(12/24/10)
Monday...
The days became faster as the nights grew longer. The month grew older while the minutes became faster... The soft snow piled on our front lawn, while the pool Leah made froze over, allowing the us to skate over it. The sky was cloaked with a grey overcast that made me feel oddly cheerful. The cold air invigorated my entire body with every breath I took. I was more of a winter person, admittedly, and Canada would be my first choice if I ever worked abroad. Canada, Norway or any other frozen country.
Junpei and I got to work, since Leah and Akihiko left a few days ago on a ski trip. After shedding 5 pounds piling up snow, we went back in.
I made some sherbet lemons with snow as Junpei and I chillaxed in the living room.
"Phew... I'm tired..." Junpei panted, "Times like these are when I miss Leah the most."
"Mind you, she's used to doing that in the army... Could probably beat you, me and Senpai at it combined." I said as I drank the sherbet.
"Yeah, and it's pretty lonely without them... Cooking's hard too, and washing the plates is even harder!" Junpei cried, "And the house seems... Too big... Where is Minako anyway? She'd usually be here raiding out fridge by now..."
"She's finishing work." I said simply.
"Work? I didn't know she could work... The only time you could use Minako and the word 'work' is if there's a 'doesn't' in between!"
I laughed at that, "Don't be mean, dude, they're really working..."
"Work?! Who in their right mind would work today!?" Junpei cried, "Lee and the guys said the same thing about their girls too!"
"Let's invite them over?" I offered.
"Sure." Junpei agreed as he picked up the phone and dialled their numbers.
The guys went over to the house in a few moments, since their girls were working at Pink's. We had explained that Akihiko and Leah left for a ski trip, with Leah acting as Akihiko's bodyguard, but all just a ruse. They knew she and Akihiko had a thing going on.
Lee hung his black leather jacket with Kenji's Parka and Quan's red windbreaker. All wore gloves and boots.
"Hey, do you guys have a bathroom?" Lee asked as soon as he entered.
"No, we dig a hole and shit outside." I said dryly.
"Geez, sorry!" Lee apologized as he entered the bathroom after I pointed it out,
"Too bad the girls are busy..." Junpei muttered, "Especially Chidori... Sure, she makes time for me, but always busy..."
"Shut up bro, you're not the only cat with the problems..." Lee said bitterly from the toilet.
"Yeah... Rio and the other's are working at Le Pinque..." Kenji said, "And it's Rio and my first time as a couple to celebrate Christmas together."
"Ditto for me." Lee said as he washed up..
"Me too." I said. The opportunity to ask Minako to be my girl was ripe. With Yukari out of town, this would work well to my advantage. Though it did feel somewhat unethical.
"Idea!" Quan lit up, "Why don't we head to the cafe?"
"Sounds great, Wendita!" Lee jeered as he zipped his pants, "Maybe you can serve us some hot coffee, you little fairy fruitcake!"
"Call me that again, seme, and I'll tell Fuuka about Wendy." Quan said with wrath.
"You wouldn't dare." Lee challenged, "You ain't got any balls between your legs, pussy!"
"Yeah, but I got a pretty big mouth!" Quan shot back, "You'd know." He made the same tongue motions Lee did and a gagging sound as the boys and I howled with laughter.
"Aw, okay, okay!" Lee said in defeat, "You win, let's go... And please don't tell..."
I grabbed an arctic camo jacket and Junpei grabbed his fur lined brown leather jacket as well.
"Oh, I almost forgot..." I said as I picked up a box, "Senpai bought one too many ski-masks. Let's wear em."
We each got one. After traversing the icy land, we arrived at Le Pinque. We entered there with a dramatic sweep.
"Welcome to-" Fuuka said, before dropping her plate and taking cover, "Terrorists!"
"Terrorists?! Where?!" Lee said, looking everywhere. He even lifted a potted bonsai plant to see if any were hiding there, "Which kind? Al-Qaeda? Abu-Sayyaf? NPA? KKK? V.C.? Neo-Nazis? Ultranationalists?!"
Minako seized a chair and flung it to Lee as he went down in a heap.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! It's us!" I cried, revealing my face to Minako.
"You idiots! What's the big idea?!" She cried.
"None! Can't anyone wear a ski mask without having chairs flung at them-" Junpei began, but was tackled by Naoto and was immediately cuffed. That surprised all of us.
"You have the RIGHT to remain silent! Anything you say can, and WILL be used against you in the court of law! You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney, then one will be provided for you! Do you understand these rights given to you?!"
"Naoto... It's me..." Junpei croaked.
After Naoto released Junpei, she regarded him sternly, "You boys have been acting very dishonorable."
"If you guys keep being naughty, Santa won't give you anything tonight!" P!nky said while waving a finger.
"Pinky, you still believe in Santa?!" Lee cried, but Quan almost shoved his hand in Lee's mouth. Thankfully, Pinky didn't hear it.
Naoto sipped coffee quietly on the corner, reading a case file.
"Five Frappes." I ordered.
"Junpei, you looked like a terrorist..." Lee mumbled, "It's your fault..."
"Not it isn't! Don't blame me, blame yourself! You're the one whp looks like friggin' corsair!" Junpei shot back. They began cursing each other with colorful words.
Minako and the girls went to us. After servicing us, they looked on at us expectantly.
"What?" Lee said annoyedly, nursing a bruise, "Oh, these taste good. Now scram."
"You boys free today?" Pinky asked.
We looked at each other and smiled, "Yep! We're all yours! We have nothing going on today!"
"Great!" Pinky squealed, "Daddy, these guys are free!"
A towering, hulking figure approached us and placed a giant paw at Lee's shoulder.
"You can do part time work." He growled.
"Y-Yes!" Lee cried, "Whoa, look at that hand! It's as big as a baseball glove!" He exclaimed as he gazed at his hand.
"Our family usually holds a special cake sale every Christmas, but we're low on help. I asked Quanny to help." Pink said as she handed us several uniforms.
"Traitor..." We muttered to Quan as he shrugged innocently.
"Oh boy! We're all gonna be together until six! Let's work hard!" Minako said passionately.
Maybe this won't be as bad as it sounded...?
I wore an elf costume with a holly design. Naoto seemed amused, until she was handed one as well. Grudgingly, she wore it too.
"It's too big for me!" Naoto protested. We laughed at it. What kind of person is too small for an elf costume?! Junpei then speculated if Naoto was really a girl (Naoto looking shocked) or an elf (Naoto looking plain annoyed).
Junpei wore a Santa costume as he served customers with a sack. Kenji wore a Santa costume as well Quan wore a raindeer costume, as did Lee.
"Like the uniform." Lee remarked, "But why is this wet?" He said, pointing to the red nose on his nose.
"Oh, the guy who wore it called in sick today. Caught the flu... Sneezed like a hurricane, he did." Pinky's father said as Lee flicked the red nose off his face.
I was prepared to go, when Minako went near me. So near, I could smell her perfume, which smelled like wildberries in Autumn, "Use this..." She gave me a pair of pocket hand warmers.
Pinky led Lee Naoto and I outside the store, in the kiosk filled with cakes. We sat there in the chilling cold. Lee warmed himself up by breathing on his hands.
"Damn... I'm freezing my tits off." Lee shuddered, "Why does Junpei, Quan, Kenji and the girls get to stay inside, toasty warm while we turn into icicles in this blasted winter?!" He said while his teeth chattered.
"It's... very chilly..." Naoto shivered.
"Yeah, I guess it's a bit cold..." I said, stuffing my hands inside my jacket.
"Say, you wouldn't happen to have any handwarmers there, eh buddy?" Lee asked.
"Nope." I lied.
"Bummer..." Lee said dejectedly.
A few customers passed by, buying several cakes. Then, an entire horde bought more, until we were completely sold out.
"Haha! At this rate, we'll be all sold out and enjoying some coffee later!" Lee said triumphantly while he counted the money.
Then, Quan, Junpei and Kenji went out and stacked several newly baked boxes of cake on the kiosk.
"What the hell is this?!" Lee demanded.
"More boxes. My idea." Junpei said with a wink, "Seeing as you guys sold out so fast, I said it might be more economical if you guys sold the rest."
"Oh man, you are definitely asking a fist up your stupid face!" Lee hissed, "Better get back in, boy, before I bury you three here!"
They went back inside.
"Oh boy..." Lee shivered.
"Want a hug?" I asked.
"Thanks, a hug would be great." Lee said as he rubbed his hands.
"Let me call Quan then..." I said with a smile. Naoto raised an eyebrow.
Lee gave me an annoyed look, "You're such a jerk, man... Must you always bring that up!?"
I shrugged. Then, a youth with silver hair and a stringed instrument stopped by. From the look of him and his mismatched and hipster clothes, he probably was a musician. He had a sad smile, and his skillful fingers were tuning his guitars.
"Hello sir! Would you fancy a cake?" Lee asked sweetly.
He nodded and looked at nectar and honey cake.
"Good choice, Sir! 100% nectar from roses and honey imported from honey farms in Greece!" I said with a convincing voice.
"How much for a box?" He asked with the most saddest voice ever.
"3,000 yen, sir! Would you like one?" Lee said.
"3,000...?" The musician whistled, "I'm afraid I cannot afford it... But I wouldn't want my Euri to be the only girl not to have a cake... Poor as I am, I'd do anything for her to eat just a tiny slice."
"Find 3,000 yen then." Lee said frostily, "We're running a business, not a charity service."
"Would I interest you fine gentlemen and lady with a song?" He asked sadly, pulling a strange, gold harp from his back. On closer look, it was a lyre.
Naoto gasped. So did I. This stranger was more than meets the eye.
Lee was a bit more callous, "Oh boy..." Lee sighed, "Vamoose! Get! We don't take buskers for cakes, buddy!"
"But I must have this. This is my Christmas with my Euri and I'd like to have some cake with my beloved wife. I shall make you a ballad in exchange for-"
"How 'bout I give you a knuckle sandwich instead, buddy? We're freezing out here and I ain't in a good mood!" Lee cried.
"We'd love to hear it, my good man." Naoto said, elbowing Lee.
"Yeah, I'd like some music." I said.
"What?!"
The man smiled, "Great."
He plucked on his lyre and sang a heartful lament in a foreign language, but I could understand bits of it, and suddenly, we were transfixed. Everything seemed to freeze in time, as if the universe stopped just to listen to him. The rocks moved and the frost melted slightly. It felt so warm, that even Lee shed his jacket.
When he finally stopped, he asked for his cakes.
"I'll admit, that was good... but still, 3,000 yen." Lee demanded.
"But I sang you a song." The man said defensively.
"No money, no honey-cake." Lee said coldly.
The man turned around in defeat. I siezed a cake and ran after him.
"Hey!" Lee shouted. I turned to the alley the man passed.
"Wait!" I cried while the man turned around. His face notably brightened up.
"Here. On me." I said with a smile, handing the cake to him. He accepted it.
"I thank you. Eurydice and I shall eat good tonight." He bowed, "Pity where she's at though..."
"Eurydice...?" I said in a low voice.
"Yes, my wife..." He said, "You are a noble soul, Minato." He said.
"How do you know my name?" I asked as he smiled.
"That does not matter. Thanks for the cake, Prince of Dreams..." He said, and stopped again, "Word from the wise, when in a relationship, never, EVER look back... I did that once and it was not good." He said and left.
Blinking, I went back.
"Minato, you're such a sucker." Lee sighed.
A few more people bought some cakes. Again, Junpei brought another stack of cakes as Lee punched him in the face, "I spit at your grave!"
"Lee, that's not very nice." Naoto chided as Lee sat down in annoyance.
Then, we felt scared. There was an evil looking man approaching. He was thin, sallow skinned with yellow, uneven teeth. He wore a black robe that made him look like a black raven. His jet black, shoulder length, greasy hair flew in the winter air. His lips were curled as his black eyes bored through us. Upon closer look, his pitch black eyes seemed dead. He looked like a criminal, a career criminal.
Lee was under the stall, getting warm.
"Bad guy at twelve O'clock..." I muttered.
"What?" Lee said.
"Tall, robed in black and scary." Naoto said.
"Dudes, that is profiling and that's unfair..." He went up, "Okay, now THAT is a bad guy! THAT IS A BAD GUY!" Lee whispered furiously, "He looks like Jack the-goddamn-Ripper!"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Naoto dismissed, "Jack the Ripper has been dead for more than a century."
"Okay... Maybe he's the hash-slinging-slasher or maybe the Tattletale strangler..." Lee muttered.
Naoto twitched.
"Hey, that was a joke..." Lee said with a frightened voice.
He smiled. Naoto, Lee and I recoiled.
"You guys sellin'?" He growled.
"Oh, yeah..." I said.
He grabbed Lee by the collar, "If you guys really ARE selling this... And expecting me to PAY for it, there's only one thing I have to say..." He growled menacingly.
"Yeah?!" Lee growled back, trying to be fearless, but he was shaking.
"How much for a box?" He asked.
"3,000 yen." Lee managed to say.
"I'll have one." He said as he took a box.
"Thank you, sir!" Lee sad as the man walked away, "See? He's not as bad as you think!"
"Probably explains why he forgot to pay." I said mirthlessly.
"What!?" Lee exclaimed.
"Yeah, he didn't pay."
"Oh, man, this is why we can't do business in the ghetto!" Lee bemoaned, "After him!" Lee cried.
We ran after the thief, who was fleeing by the back alleys. Surprisingly, Naoto kept up with us, even Lee was puffing and sweating.
We managed to corner him on a back alley.
"You ain't got nowhere to run!" Lee cried, "So give up so we can stomp your guts out!"
"D-Don't move! I'm armed!" He cried, and aimed a pistol at us, then dropped a christmas ham and a large Edam cheese, known to some as Quęso de Bola, "Oh shit! You, pick that up!" He barked at me.
"You hungry, dude?" I asked while picking the foodstuffs from the floor.
"Do I look hungry?! Get your pretty boy ass over there!" he snaps, "Well, maybe a little," he admitted, "But hands up!"
"That's not a real gun." Lee said confidently.
"I do! I'll blast you!" The man threatens, "You don't think I'm packing heat?!"
"Yeah, come on, the barrel tip is colored red!" Lee said in exasperation.
"I'll still shoot you!"
"Shoot me then, tough guy!" Lee challenged, "I ain't scared of Death! Death is scared of ME!"
The man flinched, "I'll shoot you..."
"Mother-" Lee was about to curse.
"Lee, no!" I said, "C'mon Lee!"
"Damn it all!" The man cursed, "All I wanted was a Christmas feast! It's Christmas for crying out loud! Can't a poor man celebrate the birth of Christ?!"
I frowned at Lee, who shook his head.
"Everyone deserves a Christmas." I said quietly, "Take it... It's yours."
Lee sighed as he left with Naoto.
The man smiled, "Tough titty, that kid... His mother was the same too..." He muttered, "Anyway, thanks for the kindness, kid. The reason of Christmas is to show goodwill and kindness to others. You have performed admirably. Though a bit too clichéd. Too movie-ish."
I nodded.
"Oh yeah..." He muttered, "Happy Birthday, my Lord." He said with a Deathly voice, then, he turned to a corner and literally disappeared in the shadows.
But today wasn't my birthday...
Thinking it must be the ice fuddling my head, I went back.
Lee was still fuming about that guy.
Then, a child, a really innocent looking child came to the kiosk. He was very pale, had the same hair I did, same wise, soulful eyes, with bandaged wrists and seemed as if the world's problems laid upon his shoulders. Come to think of it, he did look like me, only he had snowy white hair.
"Welcome!" The three of us said.
"Excuse me... One please." The child asked sweetly. I packaged the cake and gave it to him.
"3,000 yen." I said.
He smiled as he handed it to me. Three crisp 3,000 yen notes.
"Pleasure doing business with you!" I cried.
"Finally, someone who actually paid!" Lee cried.
The child went happily along, then he tripped on the icy pavement. He was unhurt, but the cake was ruined, now a splatter of chiffon layers and icing and sliced strawberries on the glacial sidewalk.
He began to sob.
"Tough nut, kid. Welcome to the real world!" Lee said, placing the money on the tin.
"Shut up, Lee." I said, then looked back at the kid.
Well, it was only 3,000 yen... I took my wallet, and realized I left it at home. I decided to deduct it from my paycheck.
I took a cake and placed it in a box.
"You can't be serious!" Lee cried, "Are you trying to compete with Father Christmas or something?!"
Ignoring Lee, I knelt by the child, "Here, take it." I said.
"B-But what about the money?" The child whimpered, tears still streaming his face.
"Nah, forget it." I said as I ruffled his soft hair, "Merry Christmas, Kid, and watch your step!" I added with a smile.
"Thank you, Mister!" He smiled and walked slowly, and turned back, his grey eyes piercing on me. I looked at Lee and Naoto, who seemed suspended in time. Actually, it seemed as if time stood absolutely still. The snowflakes even stopped. The child moved, however. And his voice didn't sound so carefree and innocent anymore. Instead, it spunded determined, wise and Kingly.
"You have shown true generosity and moral fiber. This will treat you thus well upon your future, Child of the Fool Arcana, and show to be your guiding light, which shall shine still-brighter in the darkness... May you ever be guided by it, even when all other lights go out." He said with a strange voice, "Though I predict your immediate future to be dark indeed, be fearless in Death and it shall be brighter than the Sun. You shall have a prophecy..."
I nodded dumbly.
"Real friends shall enjoy a moment of rest,
Before suffering The Elder's test,
True love and friendship shall fight,
One shall succeed the other, while the latter remain a blight,
One known boon shall be the bane,
While the victor of the fight shall reign,
Three shall become two and continue their love so rare,
While one shall destroy their love affair,
Three friends thought true to one shall renege,
The one betrayed will break his leg,
Evil incarnate shall rise and flesh he will rend,
While upon the Savior's blade we shall depend,
The blood of the lamb shall strengthen the blade,
Upon doing that, he shall save the maid,
He shall be slain and sent to Heaven's gate,
But doing so, his future might dissipate,
A young Devil on the warpath,
And when he's finished, it's going to be a bloodbath,
Of people dying in vain,
A severed arm from a shadow fell,
The Elder will claim his throne,
While the Messiah shall walk alone."
He smiled and walked away. As he did, his form grew taller, until his bandages fell off, revealing two hole scars. He turned back, with his red eyes and smiled.
I blinked as I looked at the two.
"Well, let's clear up." Lee said as Naoto began counting the money.
We went inside and enjoyed some tea. Then, a guy in his late teens with flaming auburn hair and wore a biker vest and leather cowboy riding pants, entered the store. He looked like the type who was about to rob the place. Accompanying him was a noble French-looking girl. She looked so pretty, so well poised. But she exuded the air of a person who felt it beneath her to be in our presence.
"Ma, Pa! We're home!" He said loudly with a thug accent, "The Prodigal son returns!"
"Hwoarang-oppa!" Pinky squealed as she hugged the young man. Pinky then glared at his beautiful companion with extreme disdain, "Lili."
Hwoarang cuffed Pinky.
"Sigh... Lili-eonni." She grumbled.
"Hey Pink-yeodongsaeng." Lili said smugly. Pinky rolled her eyes.
"Hey sis." Hwoarang said as he hugged Pinky. Pinky squealed as she hugged him too.
After seeing that the elegant lady had a seat, he strode to a chair and kicked his snow boots off his feet.
"Who are you clowns?" He said as he looked at us head to toe.
"Hwoarang, don't be so rude." The lady said.
"Ah, get off, Lili, I own the place, I have a say on the matter!" The guy, apparently named Hworang, said annoyedly.
"My name is-" Quan began nervously.
"I already know who you are, wimp!" Hwoarang snapped, "You're that nerd datin' my sis. Lemme tell you something..."
He glared at Quan, who swallowed nervously, "One, get a job. You'll spend every single yen on dates. Two, understand that I don't like you. Nor will anything you try to do will work. Three, I'm everywhere. I got eyes on the sky and on the street. Four, if you hurt her, I'll hurt you. And believe me, I do that for fun, but for you, I'll cut your heart out and watch you bleed. Five, be home an hour early. Not a second after. I got a Mac-11 upstairs and it's locked, loaded and I'll be hunting your punk ass down. Six, get a lawyer. You're gonna need a good one. Seven, if you lie to me, I'll find out and beat the truth outta ya until ya squeal. Eight, she's my princess, not your conquest. Understand that or I'll beat you up. Nine, I don't mind going back to jail. When I go out, I'll blow your house up and I won't leave you a window to jump out of. Ten, whatever you do to her, I'll do to you. You know what I mean. Also, get your punk ass outta your parents house!" Hwoarang said harshly.
"I-I'm 17!" Quan said.
"Motherfucker, you at least 30." Hwoarang said with a sneer.
Quan blushed as he steered clear of him.
Then, Minato came towards me, "Are you ready for tonight?"
I nodded, "Yes."
She smiled, "That's good... Because it's gonna be a night to remember." She said as she slapped my butt.
A/N: Finished again. I'm pretty glad my quota was met. Again, same deal if you want next chapter to be out. 15 reviews But more would be welcome! I truly enjoy and appreciate new reviewers as well. It doesn't even have to be a perfect review. Consistency is better than perfection
Q/A:
Water Dragon Slayer Kaijeno: Hey Kai. No, no apathy syndrome. You know, eh? Let's keepit at that, and it's Cipher now, dude.
Hoshi no Ookamiden: Well, it is delish.
Thanks. You will have to wonder for some time though before you kow who they are.
Really? Huh, I thought I was doing it wrong...
Yeah, the Half Blood Cipher. xD
ThePersonaficationOfNight: Thanks dude. Thought of it at the very last moment. Yep, I try to keep Junpei the same, but I guess it spilled.
RiverTear980: Why thank you very much! I hate those kinds of OC's as well, so I try to make the, seem a bit more of a supportive role. Especially those authors who make themselves OC's and make themselves the heroes as well.
Gee, it really did brighten my day, thanks!
Hopefully you'll review again!
ReachingOutFES: Thought of it at the last second as well xD. Don't worry, it won't include any smut. Or will it?
Radaketor: I will, don't worry. It's a part of the arc.
Maybe... I'm figuring it out still.
Guest 6/29/13: Uh... Thanks.
Guest For Now 6/29/13: Thank you! Hope you will like it!