Chapter 23

The Thought That Counts

Two weeks before Christmas, the Earl learned that Ash wanted to have a Christmas party. It wasn't really to celebrate the holiday (Ash did not want to force any of the Noah to honor a religion they did not follow). Rather, the boy was looking forward to having reason to exchange gifts and decorate the house. Adam saw no harm in the action and even decided it was a good idea considering he had replaced all of his Akuma maids with human ones. It reflected better for him to be an upstanding noble.

Not that the Earl was supposed to have heard in of these plans. The boy had gathered all of the maids in secret to plot his surprise. He knew that they had all stayed up through the night in order to decorate his house. No tree would be brought in, but there would be other ornaments. Adam decided to humor his adopted nephew and his staff by sleeping in. It was easy enough to do. The house was cold from the winter weather. His bed was warm and accommodating. Definitely comfortable enough to pretend staying in bed.

Suddenly the door cracked open, a small draft drifting into the room. Adam stilled at once as he sensed the presence of his ward.

"Adam, are you awake?" Ash asked softly. When no reply came, he padded through the doorway with soft feet. A deceptively heavy body barreled into the Earl, knocking the breath out of him. Adam wheezed painfully as thin arms wrapped about his waist.

"Come look Adam!" cried the childish voice. The man hid a smile as the white-haired boy pulling him out of bed. Adam was dragged into the study. He was not expecting to see what awaited him there.

In the room stood the members of the Noah family. Sheryl, Tricia, and Road Camelot. Lulubell, and Skin Bolic. They were all there, with presents of varying size in hand. Adam was speechless. He probably should have been embarrassed by his attire of night clothes and a bath robe, but they were dressed almost as casually.

"I don't understand," he began. "When did you all even get here? How did this—"

Ash smiled shyly. "I planned it out."

Every member of the family greeted him, wishing him holiday greetings, but not a celebration of the holiday. Even Tricia seemed to have caught on to the fact they did not celebrate in the same manner as normal people and merely gave him pleasantries. Once they were all seated, Ash collected the presents to put in one corner. Then he grinned at them.

"So we wanted to give presents out," he announced. "We decided to create a game out of it. Everyone drew out a name, and had to give that person a present. Since you didn't participate, Tyki had to draw twice."

The Earl laughed. "I bet it was fun for you to do this. Are you going to be the one to do this, Ash?"

The boy nodded. He bent down for a moment, snatching up the first present. It was Road's. The girl carefully unwrapped the gift. Inside was a delicate figurine made of porcelain. It was in the shape of a ballerina. She looked around at the faces of her family, eyes settling on Skin. There were no words exchanged between the two, not even in thoughts. They simply understood.

Skin's gift was next. It was shockingly simple, for all of its décor. A three-tiered cake made with as much sugar as money could possibly buy. There was no question as to who could buy such an extraordinary dessert. Someone who had a powerful sweet tooth; a girl who had in fact introduced Skin to sweet things in the first place. Needless to say, he thoroughly enjoyed the gift.

The Earl was given a wonderful scarf the color of whitened ash. At first it appeared to be store-bought item; upon closer inspection Adam could see the tiny knit pattern. He recognized the talent as belonging to Sheryl's wife, Tricia. He decided he liked the scarf and put it on his shoulders at once. Ironically enough it was the woman's turn to open the box. It resembled a box that would contain a small outfit. She seemed genuinely curious when opening the lid. Tricia delicately did so, blushing a deep crimson. Without a word, she closed it and turned to Lulubell.

"I suppose this was your response to our earlier conversation," she guessed. The blonde woman smiled in a friendly manner that did not suit her personality. That was an affirmation. "I'm sure my husband and I will thoroughly enjoy your gift. Thank you."

Everyone's curiosity was aroused. When asked as to what the contents were, the woman simply smiled that deceptively frightening smile and said it was not to be said where children could hear, or be shown where children see. Tyki was laughing when Ash suddenly placed a small box in his hands. He frowned up the white-haired boy.

"What is this?" he asked.

"It's your present," he said bluntly. Tyki realized how stupid the question had been and carefully opened the wrapping. His breath caught when he saw what the present was and looked up to thank the boy. But Ash had already gone to retrieve the Lulubell's present. Tyki felt warmth fill his chest as he turned the brand new cards over in his hand. They were in a container that had never been opened before, but he like the design of them. Not an overly priced brand, but they weren't that cheap either. The Noah of Pleasure liked how practical this gift was. He played poker on an almost daily basis. Only Ash would think to get him something other than books.

"Whose idea was this?" Lulubell's voice rose over the hum of chatter. She was holding a cat bed and a cat collar in her hand. Sheryl's was hiding a laugh behind his hand.

"Well, Ash is always with that cat he named after you," he teased. "I thought it would be nice for you to have her stay with you one day."

If looks could kill, Sheryl would have been burned to cinders, and then some. While it was somewhat funny, Tyki felt that it was a cruel joke. Which reminded Tyki, neither one of the people he had drawn had opened their presents.

"Sheryl, Ash; where are your presents?" he called. They looked confused for a moment. Tyki realized dumbly he still had them in his pocket. Everything was supposed to be secret, not knowing who gave you the present. But since everyone had pretty much guessed, he didn't think it really mattered. The Noah tossed one small bag to his brother, and the other to Ash.

"It feels like a rock! Is it a gem stone?" Sheryl asked excitedly. What tumbled into his hand was a hard lump, and shockingly black. It was a piece of coal. Sheryl glared at his brother. "You gave me a lump of coal?"

Tyki shrugged carelessly. It was a great gift for his brother, in his opinion.

Ash gasped when he withdrew a scarlet ribbon. It shone brightly, like fire. Tyki smiled when he saw the genuine awe in the boy's expression. Ash grinned excitedly, racing over to his uncle and handing it to him.

"Tie my hair up for me?" he asked. Tyki had noticed Ash's hair growing longer and figured he wanted to get him something useful as well as stylish. A hair ribbon seemed logical.

"Sit," Tyki ordered. Ash did so at the base of the man's feet.

The strangest thing happened to Ash when elegant fingers carded through his hair. A thrill ran along his skin, giving him the need to shiver. It felt good to have those hands brushing against his scalp, running through his hair. Ash didn't want Tyki to stop. The gentle tugs as the ribbon was wrapped around the hair-tail felt soothing. The moment ended all too soon. It left Ash feeling confused.

"All done," Tyki announced. The boy frowned for a moment, and then thanked him.

What is this emotion? He wondered. It isn't one that I have had before...

::+::+::+: ϒ :+::+::+::

General Cross looked at Bookman.

"I've found my Apprentice," he announced. "He seems unharmed."

Bookman could sense a fair amount of unease in his friend's tone and choice of words. He figured it had something to do with Walker's importance to the war. As his duty required him to do, he delved into his old friend's business.

"Marian, what makes your Apprentice so special?" I know that you would never have taken one that young if you could avoid it. You chose him for a specific reason."

Cross glanced at the old man with amusement. "Ever recording history, eh? Sorry, Panda, but Walker's story is not of your concern at the moment. He is not a part of history yet."

"I decide whether or not it is relevant, and a boy living with the Noahs for six months is certainly worthy of acknowledgement." Bookman scowled. "Do you even care about the boy?"

Marin looked over to where the Japanese Exorcist and the red headed apprentice were arguing. It was a surprisingly fresh scene. He could see Allen with them one day, arguing and fighting. He sighed.

"Our situations are similar," he admitted. "We chose an Apprentice out of necessity, and they end up growing on us. It's like a curse."

Bookman understood, and decided to press one more time for information.

"What makes Allen Walker so important?" he asked. General Cross considered his relationship with the old man. He respected him, had once been friends with the old apprentice. And Bookman had also enjoyed the company of the fourteenth Noah. He would remain unbiased towards Allen.

"He is the adopted nephew of Neah Walker," he replied simply. He was unwilling to say more, but then again that was fine. Both men knew that anything to do with Neah was impossibly complicated.

"I am surprised they let him live, being a threat to their cause." Cross silently agreed. He also figured that Allen's life could be forfeit at any given moment, and he felt that a rescue attempt should be made the moment that an opportunity arose.

"I will make sure he stays that way," the General growled. His hands itched to draw out a cigarette, but since Allen wasn't in his possession yet...well, it would have to wait.

And that is about the length of the next few chapters. It really has been short. My first fanfiction, coming to an end...and the story itself isn't even complete. Hope you have enjoyed it so far!