A Christmas Carol: Tsubasa Style

Chapter 1: Marley's Ghost

Hi ya! I'm Tori the Twilight Keeper. I have near nothing that I have to say except no flames and I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tsubasa nor a Christmas carol

Kurogane strolled down the cobblestone streets of Japan. It was freezing and snowing. All around the streets were the poor and people that wanted to collect money for the poor. He looked around in disgust at the sight. The man stopped at the destination of his shop. The sign printed clear 'Kurogane's and Fai's' with Fai crossed out. "It's been almost 7 years since that idiotic genius passed." Kurogane mused to himself. "He was able to con widows and the poor alike."

The black-haired man steeped through the doorway and slammed it shut. His assistant jumped. Kurogane's assistant was a young man with brown hair and amber eyes. "Syaoran!" Kurogane yelled.

Syaoran cringed at his boss's tone. He politely greeted and bowed "Ohayo gozaimasu (1) Kurogane-san." He was getting the papers of the day. "And Meri-kurisumasu (2) to you."

"Feh" Kurogane scoffed at the statement. "Christmas is hoax." He said. "All it is, is a waste of time and money." Kurogane walked towards his office.

Syaoran shifted nervously. His eyes went to the back of his employer. "Ano…Kurogane-san?" the brown-haired man asked. red eyes flashed towards him. He gulped. "Kurogane-san I was wondering if I could…um…"

"What is it gaki (3)?" Kurogane wasn't particularly patient. Especially when time was money.

Again Syaoran was fearful. He took a breath "Kurogane-san I wanted to ask for the day off tomorrow. For Christmas?"

The man said nothing. Then he grunted. "Fine." Kurogane breathed "But you have to work overtime for it."

His assistant nodded vigorously. "Hai (4)! Arigato (5) Kurogane-san!" he was estatic about it.

Just then the door opened, letting a chilly breeze in. Another young man walked through the door. This man had black hair and brown eyes . A smile adored his face as he strolled in with a wreath in hand. The man shouted "Meri-kurisumasu!"

"What are you doing here, Miharu?" Kurogane gruffly asked.

Miharu smiled as he held out the wreath. "I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas uncle Kurogane."

Kurogane scowled "Bah humbug. As I told the gaki Christmas is a sham. A time for 'joy' and 'happiness'. Rubbish that's what it is."

Miharu seemed a little offended but persisted. "Uncle Kurogane Christmas is a time for love and peace. For families and friends to be together. It's a wonderful holiday!" Syaoran nodded earnestly. "I want you to come celebrate Christmas with us, Uncle Kurogane." Miharu's eyes looked at his uncle's.

Kurogane turned away first. "I'll think about it." Miharu nodded. He placed the wreath on the door.

"That's all I can ask." The nephew told him. He opened the door again and stepped out. "I really hope you consider spending time with us." With that Miharu shut the door.

Syaoran worked steadily at his work while Kurogane went to his office. He spent all the time he had counting yen that he swindled, cheated, and conned from various people. Hours ticked by until it was 8:00. Kurogane was closing shop as his assistant was packing his work. "I expect you bright and early December 26th!"

Syaoran nodded and bowed. "Hai and thank you again Kurogane-san"

"Yeah, yeah just get out of here before I change my mind." He grunted. Again the red-eyed man wandered the street by himself. The glow of the Christmas lights illuminated his path towards his dark, dreary home.

He fishing out his key when he heard "Kurogane." The voice was light and seemed to whisper on the wind. The man shrugged it off and opened the door to his lonely house. A fire was lit to keep him warm and a book to keep him company, not that he needed it. "Youou (6)." A voice spoke again. That startled him. No one that was alive knew of his real name. His piercing crimson eyes scanned the room only to see nothing.

A head came into his view it smiled "Whatcha looking at Kuro-tu?" Although to Kurogane this head was upside down he could see clearly. This head had a feminine face with traces of masculinity, pure blue eyes, and light blonde, almost white hair. Even though it's been 7 years Kurogane could identify the person in front of him. It was none other than his old business partner, Fai.

This realization made Kurogane literally fall out his chair. Fai grinned wider. "You're still a klutz Kuro-wan."

Kurgane's eyes widened. "Fai?" he was half in doubt and half in shock. Fai nodded his head. "You died 7 years ago. How are you here in front of me?"

Fai shook at chains that he just noticed. Fai's ghostly, lanky body was weighed down by the chains with miscellaneous items at the ends of them. "I'm here as a warning Kuro-puppy." He moved the chains around as he put his hand on his forehead dramatically. "When I died I was forced to wear these chains for all of eternity! It was all because of how I lived."

"How? You were able to con anyone! You were rich." Kurogane pointed out.

Fai sighed "Yes but I was ignorant and heartless. It was never worth carrying this," he rattled the chains. "and this same fate will befall you too Kuro-rin only yours will be much heavier."

Kurogane was in shock again. "Suffer like that for eternity?!" he may be strong but he could not rest in peace ever. "Surely there's a way that I stop this!"

"Of course Kuro-chi. Tonight you will be visited by 3 ghosts. You will have to change your way or my fate will be yours." Fai informed. "I hope you can avoid this Kurogane." With that Fai's body faded.

The conversation panicked Kurogane for a minute but then ingested the rest of the words his former friend told him. Change his ways? As in give up his wealth? That was no something he would do. "Feh" Kurogane belittled the talk. He went to go to bed. The black-haired man thought himself delirious. "I must be sick to be seeing things." Then the man drifted to sleep.

Wow I finished in one day! Chapters take forever to type. Please don't flame!

Also here are translations:

(1)Ohayo gozaimasu: A very polite way to say good morning

(2)Meri-kurisumasu: Merry Christmas

(3) gaki: term for brat or kid. In this case he's saying kid.

(4)Hai: term for yes.

(5)Arigato: Thank you

(6) Youou. In the manga we find out in Kurogane's real name is Youou although in the anime it was Haganemaru.