It was one of those rare days off where there were no fighting monsters or no trying to figure out clues to the puzzle.  Actually, it was my favorite time of the year... Christmas.  Well, it was close to Christmas, however, my friends and I...were very far from home.  We were almost all the way up north in Japan!  It was freezing cold and no matter how many layers of clothing I put on, I was still cold.  It was Yuko who suggested that on this rare day off, we travel back home to celebrate Christmas with the family.  We all agreed without a moment's hesitation. 

Sakura promised to tag along until we got home before flashing back up to heaven.  Sensei Tsuyori wasn't missing much at home, but she would still escort us.  We were all set to go home, that is, until disaster hit...

"It's freezing cold!" said Yuko hugging her body and bouncing from foot to foot.

Despite being in a motel for quite some time, being able to finally have full bellies and warmth, it still wasn't enough for Yuko. We had to leave the hotel the very next day to make it back home in time for Christmas.

"Yukari," Yuko said in a pitiful voice, "Could you hurry with the fire?"

"I'm trying!" I said through gritted teeth as I concentrated harder.  It wasn't easy starting a fire with my bare hands using my powers over fire if Yuko was constantly complaining. 

I was finally able to see a spark, then a little fire that burned at the fresh wood that Kakari had just chopped down.  I sat back satisfied then concentrated on the small flame.  I pictured it becoming bigger and radiating more warmth.  Before I knew it, it became a small fire. 

I stepped back to admire my work, then called to the others, who immediately gathered in front of the fire. 

"You're welcome," I said.

"Thank you," they said.

I sighed and shook my head.  Since we were leaving tomorrow, I had to pack what little belongings I had with me.  I went to my room that I shared with Miyoko.  Because of her, the room was tidy so we didn't need the cleaning maids, and she made sure that I folded up and packed everything when I finished using them.  I picked up a disposable camera my dad had stowed away in my suitcase without me knowing and gazed at it for a long time.  What bothered me was what the reaction of the person who developed my photos was going to be.  Most likely, he or she was going to be totally freaked out.  I had been to so many places and fought so many monsters...

"Yukari!" said Sakura coming in my room.  Her normally perfect long pink hair was tangled and messy.  Her clothes and coat were caked in snow and her cheeks and nose were rosy red from the snow.  I hated to admit it, but when she looked like that, it reminded me she wasn't perfect all the time, which strangely gave me some satisfaction.

"What is it?" I asked setting down the camera.

She took a deep breath, her eyes were wide, "There's a blizzard outside!"

"What!?" I asked. 

She motioned to the window and I drew back the curtains and looked out.  She sure wasn't kidding.  Snow was coming in at every direction.  I could barely even see outside.  It was awful, and even worse, it would most likely delay our trip home!

"Y-you mean..." I trailed off.

I turned to look at Sakura who nodded her head, "If this blizzard continues, you guys won't be home for Christmas."

"No..." I said sinking down in a chair.  We were so close to seeing our families after so long.  And now this blizzard was in the way!

"It can't be possible!" I said suddenly standing up and pacing back and forth, "Just an hour ago, it was totally clear!"

"Yeah..." said Sakura looking toward the now empty closet.

Hold on a minute, I thought, Why is Sakura looking nervous like that?

Suddenly, it clicked in my head, "This blizzard came out of nowhere right?"

Sakura nodded her head.

"And I'm pretty sure the forecast said there was almost no chance of a blizzard right?"

She nodded again.

"So...this blizzard is...magic?"

A smile slowly crept across Sakura's face, "Well done Yukari.  You figured it out."

I rolled my eyes, "You can drop the act now.  But hold on, what where you doing in that blizzard?"

Sakura sighed and leaned against the door frame, "I sensed something coming and headed out with Kakari to face it.  While she chopped some wood for the fireplace, I sneaked out toward a more deserted area and to find this monster.  When I finally found it, a small blizzard was starting to form.  I tried fighting it, but I couldn't see a lot in front of me so my kicks were off.  I just decided to head back before it got too dangerous and try to get your help."

"So...why'd you say it like it was a riddle?" I challenged.

"Well what's the fun in telling you straight out?"

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Well thanks for nothing."

I quickly ran past her and told the bundle in front of the fireplace about the blizzard.  Though Yuko complained about leaving her cozy, warm spot, they all agreed to face this monster. 

We bundled up in our heaviest clothes and headed out into the blizzard.  While Yuko used her powers over wind to redirect the wind around us, I used my powers over fire to melt the ice and keep us all warm.  After a while, we finally reached the heart of the storm, and the monster.

The monster looked a lot like the Abominable Snowman, probably was.  His arms were raised high above him and from his hands, beams of ice and wind were shooting out.  It was a little bit warmer at the heart of the storm than inside it.

When the Abominable Snowman noticed us, he lowered his arms and gave a smirk that sent a shiver down my spine, "Well well well, it's about time you showed up girls," he said, "I've been getting quite bored."

I took a deep breath, put on my most hardcore look, then said, "We're here to knock you down a peg Abominable Snowman."

Behind me, I could hear Miyoko slap her forehead with the palm of her hand.  Okay, so my I'm-here-to-challenge-you sentence wasn't exactly the best.  So what?

"You want to take me on?"  He gave a loud laugh that shook the mountaintops and riveted throughout my body, "Fine then!  You want to fight?  I'll make sure you and your friends won't make it out alive!"

He held his palm in front of him and shot a blast of pure ice toward me.  I clutched my fist, feeling the fire engulf it, and rushed toward the large, solid stick of ice.  With one final push, I jumped toward it and held my flaming fist out, cutting the large piece of ice cleanly down the middle. 

"Is that all you got?" I challenged.

The AS gritted his teeth and shot more ice at me.  Each time, my flaming fist shattered it.  And every once in a while, I taunted him. 

Then, the AS, having enough of my taunting, rushed toward me and grabbed me by the waist.  He slowly started to crush me.  I gasped for air as I felt it rushing out of my lungs like a balloon deflating. 

"Oh no you don't!" screamed Kakari.  She ran toward him, jumped high, and landed on the ground with one foot extended, her heel landing on the earth hard.  Vibrations sounded, then an ear-splitting crack was heard.  The crack became larger and larger and slowly extended toward me and the AS. 

He grunted and before the crack could reach him, he flung me as hard as he could, toward a nearby tree.  I hit the tree and cried out in immense pain.  My back felt twisted all wrong and my head was thumping wildly and everywhere I looked, I saw stars.

The AS laughed again as he lunged toward Kakari who was still recovering from her attack.  But just then, a huge wall of ice blocked him and pushed him back.  The AS grunted and looked around for the attacker.  It was Miyoko, who had her hands out in front of her, and was shooting more bolts of ice toward the AS. 

Well that makes sense.  Miyoko has powers over water and I'm sure her water freezes in this cold air.  Either that or she's learned how to freeze it herself.

Yuko joined in and caused powerful wind blasts to literally blind the AS.  Then Kakari would hurl chunks of snow covered earth at his head.  Slowly but surely, I could see the AS weaking. 

Finally, he knelt to the ground, obviously too tired to even fight back.  Sakura smirked then, using her angel wings, she propelled herself forward toward the giant and kicked him so hard, that he knocked against the tree and broke the trunk.  The AS tried to get up, but she used her famous high kick and he flew high up in the clouds, then landed with a thud on the snow covered earth. He tried to get up again, but this time, she used the same kick Kakari used, this time, landing on his stomach.  He gave one long, painful sounding howl that echoed throughout the mountains, before closing his eyes, and vanishing in a puff of smoke.

The remains of the blizzard slowly started to fade and I could finally see the slowly rising sun.  It was one last day before Christmas.  And if we didn't get moving, we wouldn't spend Christmas with the family.

I tried to get up, but my back still felt twisted and hindered me from doing so.  I winced, then gritted my teeth as I tried to awkwardly crawl to my friends. 

"Hey guys," I managed to say once I reached them.

"Y-Yukari?" asked Yuko.  She knelt down beside me, "Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?" I snapped.

Yuko giggled then called Sakura over.

"What's the matter Yukari?" asked Sakura as she came beside me.

"Isn't it obvious?" I said through gritted teeth, "You all saw how hard I got thrown at that tree.  You know how much my back is in pain."

Sakura knelt beside me and gently put her hands on my back.  She then closed her eyes and slowly started to apply more pressure.  I wanted to cry out in pain, but instead I gritted my teeth as she slowly applied more and more pressure.  Eventually, the pain started to leave my back and a warm, soothing feeling replaced it. 

After a while, Sakura took her hands off my back, then stood up, "You're all healed Yukari."

I stood up to test how 'healed' I was.  Shockingly, it felt the same way before I hurt it.  I turned to Sakura in astonishment, "H-how'd you do that?"

She shrugged in reply, "Angels can heal, as well as speak many tongues, sing, and play the harm y'know."

Great, there she goes showing off again.

The sun began to rise even more until it was almost above the mountaintops.  The snow glistened in the early morning glow. 

"We should go soon," said Miyoko, "That is, if we're all still willing to go back home."

"Of course," I said. 

We all headed to the motel to get our bags.

 

A few hours later, we were once again above the ground and flying toward Chiba, Japan.  With Sakura using her angelic powers to make us appear invisible, we could fly with ease back home without the gawking from the people below us and the monsters of the air to shoot us down.

"How much farther?" asked Yuko who was busily concentrating on keeping all of us, minus Sakura, afloat.

Miyoko looked at the map of Japan and I moved forward and waved the magic necklace over the map, revealing a glowing white dot to represent us.  Actually, it was just several white dots, but since we were together, it was one giant dot.  We were currently flying near the border of Chiba prefecture.  We were only a few hours away from the city Chiba and our home in the Midori ward.

"Just a couple hours Yuko," I said.

She groaned, "My arms are tired!"

I just rolled my eyes.

 

"Finally!  Home at last!" said Yuko as she slowly landed us and our bags on the sidewalk near my home.

I opened my cell phone and checked the time.  It was 6:37.  Not bad.

"Why is it so quiet?" asked Miyoko, "You'd think they'd be rushing out to see us."

I shrugged my shoulders, "I dunno.  Maybe we should check inside."

We picked up our bags and walked to the front porch of my house.  I lifted up the flowerpot where we usually keep the spare key, then fitted it into the lock.  When I tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge.

"Huh, that's weird," I said.

I tried again and got the same results.  Suddenly, a bad feeling overcame me.

"Guys, the key isn't working!" I said.

Sakura fixed the door with a hard look, "Stand back," she commanded.

We immediately obliged.  Sakura stared at the door a long time, then finally, stepped back, rushed forward, and sent a blast so powerful, it almost brought down the house. 

"Woah," I said as the door came off its hinges and fell to the floor with a thud.  Inside, I could see my family, and Kakari's, and Miyoko and Yuko's.  They were tied up together, gags around their mouths.  Some were unconscious. 

I gasped.  Kakari nearly fainted. 

"It's about time you showed up," said an eerily familiar voice.  I was seriously starting to get tired of that line.

Sakura slowly stepped into the living room.  Her gaze stayed steady on our families.  Then, she stopped, and kicked something invisible.

"Ouch!" cried a voice.  Sakura quickly snatched up the invisible person and held her up high.  Her eyes turned pink and her pink hair fluttered behind her.  The invisible person was slowly revealed.  She had jet black hair, was wearing a black sailor uniform and shoes, and had black wings, that were slightly sagging. 

When her cover was blown, Sakura's eyes turned back to normal and her hair stopped fluttering.  She then flung the girl right to the ground, cracking the living room floor.

I gasped again, "Sakura!  Who is she?"

Sakura cracked her knuckles, her hard, cold stare still directed at the other girl's limp body, "This person, Yukari, is a fallen angel.  Most fallen angels are either kicked out of heaven or have fallen.  In order to get back up, they have to redeem themselves.  However, some of them, caught up by the evil in this world, become evil themselves.  Those are known as dark fallen angels.  There aren't a lot, but those that are, wreck havoc wherever they go.  This dark fallen angel, however, has decided to target you guys.  To do that, she targeted the thing most precious to you..."

"Our families..." I whispered, awestruck.

She nodded, "Right.  Careful when fighting her, girls.  She maybe evil, but she's just as powerful, and hard to defeat, as a regular angel like myself."

I gulped hard.  How could our elemental powers defeat a dark fallen angel as poweful as Sakura?  It was definetly not going to be easy.

The girl shook her head and sat up.  Upon seeing Sakura, her expression turned furious, and she quickly got up and smacked her so hard, that she slammed against a wall, putting a dent the size of five basketballs put together.

"I'll kill you bitch!!" she screamed. 

Sakura, mostly unharmed, but still having the red hand mark on her left cheek stood up and flapped her angel wings once.

Before I knew what was happening, I lifted my palm and shot a powerful ball of fire in her direction.  She saw it coming, and held out her hand.  Her palm absorbed the blast. 

She turned her gaze on me, a smirk on her face, "Is that the best you got?"

She then charged toward me.  A fury I didn't know I had in me suddenly lit up my hands, I waved them in front of me and a wall of fire appeared, blocking the girl and burning her clothes and wings.  She angrily put out the small fires, but not before a blast of ice from Miyoko came toward her knocking her to a nearby wall where my mother's picture was.  The picture fell with a crash on top of her head.

Suddenly, my house was no longer my house, but a huge desert.  Nothing but sand was surrounding me.  My friends stood slightly behind me and our families looked at the battlescene in front of them with awe.  Sakura was still standing tall, her wings spread out wide, her face still had that hard look.  Her hair fluttered behind her and I saw her lips moving in what seemed to be a strange incantation.

The dark fallen angel lifted the picture frame from her head and tossed it to the side.  It quickly disintegrated into sand. 

She then charged toward me again, I tried my wall of fire, but was too late.  For the second time, I was grabbed, then flung hard into the ground.  She picked me up again, and threw me up high.

I screamed as I flew higher and higher into the sky.  I looked down at my friends and the families which were now specks.  Then I saw the dark fallen angel, her eyes blazing, her sagging wings fluttering fast toward me.  She was suddenly above me, and lifted her leg, about ready to kick me down.  I thought fast and as her foot came down, I grabbed it, then gave her a good kick in the head.

"Y-you!!" she screamed.  I kicked her in the head a few more times, then concentrated on burning her leg.  She howled in pain.  I then threw her as hard as I could toward the ground.  I saw a small cloud of sand and knew she had landed.  But unfortunately, I was still falling. 

"Help!!" I screamed to the ground.  As if on cue, Yuko redirected a cloud of dust to bring her up, and she caught me. 

"Hey there," she said smiling.

"Thanks," I said. 

When we landed, I could see the dark fallen angel was already in heated combat with Miyoko and Kakari.  She showed very little signs of weakening, but Miyoko and Kakari seemed a little tired.  I had to admit I was kind of tired too.  It would take forever to finish her off!

"There's got to be another way to defeat her," I said, "At this rate, she'll finish us off before she's even slightly weakened."

Use the necklace.  Infuse you and your friends powers with it.  Together, it will kill the dark fallen angel.

I glanced around quickly, "Did you hear that voice?" I asked Yuko.

She shook her head, "What voice?"

"Nevermind," I said.

The voice sounded strangely like my mother's.  It gave me a sudden longing for her, but that quickly subsided as I pulled out the necklace.

"Yuko," I said turning to her, "Put your hand on this necklace."

"Why?" said Yuko already reaching out her hand to the necklace.

"Because someone told me to.  Concentrate your power on this necklace."

I concentrated as well.  Suddenly, the necklace pulsated and grew bigger and bigger.  I smiled then called out to Kakari and Miyoko.  Kakari gave a final earth shattering kick to the ground before running to me.

"What's up?" asked Miyoko.

"Hand.  Necklace.  Concentrate powers." I managed to say.

Miyoko and Kakari exchanged glances before doing what I said.  The necklace grew even bigger.  It became a bright purple cross.  The dark fallen angel recovered from Kakari's attack and gazed at the necklace.  Fear seemed to register on her face, and she quickly tried to run.  But Sakura held her in place using her magic.  The necklace began to pulse, and the dark fallen angel was slowly drawn in.  Suddenly, she was absorbed by the necklace.  She became smaller and smaller, and so did the necklace.  It slowly stopped glowing and pulsing until it became the same small cross that fit in the palm of my hand.  Inside the necklace, the dark fallen angel was trapped in one of the small beads that adorned the silver cross.

I closed my fingers around the cross, then stuffed it back in my pocket.  The desert landscape disappeared to reveal my home again.  All was the same.  Even the picture of my mom was back in its place.  The ropes surrounding our families disappeared. 

Sakura smiled then waved her hand.  In a flash, she disappeared.  My parents stared blankly at us.  Then I burst into tears and ran toward my dad, engulfing him in a big hug.

"Dad!!  I missed you sooo much!"

"Yukari?  What are you doing back?"

I stepped back and wiped away some tears, "Well, we all agreed to come back for Christmas."

I gestured toward my friends and smiled and waved, then started walking to their own families.

"Really?" he asked. 

I nodded, "I wanted to spend Christmas with the family."

"Even me chibi?" said my brother Takashi with a smirk.

"Even you 'ya big jerk," I said punching him in the arm.

The next day was Christmas.  Even though there weren't a lot of presents, I was still glad to celebrate with my family.  Sure Takashi and I argued a bit.  Sure they begged me to show my more controllable, more powerful powers over fire.  Either way, I couldn't argue when they said it had to be the best Christmas they ever had.

=============================================

Translator Notes:

Chiba Prefecture/Chiba/Midori Ward: for more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiba_Prefecture

Nagoya: for more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagoya,_Aichi

2: Yokkaichi's Cosplay Christmas

"Is that all for you sir?"

"Yes," said the man I was serving, a smile on his face.

"Okay, your food will be out momentarily." I bowed low to him and quickly rushed to the counter to give the order to Stealthy, who would hand it to my dad.

It was Christmas at the Bean Rua Cosplay Cafe. And I, Yokkaichi Suzunashi, along with my sisters, were dressed in Santa suits serving what seemed like a multitude of humans, elves, and giants. At first, everyone refused to work on Christmas day. Especially mom and dad who wanted to spend Christmas with the family and not at work since most shops were closed that day. But Aunt Jenny somehow convinced them to work saying that even on Christmas, restaurants were opened to feed the multitude who were too lazy to cook.

And so...the Cosplay Cafe was open for Christmas day business, and would close early.

"Here you go," I said handing the piece of paper with the order from my table scrawled on it. Stealthy took it silently and disappeared into the kitchen. Lately, he hadn't really talked to me, even though I was easy to talk to. I feared it had something to do with thinking his on-and-off girlfriend, my Aunt Jenny, constantly 'measuring' my bust size. He probably thought she was a lesbian, or something.

"Hey I'm here! Sorry I'm so late," said my mom coming through the front door.

Instead of coming to the Cafe as soon as it opened to start working, she decided to spend Christmas with her family first, refusing to let Aunt Jenny control that much.

"Hi mom," I said running toward her to give her a hug.

"Hi mija," she said giving me a big hug. She then let go of me and held me at arm's length, observing my Santa outfit.

When Aunt Jenny first showed me my Santa outfit, mom automatically disapproved. The outfit was so skimpy and just barely covered all the parts that needed to be covered. I thought I was going to die.

"Well, it's acceptable, but still not totally for my liking."

I gave her a what-can-you-do? shrug and grabbed my notepad, heading to my next table. My outfit was a low cut V-neck, sleeveless shirt with pure white sheep's wool covering the collar and the V-neck. I had on red gloves, a Santa hat, and knee high black boots with thigh high, light red, transparent socks. My stomach was showing just a little, and the V-neck was showing cleavage, but my mom deemed it better than the other outfit.

I filled out the next table's order and made my way to the counter again, this time my dad meeting me there.

"Hullo cutie," he said ruffling my bangs.

"Hey," I said back handing him the order, "Shouldn't you be making the meals?"

"Psh," he said with a wave of his hand, "I'm so badass that I don't have to do it."

"Did you convince Stealthy to take over for a while."

He grinned, "Maaaybe..."

I giggled. This wasn't the first time my dad tried to get out of a job. It was hard for him to commit to something for too long. The only thing he could commit to was protecting his family and his marriage with mom.

"Hey stupid little brother! 'Sup Yokkaichi," said Aunt Jenny coming from her office.

Dad sighed, "What do you want nee-san?"

"Your bedroom for later uses on this Christmas day."

I gasped and dad rolled his eyes, "What's wrong with your bed? Did it finally break under your weight?"

Aunt Jenny bonked him on the head, "No! It was it's time to leave anyway. It lived a good life." She put a hand over her heart and looked in the distance.

I laughed and could see dad trying to suppress a smile too, "Whatever nee-san."

She smiled and winked at me, "Hey. You wanna hear a story?"

I looked behind dad to see Stealthy busy at work cooking the meals. I still had my food to deliver, but then again, I'm sure Ashmia or Lenaz could do it...

I shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

I sat on one of the bar stools, "So what's it about?"

Jenny gave a creepy grin, "Oh, it's about elves. I'm sure you'll love it."

Dad looked at Jenny, "Are you telling her that story?"

"Well why not?" said Aunt Jenny scrunching up her nose as if she smelled something disgusting, "Jadiana's not here to stop me, heehee."

Suddenly, I didn't really want to hear this story. But at the same time, I was quite curious.

"So you know how Santa Clause has his big bag of toys that he delivers to every good boy and girl in Erin? Well guess who makes those toys?"

"The elves?" I said.

"Right-o!" she exclaimed with a snap of her fingers, "And don't think for a second that Mrs. Clause was the one who birthed all those elves."

"Oh," I said, feeling a blush creep to my cheeks. Not that I had thought that, but that I had a feeling the story was going to take an unexpected turn.

"So every Christmas, Santa sends a private letter to certain families that have elves to send their elves to work in his toy factory...forever!"

I gulped. Now that she had mentioned it, I hadn't heard from a lot of my neighborhood friends and childhood friends for a while now.

"It's not too bad. Completely balanced meals, all the sweets they can eat, cute little elf costume. It may seem like paradise...but Santa Clause hides something. It's his biggest secret."

"H-how do you know?" I asked.

"Well, I knew this one elf girl. She was my best friend. Then one day, I saw her sneaking out of the house and heading toward Stump Square. I decided to follow her. All of a sudden, Santa and his reindeer appear out of nowhere and snatch her up. I quickly follow them on my Griffin pet. All the way to his factory. I staked out there for days, trying to get my friend back. But then...I found out about his secret."

"What secret?" I asked, clutching my hands tightly under the counter to keep them from shaking.

Jenny shook her head, "I can't say it. You finish the rest Zero."

Dad snickered behind his hand before continuing, "She found out that every elf he takes makes toys for him. But since Mrs. Clause is also a busy woman, he has to find...other ways to satisfy himself."

I don't like where this is going.

"So, he arranges a schedule for every few days of the week. One elf, every few days..."

"No," I said, my eyes wide, my mouth open in shock, "B-but, Santa wouldn't..."

"He makes each elf his love slave!" shouted Jenny who had somehow slunk under the counter and sneaked up behind me. She quickly grabbed my breasts, "Every few days Yokkaichi!"

"No!" I screamed.

I felt her being yanked off me. I looked back to see mom, a really pissed look on her face, "You two never know when it's enough do you?"

Aunt Jenny smirked, "Aw c'mon Jad! We were just teasing her."

"Well stop sexually harassing my daugher, would you?"

Jenny rolled her eyes, "You can try to hammer it into my brain. But with you, it's in one ear and out the other."

Mom put Aunt Jenny down, "And you!" she said pointing to dad, "You supported this?"

"I wanted to see her reaction," he said, tilting his head slightly and giving mom innocent eyes.

Mom gazed intensely at dad before she sighed and kissed his cheek, "I hate it when you do that."

I looked up at mom, "So...is the story true?"

"Of course not mija," she said, "No one knows where the elves come from or how they got there. But they certainly are not Filian elves, or any elves today for that matter. Jenny's elf friend wasn't snatched up by Santa nor was she a love slave. It was all created by your aunt's unfortunate, fertile imagination."

"Hmph!" said Jenny putting a small fist on her heart, "So true. But you should've seen the look on your face."

"Order up!" called out Stealthy. He handed me a tray full of steaming food.

I hurriedly took it to the tables, eager to get away from getting sucked into yet another one of Aunt Jenny's stories. Though deep down, and I can't believe I'm admitting it, I was impressed she could come up with such a story.

 

Later that day, I shook a red and white covered present. My hearing immediately sharpened to try to guess what it was.

"Cores Ribbon Shoes?" I guessed.

"Correct!" shouted dad, "Merry Christmas Yokka."

I smiled, "Thanks dad."

When it was 4 p.m., we closed shop and hurried back home. Everyone was eager to get presents and to share what they got for everyone else. So far, I got my very own Idol Ribbon Dress from Joy-neechan, a flashing blue dye from Lenaz-neechan, a Guardian Bow from mom, and blue Bonita Twin Ribbons from Ashmia and Missy.

I ripped open the wrapping and found the white Cores Ribbon Shoes. They were almost exactly like Cores Healer Shoes, except mine had a big blue bow with tinier bows trailing up the ankle. It was beautiful, and matched my Idol Ribbon Dress and Bonita Twin Ribbons.

"Now your turn," I said, giving him my gift.

Dad took the envelope from me. He carefully opened it and pulled out its contents, "Oh Yokka," he said holding up the two tickets to a mixed martial arts competition in 12 days, "You shouldn't have!"

"Well, I know you really like MMA fights, so I got you them. They weren't that expensive. But that extra ticket is if you want to take Aunt Jenny or Stealthy."

"Yeah yeah! Take me!" said Aunt Jenny waving her hand. The only thing the two seemed to have in common was their love for MMA fights, which is what inspired them to be great warriors.

"Fine then. But don't get too excited."

"Yes!" said Jenny, pumping her fist in the air.

One by one, everyone handed out their presents to each other, while sipping hot chocolate or egg nog. I got a present from Kenomi-neechan; a cute stuffed bear and a Daruma doll. And Odehima-neechan got me a case for my mandolin.

I gave my presents as well. A tailoring kit and ink pens for Odehima-neechan. Matching charm bracelets for Ashmia and Missy-neechan. A quiver filled with 100 arrows, including 10 special magic charged arrowheads for Lenaz-neechan. A ticket to the opera for Joy-neechan. A spirit stone to make a spirit weapon for Kenomi-neechan. And a seasonal ticket to the fashion competitions for mom.

Finally, my last gift came from Aunt Jenny, "Here you go!" she said a bit too enthusiastically. I had a dreaded feeling that it was something I will once again, regret seeing.

When I opened the envelope, a piece of paper fell out. I picked up and read: One month of no sexual harassment (verbal or otherwise).

I glanced up at Aunt Jenny who smirked and nodded her head. Mom sighed, "Well, it's not much of a present, I'll admit that. But with Jenny, that's as about close a sincere present as you can get."

"Oh, then, thank you Aunt Jenny," I said.

"No problem! Just show me that coupon at the beginning of any month and I promise I won't do anything."

Dad snickered, "Though knowing her, it will take a great amount of resistance."

Aunt Jenny glared at dad, "I can do it! I'll prove to you that I can do it!"

"Now my gift," I said. I handed her a small box wrapped in green. She quickly tore it open and stared at my gift open-mouthed, "Oh Yokkaichi..."

She held up a long silver necklace that had a large silver heart dangling off of it that captured the last rays of the fading sunset. On the heart, her name was engraved in cursive writing.

"It's beautiful," she said, a genuine smile on her face.

"I'm glad you like it," I replied, truly meaning it.

"That necklace..." said my mom, "Isn't real silver is it?"

I smiled sheepishly and looked away. Mom gasped, "Wow Yokka! I'm quite impressed."

"Me too," said dad.

"Me three!" said Aunt Jenny, excitedly getting up, "And I'm gonna put it on right now!"

She rushed out of the room. Everyone was sitting in uncomfortable silence before dad finally stood up, "Well, now that presents are opened, how about we go to Emain Macha for a little ice skating?"

 

A few hours later, I was skating (or at least trying to) on the frozen over lake in Emain Macha. We obviously weren't the only ones. A ton of people also had the same idea in mind. As a band on the far side of the lake played, couples, families, and friends skated around the rink. Their cheeks and noses rosy red. The smell of hot chocolate, popcorn, and soup were being sold at a stand closer to the bridge of the town that connected the moon gate of Emain Macha to the rest of the town.

"How're you holding up there Yokka?" asked my dad coming to a stop beside me. His stop was so sudden, that I stumbled.

"Woah!" I shouted, flailing my arms to try and balance me. They say elves are not only beautiful, but graceful and swift footed as well. Whoever said that never said that elves could be clumsy in ice skating. Instead of feet, they give us to thin blades and force us to balance and skate in them. How cruel is that?

"Gotcha'," said dad, holding my arms steady.

"Thanks," I said.

He nodded, but didn't let go of my arms, "I'm going to teach you okay?"

"Okay," I said, eager to learn how to keep from falling on my butt.

"First off, you need to balance. Keep you feet straight. Then, you push off with one foot, then the other. Learn how to glide on one foot for a while. Got it?"

I nodded. He let go of my arms and I tried it. I was extremely wobbly, but I didn't fall, or flail.

"Good! Keep going! Practice makes perfect!" he encouraged.

I continued on and on until I felt like I was gliding on air, "I'm doing it!" I shouted.

"Awesome," he said skating up beside me.

"I'm doing it! I'm-"

I hit a patch of dry ice and felt myself flying face first into a pile of snow.

"I...don't got it," I mumbled into the snow.

Dad came to a screeching halt beside me, "Are you okay?"

I laughed and turned over, "Yeah."

Dad laughed too, "That was some fall there."

"Okay, I know that elves are graceful and all, but they've never seen this elf!" I said pointing to me.

We both burst out laughing. That's a good thing about my family. We can laugh about our mistakes.

3: Nora's Surprising Christmas

The setting: My house

The scene: My parents wearing the wackiest sweaters that even my grandparents would refuse to wear, decorating the house.  My little brother poking at the presents and pulling at the ribbons while my mom keeps telling him to "Leave it alone Daniel!"  And me, sitting on our couch, flipping through a Christmas magazine featuring the 'Lowest prices on bestselling items of the year.  Guaranteed!'

The occasion: Why, it's Christmas!

The only time of the year - aside from me and my brother's birthday and Thanksgiving - where our parents don't fight, my brother doesn't hate me, and everything is fine and dandy.  But this Christmas was different.  Just a week ago, I casually suggested spending Christmas at Sam's house.  Not that I didn't want to spend it with my family...okay, that was the only reason.  Actually, I wanted to hurry to open presents at my house (clothes, a subscription to Teen Vogue that I never really bothered to read, school supplies, need I go on?) so I could go to Sam's house and play whatever cool new videogame his mother got him. 

Unfortunately, my parents thought that I wanted Sam and his family to come to our house and spend Christmas.  At that, my parents called Sam's mom and she agreed.  My parents have this crazy notion that we like each other.  Despite my denial, I couldn't help but feel just a tiny bit attracted to him.  But I'm telling you, it's really really small!  I'd rather we stay friends.

But here I am, sitting on the couch, my heart beating quicker with each passing minute that will soon bring Sam's arrival.  I'm trying to read the special deal on snow gear, but the words blur.  Did it suddenly get hot in here?

Ding dong!

I jump.  Sam's here!  Oh no!  What do I do what do I do?!  I take a deep breath. 

"I'll get it mom!" I said to her.  She was busy trying to get the star on top of the Christmas tree to light up, while my dad hung the stockings over the fireplace.

I rush to the door, take another deep breath, and open it up. 

"Hey neighbor," said Sam, raising his hand.

"H-hi," I said inspecting his outfit.  A fitted red dress shirt over dark jeans and sneakers. 

"Hello Nora," said his mom, her hands full of gifts.

"Hi, come on in," I said opening the door wider and stepping back to let them through.

The warmth of the house contrasted to the bitter cold outside.  I was already starting to shiver from the drastic difference in temperature. 

Once they got through the door, I quickly shut it and ran to the kitchen while the parents exchanged hello's and how do you do's.  I sat on the stool at the kitchen's island, took a piece of strawberry off the fruit platter my parent's set out, and chewed on it slowly. 

Needs whipped cream, I thought.  I opened the fridge and brought out a bottle.  I shook it, then spread as much as I could on my strawberry, then sprayed some in my mouth.

"How ladylike."

I froze.  There stOod Sam, his dirty blonde hair hanging over his bright green eyes, hands in his pockets, a smirk on his face.

I blushed, then quickly closed my mouth and put the can back.

"W-when did you get here?"

"I need permission to have some egg nog?"

"What?"

He just smiled.  Then he crossed the kitchen, grabbed a cup, and poured some egg nog.  Not knowing why, I watched as he drank it. 

When his eyes met mine, I quickly looked away.  He put down his cup and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, "So, you're parents are pretty excited huh?  Those sweaters are so tacky!"

I nodded, "They're going all out this year.  Christmas tree, Christmas decorations, heck they've even strung popcorn and mistletoe everyw-"

I stopped mid-sentence as something clicked in my mind.  Mistletoe!  It was no wonder they were so excited!  They thought that by stringing mistletoe everywhere, it would make Sam and I kiss!  No wonder they agreed to having Sam and his mom over so readily.

Slowly, I trained my eyes upward.  There, dangling innocently, was a piece of mistletoe.  And Sam was just a few feet away from its reach!

Sam looked up too and spotted this mistletoe, "Ah, so I see your parents have the same idea.  My mom thinks so too..."  He blushed and looked away.  I groaned.  This was going to make for an awkward Christmas.

 

"Open it!  Open it!" chanted my parents as I stared at the Santa wrapping paper surrounding whatever was in the small rectangular box.  It was addressed: "To Nora, From Sam."  I was afraid, but excited in opening it. 

I slowly took off the wrapping paper, so as not to tear the wonderful job he did wrapping it.  When I got it off, a small black velvet box was waiting.  I opened it and stared at the beautiful gold necklace.  It was an angel, complete with halo and harp.  The harp had gold studs on it.  It was a sight to behold, and it was absolutely beautiful.

"So whatdya' get?" asked my brother, his mouth full of Christmas cake.

I held up the necklace for everyone to see.  They all gave a collective gasp.

"It's so beautiful Nora!" said my mom.

"Well done Sam," said my dad as he fist pumped Sam.

Sam's mom just smiled and my brother stuck out his tongue at me. 

"Do you like it?" asked Sam.

I nodded, "It's beautiful.  Thank you so much!" 

He smiled, "Let's see how it looks on you."

He got up and took the necklace.  I lifted my hair while he attached it together.

"There," he said, stepping back, "It's cute on you Nora."

I blushed.  My parents clapped their hands and Sam's mom kept smiling.  I quickly looked up to make sure there wasn't any mistletoe.  Good, none.

He sat back down while everyone else opened up there gifts.  So far, I had yet another subscription to Teen Vogue from my mom.  My grandparents had collectively given me a colorful dress, even though I despised dresses with all my being.  I got a $100 gift card to Kohl's, a hairbrush with stripes on the back from my brother (the cheapskate), and a manicure set from Sam's mom. 

Out of all of them, Sam's gift was the one I would most likely treasure the most. 

"Oooh!!  Cool!" said Daniel. as he opened up gift after gift of Nerf dart guns, "Thanks guys!" he said hugging my parents, then Sam, then Sam's mom.  I gave the little booger a book on manners, which so far, left little impression on him.  Anything with words would put him to sleep, exactly what I planned would happen.

He opened up one of his Nerf guns, loaded some ammo, then shot three at me.  All three missed, but one grazed slightly on my cheek.  They stuck to the wall behind me.

I sat, shocked for a second, before jumping up, "You're dead!" I shouted.

"Try and catch me!" he taunted, picking up his guns and running to his room.  Most likely to lock and load each of those guns, so he could fire more at me. 

I sighed and sat back down.  There was no point in trying to catch him.  This was going to be a looong Christmas.

 

"Target sighted?" asked Sam, a Nerf gun in one hand and another cup of egg nog in the other.

"No," I said, "Don't shoot."

I decided if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  So I stole two fully loaded Nerf guns from my brother when he wasn't looking and asked Sam to help me enact my revenge.  He happily agreed.

We were hiding out in the living room, taking precaution when going to the kitchen for some food.  Daniel was bound to show up any minute and fire an arsenal of bullets at us anytime soon.  Just to make sure we were safe, Sam and I had pillows covering our stomach's and backs and football helmets.  We looked ridiculous, but it was nice to spend time with Sam normally.

Luckily, the living room was less overcrowded with mistletoe than the other rooms.  I had to avoid several times when Sam was coming toward some mistletoe that I happened to be caught under.  Other times, our parents pushed us together, in which I would duck under their legs and run.  It was exhausting, but worthwhile.

"Target sighted!  Get down!" whisper-shouted Sam as he quickly ducked.  I did the same, then I peeked my eyes out just barely to see my brother, padding covering his whole body, with guns in the holsters and two in his hand. 

"Come out come out wherever you are!" he said, slowly crossing the living room.

I looked at Sam, waiting for the signal to shoot.  He shook his head and we continued to stay silent and watch my brother slowly cross the living room. 

"You can't hide forever!" he said.

I bit my lip to hold back the insult that I so badly wanted to throw back at him.

I looked at Sam again, he nodded his head.  I jumped up, "Eat darts!" I shouted.

My brother had a look of panic as Sam came out from hiding and we started pelting him with darts.  He screamed as he tried to dodge the oncoming darts.  Some missed, others stuck in his padded armor.  I laughed as I continued to aim and shoot with near accurate precision, enjoying the look of faked pain from my brother's face.

Finally, our guns ran out of darts.  Daniel stopped running around and looked at us.  At first, I thought he was going to cry, a weapon that he'd use to get me in trouble.  But instead, he gasped, took a deep breath, and fell backwards.

He pretended to play dead.  I admit, sometimes the little booger could be a pretty dang good actor for his age.

I laughed in victory and high-fived Sam, "Yeah!  In your face little booger!"

"I'm dead," he said from the floor.

"Dead people don't talk little dude," said Sam, coming from out of our hiding place behind the couch.

"I'm dead," he continued.

I laughed, "Game's over.  Take your guns and get outta here!" I said nudging him with my foot.

He smiled and shot up, "I'm alive!"

I smirked, "This isn't Halo."

"Says you!"  He quickly gathered the two stolen guns and made a break for the safety of his room.

I rolled my eyes, "So dramatic," I said to Sam.

He smiled, "He's cute.  I don't see why he hates you."

I pouted and crossed my arms, "Well, he does!"

He laughed just as my parents and Sam's mom came from the office.

"Did you two have a good time?  From the looks of these darts and that scream I just heard, it sounded like you did."

I smiled and looked at Sam, who smiled back, "Oh yeah.  It was fun!" he said.

"Well, it's time to go now," said his mom, "Get your presents and make sure to thank Dan and Isabelle."

He nodded and started to gather his presents.  I helped him pile the things into his arms.

"I had a really good time," he said, "Best Christmas ever!"

"Me too," I saId.

As I walked him to the door, suddenly all my ambition and excitement were gone.  It felt just like old times.  I opened the door wide, about to let them go.

"Oh!" said my mom as we reached the door, a smile on her face.

"What?" Sam and I asked at once.

She smiled and looked up.  We both looked up too to see a piece of mistletoe hanging above us. 

"Dammit!  So close!" I said.

"Kiss!  Kiss!" chanted my mom and dad.  Even Sam's mom was joining in on the chant.

"Crap," said Sam, a grin on his face, "And here I didn't want to be caught in this situation."

"Me neither," I mumbled.

Sam put down his presents.  And before I knew what was happening, he put a hand around my waist, tilted my chin up, and kissed me.

Surprised, I didn't know what to do.  But soon I started kissing him back, letting the warmth of his lips and body envelop me.  When we pulled away, he lingered before smiling, grabbing his presents and going out the door. 

"Awww..." said the parents. 

Sam's mom followed her son out the door, but stopped to whisper in my ear, "He really likes you y'know."

I gasped, "Really?"  And here I thought we were just friends.

She winked, "You're all he ever talks about."

Before I could truly fathom this, she was out the door.  I quickly shut the door, my cheeks were red, and not from the cold outside.

"Aw man!  I should've taken a picture!" said my mom.

I shook my head, my cheeks felt hot and my lips still felt warm.  This Christmas was the best one ever!  But that surprise was something I would probably remember for the rest of my life.

========================================

So sorry the last two chapters for this book took forever to come out ><

I've been really busy since Christmas. 

On a different note, how was everyone's new year?