Pumpkin Patch Christmas Special!!
“uh,… it’s been two months since Karui left us..left me.” Sighed Nanka as she sat, looking through the window at the falling rain. She sat in her room with a small stuffed bear clutched in her arms. “that stupid dumb lying jerk..he said he would be home in two days. He lied to me…that jerk…that…Karui. I miss him so much. It is already Christmas season and he hasn’t even stepped foot back in town. I mean, sure, he sent me a letter, but I want him…not a letter.”
Nanka sighed and pulled out a worn piece of paper from the pocket of her shirt. It was crinkled, and looked as if it had been looked at a million times. Nanka slid off of her chair slowly and walked over to the crystalline lamp a few feet away. She pulled the beaded switch, turning the lamp on. She also proceeded to take a seat on the nearby chair and held the paper up to the light.
s: I really miss you in particular Pumpkin. I think of you everyday and can’t wait until I get to spend another Christmas together with you.
Nanka read the letter over and over until she had it memorized, not that she hadn’t already memorized it. The present that Karui sent Nanka in the package was a white bear. It had blue eyes and black paws.
“I miss you too.. I miss you too..” sighed Nanka to herself as she hugged the bear. But, for the first time she noticed something on the bear. It looked like a small bead. Nanka lifted the small bear up and sifted through the fur near it’s neck. And, to her surprise, she found a small silver necklace with a heart shaped diamond on the end of it. Nanka was speechless, and just stared at the jewel. “Ka-karui…you got me…a diamond necklace?!”
“Nanka!! Come on out, dinner is ready!!” yelled Lady Ii from the kitchen. “Your dinner will get cold if you don’t hurry up!!”
“I-I’m…coming…” replied Nanka lightly, still in shock from Karui’s present. However, she pulled herself together, and proceeded out into the living room.
“Nanka, what is that you’ve got there?” asked Lord Ii, referring to the necklace around the bear’s neck.
“I-it’s from…from…it’s from K-karui.” Replied Nanka shyly, she had no idea if his parent knew about his feelings for her. If she had no idea about his feelings for her, how where they expected to know?
“Oh, Nanka honey! Karui finally told you!! That’s so sweet! What is it? Let his old mother see what he got for his girl.” cooed Lady Ii as she strode over to Nanka, wiping her hands on her apron as she went. “Oh my.. Karui got you a very special necklace. Did you know, when he was young, he used to say that, once he got the courage to tell you he liked you, he would give you a heart shaped jewel to declare his undying love. Ahh…so sweet of him to send you an undying jewel with it. Oh I am soo happy for you honey!!” cried Lady Ii as she hugged Nanka tightly. However, Nanka was in a state of shock. Karui liked her before?? How long had he liked her?! When did he say that stuff?
Nonetheless, Nanka wasn’t the only one that didn’t know about Karui’s feelings, his father didn’t know either, and it was very evident. His mouth was wide open and his eyes wide. “Siani, you-you knew? How long? How long has he…has he…liked Nanka?” asked Lord Ii.
“Oh, well since he was about 7, but he didn’t really know about love until he later. Nevertheless, he liked her.” Replied the mother with a grin.
“I-I must be soo soo very dense not to notice… did he tell you?” asked Lord Ii.
“No, but I could tell. He did tell me about the necklace later on. And, honey, it’s okay. Denseness can be cute.” Replied Lady Ii with a smile. “Now Nanka, not to pressure you, but you don’t I mean, oh I don’t want to sound rude…but do you like my son back?” blurted the mother.
“Ah! Well…I-i…I..i…I d-do…” replied Nanka with embarrassment.
“Oh that’s soo cute. We will plan the wedding!!” said Lady Ii, getting ahead of herself.
“What?!” blurted Lord Ii. “honey, you are going way to fast. He hasn’t even proposed yet, and they are still soo young. Why don’t you plan out something else? Like Christmas?”
“Ah,” sighed Lady Ii, “fine.. But don’t go run of and get married Nanka I want to be there! now let’s eat dinner is getting cold.”
“y-yes..” remarked Nanka.
Winter came fast throughout the next three days, and the ground was covered in snow by morning. Nanka and Lady Ii had already finished decorating the house and the tree, and the only thing left, was to wait two more days until Christmas. That meant it was Christmas eve’s eve.
Nanka was happy about the upcoming holiday, but she was also very sad. Sad that she wasn’t able to decorate the house with Karui, sad that he probably wouldn’t be home by Christmas, sad…that he was away from home. Nanka could remember the previous Christmas clearly…so very clear it was to her now…so clear…
{flashback}
“Yo, Nan! We have to go get decorations today!!” stated Karui. He was standing slightly to the side of Nanka’s bed, his head hanging over her’s. “ Nan, we gotta go. Get-up!! Or else I will do something…something evil!!”
“ten more minutes…I’ll get the laundry done soon…go away karui I don’t want to fight you again…ten more minutes…” mumbled Nanka in her sleep.
“Nan…” blew Karui into Nanka’s ear, which was a sensitive place for her since she had cat ears.
“WAHHHHH!” cried Nanka as she was waken up, however she wasn’t aware what had just happened and was still half asleep. So, in that state, she accidentally slapped Karui’s face.
“Whoa, Nan. You got a hard hand..” commented Karui as he held his face.
“Karui? I am so sorry! Are you hurt? Are you okay??” cried Nanka, realizing what she had done.
“oh…Nan..you hurt me soo bad… I think I am going to cry.” Teased Karui. Nonetheless, he fooled Nanka into thinking she really hurt him.
“I am sorry…do you need me to help you? Do you need some salve?” asked Nanka as she patted his back.
“you could,” remarked Karui spinning around, “give me a kiss and make it all better!”
“You Jerk! Don’t play around like that! I thought I really hurt you!!” cried Nanka.
“Ha ha ha. You are really dumb, to think you could hurt me!!” remarked Karui haughtily.
“Jerk.” Commented Nanka as she poked his back. But, she didn’t poke him in any random place, she poked him on a nerve.
“Oww you are mean!!” commented Karui as she ran after Nanka, holding his back with his right hand.
After that little incident Nanka proceeded to change into her favorite outfit. It consisted of a white Chinese top with golden trim, and matching white bottoms that had gold trimmings as well. On her feet she wore white shoes, and she wore her hair up in a bun, placing small decorative pins in it.
“Karui, do you think it’ll snow or rain while we are out?” asked Nanka seriously.
“hmm…It looks clear outside. Besides we can always cuddle if the need be.” Replied Karui.
“Lady Ii, where is the umbrella?!” asked Nanka. However, Lady Ii replied by saying that Lord Ii had taken them out with him to get them all repaired, because they all had been chewed at by time. Nanka was disappointed, but it wasn’t such a big deal to her.
It took Nanka and Karui a little while to walk down to the nearby shop. Along the way they talked about Christmas and about what they would get for Karui’s parents. Karui wanted to get Lady Ii a porcelain carousel, and Lord Ii a Knife. Nanka wanted to get Lady Ii a music box, and Lord Ii a new pocket watch. However, she really didn’t know the cost and was afraid of getting something she couldn’t pay for. Karui said he would buy everything, but Nanka didn’t want to take his money either. She decided she would spend all of her savings on them, since they had housed her.
Inside the store there were a tons of ornaments and small trinkets. There were also a lot of crystal and glass sculptures as well, making Nanka very nervous of dropping things. The whole shop smelled of fresh made cookies, and had a warm feeling to it. There were also two cats that lived in the store, they too smelled of cookies, but were so skittish that no one was able to pick them up. That was, anyone besides Nanka.
“Yo, Nan come over here. Do you like this?” asked Karui, almost sounding…well serious.
“Huh?” said Nanka as she made her way over to Karui, the store cat in her arms. “whoa…that looks so expensive…” Nanka looked at the object Karui had asked her opinion on. It was a small glass music box that had a small cat ontop of it.
“Do you like things like this?” asked Karui.
“It is very pretty, but I-it is sooo expensive..” breathed Nanka. “Why?”
“No particular reason, just thought it might be something you would like… Anyway, what do you think my mom would like? I decided we would split the presents, we get your idea for mom and we get my idea for pop. Whaddya think?”
“Sure! I can pay for half of that!” replied Nanka. “ I think that your mother would like a music box like this. I know it is plain, but it looks like something she would like, plus she really like this song.” Remarked Nanka as she held up a small mahogany stained box that played the song, ‘Oh come all ye faithful’.
“That’s great! Let’s get that and I think pop would like something like this!” said Karui as he showed Nanka a knife that was cut oddly, but which made it pretty.
“ohh..that looks great! So how much would that be?” asked Nanka, trying to see the price on the knife and on the box.
“No. I am getting them. I don’t want you spending your own money on my parents. Of course I will put your name on the gift. “ replied Karui as he took the box away from Nanka and walked over to the counter.
“NOO! You can’t do that! I don’t want to take your money!!!” wailed Nanka as she tried to hold Karui back by the waist, however she was to light, and was pulled forward by him.
“To bad Nan. You can’t stop me. But you can pay me back…by giving me a big hug once we get out of this store. Kay?” offered Karui.
“But, I have money! I have money! Plus, you wouldn’t want me to hug you in public!! What kind of person would want that!!! I know! I will pay for the decorations. Yah,… and I can get really pretty ones and I can give Lady Ii her money back…or I could…” said Nanka to herself as Karui paid for everything at the counter.
“Nan! I’m going!” remarked Karui from the door.
“Huh? Oh! Yah! I am coming!” replied Nanka as she followed Karui. Once outside she decided to tell Karui her idea. “Instead of a hug why don’t I pay for the ornaments for the tree?”
“You are oblivious aren’t ya?” asked Karui lifting up the bag, showing Nanka he already had gotten the ornaments. “So are you going to pay me back now, or later? Because,..you know…the longer you wait the more the hugs you owe!”
“ACK! But I don’t- I mean you wouldn’t want to be seen with me!!!” commented Nanka, her arms flaying in the air as she become more and more nervous. She finally pulled out her wallet and handed it to Karui. “Here, you can take it. I don’t have much in there…but I can pay you back after Christmas…or sometime before…anytime really!”
“I don’t want your money Nan. You have to admit it, the only way you can pay me back is by huggin’ me. There’s no getting around the bush Nan.” Remarked Karui teasingly.
“B-but…I-i…” stammered Nanka, but as she was about to explain herself she felt something cold land on her head. “Oh! It’s snowing!!”
“It is isn’t it? We better hurry! Or we will get soaked and cold!” commented Karui. “Here I have an idea. You come over here and get the bag.”
“Okay..” replied Nanka as she hurried over to Karui and grabbed the bag. “Why do you want me to hold them though?”
“This is why.” Replied Karui as he pulled his jacket over his head and moved over Nanka. “This way the important things stay dry.”
“A-are you sure? You are going to freeze, and get wet!!” remarked Nanka worriedly.
“It’s okay, plus I can get my hug now. All the way home too!” teased Karui as he hugged Nanka.
“Ack!” squeed Nanka as she was pulled back towards Karui. “Just don’t trip!! We have to walk home still you know.”
“I know. Heh heh.” Replied Karui.
They made it home all the while Karui held onto Nanka and shielded her from the snow. Once home they decorated the house and started on the tree
“Nan! We have to put the Angel on top of the tree!” remarked Karui.
“I’ll get the angel, you can put it on top!” replied Nanka as she grabbed up the angel and took it over to Karui.
“No..i can’t reach the top, but with my help you could.” Remarked Karui, a grin on his face.
“But, I am wearing my pajamas! And I don’t want you lifting me up!!” commented Nanka as she looked down at her white top and short white shorts.
“Aww.. don’t be so dorky. It’s not like you have anything to hide!” teased Karui, however, Nanka wasn’t going to take that comment lying down, so she threw a candy cane at his head.
“You are really a jerk sometimes Karui! A really mean jerk!” fumed Nanka.
“aww.. come on I was just kidding. You look really cute. Kay? Now come on and let’s get the angel up.”
“Fine. But no being perverted or mean! Or else I will throw something much bigger at you!” threatened Nanka.
“Fine. Fine. Come on over…” replied Karui.
Nanka came over and wrapped her arms around Karui’s neck. Karui held her knees, so she wouldn’t fall and Nanka grabbed the angel. She stretched out her body and placed the angel on top of the tree, however, she stood up to high and set Karui out of balance, causing him to fall backwards.
“Ahhhhhhh!” screamed Nanka as she fell backwards, luckily Karui was able to catch her in mid- air before they fell. Therefore he was able to hold her in a way that kept her from hitting the ground.
“Ouch…” groaned Karui, laying on his back on the ground, Nanka on top of him.
“Oh my gosh! are you okay!? Did I hurt you!? I am so sorry…Does your back hurt?” asked Nanka hurriedly, for fear he had hurt his back. “Oh! I am so sorry..i am sooo stupid!” with that Nanka got off of Karui and ran to the kitchen to get ice for his back.
“Here, I got some ice for your back…are you okay?” asked Nanka as she gave him the bag of ice.
“Well,…my head hurts…a lot.” Answered Karui.
“Okay..lemme see..” said Nanka lightly as she raised his head slightly off the ground and looked at it. “I don’t see anything the matter with it. Where does it hurt?”
“Nevermind..i’ll get ma to look at it.” Replied Karui, his pain getting the better of him, and making him sound mad.
“I-i…I am sorry…I just…I just…I’ll go now…” remarked Nanka as she hurried off to her room to busy herself. She thought Karui was mad at her for falling on him and not being able to help him and it made her sad. “I hope he isn’t going to stay mad at me for the rest of the night. I still have to wrap his present too..” commented Nanka to herself as she stared at the long silver sword in front of her. “I hope he likes it…I couldn’t think of anything else…”
“Nan! Nan, c’mere! I got to show you something! Ha ha!” laughed Karui.
“O-okay…” replied Nanka. Relieved he was talking to her. But something about the way he said it made her uneasy.
“Look Nan! Ha ha! I had a small piece of glass stuck there and now it’s out. Look at the scar, isn’t it cool?” asked Karui as he showed Nanka a rather large cut in the back of his neck.
“Ah-“ was all Nanka got out before she fainted.
“Nan?” asked Karui as he caught her, right before she hit the ground again.
“Oh my, I knew it was a bad idea to show her! We have to pour cold water over her face to wake her up. Hurry.” Stated Lady Ii.
“Sure.” Replied Karui as he carried Nan into the kitchen. He proceeded to pour water over her face and soon she had woken up.
“Ka-ru-I?” asked Nanka as she looked up at Karui’s face.
“Yup?” replied Karui.
“Oh my god! That cut you should get something over it! It is huge!! Oh my…does it hurt? I am so sorry!!” wailed Nanka.
“Naw, it’s okay, plus Ma already put a bandage on it. I’ll be fine. And I am sorry if I sounded short ealier, it really hurt..”
“NO! it’s okay! Oh my! I have to wrap the gifts! Tomorrow is Christmas!!” cried Nanka, “ Put me down so I can go wrap!!”
“Fine. Can I help?”
“NO!! You can’t even look! It’s you-. It’s a secret!! Now hurry!” protested Nanka pushing Karui’s chest, trying to get down.
“Fine. I gotta wrap your gift too.” Remarked Karui as he placed Nanka on the ground.
The next day came as fast as a second could pass and soon everyone was opening gifts.
“For mom and dad from me and nan.” Remarked Karui as she handed his mother the music box, and his father the knife.
“Oh thank you son. I couldn’t be happier.” Replied Lord Ii.
“Thank you so much honey, how did you know that this was my favorite song?” commented Lady Ii happily.
“Thanks, but Nan helped out on the box.” Remarked Karui.
“thank you Nanka.” Replied both parents simultaneously.
“Oh..it was no problem…” replied Nanka. She had Karui’s wrapped gift hidden behind her. “Karui?”
“Yah?”
“I got you a gift too…here you go…I hope you like it…I got it specially made so that it wasn’t to heavy or light.”
“Really? You got me a gift?” asked Karui as he took the gift. It only took him a second to unwrap the gift, and when he did his whole face lit up. “ You got me the Tamachi?! Thank you!!!” cried Karui as he took Nanka into a big hug and squeezed her tight.
“hee hee, your welcome.” Replied Nanka with a big smile.
“oh! I almost forgot, I got you a gift too! I also got it specially made.. all the way down to the details!” remarked Karui as he held out a golden colored present. “Go on and open it.”
“Oh! You got me a gift?! Thank you! I can’t wait to see what it is..” said Nanka as she slowly unwrapped the present. When she opened it she smiled even wider. It was a glass music box that played the song ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. On top of the box were two figures, one looked just like Nanka and the other like Karui. The two were sitting on a log smiling at each other. Inscribed on the bottom was a small inscription that read “For My Nan”
“THANK YOU KARUI! THANK YOU! I LOVE IT!!” exclaimed Nanka as she smiled up at Karui, afraid of hugging him and squishing the gift.
“You’re welcome Nan.” Replied Karui, however he whispered ‘my nan’ afterwards, causing Nan to smile as she remembered the music box.
That whole year went well,..until Karui left for the Slate..
{End Flashback}
It was now Christmas Eve and Nanka was worried that Karui would never show up. She had gotten him a fencing sword with a golden handle with the words ‘for my karui’ on it.
“oh…Karui you have to come home you have to!! I miss you so much…I miss you so much…” repeated Nanka as she laid her head on the table. After a few seconds she was fast asleep.
“Pumpkin.. Pumpkin wake up. I am home…” said a voice similar to Karui’s.
“Hmm?” groaned Nanka as she woke up. “Karui?”
“Yah, Pumpkin?” asked Karui.
“KARUI!!!” cried Nanka as she flung herself from her chair and into Karui’s arms. “I missed you so much Karui! So much!!”
“ha ha- ha ha- Time to wake Up Nanka, It’s Christmas Eve! You have to stay up till Midnight!!”
“Huh?” asked Nanka as she woke up for the second time.
“Nanka, you have to stay up till Midnight. Remember? we decided we would open one present at midnight?”
“Oh…yah..” replied Nanka sadly. She had dreamt that Karui had come home and, the reality that he hadn’t made it worse for her.
“Oh Come on! it is eleven fifty-nine!!” cheered Lady Ii.
“that’s good…” replied Nanka morosely.
“Oh cheer up!” stated Lady Ii as she steered Nanka into the Living room, her hand still clutching Karui’s gift.
DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG
“It’s Christmas.” Sighed Nanka as she stared up at the angel that, just the year before, Karui had helped her place.
“Merry Christmas Pumpkin.” Whispered a voice from behind Nanka.
“huh?” sighed Nanka, thinking that this too was a dream where Karui comes home.
“Smile, because I love you.” Whispered Karui as he pulled Nanka into a hug and rested his head on her shoulder.
“I am smiling.” Replied Nanka as she grinned.
“Merry Christmas. I got you something.” Remarked Karui.
“I got you something too.” Replied Nanka.
“I want you to go first again.” Remarked Karui.
“Okay…here is your gift. I hope it isn’t repetitive.”
“The only gift I need is you Pumpkin, so don’t worry, I bet I’ll love it.” Said Karui as he unwrapped the gift. Once he saw the inscription his face lit up even more. “Now I want to give you your gift.”
“Okay.”
“Here you go.” Commented Karui as he held out a box to Nanka. Nanka opened it and, to her surprise, she found a glass music box, that had her image and Karui’s image on it, kissing. The subscription read, ‘I Love you more than anything Pumpkin-Karui’ and, when you opened it up, it played a sweet melody that was unable to be placed, but, at the end of the song it had Karui’s voice saying ‘I love you Pumpkin’. Nanka was speechless and was so happy.
“do you like it?” asked Karui.
“I love it!” replied Nanka as she set it down on the nearby table.
“And I love you.” Replied Karui as he grabbed Nanka and kissed her sweetly, the song still playing in the background, and as it ended, the words ‘I love you pumpkin’ were heard.
