Still here...Just trying to come up with decent progression and fighting off lazy-ness at the same time...

Chapter 6

Necessary Holiday

"See? I told you this was important!" A woman with black hair assured her friend. She was a short girl that wore a yellow T-shirt with tan shorts, sunhat and sandals. "This little vacation has put what little spring you had in your step back Kuji-Chan."

"I guess." The much taller woman rolled her sky blue eyes. She had on a dress she loved to wear often. It was a blue and dark blue bordered kimono-like garb with long sleeves that were longer than her arms by a good amount. On the bottom half of the sleeves were light blue and white striped waves. Her sash was a yellow obi, purple obiage, and purple obijime. The skirt reached the floor and rose up like waves crashing. It was decorated with a picture of a happy whale with water sprouting from its blow hole. Her wavy black and blue white tipped hair was tied back in a pony tail that also resembled a spout of water.

They walked down the street of the small traditional town and looked around for something to do on their last day. They were nearing their hotel were they parked when the shorter saw something. She nudged Kuji just as she was nibbling on a fishy snack causing her to nearly choke on it.

"W-What's wrong with you, Yuki!? Are you trying to k-kill me!?" She hacked as she stopped in the middle of the street to catch her breath.

"Oh, sorry. I just thought we should check out that little shop." She threw away the stick that had her food on it at some point and spoke pointing at an old store that appeared to have various merchandise both old and new.

"Then why didn't you just say that?" She stood up from her bent position keeping her agitated glare on her friend as she did so.

"I had my mouth full."

"Ugh, well, at least you were trying to be polite."

"So, how about it? I bet they got some interesting dog toys for Big Tuna and Little Mackerel."

"I don't think your pets really care how odd their toys are. I've seen Little Mack play with his own waste."

"Yeah, but remember Biggy is smarter. Picky too."

"That's true. Is guess it won't hurt to look. I might find some gifts for Ka or Ryouko's kids. I still don't have anything for the older kids' birthdays…"

"I thought you said they were easy to shop for." She asked as they were starting to walk across the street. They had to wait for a few cars to pass.

"Ryuto, Klay, and Pit are. Ryuto's the easiest, you can't find something dinosaur related and he still has a soccer ball any old action figure will do. Klay loves board games and books and Pit loves how to books and water pistols. Poor Matsuko is the one I have problems with. She likes to draw so I just end up getting her paint supplies but I hate getting her the same thing all the time."

"Hm…That explains why they gave that look when I got Matsuko a bat but Ryuto loved those markers."

"Ryouko didn't. He colored himself and several things that aren't paper with them." They crossed the street as the last vehicle chugged by.

"Maybe you'll find something for poor Matsuko then." She said gleefully.

"Yeah, you know, I think she's really into traditional dress. She always gets really excited when festivals come around and she dresses up for her birthdays and New Years too."

"She likes clothes like her Mama? Oh, that's so cute! I bet Ryouko loves dressing her up!"

"Hm," Kuji looked through the window of the door. "I wonder why the door's closed. It's such a warm day all the other old shops are open." The door creaked as it swung open.

"AAHHH! It, it's FLEEING!?" An old man jumped up from behind the cash register wielding a broom. An old woman jumped up from a shelf of puzzles with a knife and ladle.

"You, you dope they're customers!" She cried after smacking him with one of the kitchen utensils. "I think you made the whole dumb thing up to get out of working!"

"But, but I saw it, it cackled at me…" The man tried to lift his shivering hand to point out the culprit but the woman was having none of it.

"Now go sweep the front and open the door!" She lifted the ladle for another assault before he ran out past the women. "Lazy no good husband. I really thought he changed. No sweets for him tonight." She shook her head before facing the women. "I'm sorry you had to see that dears. Please, take a look around. We have a deal on wind chimes. Buy one, get one eighty percent off."

"I'd be stupid not to take that deal!" Yuki cried happily. "I bet Ka-Chan would love one! Matsu too!"

"Uh, That's OK as long as we're not intruding." She said politely as she started to look around. "Oh, this will be perfect for her." Kuji smiled wide as she picked up an old ichimatsu doll. I was in perfect condition with a pretty pink kimono with white flowers.

"That doll, for Matsuko?"

"Yeah, she seemed really happy when her parents got her one for Christmas." She looked over to the shop owner. "Excuse me, how much is this?"

"Oh, that?" She looked it over from behind her thick glasses. "That's odd, the poor thing used to have cracks all over it. I guess dumbo got it fixed up. I've been asking him to do it for a while, maybe I should let him have sweets after all." She realized she was getting off topic and looked up at Kuji. "You said this was for a little girl?"

"Yeah, a daughter of my best friend. She's very responsible for her age." She swallowed hard realizing how expensive this antique will most likely be but she knew how much the angel deserved it.

"Mm." The woman seemed to think deeply about it as she looked in her pleading blue eyes. "This was actually my doll when I was a little girl…I still have a few other clothes for her too." A smile grew on her aged lips. "I used to rush home from school in anticipation of brushing her smooth hair. I was so proud of how nice she looked…"

'Oh great.' Kuji thought. 'What have I gotten myself into? Matsu-Chan, you better love this thing with all your little heart.'

"Ten thousand yen." The woman declared.

"W-What? Are, are you sure?"

"Wow, lady you must not have liked your childhood too much."

"Shut up Yuki. Don't ruin this." She quietly snapped.

"But, but you said-."

"I'm sure I'm sure." The woman said with pride. "Aiko was the one thing that made such a hard time livable for me. Seeing her on this shelf collecting dusk hurts because deep down I know she wants to be dressed up, play make believe, and be loved. That's what she was made for in my opinion. I hope that little girl appreciates her as much as I did." She turned away and moved toward the back. "Hold on, I think the rest of her clothes are over here."

"I wonder if I should give it to her now or wait till next October…" Kuji held up the purchase as they left the store. She almost didn't notice the man in front yelp from seeing them. "He's still spooked? I'm glad we didn't buy any food because they must have a terrible rat problem."

"Yup, they'll love these wind chimes, especially in the summer."

"Have you been listening to a word I've been saying?"

"Oh, yeah, the doll. Do you really want to wait almost a whole year to see her smile?" She carefully placed her bag clinging ornamentation in the back seat.

"I guess not…But now I have to find a present for the others so they don't feel left out…Or at least her brother."

"Hm, I think I saw a Power Rangers sitting pillow in there."

"That's not gonna cut it. For something this valuable we need Gachapin or one of his favorite Digimon at least. I guess our first stop is the mall." After looking at the doll one last time she placed it on the seat and put the seat belt on her to prevent her from moving.

"Huh, just like a baby." Yuki chimed.

"You don't just put babies in the car without a car seat so it's not the same." She retorted as she put her own seat belt on.

"Oh." There was a silence as Kuji started up the car.

"Ugh, I'm so glad to be out of that dump."

"Yuki-Chan! It may have been a shack but the woman was very kind."

"H-huh? But-."

"First you insult her childhood, and then you make fun of her place of business? Usually I'm the rude one…Wait, are you trying to mimic me?"

"N-no, I-."

"Playing a trick on that old man was the most fun I've ever had! I wonder how fun you'll be. He he!"

"…That, wasn't you, was it?"

"They, they must have had a two for one deal too. Buy one doll, get one ghost…"

"Not funny, Yuki."

"Cute dress by the way. I would love to see your wardrobe! Not so much 'Wind Chime for Brains' though. Her clothes just look too, bleh."

"Hey…Not cool."

"…Thanks…"