Author's notes: New year is very different in Japan. I was actually quite surprise how they take it so seriously I didn't know half of the things I joined there. AGH I could even barely walk with the clothes. My grandma really takes that New Year tradition so seriously. I think I'm doing this a little seriously too.I'm not trying to be a know-it-all so if something is wrong please tell me I don't mean to offend anyone. I just base this on only 2 years of experiencing this holiday so sorry. BUT I DID ENJOY IT HEHE!.
Akemashite Omedetou: er.. happy new year
Shimenawa: a sacred rope made of straw on which zig-zag strips of paper have been hung. placed above the front entrance in order to prevent "evil spirits" from entering the house.
Susuharai: I thinks it's the same as spring cleaning…you just do it before the start of new year.
Otoshidama: the red envelope given by the gods! Woohoo MONEY!
Kimono: do I really need to explain these hard to move in things! but still beautiful.
Kadomatsu: (pine branches)
Toshi-koshi soba (new year's soba): We eat it just before midnight. At midnight gongs at local temples are rung 108 times, once to eliminate each type of greed, and is broadcast throughout Japan.
O-zoni : sticky rice cake served in a bonito based broth soup.
Osechi-ryori Dishes: this is usually serves every New Year. As a tradition. The food last for days since the shops are closed for a long time. Also the food represent health, life you know the usually new year stuff. It really takes quite a long time to make. Most of the food contains this in the menu:
Ebi-no-saka-mushi(sake steamed shrimp), Date-maki(rolled sweet omelet), Kazunoko(herring roe), Kinpira Gobo(braised burdock strips), Kobu--maki (rolled kelp with fish), Kurikinton(sweet mashed sweet potato with chestnuts), Kuro-mame(sweet black beans), Namasu(daikon and carrot pickles), Nimono(simmered dish) with gobo (burdock root), satoimo (taro), carrot, shiitake mushroom, Pink and white kamaboko(fish paste loaf), Tai-no-shio-yaki(grill sea bream), Tazukuri(teriyaki small dried sardines) DANG IT NOW I'M HUNGRY.
New Year Is A New Beginning. (part one)
He never thought that he would once again return to this old house that contains more than four hundred years of his families history. He thought that His faithful meeting with Recca in his ill state was the last time he would set foot it yet here he is know face to face with it again. It did not exactly give Kurei the happiest memories. He cringed at the thought. He did not get to really take a good look at the structure the last time he was here. This family heirloom grew fragile over time. Centuries ago he could recall the house as a symbol of power. The elders would hold meetings in it. He could not recall any day memories of it. It had always been a dark and serious house. He remembered that the property had a bloody sent probably because of the war. People were always in constant battles even among themselves. He mentally shivered when he imagined the councilmen's eyes staring coldly at him as if he wasn't even human.
Looking at present, He felt that the house seemed homier right now. Centuries did a number on it so it wasn't a surprise when He and Recca decided to come on the 28th and to a traditional Susuharai and fixed the house. Still, the place seemed livelier than ever before. He was not sure if it was because of the people living in it or the New Year's atmosphere the house was currently set up in.
"Kurei-kun, could you help me with these boxes?" Kurei was brought out of his reminiscing when Yoshino asked for help with the other decorations.
"Thank you dear."
"No. Thank you for accepting our invitation Yoshino-san." He replied. The woman just smiled. "It is a pleasure. Are Recca-kun's friends arriving soon?" the question made Kurei stiff. That's right, His brother's friends were invited too.
During the late Christmas dinner they had in the Hanabishi residence….
The three males stood in front of Recca's house where his foster father stood already waiting for them. "It's about time. Took you brats long enough. Your mother's waiting at the back." He throws Recca a pink apron with a 'Kawai Wife' printed on it. Kurei managed to control his amused reaction but the other two were laughing their heads off. "What the Hell!" the younger flame caster protested.
A few hours later the small group sat around the table. Hanabishi-san, Kaoru and Kurei were all staring at the decorative table ad the large sushi platter in the middle of it. "WOW." the Kougen Anki user stared at magnificent display before him. "It looks like these came from a very expensive sushi house. It must have caused a lot." The shadow lady giggled at the almost drooling child. "It's homemade."
"Really! You sure know how to make meals Kagero-san." The child replied. "Thank You though I believe Recca is the one you should be complimenting."
"Huh Why?"
"I only made the rice and the sweet eggs. It was Recca who beautifully cut the fish. He used to work in a sushi shop." Kaoru glanced at Recca who was put aside his apron. "Why'd he quit? He poisoned someone with a blow fish?"
"Teme! I did not! The owner needed a fulltime worker and I can't work fulltime." Recca defended as he took a seat between Kurei and his mother. "It looks suspicious, especially since you made it. Right Kurei-ni?" Recca turned to Kurei. His brother rarely complimented him with his cooking, though he always finish them but he would always point out to him if he did like how he made a dish. He was not a professional sushi chef but h gave it the bet he got. He bit his lower lip in anticipation. Why did his brother's opinion mattered to him the most? It was like instinctively he did not want to disappoint the other.
Kurei watched his brother anxiously waiting for them to take a bite. He somehow figured that Kaoru was not touching the dish without someone going at it first. He took the chopsticks and placed an anago sushi on his plate. He then dipped it in wasabe soy sauce. He murmured a quick "Itadakimasu" and ate.
Recca was waiting for his brother to talk but he only received silence in reply. He let out a disappointed sigh but paused when he saw Kurei picked another ebi shushi. He couldn't help but smile Kurei is eating it. not soon after everyone was eating.
"Recca." His mother suddenly interrupted. "You're friends were looking for you again. Dear they are just worried about you." Kaoru and Recca stiffened at this.
"Kagero-san." Kurei who was silent the whole time called for the shadow lady's attention. "We are celebrating New Years together are we not?" The woman nodded. " The hidden house would be a nice place. I may invite Yoshino-san and Recca could invite his friends." Everyone stared at him in shock but Kurei did not keep eye contact with anyone.
"Niisan what are you thinking!" Recca protested.
"I Think it I best for us to face this matter in a controlled environment. We will finally know if I am to be accepted or not and a chance to remove that spaced out look in your eyes." He said with a light blush staining his cheeks.
"We have at least six hours before they arrive. They might arrive a little early but it is still enough time." Kurei placed the box beside the other's filled with Kadomatsu Decorations.
"Kurei-san, can you lend a hand with assembling the chairs and tables. Kogenai-kun can help Yoshino with the decors." The older Hanabishi called out. Kurei nodded and walked towards the area."
"Ora. You guys are working very hard the place looks wonderful. Even for a small party." Kagero greets as she made her entrance carrying the finished O-zoni Dishes with Recca following behind.
"Thank you for coming." She added as she saw Yoshino arranging the lanterns.
"I'm glad I did. I am looking forward to dinner." She stares at the dishes and so as everyone else. "Oh, I better get started with the rest. Recca do you still want to learn how to make the Toshi-koshi soba or are you going to help them outside." Recca stood there looking confused as he was about to place the Shimenawa above the door. "Um…"
"Go help your mother Recca. We'll be fine here." Kurei did not look at Recca when he said this; instead he concentrated on assembling the outdoor table.
"That's right Recca-neechan. Please help in the kitchen like a good little daughter." Kaoru teased as he laughed hard. However it was short lived as he barely avoided a peeling knife thrown his way.
"The Hell!"
"Oops. It slipped." Recca smirked.
"Like hell it slipped. You were trying to kill me. MURDERER!" Kaoru grabbed the temporarily forgotten knife from the ground and started thrusting it towards Recca. "Hold still so I could properly transform that ugly pants of your into a skirt." The group stared at the two bickering boys. To some they might look like they were in a duel to the death mood but with the young flame wielders teasing smirk and the weapon specialist's goofy laughter you would think otherwise.
"Hmm…" Yoshino took a glance at the dishes set on the table. "Eh. Kagero-san that's a large amount of Osechi-ryori dishes! It must have taken a while to make." The lady complimented. "Thank You. I had help lot's of help." She turned toward the group of males busy with fixing the place. She got a box and went toward Kurei.
Everything was outside was prepared. Kagero was almost done with the rice cakes and the soba. Recca's father was strategically arranging the fireworks facing the Cliffside. Yoshino and Kurei finished decorating the place.
"Those who are finished should take a nice bath." The short ebony haired woman suggested from the kitchen as she was finishing the soba.
"Ah Kurei-kun." the woman called.
"What is it Yoshino-san?"
"Here." She gave a beautifully wrapped box to Kurei.
Kurei sighed. "Yoshino-san you not need to trouble yourself with these things."
"It is nothing. But It's really not from me." This got the young man's attention. "She wanted to give you a present. She misses you a lot and is very worried about you. She hopped that you would be able to see each other soon."
Kurei gently grasped the box from the woman. He glided his fingers toward the smoothed ribbon with a look of longing on his face. "ka'san." He whispered. Gently, he unwrapped the box and gasp when he saw a black colored kimono with white lining flames printed on the sleeves and bottom part.
"Hmm. I think you will look good in it." Kurei lightly blushed at the woman's comment. "And so…" He picks up another two boxes. "Now I would really like to see how Kaoru-kun and Recca-chan would look in these." She crackled as she went towards the two mentioned boys. Kurei didn't miss the emphasis on his brother's suffix but decided that women will never let any men understand their state of sanity and he never wanted to find out.
…………………………………………
Fuuko glanced at her watched and sighed. Two hour's before they arrived. "I didn't expect Recca to invite us." She positioned Ganko's head in a more comfortable position. "Come to think of it…" She paused as she tucked a lock of the child's hair behind her ear. " He seemed to more distant ever since the day before Christmas.
Domon suddenly fidgeted. "What's wrong?" She asked the large man.
"It's nothing." He quickly replied and unconsciously glanced towards the two seating on the other side of the train. If the Fujin user took notice of this she did not show it.
"Mikagami-san. The gentle girl called. The man beside him who was distracted by the outside view faced the source of the voice. "I hope Recca-kun would feel better when he sees us." She said it a hopeful tone and the boy beside her could not help but smile. He grabbed her hand and held it gently on his own. "Mikagami-san." She gently pried her hand of his grasp. "I really want to help Recca. He seemed very troubled. He is always there when I need him and this time I want to return the favor." Tokiya knew that the girl was determined. She was always trying to put others before her. He turned again towards the window. He did not want to see the girl's face. He did not want to know her reaction if he told her what Recca's faced looked like when he saw them the day before Christmas.
………………………
Kurei sat fully dressed in his new black kimono beside the pole supporting the house. He played with his sleeves in deep thought. He haven't heard from his mother for a very long time and he was definitely very anxious to meet her but he had to carry on if he didn't want her in danger. He knew that here mother is being guarded well by her relatives from what the chief told him. He also knew that if he made any moves to meet her she could be in danger. He glanced at his watch. Any moment now Recca's friends will arrive.
"Are you feeling nervous?" a small figure sat beside him.
"Kaoru. You're done with your bath?" He looks at him from head to foot. He could not help but comment. "You look distinguished." The brown haired boy blushed. "Yeah, well it's the idiot's turn in the bath I bet he looks more stupid."
"Aa…" there was again silence. Kaoru suddenly hands the older one a face towel. "Don't worry Kurei-niisan. Everyone in this house won't let anything bad happen to you. So you can stop hiding now, even if it's just for today." Kurei looked at his foster brother for a moment before he smiled and grabbed the small towel and wiped all the cover up on his face.
Silently the two stared at the placed the worked hard to fix for the party.
Tbc
YES finished! Was it crappy (hides) I sorry! Like I said in my other fic. I was held up co'z I'm graduating this summer and I needed to file my own grades and papers…stuff like that. I also found a new job as a lay out artist so there. Lame excuse….ok (grumbles)
I only went to Japan twice during new year season please tell me if I did something wrong. My grandma helped me a little.
Next chappie preview.
Kurei could not hold his gasp when he saw the figure that was shyly hiding away from their view. He did not know what possessed Yoshino to make him wear it but he sure as hell not complaining. He could not stop the intense heat forming on his cheeks.
Sa… I wonder who that person is…teehee.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE REVIEWS! PLEASE continue your support and bare with me since it really helps me on what to write thank you very much…
keele-cray: Thank you very much for your overflowing reviews you pushed me to write another chapter as soon as I can and set it on my to-do-list thank you.
Box Queen: I did update I'm sorry that it did not come out as soon as possible
Hiei0021: I wish too. Sadly there isn't enough dang it! but I am open for suggestion about this pairing. Heck I always am!
Black Widows: o.O another expectation down the dumps. I'm sorry I'm sorry though the next chapter will come sooner
Aoi-sama: Thank you. It's cute o.O I actually needed to drown myself in sugar to make that scene not to mention I was blushing like mad. Geeze if I'm like this when they are just fluffing arroung what more if….(nosebleeds)
Makkura Arashi: um….i don't know why I would think other wise…o.O waaaaah but I'm still so happy.
Silent Sage: err…your review gave me lot's of ideas…WOW BAD THOUGHTS! Um as for Raiha…you'll just have to keep a close eye out for him.
Tsuzuki Yuki: wah thank you for reviewing my fics. They mean a lot. And it adds a smile to my day
Kag321: er…nOoooooo don't die! Please leave I like you and your er…name!
Thanks everyone I was shocked at the number of hits I received…or maybe it's just me reading my fic all over again to check for errors I don't even have time to correct waaah