Saints Row: Bullet to the Heart

Chapter 30

~*Christmas Eve, December 24, 2004*~

It was Christmas Eve, Kyouki got up early, much earlier than normal. She had been busy cooking the night before, and up after getting the most of Christmas Eve dinner made. Like the sides, she could reheat them. She figured she'd make a nice breakfast as she was up. With everyone asleep from their fun the night before. She wanted to workout too, but a gentle tug summoned her. Kyouki looked over at the tree that sat almost blocking the bay window, going over to let the cloudy morning light in.
Ky saw it, it finally snowed. Her hands gripped the thick curtains tightly. Then, sighing with a smile, she grabbed her coat and shoes. In the cold wintery air, she could hear nothing but the falling of the snow and distant cars. It was peaceful. It was then she danced. A dance her Obachan taught her. They danced together years ago, welcoming the snow. It was freezing out, but this needed it was important.

Gat and Aisha got up a short while later, the whistle of the kettle alerting the house. The smell of coffee, the sound of the kettle burbling. "Ky is up early." Aisha said, grabbing her robe, heading down to sit with Ky, but Kyouki wasn't in the kitchen. "Johnny!" Aisha called quietly up the stairs after checking Ky's room.

"Yeah?" Gat came down, pulling a hoodie over his head.

"Ky isn't here."

Gat looked around. A few of the crew were waking up from the whistle disturbing their slumber, then movement from out of the window behind the wide evergreen caught Aisha's attention. "Is that her out there? It's freezing." She turned the heat in the house up. "Morning hun." she greeted Ren as she came from one of the spare rooms.

"What's going on?" Ren rubbed her eyes, Carlos behind her yawning.

Gat was at the window, sitting on the cushion, watching. Kyouki dancing in the first falling snow of the year. It has been a while since the last snow in Stilwater, and he recognized the dance. He could see Little Kyo-chan and her Obachan dressed in their winter kimonos.

"Boss, out welcoming the snow." Johnny said with a hint of sadness.

They all looked at each other, then came to the window. Aisha sat with a sad sort of smile. It looked so beautiful, but so lonely. Kyouki wasn't smiling, Ish remembers the time they, Kyouki and her Obachan, tried to teach her. She wished that minute she knew how to at least give her girl someone to dance with.

Gat broke the silence again. "I, for one, miss that Apple Cinnamon tea. Right Ish?"

Chuckling, Aisha sniffed. "Yeah. Cold days and especially on Christmas Eve, her Obachan served us this really delicious tea."

"It was like a potion. Warmed you right up." Ramon added.

The others who are new to the group listened on as they watched. Aisha slid off the day seat heading to the kitchen. She warmed more water, pulled a cup set from the cupboard, working a small bit of magic.
Gat excused himself, heading back up to the bedroom. The house soon smelled of apples and cinnamon.

Kyouki entered, seeing the others eyeing her as she came in. "Morning." greeting them as she rubbed her hands together to warm them.

The other murmured their good mornings. "That was so pretty Auntie, can you teach me?"

Kyouki nodded. "Geezeus, it's cold as falala. Sure. Who's baking pies?" Removing her thawing outer layers.

"Me. Next time you decide to go out in the cold, put more on." Aisha fussed at Kyouki for her thin top she had under her jacket. Pressing a cup in her chilly hands.

"Yes Mom." Kyouki teased. "Ish?" Kyouki's brows furrowed, Aisha looked over her shoulder. "This is good." They both gave a knowing smile to each other.

"Drink up and go shower. I'm making breakfast."