A CWF CHRISTMAS DISCLAIMERS: I don't own anything Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, Pok魯n, Gundam Wing or Ronin Warriors (that includes their characters). This is a tale of the CWF. RATING: PG-13 (There's some foul language and humorous violence, but that's about it.) DECEMBER 18 "Hoo boy?this is gonna be chaotic, I swear to God." The preparations were coming along smoothly for the big annual Christmas party for the stars of the CWF. The party was to be in New Jersey, at Ari's residence. "Relax, hon," Mina said, as they hung various ornaments on the rather large Christmas tree. "I know how nervous you're gonna be for having everyone over, but the party will be a huge success." Ari looked up at Mina, who was standing on a ladder hanging ornaments. "I'm not inviting everybody." "What do you mean?" "I thought it would be in the best interest of the guests if we left out the ones who would be prone to causing the most trouble." "Like who?" "Eh?Serena and Misty, Kane, um?see what I mean?" "Ohhh, yeah I get it. Wait?I think that's rude of you, Rob! Why don't you ? " "I already asked them beforehand. They wouldn't even answer me!" "Oh. I see. I can't believe Serena's turning into what she is!" "Me neither." Mina rummaged through a box of ornaments Ari brought up on another ladder. "Christ, how old are some of these things?" She held up a wooden star painted yellow with green glitter scattered all over it. Most of the glitter had come off over the years. Ari started to laugh. "Oh my god. My mom saved all of the old Christmas decorations I made in elementary school in art class." Mina couldn't help but laugh. "I swear to god! Some of these things are over 15, 20 years old!" She hung it on a nearby bow, and they resumed hanging decorations on the tree. Of course, while they were up there, Ari decided to have some fun up there. He picked up a piece of mistletoe, and held it up over Mina's head (on the other ladder). He leaned over to surprise her with a kiss, when he suddenly lost his balance. He screamed out, and fell to the floor about 20 ft., flat on his back. "Robert!" Mina bellowed, hurrying down the ladder. She kneeled by his head. "Are you okay?" Ari's face bore a look of shock and horror, and remained like that until he started to talk. He slowly twisted his head to her. "Y?yeah," he managed to say. "I mean?it's not like?I haven't fallen from the top of a ladder?from a great height?before." Mina slowly helped Ari to his feet until he was in a bent over position. He then threw his head back, straightening himself out with a loud crack in his lower back. "Didn't that hurt?" she asked. "Oh come on, like you haven't fallen from atop a ladder before." Needless to say, Mina couldn't fight that logic. DECEMBER 23, 2000 NEW YORK CITY 3:00 AM As Christmas drew closer, it is easy to understand why people became anxious. Some more than others. One particular case is that of two young men. It was very early in the morning in New York City. In a hotel somewhere in Manhattan, Goku Sonn and his family, would spend the next few days resting up, doing some remaining Christmas shopping, and preparing for a trip to New Jersey. From the view of two 11-year-olds, it is a wonder how they could sleep at night. At least, it is for one of them. Gohan tossed and turned all night in his bed, as he had for the past few days. Soon, it would be Christmas?and the one thing he could look forward to was getting all that stuff! Not being able to fall back asleep, he lay awake in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He stared at the ceiling until his attention was brought to two large blue eyes looking down upon him from a light pink circular body. "Jiggly puff? (What's wrong, Gohan?)" his flagship Pok魯n Jigglypuff asked. "Aww, nothing, Jigglypuff," Gohan answered, sitting up to talk to her, "I just can't sleep, that's all." "Jigglypuff jiggly jiggly puff? (Want me to sing you to sleep?)" "Don't bother." Taking that as an insult to her singing, she became angry and inflated to twice her size. "PUFF! (What?!)" "No! No, no?it's just that?if you do, I'll just start tossing again in a few minutes, that's all. I don't want to have to bother you." She deflated to normal in acknowledgement. Then, they found themselves staring at Ash and Pikachu, asleep beside them. "I kinda envy him. Look how sound asleep he is. Christmas is?what, two days away?" "Jigglypuff! Jiggly puff, jiggly puff. (Yeah. But still he sleeps like a stone.)" They heard a light moan, and Ash picked up his head and opened his eyes a little. "Do you mind?" he asked, irritated, "I'm trying to sleep, alright?" Ash flopped back down, pulled the covers back up and shut his eyes. "Sorry! It's just that I can't sleep?" "I'm sorry to hear that." This made Gohan start to worry. Why is Ash acting so bitter all of a sudden? What's wrong with him? "Are you alright?" No response. He shook him lightly. "Ash, come on, what's wrong?" This prompted him to turn around with a low grunt so he was facing away from Gohan. "I'm just worried, that's all." This was starting to worry Gohan, because he hadn't acted like this since he was?since he was living at home with his mom in Pallet Town. "There's nothing to be worried about." Although he tried to hide it and keep his voice down at the same time, his words had a bit of sorrow in them. "Are you sure?" He sniffled loudly. "Positive?" Gohan recognized this tone of voice. Ash sounded like he was gonna cry. "Ash, I'm not gonna stop asking you until you tell me. Something's wrong; I can tell. Now please?tell me what's wrong? I'm your brother, man. I'm just trying to help." Just as Gohan had thought, Ash was starting to cry a little. "Come on, man! Christmas is a few days away; you should be happy!" Slowly, Ash turned over to look at his brother. "I'm sorry?but?" He couldn't bring himself to look at him. Whenever he did, his tears stung his eyes. "I'm?I'm just?not really looking forward to Christmas." Gohan was appalled by what he heard. "What?" he asked, quietly. Ash quickly started to cry more. "Ash! Please?tell me what's wrong! Why aren't you looking forward to Christmas, man?" The more he tried to talk, the more he cried. It took him a good few minutes to calm down. "Well, it's just that?it's just???I miss her!" More crying followed. Gohan didn't know what he meant. "Who's her? Hotaru?" "No! I miss?I miss?" Gohan leaned closer. "I miss my mom!" Gohan knew exactly what he meant. He was there the same day he learned his mother died in a flood, and he and his father have been there for him ever since then. "I'm sorry." A pause, while Ash cried more. Gohan patted him on the back. "I hope I haven't upset you in any way?I didn't know how you felt." "No, it's alright. I?this is the first Christmas my mom?I mean, my mother won't be here to celebrate it with. She?she didn't have a lot of money all the time, but she always did her best to make it special for me?. But now that I'm with you and Goku and all?I feel?so ungrateful." "But why?" "I?I don't know. Maybe it's because you guys have it so much better than we did?or maybe, it's?" "Oh, come on, Ash. My, er??dad still tries to make it special, not matter what the situation. He's just trying to do what any good father would do. Oh, um?" He tried to correct himself, unwittingly stepping into forbidden territory as far as Ash is concerned. "Don't worry. My father did nothing when he lived with us, and he's not doing anything for me living with you. I guess the only thing I can do is just?go with it." "Yeah. I was thinking the same thing." Ash looked at his brother, wiping the tears out of his eyes. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get some sleep." Gohan agreed, and they both turned on their sides, facing away from each other, and slept soundly all through the night. NEW YORK CITY ABOUT 2:00 PM Ash wouldn't be the only one who wouldn't see his mother on Christmas day. In a cab somewhere on Fifth Avenue, a young girl with pink hair done up like rabbit ears ? along with her best friend and her father ? were also staying in that very city. They would also be en route to New Jersey to Ari's place. Despite the air of the holidays, Darien and Reenie could not help but feel?empty inside. Darien was more or less divorced from Serena, and the void her absence made could never be filled. It had been almost a year since he could even talk to Serena without the conversation completely breaking down. Like Goku, Darien would do anything to make sure his child can be happy. Darien missed Serena dearly, and he knows that Reenie misses her too. The cab came to an abrupt stop, bringing Darien back to reality. Reenie grabbed her backpack and reached for the door. "Be careful getting out, sweetie," he said to her. "You pay," the cabbie said, pointing to the meter. It read $17.75. At this point, Reenie opened her cab door, and was about to step out, when? BAAAAAAAANG!!! A bicyclist crashed into the open door and took a header right into the window. He and his bike were in a pile a few feet away from Reenie. The cabbie bust out of his seat to see if the biker was all right. Immediately, the biker ? a very ethnic African ? got in the cabbie's face. "You muddafucka!" he blurted. "The fuck is this?! That's my fuckin' space muddafucka!" "No!" the cabbie argued, "it space for door to open asshole!" "Bullshit, muddafucka!" His eyes lit up. "Why the fuck you pick up little bitches like this?!" He then shoved Reenie with one hand, still arguing with the cab driver. Soon the cabbie and the biker were shouting at each other in their native tongues. Naturally, this got Darien really pissed off. When the bicyclist looked at whom he though was Reenie again, Darien quickly grabbed him by his helmet strap. "Oh shit ? AAAH!" Darien bounced him off the door of the car, jaw first. He fell away, trying to crawl away from Darien. "Oh shit! Hey chino, don't hit me, don't hit me! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I'll give you anything you want, just ? " "Get lost!" Darien shouted. The biker got back on his bike and quickly rode off, loudly screaming to everyone nearby "I'm just a bitch-ass nigger; don't hurt me!" I'm Japanese, you moron, Darien thought. He helped his daughter back to her feet. "I'm sorry, daddy. I didn't see him there," Reenie said, profusely. "It's not your fault," he answered. He looked to the cabbie. "How much do I owe you again?" "Terribly sorry," he answered. "For you, no charge for cab." "What?" "It no big deal. That guy?asshole. You three have nice day." He got back in his cab, and drove off, not accepting any money from the two passengers. It was snowing in the city. Hours passed, and Darien, Hotaru and Reenie got a good deal of their shopping done. Now was time to have some fun. Like many other tourists, Darien decided to take his daughter out to the ice skating park by the U.N. building. There was a large crowd of people there, as there usually was for a day such as this. Reenie laced up her skates and waited for Hotaru to join her on the ice. "Come on, Hotaru! Hurry up!" she said. "They're just ice skates!" Hotaru carefully stepped onto the ice, and grabbed on to Reenie, nearly falling over. "Okay, I'm ready." They looked back at Darien, who wasn't in skates, holding the bags they had from shopping. "Aren't you coming with us, Darien?" "Nah," he said, "you two go out and have fun. Just be careful out there!" After that, they skated off, amongst the people out on the ice. He watched them skate off together, but was soon covered in a thick cloud of shaved ice. He cleared the ice from his face to see Goku standing there, a big smile on his face. "What the ? oh it's you." "Nice to see you two, Darien," Goku said. Some were doing fancy tricks on the ice, but most of the skaters were just skating around, enjoying themselves. Reenie and Hotaru stayed close together, but neither was a very good skater. They weren't skating very fast, as Reenie was worried that Hotaru would collapse with an asthma attack at any time. Only one person could draw Reenie's attention away from Hotaru?and he nearly bowled them over. Gohan's speed was out of control, and his arms flailed wildly, trying to regain some control. His one arm collided with Reenie, and it clung to her as they spun around in a tight circle. "Reenie!" he shouted. "Um?hi! Sorry for almost knocking you over." Reenie was in another time and place as Gohan held her in arms. "It's alright, Gohan," she managed to say. "You here with your dad?" She nodded. "Cool. Um???you wanna skate with me for a while?" "I'd love to!" She took his arm in hers, and they were about to skate away, when Hotaru asked a poignant question. "Hey, where's Ash?" she asked. Figures. Ash was constantly thinking about Hotaru, and Hotaru constantly thought about Ash. "I really don't know, Hotaru," he answered. He was being honest. Ash said he would go skating with him and his parents, but he didn't stay with them for too long. "Why don't you go look for him? He should be out on the ice somewhere." Actually, Ash wasn't on the ice. He was sitting on a bench, far from the skating park, his ice skates loosely hanging onto his feet, staring down at the snow. His talk earlier with Gohan didn't help him very much. He really wanted to enjoy Christmas this year. But without his mother, he found it very difficult. "Oh come on, Ash?why the long face?" A voice called out to him?a voice that was hauntingly familiar. Ash's head shot up, but all he saw was the ice skating rink. Very nervously, he turned around. They may have been half transparent, but standing there was Ash's mother and Mr. Mime, her housekeeping Pok魯n. "MOM?!" Ash bellowed. Tears hit his eyes as he sprung from the bench and ran ? the best he could in ice skates ? through the snow- covered grass to her. "Oh my god! I must be dreaming!" He was, but he wasn't. He intended to throw himself into her arms, but he passed right through her translucent form. "Sorry son," she said, "I should've warned you about that." "Wh?what happened?! Mom?" "This is just my spirit you're talking to. I'm in Heaven now, son." "Mime, mister mime! (Me too!)" Mr. Mime chimed in. Ash got to his knees and was about to stand when he heard Mr. Mime's spirit. "You two?" he asked. Mr. Mime's demeanor sunk. "Mime?mister mime, mister mime? (I tried to save her, but I couldn't swim either.)" "Mister mime. (I drowned too.)" "But?" Ash was trying to think of how he could ask this. "What are you doing here now? Why did you wait all this time to see me?" "Oh come on, Ash, think!" Mrs. Ketchum said. She sat down in the snow next to her son. "I did go to Heaven, you know. Forget about Santa Claus; we're the ones that see you when you're sleeping, awake, etc. I could see you whenever I pleased! I've been watching over you ever since I died." "Mime! (Tell him why you're here.)" "You're the reason I came down here today. Ash?why are you so sad? It's Christmas! You should be happy. And what's this I heard about you not looking forward to Christmas this year?" Figures she would ask him that. Ash hung his head, embarrassed at what he was gonna say. "It's just that?" Tears came to his eyes. "I miss you mom, I really do. All I can remember is it being you and me on Christmas. Now when I wake up Christmas morning and you're not there?I don't know what I'll do." "What are you stopping for?" Reenie's arm was almost dislocated when Gohan came to a sudden stop on the ice. His attention was focused on his brother, sitting in the snow in his ice skates, talking to what looked like thin air. "Who is he talking to?" he asked. "And?what's he crying for?" Suddenly, Hotaru skated over, and stopped alongside them. "Who, your brother?" she asked. Gohan pointed over to where he saw Ash. "I miss you two, my son," Mrs. Ketchum said. "Believe me?in my last few moments on Earth, you were all I thought about. I knew you had what it takes that you could become anything in the world you wanted to. And I knew that if your father wanted control over you again, he'd ruin your life like he did mine before I had you." "He's always been like that? Even before me?" "He was. I have to admit I had a hand in your fate after I died, son. I didn't want to take any risks, so in the remote chance that your father still gave a damn about you and wanted you back, I turned him away from you." "How? Wait?you didn't have him killed, did you?" "Of course not! A few days after I died, he suddenly had a desire to tour Europe. Plus, he hasn't watched a wrestling or Pok魯n program in over a year and a half." "So he's?he's gone then, right?" "He didn't deserve to have you as his child, Ash." Ash didn't say anything for a while. "I'll bet you're wondering what motivated Goku to adopt you, Mr. Ketchum-Sonn." Ash looked at her, surprised. "You caused that to happen?" "Oh no, that was all him." Both couldn't help but laugh. "But Ash?just because Goku has things better than we ever did doesn't mean that he doesn't really love you. He does. Goku has grown to love you like he does Gohan or Goten. He treats you like you're his own, am I right?" "Yeah?" Mrs. Ketchum stood up, bringing Ash to his feet as well. "Look honey, just because I'm not here with you physically does not mean I'm not here with you spiritually. All you need to do is just keep me in your thoughts and we won't be apart, ever." Ash had tears in his eyes as he looked into the eyes of his mother's ghost. Somehow, he managed to smile. "Thanks. I will." Somehow, when he put his arms around her to hug her this time, he didn't fall flat in the snow. "I love you mommy." Mrs. Ketchum couldn't help but smile. "You haven't called me that since you were a little boy." They let go of each other, and Mrs. Ketchum held her son's hands in hers. "My time is up. I have to go now. Listen?your friends are looking for you as we speak. Go have fun with them. And please?enjoy Christmas, alright son?" "I will. Goodbye mom." "Goodbye, my son." "Mister Mime, mister mime! (Goodbye Ash! Say hi to Pikachu for me!)" Ash waved to his mother and Mr. Mime as their images faded out and disappeared. He continued to look at where they were standing when he heard someone calling out his name. "Ash!" He turned around, and Hotaru was running towards him ? her skates in her hand ? with Gohan and Reenie following closely. "Ash!" Hotaru shouted again. "There you are!" "You alright, bro?" Gohan asked. "You looked pretty upset; is everything alright?" Ash was about to tell him that he was just visited by his mother, but somehow, he feared they wouldn't understand. "Nah?" he said. "I'm alright now." He started to head back to the ice. "Come on, you guys! Weren't you just skating a while ago?" CHRISTMAS NIGHT AT ARI'S "How much further is it to this place?" "Not much further, now hang on." It was still snowing in the 15? weather as Heero, Duo, and Quatre were on their way to Ari's for the annual Christmas party. Quatre was driving, Heero was riding shotgun, and Duo was in the back seat, aggravated that they had not arrived yet. They pulled up to Ari's shortly after 7:30. And what a place Ari has! He had a large mansion seated upon a small hill, with a long, winding path leading up to the main entrance. One of the yards was well equipped for hosting a party, while ? true to the rumors ? the other lawn had a big hill, ideal for sliding down?during the winter when snow covered the slope. They found a place to park the car ? right next to Ari's tank, of all places ? and headed for the main door. Duo quickly pulled his jacket tight against his body. "God it's cold!" "Frigging Jersey weather," Heero added. Jesus Christ, Duo thought to himself. What the hell am I doing in New Jersey?. They entered the mansion, and into the main parlor with its large, spiraling staircases and huge Christmas tree in the middle. Ari was the first to greet them. "Hey! Merry Christmas!" the large host bellowed. "Did you guys have trouble finding the place?" "Uh?no we didn't," Quatre answered. "Who else is here so far?" "Just Geron and Brian and their dates. It's still kinda early yet, though." Mina took their coats. "Chichi and Lita have been cooking all day," she added, "the kitchen is a war zone!" "Really?" Duo asked. "Good; I can't wait to eat!" "Note of caution: I wouldn't get within fifty feet of the kitchen if you're not piloting a Gundam. I know I would." Ari laughed heartily, while the three pilots laughed nervously. Somehow, there was a certain way Ari said that that made them nervous?especially Duo. "Anyway, enjoy yourselves tonight, gentlemen!" By 8:30, all of the guests had arrived at one point or another. Be they anime or wrestler, everyone Ari invited made it. Vegeta and Bulma arrived shortly after Heero & co. did. "Merry Christmas, Bulma," Ari said, kissing her on the cheek. He then stuck his hand out to Vegeta. "How's it going pal?" Vegeta looked at Ari, then his hand, then back at Ari. "Not bad," he said, gripping his hand very tightly. "How 'bout yourself?" Ari winced under Vegeta's death grip. "Good?good." They let go, and Ari shook out his hand. "Hey, where's Trunks tonight?" "He'll be here later tonight," Bulma said. "And, he's bringing his new girlfriend," Vegeta added. "Really? Who is she? "Some girl he said he met at church." "I'm just upset that Trunks hasn't told us anymore about her," Bulma said. "Hey, I don't blame him. It's not easy when you're dating a professional wrestler, you know what I mean?" Sure enough, Trunks and his new girlfriend arrived about a half hour later. Trunks held the door open for his date. "Hey, merry Christmas!" he said. This time, Mina was there to greet the guests. "Phew. It's cold out!" "I know, isn't it?" Mina answered. "That's all I've heard Duo gripe about tonight." She led the two inside. "Figures. Come on, a little cold weather never hurt anybody. I doubt it has snowed too much down on whatever golf course he's playing on, down there in Myrtle Beach." "What do you want, he's a whiner." Mina looked at Trunks' date. "So who is this? Your new girlfriend, I take it?" "Well?yes." Trunks blushed a little, despite himself. His date was almost as tall as he was, had blond hair in a ponytail, deep green eyes and a very deep tan. "This is Mihoshi, my girlfriend. We've been seeing each other for more than six months now." Mihoshi bowed slightly. "It is nice to meet you," she said. "You're Mina, right?" "That's me. Say, how come I haven't seen you backstage at any of the shows?" "Well," Mihoshi started, "I don't get to go out too often; I'm enrolled in police academy, and that takes up most of my time." A policewoman? Wow, that's a shock, Mina thought. The party was going off quite well that evening, with very few problems, if any. Never before has there been so big a feast offered in Ari's place. The food was laid out on a very long table, and anyone could take what they wanted and eat any one of the other tables set up in the dining room or in one of the other rooms. (Bubba Ray and D-Von had to be reminded that the table was for serving food, not putting people through.) Chichi and Lita put a lot of time and effort into this dinner, and needless to say, the food was incredible. There was plenty to eat, and plenty to drink too. Ari had thought of everything from soda and iced tea to beer, wine, and of course, eggnog. Aneubis saw the large bowl of eggnog sitting there, almost untouched this evening. Taking advantage of this situation ? him alone with the drinks and no one even looking over in that direction ? he reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small container, unscrewed the cap, and emptied the remaining contents ? rum ? into the eggnog and stirred it up. "I'll be the biggest Christmas hero since Santa Claus," he said to himself. Of course, he wouldn't be the only one. Others would take advantage of the same situation Aneubis would be in. Other alcoholic refreshment such as vodka, bourbon, gin, white zinfandel, even Bud- weiser would be added to the mix. It was at the point that Vegeta had one glass of the heavily alcoholed drink and immediately needed to leave the card table where he, Geron, Ari, Bubba Ray, Farooq and Bradshaw were playing Omaha Hold 'Em. "Something wrong, dad?" Trunks asked him, sitting down next to him. "I think?there's something in the mix," he groaned, leaning back in the chair. He brandished the empty cup. "The eggnog's been spiked." He crumpled the cup up and set it on a nearby end table. "A few times over," Trunks added, taking a sip of his own. "But who in the hell added beer?" "Don't look at me. And don't look at me like that, boy; I only had one glass of that crap." "Yikes." "Kakarot must've gone through half a gallon of it, plus a few beers. He should be worse off than me!" "Well, he did eat a lot." "Oh yes, how could I forget. I see your tolerance came from your human side." "I guess. Besides, what do you think people do at frat parties?" "It's really coming down out there!" At about 11:00 that night, the snow started to fall in much greater quantities than it did hours ago. It was still a brisk 15? outside, but the cold didn't hamper anyone's spirits. Ari looked out the window. Kurt Angle had pointed out the mass snowfall. "Really?let me see," Ari said, pulling open the curtain. "Oh it's true," Angle added, "it's true." Ari went to the closet, pulled out and put on a heavy coat, gloves and a scarf. "What are we gonna do?" "Now, now," Ari started, making his voice loud enough to be heard by everyone. "This place is able to accommodate anyone who feels they wanna stay the night and wait until tomorrow to get outta here. Until then, I say we all make the best of the situation outside." Someone called out "How?" "What do you think?" He headed for the door. "Who wants to go play out in the snow?!" Almost as soon as he said that, all of the younger guests mulled around him, itching to go outside. Many of them were pleading with him, almost. "I've got hot chocolate for y'all later on, how's that sound?" He wouldn't get an answer except the sound of about a dozen or so screaming kids blowing past him, not caring about the bitter cold, but only caring about the foot or so of snow on the ground. It started out as just the Gohan, Reenie, and the boys of Destiny out in the snow. But many of the other guests couldn't help themselves and went out to have fun as well. The big hill on Ari's south lawn was the main attraction at first, as most of the kids, the Gundam pilots, as well as the execs and their girls found themselves sliding down on whatever they could use as a sled. Whether it be old-skool wooden sleds with the steel runners, inner tubes (with ten or so kids it was a recipe for disaster), plastic seat cushions, even plastic trash can lids, it went down the hill. "Aren't those things just for water?" Gary asked. "Not these things!" Ari showed that the center hole had a layer of plastic over it. "Tubes like this are designed for sledding down hills, because they're much faster and much more outta control than other means." He held the tube to Gary. "Here, hold it." As soon as Gary took hold of the handles, Ari ran around behind him, grabbed him by the back of his jacket, and threw him down the hill, smiling as he screamed in fear from going down the hill as fast as he was. "OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!" Meanwhile, Heero Yuy was sitting down at the bottom of the hill, trying to gain his bearings. He had a little too much eggnog, it seemed, especially since the eggnog was so thoroughly spiked. "Sleigh bells ring?are you listening?" he sung to himself, in a drunken stupor. "In the rain?snow is glistening???" His singing was interrupted by a loud voice behind him, bellowing "LOOK OUT!!!" Heero's head shot straight up, but he didn't turn around. No matter; he wouldn't get the chance to. Gary Oak and the inner tube slammed into Heero, slowing down Gary's screaming mass just a little. To Gary it only felt like a slight bump. He fell from the tube and stood up, looking up at the others, who were watching him from the hilltop. "YOU ALRIGHT, KID?" Ari asked. "YEAH, I'M FINE!" came the response. Gary made his way back up the hill, not bothering to see if he had hit anything on the way down. As for Heero, he was facedown in the snow, still singing to himself. The next time the inner tube was to go down, Goku, Gohan, Reenie, Todd, Brock, Gary, AJ, Tracey, Geron, Lita, Mina, Amy and Death Drop were piled high on the tube, trying to inch their way to the slope and to what promised to be a horrible disaster. Goku was lying on his stomach on the tube itself, while everyone else sat on top of him. Goku, Amy and Todd (closest to the ground itself) tried to inch their way to the slope. "Come on, dad!" Gohan shouted, "come on!" "Need some help?" Ari asked, watching this humorous display take place. "Yeah Rob, could you help us out here?" Geron asked. His heart leapt up into his throat as he saw the broad, bright smile form or Ari's face. "Oh no?" Ari got a running start, and leapt up onto the pile, arms and legs spread out. This massive force crashing into the pile of sledders was enough to send the load flying down the hill. Their collective yells were nearly cancelled out by the hollow roar of the tube over the snow. If Heero Yuy didn't do too much to slow down Gary on his own, he wasn't going to do a damn thing for 14 people on one tube. He didn't do anything to get out of the way, and in fact, he was carried along for the ride until the tube fell over and everyone collapsed in a heap on the side. "That was fun!" Reenie shouted, "Let's do it again!" But as Ari got up from the mess, he noticed something very peculiar. Along with the actual mansion itself, Ari had an 80-foot tall tower behind the house, which housed a secret project he was working on. The strangest thing about it was that he distinctly remembered turning off the lights the last time he was in there? "Tell me again why you dragged us out here?" Actually, Duo had led Trowa and Wufey out to said tower, as Duo's suspicion about Ari got the best of him. He seemed drawn to the tower, believing that there was something in there that Ari was trying to hide form everyone. "Don't you think you're being just a tad bit paranoid, Duo?" Wufey asked him. "No I'm not!" Duo responded. "There's something in here that Ari's trying to hide form everybody?and I'm gonna find out what it is." Duo felt around on the wall, looking for a light switch. But he wished he didn't. When he turned on the lights, there was a 60-foot Gundam, red with gold and black trim, standing there. Its head bore a crown of gold laurels. In its left hand was a 20 ft. gold bow, and there was a 45 ft. long beam cannon holstered on its back. Duo screamed out like he just saw a ghost. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!" he bellowed. "It's?a Gundam?" Wufey said in disbelief. "Since when is Robert a Gundam pilot?" Trowa added. "HE BUILT HIMSELF A GUNDAM?!" Duo screamed again. "Yes, yes, it's a Gundam. You've discovered my little secret." The three turned around and saw Ari standing at the door. "Oh come on, Duo. We've all seen Gundams before." "How in the hell did YOU get your hands on a Gundam?" Trowa asked. "Where did this come from? I've never seen it before." "That's because it's a new model, built from scratch. It's called the Sagittarius, and it's quite a lethal model." "Oh my god?" Duo was still in disbelief. "Does it have the Zero System? Oh for the LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE DON'T SAY IT HAS THE ZERO SYSTEM!" "Get real, Duo; it doesn't have the Zero System. I've heard stories about pilots who have gone insane after experiencing the Zero System, and I'm not taking any chances. I wouldn't entrust something as precious as my mind in the hands of a god damn computer program, know what I mean?" Like you have anything in that head of yours worth saving, Duo thought. "What's that in its hand?" Trowa asked. "It's a bow. It shoots giant arrows that flare up like comets. Plus, the bow can double as a laser staff for close combat. I haven't had any chances to test it out in real time combat scenarios." Duo was looking at him with that same look of horror. "You're a maniac," Duo said. "You're even more of a loose cannon than Heero is!" "Calm down, Duo; when DeathScythe Hell is in trouble and you see a flaming comet come by and destroy half a dozen Mobile Suits, you'll thank me." Duo's expression hadn't changed. "Look, if you're gonna shit yourself, there's a bathroom down the hall. I suggest you do what you have to in there." Ari started to leave. "And light some incense when you're done in there, okay? Don't be stinking up my bathroom pal." Meanwhile, outside, things had broken down from the sledding. Instead, there was a mass snowball fight taking place, and it seemed as if everyone outside was with one camp or another. Hiding behind one hastily built snow bluff was Geron, Gohan, the Dudley Boyz, AJ and Trunks. Geron was getting way too into it, as he was now wearing a helmet from the German Imperial Army from World War I (complete with spike on top) and speaking in what was supposed to be a German accent. "Ready the ammunition, ya!" Geron shouted. D-Von was confused. "What did he say?" That's when Bubba Ray shoved him. "D-VON!" "WHAT?" "LET'S MAKE SNOWBALLS!" On that note, Bubba Ray and D-Von quickly started making snowballs, while Gohan and Geron lobbed them at the enemy camp. Soon, all four sides (there were more than just two sides facing off against each other) were going through all out war with snow. And like it was said earlier, GK was getting waaaaay to into it? Lita went out to the "bunker" where Geron was, trying the best she could to avoid the rain of snowballs from all sides. "We're taking enemy fire from the south side!" GK bellowed. Of course, he couldn't help but break into Moby's song Southside at that point. "Here we are now, going to the eastside?I pick up my friends as we start to ride?" "Geron!" Lita bellowed, gaining his attention. "You're taking this a little too far, don't you think?" "Achtung!" Geron shouted, in his mock-German accent. "Drop yer guard and yer bloomers!" "Um?what are bloomers?" That last comment came from Gohan, who was listening to their conversation. "Boys?" Geron scoffed. At that point, D-Von Dudley gave Gohan a whitewash to divert his attention. Then, the Dudleyz couldn't help but 3D Gohan through the snow bank. Not everyone went outside in the snow. Many of the other guests decided to stay in, either hobnobbing with other guests, playing cards, having a few drinks, or just having fun within the warm walls of Ari's place. But not everyone was happy. Ari had a very adequate game room, which was better equipped with games then some arcades were. There were a number of video games ? fighting games, especially the Street Fighter series ? pinball machines, even a few pool tables. If Ash wasn't eating, he was spending the night down in the game room. He had given up on playing Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, seeing how he couldn't beat the game or put up a high score. Ari held all five slots on the game with unfathomable scores by Ash's standards ? a score as Sean, Remy, Akuma, and two as Chun-Li. He had grown tired of the several games he liked, and for about 20 minutes, he sat around the game room, doing nothing. What the hell is wrong? Ash thought to himself. I got what I wanted for Christmas, for the most, I had a good time here tonight, but still I fell sad. The game room was in an out-of-the-way location, in terms of the rest of the mansion. Therefore, it would seem evident that few people would be around to bother him. Suddenly, the door creaked open. Ash bolted upright in his chair, looking at the door open slowly. He wiped his eyes; he thought he had a tear in his eye. But he was surprised at who came in. "Hotaru!" "Ash?" "What are you doing here? I thought you were outside with everyone else!" "I couldn't be out there. I'd barely be able to stand up in this weather. I was about to ask you the same thing, Ash." "I?" He turned away from her. "I couldn't be out there either. I just couldn't. Everyone seems to be having a good time but me." "What's wrong?" She took a step closer to him. "Yesterday?this is gonna sound really stupid, but???I saw my mother. She came down to visit me. We were talking while you and Gohan and Reenie were looking for me. That's why I wasn't skating with you guys." Hotaru didn't say anything. "You probably think I'm nuts, right?" "No. You really miss her, don't you?" "Yeah. Without her, I feel so?empty." He turned around to Hotaru. "Why did you come down here? I didn't tell anyone where I was." "I kinda?figured you'd be down here. Gohan said that anytime you're upset over something you'd be off playing video games somewhere. And I just wanted to say?thank you." "What for?" "The Christmas present you got me." She had in her hand the box Ash's gift came in. It was a small, rose-shaped lamp that would go on a person's desktop, and when it was turned on, it gave off a reddish- white glow that was very comforting. "It's beautiful." "Oh yeah. You're welcome." Ash picked out and paid for Hotaru's gift himself. He knew that Hotaru loved lamps, and somehow, Ash knew that this would be perfect. The next thing he realized was he was looking Hotaru straight in the eyes. But he didn't do anything to try to stop what he was doing, but just stared into those endless lavender pools. Somehow, he felt he was being sucked in, like he would be lost forever if he didn't turn his gaze away. But if that were to happen?Ash would welcome this in some way. Soon, they were right next to each other, face to face, still looking at each other. And right before either Ash or Hotaru opened their mouths to say anything else, something happened. Their eyes dimmed, and their lips pressed into the lips of the other. Ash Ketchum-Sonn and Hotaru Tomoe were sharing their first kiss together. The few seconds in which it happened felt like an eternity. It began slowly, but ended abruptly. Ash broke off the kiss without warning and was again looking into Hotaru's eyes, surprised at what just happened. Hotaru was short of breath, and Ash's heart was going a mile a minute. Ash couldn't believe what just happened, and neither could Hotaru. I can't believe it, Ash thought. I just kissed Hotaru Tomoe! But she?dear God, I hope she's not angry. Even with my training, I don't think I'm strong enough to take on the Messiah of Silence. But another look into her eyes told a different story. Hotaru was smiling at him. She seemed quite pleased with what just happened as well. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more?he kinda liked it! Hell, I'd like to do it again! He leaned back into Hotaru slightly, when? "Hotaru?" The door of the game room opened up, and Dr. Waylan Tomoe entered, looking for his daughter. Ash let out a slight yell, and spun around so he was standing a safe distance away from Hotaru (as not to arouse suspicion). Both of their faces were beet red. "Come on, Hotaru. It's time to go. I wanna get outta here before the roads get too bad." "Aw, dad," she pleaded, "can we stay a little longer, please?" "What are you gonna do here, honey?" Both Ash and Hotaru answered "Go play out in the snow." simultaneously. Their faces became deeper red as they looked at each other in surprise. "Well?" Dr. Tomoe pondered this development, of sorts. He could tell by their red faces and Ash's constant fidgeting that his daughter and that American boy she was hanging around were doing something. But he easily passed it off as harmless kids stuff. After all, that's what they were deep down ? when they weren't being Z-Warriors or Sailor Scouts or Pok魯n trainers? just kids. "Alright. But only for a little while, okay?" They smiled brightly. "Now go on out there with the other kids, why don't you." They rushed out of the game room and headed for the nearest door to outside, when Dr. Tomoe spoke up again. "Ash?" Ash froze in place as Hotaru ran off. Had he figured out what happened? What would he think if he really knew what Hotaru and Ash just did? "Watch out for her out there for me, okay?" Ash breathed a deep sigh of relief. He was safe for now. "Okay Mr. Tomoe." The last of the guests left a little after 1:30, and Ari and Mina were cleaning up from the party. "It was a nice party, wasn't it, Robert?" Mina asked. "Yeah," answered Ari. "But I think everyone had fun. But what I wanna know is who the hell eggnogged the spike?" "What?" "You heard me. By the end of the night there was more liquor in the eggnog than eggnog itself." "That much?" "Oh yeah." Ari pulled a filled trash bag out to its trashcan, tied it closed, and put a new one in. "Duo found out about my Gundam." "What did he say?" "Oh?he was surprised, to say the least." "He was scared out of his mind, wasn't he?" "Said I was a loose cannon. Am I a loose cannon?" "Of course not." "Said I was like Heero Yuy. Yeah, like I'm that devoid of human emotion. Look, if I ever become like Heero, I want you to take your Venus Love Chain and string me up from the chandelier, okay?" "Will do." Others were also making their trips back to wherever they were staying that night. Bulma, for instance, was driving, while Vegeta was drifting asleep in the passenger side. He would have to sleep off the effects of his one drink, since his Saiyan blood is extremely intolerant of alcohol. "Bulma?I'm telling you I didn't have more than two beers and a shot of that spiked nog," Vegeta stammered. "I believe you Vegeta," Bulma answered. "I just wanna know who the hell threw up on my jacket; was it you?" "What jacket? That blue one? No, no no no! I think it was Trowa, not me. I forgot you even wore that silly thing tonight." "Alright, alright, just chill out. Go back to sleep while you're at it." "Did you boys have a good time tonight?" Goku looked in the rear view mirror at his three sons, both drifting to sleep in the backseat of the SUV. Goku had more than his share to eat and drink, as did the rest of his family. Baby Goten was asleep in the car seat that separated the two older brothers. "Yeah," they both somehow answered. Gohan was half asleep and half awake, while Ash had a euphoric look on his face as he stared out the car window. His chin was rested on his hand as he stared at the contrast of the dark night and the bright white snow outside the car. Chichi noticed Ash's state, and was quick to call him on it. "Ash, you still awake?" she asked. Ash was staring out the window still as he lazily said "Yeah." Physically, Ash was sitting in the car. But mentally, he was a million miles away. He smiled to himself. As he sat there, he felt better than he had ever did in years. He thought of the events of the last few days?celebrating Christmas with his adoptive family, being visited by his mother?'s ghost, and?his first kiss. His first kiss?with Hotaru. Ever since he first laid eyes on that lonely girl he felt drawn to her. And after tonight, he felt there was definitely something between the two of them. He could still taste her watermelon lip-gloss on his lips, and he thought he could die in that moment between the two of them, and he would die a happy little boy. He wondered how things worked out between his brother and Reenie. Would Gohan and Reenie do something like that? Reenie holding Gohan down and letting him have it with a big smack square on the lips? Gohan, his brother, one of the strongest fighters in the entire universe ? along with Goku, one of Ash's role models in the martial arts ? lost in that moment of total bliss? ??????????But, the thought of Reenie and Gohan kissing made Ash laugh. Merry Christmas from everyone in the CWF! End program. ? 2000 by Ari for the CWF.