stray red ribbon and tiny balls of cotton.
"Well," Rin said with a small smile. "Some people might not think much of it, but I think it looks great."
"Really?"
"Hai. It looks... honest. Like it's not just for decoration. Made with love." Rin winked at her brother, who grinned. Outside, the snow continued to fall, but neither Spiker nor Sponge had bothered to put in an appearance in their niece and nephew's room. Why would they? They were lounging on the downstairs sofa and sharing a bottle of red wine. Merry Christmas indeed!
"But allow me to add the finishing touch to this scene, James-chan." The little boy watched as Rin knelt by the fireplace, which was filled with wood. True to form, so long as their stove and the downstairs fireplace was full, two older women hadn't noticed if several large logs had vanished from the woodpile. Now, Rin drew her trusty piece of flint from her pocket and struck it against the steel grate. Tiny embers leapt forth and Rin blew gently on them. Coaxed into life, the embers begat tiny flames, which in turn became a small fire. Soon, large flames were eagerly devouring the wood and the room began to warm.
"Perfect," James proclaimed.
"I agree. But you'd better get to sleep After all, it IS Christmas Eve."
"Will Santa come here?"
"Maybe. You'll never know if you stay up."
"Okay." James climbed into bed and burrowed into his blanket. "Are you going to sleep too? You have to, if Santa's going to come."
"I know, I know. I will in a bit. Go to sleep now."
"Good night, Rin." James shut his eyes and, lulled by the cozy atmosphere and fire's warmth, quickly fell asleep. Rin tiptoed to the door and stole down the stairs, silent as a shadow. Slipping outside through the back door, the young half-demon darted down the hill, sticking to the ground. After all, between a farmer's broken fence and a school with supplies ripe for the picking, there was more to be had on earth than in the sky tonight!
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"James. James, wake up." The little boy stirred awake at his sister's voice. Rubbing his eyes, James sat up in his bed. Rin smiled and nodded at the tiny tree.
"Merry Christmas." Under the minute branches were three tiny packages. With a gasp, James jumped out of bed, his face a mix of wonder and delight.
"Rin...?"
"You were right. Santa came."
"Down our chimney?" James looked at the fireplace, where the fire continued to burn.
"Well... no. I, uh, I flew up to meet him. I figured he wouldn't want to land on this roof. He was quite happy I spared him that."
James laughed. He knelt by the siblings' small tree, running his small hands over the presents. "What about you?"
"I didn't want anything. Anything that Santa could give anyway. And he figured... you'd want Mother and Henry-san back more than you'd want actual toys."
James nodded slowly. "And you do too, right?" he asked.
"Hai. More than anything. But you should have something. So, want to open them now? It IS Christmas now."
"What time is it?" James asked, stifling a yawn.
"About 4:30 in the morning. I figured you could open your presents, we'd hide them, and then you could go back to sleep for a bit. Judging by the way they're snoring-" Rin jerked a thumb at the door- "they won't be waking up anytime soon, so we can both sleep in."
"Good idea."
"Oh, and guess what?"
"What?" James asked.
"We have dinner!" From her special kitsune bag, Rin drew forth a fresh chicken, carefully plucked and wrapped in a clean cloth. James's eyes were wide as he beheld the dead animal.
"Did Santa bring that too?"
Chuckling, the half-demon replaced the bird in her bag." No. That chicken go loose from one of the farms by town. The farmer either didn't notice he had a broken fence or was too lazy to fix it. A couple chickens got out and were wandering around. I grabbed this one and chased the others back through the fence. I fixed the fence too, so consider this chicken my fee."
"Lucky us."
"Lucky us indeed. Now then, why don't you see what Sana brought you?"
Rin sat back and watched her brother unwrap his meager gifts. Altogether, the packages contained a new box of crayons, a full packet of drawing paper, and a paper book book. The half-demon had to contain a satisfied smirk; she doubted her old school would miss the art supplies, but there might be some fuss when the library discovered one of its children's books missing (though Rin had carefully removed the page of the book bearing the library's stamp).
"I love them!" James exclaimed.
"Good. I know it's not much, but-"
"It's perfect." James turned suddenly and reached under his bed. pulling out a small parcel wrapped in brown paper. Holding it out to his sister, he said with a smile,
"Merry Christmas, Rin!"
"You got this for me?" Rin asked, gently taking the present from her brother.
"I made for you."
"James-chan, arigato desu. Thank you." Under James's watchful eye, the half-demon slit the paper carefully with her claws. She could tell by the shape and thickness of the present that her gift was a picture and she didn't want to mar her brother's artwork. Drawing out the white paper, Rin gave a small gasp at the sight.
The paper was filled with a twilight sky, rendered in orange, yellow, and pink crayon. Rin herself was depicted in midair with her arms and wings outspread. Next to her was a man clad in a long robe and cloth pants with large bat wings on his back. The two figures- Rin and the man- were both smiling. Rin ran her clawed finger over the drawing, recognizing the man's light brown hair and golden eyes.
"I know you miss your father," James said softly. "So now, you can fly with him whenever you-"
James mean to say "want," but was cut off by his sister enfolding him in a tight hug.
"James-chan, I couldn't have asked for anything better," Rin said. "Not could I ask for a better brother."
"Merry Christmas, Rin," James answered. "I love you."
"Daisuki dayo, James-chan," Rin answered. "I love you too."
~
So that was Christmas for us. And while the rest of the day was spent serving Spiker and Sponge, that short Christmas morning James and I shared was perfect.