Azumanga Daioh Is Not Mine, It Belongs To Kiyohiko Azuma

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New Azumanga Christmas Tales

By Anime Rebirth

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AR: The Holidays are not only a time to enjoy with family, but a time to open your hearts…..

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(Wada and Matsuda's Tale)

Matsuda was sitting in a bench at the park looking at the huge Christmas Tree that was placed in the center.

"Bah humbug." She whispered softly. Matsuda was never really into Christmas, her parents obvious favoritism over her little sister Miki made sure of that. Every year they got her the most expensive gifts and she always got something from a secondhand store.

It was then that she heard someone playing 'Oh Holy Night' on a violin.

She looked around and noticed a group of people gathered around something.

Curious, she decided to see who it was playing, and when she went to go see who it was, she wasn't really surprised. "Wada." she said softly.

Yes, it was indeed Wada, she had decided to so and spend the day at the park playing Christmas songs on her viloin to entertain the people there.

Matsuda just looked at Wada and thoughts begin to enter her head. "Why is she always so cheerful all the time." she thought.

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Some time later, more people gathered to hear Wada as she continued to play Chritmas music. At the moment she was in the middle of 'Silent Night.'

Matsuda was still in wathcing her, but she was hiding in the back so Wada couldn't see her. She had always thought that Wada playing the viloin was a waste of time, but for some reason, hearing her play made her feel calm inside.

As she finished everyone in the crowd applauded her.

"Thank you very much." Wada said as she bowed. "I'm so glad you enjoyed it, now you have a Happy Christmas okay."

As the people started to leave Matsuda just stood there staring at Wada as she was putting her violin away.

Wada just stood there as she could feel someone watching her, as she picked up her violin case she turned around and saw Matsuda there.

"Matsuda-san?" She said as she gave a huge smile. "You saw me play, that's wonderful."

Matsuda just looked at the ground. "Well, I was just sitting around doing nothing anyway." she responded.

"So did you like it?" Wada asked in an excited tone.

"It was….okay." Matsuda responded.

Wada could tell that she really enjoyed so she just smiled. "Thank you."

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As Wada and Matsuda left the park, Matsuda just kept staring at her.

"So what made you come here to play anyway?" Matsuda finally asked.

"I love to play music for everyone, if it makes their day then it makes my day." Wada responded.

"Oh." Matsuda said without much enthusiasm.

"So Matsuda-san." Do you always come to the park.

"Not usually, but I needed to get out of the house for a bit, that way, I'd get out of my Folks hair for a bit, not that they care anyway." Matsuda responded.

Wada just stared at her. She knew how rough Matsuda had it, she just wanted to make her feel happy so she had an idea.

"Hey Matsuda-san, how about you come to my house for Christmas." she suggested.

Matsuda just sighed. "No thanks." She responded. "If it's all the same, I'll just stay in my room that day."

"Don't be silly." Wada told her. "You'll have a great time with us."

Matsuda stared at her friend. She could see the happy look in her eyes. "Well, I guess I could come down for a bit, but I'm not gonna go for free." She said. "I have to give your family something."

"Oh don't worry about that." Wada assured her.

"No." Matsuda said as her pride kicked in. "Akane Matsuda will not take charity." She said as she got a serious look on her face."

"Okay how about you bring…….figgy pudding." Wada said as she giggled.

"What you mean from the Christmas song, you mean it's real." Matsuda said in a surprised tone.

"Yes it is silly." Wada responded. "And that's all you have to bring."

Matsuda scratched her head. "Well….okay, but where am I gonna find one?"

"Well, if you can't find any, I'm sure you can make it yourself." Wada told her.

"Me…cook?" Matsuda responded. "I can't even boil water right." she responded.

"Then I guess you'd better start looking." Wada responded as she left.

"HEY WAIT?!!!!!" Matsuda yelled, but Wada had disappeared around the corner. "Why can't anything be simple with her."

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Matsuda looked around the stores. "1800 yen for some figgy pudding?" she thought. "That's a bit steep, and it doesn't even look like there would be enough." She looked around to see if she could find a cheaper one, but the figgy pudding she saw was the cheapest one they had.

"It would probably be cheaper to make it I guess." Matsuda thought. "But knowing my folks they'd probably wouldn't let me use the kitchen after that incident with the eggs." she then sighed as she thought.

"Wait, I know where I could go." She said with a huge smile

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Matsuda knew she needed some help, so she decided to go ask Chiyo. As she made her way to the front gate, she noticed that a police car was driving off with two men sitting in the back.

"Wow, they look like they went though hell." Matsuda thought as she pushed the button on the monitor.

Within a few seconds Chiyo's face appeared on the monitor.

"Merry Christmas." She said. "Oh hello Matsuda-san, what can I do for you?"

"Well Chiyo-chan, I was wondering if you could give me some advice." Matsuda asked. "I'm going to Wada's house for Christmas and she asked me to take some figgy pudding, and I thought it would chea--- uh, I mean better if I made it myself."

"Oh making something is more fun that buying it." Chiyo said as she giggled. "Come in and we can make some here."

"But, I need to buy the ingrediants, and don't you want to spend time with your family?" Matsuda asked.

"Oh don't worry, Mommy, Daddy and I have the entire day to spend together, besides, making figgy pudding sounds like fun plus we have all we need right here."

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As Matsuda was reading the recipe she couldn't help but notice something.

"Hey this thing uses rum?" She asked in a surprised tone.

"Well we could always substitue it with a different extract." Chiyo said.

As they continued to prepare the ingrediants, a thought entered Matsuda's head. "Chiyo-chan, if you don't mind me asking… Do you know anything about a police car I saw outside eailier?"

"Oh I had some surprise guests come buy, but they were quite rude and I'm afraid they had to leave." Chiyo responded as she appeared to give a devilish grin with sent a shiver down Matsuda's spine.

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"Matsuda-san, I was wondering, why are you going to go spend Christmas at Wada's house, don't you want to be with your own family?" Chiyo asked.

Matsuda just looked at the oven as the figgy pudding baked. "My family and I never seemed to get along, since I was little it seemed that I was destined to be nothing but trouble, always causing problems no matter where I go, then Nakumi came along and my folks thought she was the greatest blessing ever born, since then, they've practacly ignored me."

Chiyo just stared at her. "That's terrible." She said. "But maybe if you talked to them…."

"I've tried Chiyo-chan, I've really tried." Matsuda responded. "But it's no use, to them, I'm just a waste of life." She then stared at her. "If it wasn't for you and the others, I guess I'd feel lost."

Chiyo just closed her eyes and smiled. "Well I'm happy to hear that." She said.

"I just hope Wada's parents don't get upset with her for inviting me like this out of the blue, after all I do have a bad reputation." Matsuda said.

"You've turned your life around, I'm sure they will accept you." Chiyo assured her.

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"You did what?" Wada's dad asked.

"I invited Matsuda-san over to spend Christmas with us." Wada responded as she closed her eyes and smiled.

Wada's Mom and Dad just stared at each others, they knew of Matsuda's history of problems.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Her mom said.

"But mother." Wada started.

"You're mom is right, that girl is a bad influence." Her dad said.

"She's not the same meanie anymore." Wada told them. "Please give her a chance."

"I've heard that even her own family gave up on her." Hiroyoshi, her older brother said.

"I don't think I would trust her in our home." Wada's mom said.

"That's not fair, this is Chirstmas, everyone deserves to be happy on it, please." Wada said with tears in her eyes.

Wada's dad sighed. "Okay, but only because this means so much to you." he said.

Wada hugged him. "Oh thank you daddy." She said.

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Matsuda left Chiyo's house with the figgy pudding. "Doesn't really look like pudding." She thought. "To each their own I suppose."

She started to think about Wada's invitation. Then about how most of her classmates have welcomed her into the group despite her past. After that she smiled and started to sing…

"Oh Bring us some figgy pudding, oh bring us some figgy pudding, oh bring us some figgy pudding, and a cup of good cheer."

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There was a knock on the door at Wada's house…

Wada went to go answer it and saw Matsuda standing there with the figgy pudding.

"Happy Christmas Matsuda-san, come in." Wada said in an excited tone.

Matsuda came in and saw Wada's family sitting in the living room, along with some more relatives as well as some friends.

"Happy Christmas." Matsuda said nervously as everyone just stared at her.

"Happy Christmas." Wada's mom said as she took the figgy pudding.

"It's figgy pudding." Matsuda told her.

"Yes, thank you." Wada's mom said as she gave her a small smile which Matsuda felt she forced herself to do.

"So Matsuda, I hear that your own parents dislike you." Hiroyoshi said.

"Hiroyoshi." Wada scolded.

"No it's okay Wada." Matsuda said. "Well it's true, but I've learned to live with it." She said as she gave a smile.

"So Miss Matsuda, do you have any plans if you graduate." Wada's dad ask.

"If?" Matsuda asked in a confused tone.

"Oh Matsuda is one of the best students in school, number 2 overall behind Chiyo-chan." Wada explained.

"Really?" Hiroyoshi said. "She sure doesn't look it."

Matsuda started to feel uncomfortable. "Geez, I might as well have stayed home." She thought.

A young man started to stare at Matsuda. "So Matsuda, I hear you were almost kicked out of school once for fighting."

Matsuda just rubbed her arm. "Well, yes, but I've learned from that mistake, in fact, I try my best to avoid confrontation now." she responded.

Wada just narrowed her eyes at the young man. "Kaneto, how are your girfreinds, oh I mean girlfreind?" She asked.

Kaneto as he was now known as quickly scrathed his head. "Oh she's fine." He said as he quickly became silent.

Matsuda just stared at Wada and smiled. "Wow she must have some dirt on him, who knew she could be so sneaky." Matsuda thought.

Wada's mom came into the living room. "Okay everyone, dinner is ready." She said.

"May I borrow your bathroom?" Matsuda asked politely.

Wada's dad just stared for her. "Of course." She turned to Wada's mom. "Dear why don't you show her where it is."

"I'll show her." Wada said.

"No it's okay, I'll do it." Wada's mom said.

Wada started to get upset as they left. "Why are you all behaving like this." She demanded.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, but you just invited her suddenly just like that." Wada's dad explained.

"She already gets greif at home, she doesn't deserve to be treated like this here." Wada said as she looked an everyone with an upset look. "I swear, if you make her feel terrible, I will never forgive any of you." she warned.

"Whatever." Hiroyoshi said.

"Let's just all go to the table okay." Wada's dad said.

As they left, Kaneto grabbed Hiroyoshi's arm. "Hey, you want her out of here?" he asked.

"Are you kidding, I don't even wanna be around that delinquent." Hiroyoshi responded. "What's your plan."

"Follow me." Kaneto said as they left the living room and went upstairs.

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Soon Matsuda and Wada's mom joined everyone in the dining room. Soon after that Kaneto and Hisoyoshi came in as well.

"So what are we having?" Matsuda asked.

"A good old fashion Turkey Christmas dinner." Wada responded.

Matsuda watched as some of the women bought several dishes.

"Hey where's the figgy pudding?" Wada asked.

"Oh, sorry dear, but there isn't enough room on the table, but we can have some later if you'd like." Wada's mom responded.

Wada looked at the table, she knew that room could have been made, she then stared at Matsuda and she could see the disapointment in her eyes. "Matsuda-san?" Wada asked.

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After everyone ate, it was time for dessert, only Wada had some of Matsuda's figgy pudding.

"It's real good Matsuda-san." Wada said as she smiled.

"Thank you." Matsuda responded as she gave a small but weak smile.

"Hey Hiroyoshi, have you seen my new Dynasty Warrior's game for my PSP." Kaneto asked.

"Why no, I hear it's pretty good." Hiroyoshi responded. "Can I see it?"

"Sure I left it on the coffee table." Kaneto said as he motioned to get it and then his eyes grew wide. "IT'S GONE!!!!"

"What?" Hiroyoshi asked in a surprised tone.

"What happened to it?" Kaneto asked in an upset tone as he then turned to Matsuda. "Okay where is it?" he demanded.

"Where is what?" Matsuda asked in a puzzled tone.

"MY PSP GIVE IT BACK!!!!!" Kaneto demanded.

"What are you talking about, I don't even like to play games." Matsuda responded.

"You probably planned to sell it right?" Hiroyoshi asked.

Wada quickly stood up. "YOU JERK, HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE MATSUDA-SAN!!!!"

"I can speak for myself Wada." Matsuda said as she stood up and clentched her fists. "I didn't take your stupid game, that part of my life is over."

"Oh then you wont mind if we search your coat then." Kaneto said with a small but smirky grin.

"Go ahead, I have nothing to hide." Matsuda said.

And so Kaneto went and grabbed Matsuda's coat and reached into her pocket. "What's this." At that point he pulled out the PSP. "I KNEW IT, I KNEW YOU TOOK IT!!!!"

"I….I don't know how that got in there." Everyone in the room gave her an angry look. "I swear I didn't put it there."

"Naoko, I'm sorry, but she has to leave." Wada's dad said.

"No, if Matsuda said she didn't take it then I believe her." Wada responded.

"I knew you were always a crook." Hiroyoshi said.

"You know what, I tried to be nice, but it's obviously never going to change you opinion of me." Matsuda said as she grabbed her coat. "Happy Christmas everyone." She said sarcastically and with that she started for the door.

"Matsuda-san?" Wada pleaded.

"No Wada, forget it, I'm outta here, I just wanna be alone, like I am every Christmas." And with that she left.

Wada then turned to everyone. "WHY, WHY DID YOU TREAT MATSUDA-SAN LIKE THAT?!!!!" she demanded.

"Sweetheart please accept it, Matsuda will never change." Wada's mom said.

"NO, SHE'S NOT LIKE THAT ANYMORE….I HATE YOU ALL!!!!!" Wada said as she then left out the front door to go after Matsuda.

After that, without noticing, Kaneto and Hiroyoshi secretly looked at each other and gave each other a sinister smile.

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"Stupid Holidays." MAtsuda thought. "It's just a bunch of crap."

"MATSUDA-SAN!!!!" Wada yelled as she rushed up.

"I already told you Wada , leave me alone." Matsuda told her.

"Please Matsuda, you can't be alone today of all days." Wada said. "Lets just go somewhere and do something."

"No Wada, go back to your family." Matsuda said.

"I don't want to, I hate them all." Wada responded.

Matsuda then smiled. "Wada, you gotta go, I know it may not look it, but they do care for you."

"But they treated you so badly." Wada responded.

"Look it's really all my fault, I chose to follow the wrong path while I was growing up, and now I'm paying for it."

"That's not true, what about the other girls, they accept you, I'm sure if you give them one more chance….." Wada started.

"Sorry Wada, just go back to them, as I've said they care for you, I just wish I had a family like yours." Matsuda told her.

"But they….." Wada said.

"I know, but I I had a family like yours, my life proably would have turned out better." Matsuda explained. "Don't blow it you idiot." she said as she smiled.

"Matsuda-san." Wada said softly.

"I'll be fine, really." Matsuda assured her. "I'll just go to the park and look at the decorations for a bit, then I'll head home."

"Naoko get away from her." a voice said.

Wada and Matsuda turned around, Wada's dad, Hiroyoshi and Kaneto were standing behind them.

"NO SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND!!!" Wada yelled.

"She's a thief." Kaneto said. "In fact I think we should call the police on her."

"Fine, do whatever you want, I don't even care anymore." Matsuda said.

"No Matsuda-san, don't." Wada pleaded.

"Maybe they'll have figgy pudding." Kaneto said as he took out his cell phone.

"KANETO DON'T!!!!!" Wada said as he grabbed his arm.

"LET GO!!!!!" Kaneto said as he shoved her away and Wada headed towards an icy lake bumping her head on trunk that was lying there knocking her out.

"WADA!!!!" Her dad screamed.

Wada slid on the ice until she was in the middle.

"No… the ice isn't fully frozen yet." Hiroyoshi said.

"KANETO YOU IDIOT!!!!" Wada's dad said.

"Dude, you gotta go save her, you're the lightest one." Hiroyoshi pleaded.

"ARE YOU KIDDING, I'M NOT GONNA RISK GOING UNDER THE ICE!!!!!" Kaneto responded.

It was then that they all noticed the ice slowly cracking.

Matsuda saw that her friend was in danger. "Everyone take of your coats and tie them together." She explained.

"W..what are you planning to do?" Wada's father asked.

"I'm going to rescue my best friend." Matsuda responded.

"But it's freezing, I'll catch a cold." Kaneto said.

Wada's dad grabbed him by the collar. "I SWEAR IF SHE FALLS UNDER THE ICE, THEY'LL BE NOWHERE FOR YOU TO HIDE!!!!"

Kentaro and the others took off their coats. Matsuda then tied the makeshift rope coat around her.

"Okay, I'm gonna slowly crawl my way over there and grab her, when I give the word, pull us in." She explained.

Matsuda slowly made her way to the edge of the lake and lied down, after that she slowly made her way towards Wada. "Hold tight Wada." she said softly.

The ice slowly continued to crack around them. "Almost there." She thought. When she finally got close enough, Matsuda grabbed Wada by the righ arm. "PULL US IN!!!"

Wada's dad, Hiroyoshi, and Kentaro slowly started to pull them in.

"Please God, let her bring Wada in Safely." Wada's dad thought.

They finally managed to pull them in.

Wada slowly was woke up. "Please…. Don't call the police." she pleaded.

"Wouldn't think of it." Wada's dad said as she stared at Matsuda. "Thank you so much."

"I don't care what your dad says, I'm still calling the police." Kaneto said as he once again took out his cell phone. He then felt someone grab his arm.

"She just saved my sister's life." Hiroyoshi said. "Dad, there's something I gotta tell you."

"Shut up." Kaneto warned.

"No… you shut up." Hiroyoshi responded as he turned to his dad. "Matsuda didn't try and steal the PSP, Kaneto and I placed it in her coat."

Wada's Dad just stared at him. "Do you realize what almost happened because of your actions?"

"I know, and I am ashamed, very ashamed." Hiroyoshi told him.

Wada's dad sighed. "Well, we'll discuss more about this later, right now we need to get Naoko to the ER." he said as he turned to Kaneto. "As for you, I never want to see you at my house again."

Kaneto just gave him an annoyed look. "Fine, but I'm warning you, she's gonna bring you trouble." he warned.

"WHY YOU LITTLE!!!!" Matsuda said as she was about to punch him. "No, I'm not like that anymore… just be grateful for that."

"Go…. Now." Wada's dad warned.

And with that…. Kaneto left.

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Some time later at the ER, Wada's mom and the rest of the Wada family came rushing in. "IS SHE OKAY?!!!" she demanded.

"She's going to be just fine." Wada's dad assured her. "Thanks To Matsuda."

Wada's mom gave Matsuda a huge hug. "Thank you…thank you so much for saving my baby."

Hiroyoshi walked up to her. "Hey look…. I'm sorry for that dirty trick, I wouldn't balme you if you never forgive me."

Matsuda just smiled. "Hey, isn't this Christmas, I think it's the perfect time for forgiviness."

At that point Wada walked out, her head was bandaged.

"NAOKO!!!!" Wada's mom said as she hugged her.

"Mom, I'm fine, just a small bump." Wada assured her.

Matsuda walked up to her…. And then hugged her as tears came out of her eyes. "You idiot, I thought I was gonna lose you." she said.

Wada just gave a small smile. "What, and let you spend Christmas alone." she responded. "If you want you can come and enjoy the rest of the holiday with us…. Right dad."

"Not just Christmas Matsuda, you're welcomed anytime you want, we'll always be there for you."

Matsuda just looked at them and bowed. "Thank you."

"Now, how about we go and have some of that figgy pudding?" Wada's mom said.

"Awesomly awesome." Matsuda responded as everyone stared at her.

"You'll get used to that phrase." Wada said as she giggled which caused Matsuda to blush in embarrassment.

And with that, The Wada family along with Matsuda left to enjoy the rest of the holidays.

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I really hope you enjoyed this tale, but there's still more to come, so until then, take care……AR

'TILL NEXT TIME!!!!!!