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CHRISTMAS STORY!
“I understand that I am a child but that does not make me stupid Ryuu”
Sera's eyes moved over Ryuu, just passing him to look at Eri who was standing behind him. The idea of what Ryuu was trying to explain was ludicris. But all Ryuu could do was grin at her. Knelling down before Sera to look her better in the eyes. He reached out and took one of her tiny hands into his own.
“You see Santa is a special person. You should know better then any other the magic is out there and so very real. You see things every day that others would think you mad for. But this man is good. For he knows all the good children out they deserve a gift on Christmas. Why is he so hard to believe in?”
For a moment Sera stared at him. Glancing from him holding her hand to his eyes. For a moment it looked like he may have finally gotten threw to her. And then her deep blue eyes narrowed at him.
“So what your trying to tell me is that there is a large man out there that stalks children and keeps tabs on them. Oh yes sounds very good hearted to me.”
At that Eri snorted as she tried to cover her mouth to keep from laughing. Turning her back on the two, she knew Ryuu was staring at her. She could feel the daggers in her back. But it was hard to keep a straight face with some of Sera's comments.
“Not like that Sera. See he makes a list and checks it twice. He knows when you've been naughty and he knows when you've been nice.”
Eri laughed again. Knowing what he had just said was not helping his case. But could easiler hinder it.
“So a stalker, who has a hit list. And to think you let this man into your home all because he claims to have a gift for your children.”
Eri now could no longer holder her laughter. That last comment was the icing to the cake. Clutching her stomach she almost fell over from laughing.
“Ryuu I know your mother taught you to never talk to stangers. Anyway I have better things to do then listen to your wild stories of fat men with presents that break into peoples houses.”
At that Sera pulled her hand back and walked away. Leaving Ryuu mouth opened to stare at her. It would make one question to weather Sera really was a child at times.
“Thanks for having my back Eri”
Ryuu said as he began to stand up, turning to Eri who was still laughing at the whole scene that had just happened.
“Come on Ryuu she has never even heard of Christmas. At her age and what she as seen and done, I think its a bit much to swallow that there is a Santa.”
Eri shurgged. For a moment, there was a saddness in her that Sera had never experience a hoilday before. A child her age should not be working for the order. She should be out there playing and having fun with other children her age. Living blissful. Never knowing anything about an akuma. But it was her courage to keep fighting that made Eri respect her.
“Eri I think we just need to give her proof. It's Christmas. As all children should be excieted about the day.”
Eri could not help but smile as Ryuu stood there thinking. He really was a kind man. For all the jokes and childish acts. He really did care and it showed in times such as this. Eri patted his arm and started off after Sera. Eri had promised some training time.
“Let me know if you come up with anything.”
Eri called over her shoulder. One hand waving to him. She knew though he had not head. He was already lost in thought. Ryuu would come up with something. He always does.
Within the hour Eri was walking around Sera. Watching the girl channel her power. Most exorsicts had weapon based inocence. Sera's would be considered odd. The small teddy bear she always carried was now walking in front of her on it's own.
“That's good Sera. You need to be able to not only use your weapon to fight but for other means. With your inocence so small it's perfect to use to get into places you would be unable to get to by your own means. Pushing more power into him with give him stregth or speed. To help you in times where you are alone in combat.”
Sera consintracted. Only hearing Eri in the back of her mind. She was still young and this training was beinging to take its toll. The teddy bear had its on obsticle course to complete. With Sera learning to push more power to him for certain tasks and how to direct power to different parts of him as needed. Her breath became ragged as she forced more power to her bear. Allowing him to climb a ladder in front of her. The bear on its own moved and talked just fine. Though it was broken english that it would speak. With Sera's ability she could make it a fighting machien. Sera's gift had not been known till now. With drops of her blood she could make the inanimate animate.
“Pull back Sera. Your using to much.”
Eri called to her. Sera felt her eyes water as she pulled back the power she gave the bear. Like wisps of pink wire it came back to her hands till finally it was hers again. Slumping onto her knees. Her small hands shot forward to catch herself. Taking slow even breaths she calmed her racing heart. Eri was there with her hand on Sera's back.
“Your making much progress. You didnt even throw up this time.”
Eri flashed Sera a smile. Sera peaked threw her pale pink hair up to Eri, returning her smile with one of her own. Within minutes Sera was sitting up right and drinking a box juice with Eri.
“Do you believe in Santa Eri?”
Sera said without notice. Unlike other children who might think before asking anything, Sera blurted stuff out. Simply because she didn't understand terms of beating around a bush. Her eyes were on Eri as she awaited her reply. Left on the spot, Eri looked back at Sera. It was make or break.
“I believe in what Santa stands for Sera. It is not the fact that there is a man dressed in a red suit that can fly threw the air with reigndeer. I believe that this is a time of year to reflect on how it came to this point. To remember your fellow man. To help and care for one another. But Santa should stand for good will all year round. People simply need to care about one another again.”
Sera listened to Eri's words. Her mind wrapping about what everyone had told her. This hoilday was not about the man in red. It was about the ideas that he gave to people. To give instead of receive. To enjoy the time you have with family and friends. To learn to love one another simply because one should love.
“I think I understand. I'm going to head to my room. Tomarrow is the Christmas ball and I want to be able to stay up. Plus if this Santa thing is true. It's Christmas eve and the creep is suppose to know when I go to sleep.”
Eri laughed as she watched Sera run down the hallway. Her poor teddy bear running behind her, trying to catch up. Standing upright she smiled happily.
“Someone looks happy.”
Ryuu's voice filled the empty training room. Eri's eyes moved to his sudden appearance. He was always good at just appearing anywhere. Yet there he was grining happily. Telling Eri his mind had figured something out. It was moments like these that she questioned if it really was a good thing that she allowed him to think.
“By the looks of it. Your the happy one. Which means you have a plan.”
Ryuu closed the distance between them. His hand slipping around hers to pull her along. He was leading her to the science devision were there was a few scientists standing around mumbling.
“Project Fat man is ago guys. I got the last member of the team right here!”
Eri blinked as she looked around. Her eyes instantly looking at Ryuu.
“Hold on I dont even know what's going on. Don't count me in till I know.”
Ryuu pulled her into the circle and they all got close. Hussed whispering followed by laughter and more whispering. After close to an hour the circle broke and Eri smiled.
“Oh Ryuu that is good.”
It was around two in the morning when Sera sat up. Her tiny hands rubbing her eyes sleepily. Something had brought her out of her sleep. But what it was she could not tell. Her bright blue orbs looked about her room. Nothing seemed out of place and she could easily feel she was allone alone. With a shrugged she gave up on her search, falling back against the pillow. As soon her head hit the pillow she heard a scratching noise. A scratching almost walking sound coming from above her. Instantly she shot up in bed and took another look around. Sliding her legs out from under her blanket her bare feet touched the cold floor. Yet she paid it no mind. Her small feet made no noise as it crossed the short distance from her bed to the window. With one glance she did a double take. Snow was falling outside. But their current location, there should be no snow at all.
“What is going on.”
Unlatching the window she pushed it open slowly. She was only two stories down from the roof. Sticking herself out as far as she could go she turned her head to look up to the roof. After a moment of focsing her eyes, she could clearly see someone up on the roof. He was tall and rather round. When he stepped into the moonlight his outfit was red. Behind hind something whine. Antlers appeared in the moon light. Sera's mouth dropped pulling her head in quickly she stumbled back. Heart beat quicking she took off out of her room. Running full out towards Eri's room. It didnt take her long to reach Eri's room. Without knocking she yanked the door open.
“ERI!”
Sera's cry was enough to jump start Eri. Instantly she was out of bed weapon in head. When no danger jumped out at her she turned her attention to the door and Sera. A confused look appeared on her features as her weapon disappated.
“Sera....what is it? Do you know what time it is?”
Sera was already crossing her room. Pushing open the window and pointing. Eri stared at her for a moment and gave in. Walking over to the window she stuk her head out and looked around.
“Look on the roof.....I saw....something Eri.”
Sera was watching Eri's movements as she turned her head the best she could to look up. After a few moments her head came back in. Shaking it a bit to get the snow off she sighed.
“Jokes from Ryuu is one thing but you too Sera. “
Sera stared wide eyed and stuck her head out the window too. Looking up there was nothing there. Had her mind played tricks on her. Cause for a moment she swore she saw Santa and a reigndeer. Pulling herself back in she shook her head.
“Eri I saw something I swear. Look there is even snow. Doesnt that strike you as odd?”
Eri thought for a moment before shrugging and going back to her bed.
“Let's think of the snow as a Christmas mircle.”
With that Eri went back to sleep. Leaving a little Sera to leave her room. Closing the door behind her Eri sat up and ran back to the window. Popping it open she called out to the roof.
“Awesome work guys!”
A head appeared over the roof top. The ornage shade stood out well against the contrasting snow. Ryuu grinned from ear to ear hearing Eri's words.
“I think she believes now Eri!”
ryuu laughed light as behind him laughter exploded. All the guys had gotten together and pulled off snow and a whole Santa with moving reigndeer. Oh yes they are were good.
“I need a vaction.”
Said Sera. At only nine that was her answer. Drawing her blanket out from under her she pulled it up and over herself. The silence of her room broken by a deep laugh.
“Ho Ho Ho”
Sera shot back upright and looked forward. Drawing her blankets to her she stared at the darkness.
“Not once in all my years have I come across a child scared of Santa Claus.”
From the shadows came a voice she had never heard. Her bright blue orbs doing their best to see past the darkness to the figure she could barely make out. The man was definaltly over weight. And had a rather long beard that hung down his chin. With patchs of moonlight she could see his hair was snow white. And his chosen attire was a bright red suit with white fur trimings.
“Oh my god.....your Santa arnt you!”
Cried out Sera in shock. Her blankets fell away as she crawled to the edge of her bed. Santa had moved too. Where he could be mostly seen. His cheeks were rosey colored and though his age showed. There was a twinkle in his eye.
“How are you even real.”
Santa laughed his trademark laugh again. His hands covering his big belly as it rumbled from his laugh.
“I will live so long as hearts like yorus believe.”
Santa said with a smile. Then from behind his back he pulled a single wrapped present. Placing it in Sera's hands. Then from the inside of his red coat he pulled out two smaller boxes. Setting them down on the bed in front of her. His hand brushed her head. Messying up the pink locks before his hand shifted. Placing a single finger on the side of his nose he spoke to her.
“ Those two small gifts are for the elfs up stairs. Tell Ryuu and Eri my regaurds. And Sera remember to be good. I'm always watching.”
With a wiggle of his nose he was gone. Left in a puff of smoke. Sera sat there for a moment and stared at the gift. Ryuu was never going to let her live this down after everything they had said. Her fingers slipped under the wrapping paper. And with a tug the paper tore easily enough. Tossing the paper aside she opened the box. Her hands slipped inside and out came a beautiful deep blue cloak. A simple butterfly broach on the collar to hold it together. Tears came to her eyes as she brought the cloak to her chest. It looked just like her mothers. Curling up under the cloak, she feel asleep.
Christmas morning was alive all over the building. People shouting to each other in good cheer. All excieted about the party to come that night. Eri and Ryuu were beaming with happiness at their acomplishment. Ryuu patting a rather large scientist in the arm.
Rodger flushed a shade of pink. Yet at the sound of a voice all of them jumped.
“Merry Christmas everyone!”
Sera shouted as she jumped up and down.. Dressed in a deep blue dress that held hints of lace trimming. White stockings and black shoes. Her hair was done up with curls. Wearing a matching blue cloak that seemed to bring her whole outfit together. Sera shifted for a moment. Her head dropping as her hands clasped together. Speaking softly she lifted her eyes to look at Ryuu.
“Ryuu I wanted to say Im sorry for not believing you. Thank you for telling me about Santa.”
At that Sera threw her arms around Ryuu and hugged him tightly. Ryuu's arms came down and hugged her tightly back. After a moment Sera let go and smiled brightly. Taking a step back she pulled two small boxes out of her pockets and handed them to Ryuu and Eri.
“Oh and Santa wanted me to give you these. See you at the Christmas party tonight!”
Waving her hands she turned and skipped off. Leaving Eri and Ryuu to stare at one another. Eri looked the box over as Ryuu was in stunned silence.
“What did she mean that Santa left us these?”
Eri shurgged and opened her box. Inside she found a snowflake necklace and a note. In Ryuu's box was a set of snow flake cuff links and a note. Opening their notes slowly they found it said the same thing.
Greetings Eri and Ryuu.
Please accept this token of my gratitude. It's always nice to hear that even at your age you believe. I hope this makes up for the the collection of books you always asked me for Eri, Or the train set Ryuu. Maybe if you two had not planed every year to catch me I would have caught up. Until next year, maybe you will get lucky and finally catch me.
Always,
Santa
Eri and Ryuu were quiet. There was no way Sera could have known this information. Only they closest of family could ever really no this stuff.
“Eri....you don't think....Santa really came....last night.”
Ryuu said unsure of the idea but it could be the only real explination. His eyes lifted to look into hers. Finding her smiling at the necklace. He watched as she placed the letter in her pocket. Then unclasping the necklace she put it on.
“Let's just enjoy this Christmas mircle Ryuu.”
Eri leaned over and kissed his cheek. Walking off in the direction Sera had left moments before. She knew he was blushing, like herself.
“ERI THAT'S SO NOT FAIR!”
Eri laughed as she took off at a light jog. Hearing Ryuu's footsteps chasing after her.
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