All I Want for Christmas

"Hey-Hey, settle down, I didn't mean to," Shauna yelled over the sound of motor and city as she re-tightened her grip around Vi's waist. "Maybe you should just you know, drive the bloody thing."

"You weigh the whole bike down in the back. If I kick off too fast the whole thing'll just tail up girl. I have to go this slow. It's not like we're late or anything." Vi didn't want to sound bitter but she definitely came off like that, especially yelling like she was. As they slowly accelerated into a left turn, the short blonde leaned back, continuing to shout over the noise. "Did you get her anything?"

"Where would I have kept it?" Shauna asked. "Oh, ya mean like a card or something? I don't really know her that well."

Vi sorta did. Maybe. They were friends, but...it was more like social coworkers than actual friends. The invitation out of the blue was a bit of a surprise but...she had plenty of reason to go. Although if she knew about the other expected company she would have had second thoughts.

The brit suddenly slammed on the front brake, and the rear of the sport's bike lifted into the air in a front wheelie. She balanced it easily, but the sudden lift instantly unnerved Shauna who squeezed the life out of Vi. The rear dropped to the street in a light thud, followed by a load groan from Vi. "Let go, girl, I can't breathe."

"What the fuck was that?"

"The only wheelie I like." She gestured to the side at the apartment complex. "That's it, right?"

Shauna strained her eyes. "Yea I think. Here, let me off," she stated without waiting for an answer. She jumped off the bike and took off her helmet with a sigh of relief.

"Hey, next time you're driving, alright?" Vi shouted as she drove off to park her Yamaha bike.

Shauna rang the buzzer just as Vi was walking up. "Hey, it's us. Barely in one...two pieces I guess."

Mamouru was the one to hear the buzz as Aurora was taking care of Megumi. It was Aurora's idea to have this get together. Christmas wasn't quite the same in Japan, but getting some friends and family together sounded good to him, though he had questioned the guest list a bit.

Mamouru buzzed the two European's in and waited for them to get to the door. He knew who Shauna was, but not that she was friends with Aurora. She only knew Violet Clarkson because Aurora had told him who she was. She knew her by another name, and their encounter had been something Mamouru had long tried to forget. Now he was supposed to entertain her as a guest? When he had found out who Vi was, it hadn't been a pleasant conversation, but it thankfully hadn't been a blow up between them either. Still, he was worried.

When he opened the door, he smiled at the two girls and bowed. "Welcome. Please, come in!"

He turned and ushered them into the room. "I hope that you both enjoy yourselves tonight. I'm Aurora-chan's husband, Mamouru. How was the trip here?"

Vi was wearing her riding leathers and gear, hardly winter gathering gear.  She was carrying a helmet and a big bag.  Beside her, Shauna was wearing an orange winter sweater, green leggings and light on the makeup.  She, too, was carrying a helmet.  Still, she was dressed more appropriately than Vi for sure.  Both smiled as Mamouru opened the door, but seemed somewhat forced.  Maybe they were expecting to see Aurora instead.  Nevertheless, they both entered as suggested.

"Ay, Merry Christmas," Shauna said to him.  "Nice to meet you," the Celt said in greeting, not answering the question about the ride.  "I'm Shauna O'Connor."

"It was good, little cold though.  Merry Christmas, I'm Violet."  The Brit was slightly apprehensive about saying too much.  She wasn't entirely sure just how much Mamouru knew about her.  They had met before after all.  But based on his politeness, he didn't realize it.  Or he was just that good at being a decent human being. Well, decent enough. She recalled their match and what tactics he used. It made things more than a little awkward.

The two kinda women stood there, not wanting to press too far in without imposing.  "So...do you have a place I can change?" Vi asked, holding up her bag.  As she did, Shauna put her hands in her sweater's pocket and rocked back and forth.

"Ah, yes, Merry Christmas." Mamouru said, bowing to Shauna. He was glad she was so friendly but reciprocated. "Aurora wanted to celebrate it. It's not the same here in Japan as I hear it is in the West..." He said, trying to explain why the house wasn't really decorated and the atmosphere was pretty casual.

"Shauna-san, Violet-san." He repeated their names and smiled again. "Aurora-chan has..." He paused. "She's with Megumi-chan, she'll be out shortly." He then pointed down the hall. "The restroom is fine. It's just down the hall and to the right. Aurora-chan has a spot for jackets and extra clothes picked out." He said as he instructed Vi.

"He then looked to Shauna. "You're the first to arrive. Is there anything you'd like to drink? We didn't cook, but you may find the meal to be more to your liking than usual Japanese fare, if you like fried chicken." He said, smiling a bit as he motioned for Shauna to follow him to the kitchen.

Vi seemed almost joyous when Mamouru directed her to the bathroom. She carried her bag with her, leaving the helmet on a nearby chair. Shauna unceremoniously out her helmet next to it, looking up at her host. Unlike Vi, her apprehension was only out of simply not knowing Mamouru all that well.

Apart from kissing his brother of course.

Shauna bit her lip and shrugged. "Ya, that sounds good." Oddly, it'd be a taste she was familiar with back home. "But ya, a water or tea would be nice." She tilted her head, her somehow festive natural hair color bright with holiday spirit. "Saw your match by the way. Quick and painless, right?"

"Excellent." Mamouru said as he brought Shauna into the kitchen. There was already a pot of boiling water on the stove and he poured a cup of tea for both of them. He took the tea in his hands and gave his a sip, looking over Shauna.

"My match?" He asked. He barely did any wrestling since the baby, but he had been in more than one match. "With Mileena-san?" He asked. It was the most recent one he could think of. "Yes, well..." He paused. "Either her head was not int hat match or she has no mind for wrestling. Perhaps it was for the best." He paused. "However, these days, I see no reason to draw things out. If my opponent is skilled enough, then there will be enough of a match for the fans to enjoy." He smiled at Shauna.

"And, how has your career been going?" He asked politely. He really wasn't sure what the girl had been up to lately, or at all since the incident with Johnny. For all he knew, she was out of wrestling completely.

Shauna held the tea between her hands to warm them up and smelled the aroma of the tea with a relaxed look on her face. "Ah, that's good. Not quite what I'm use to but believe me this is better than the English like." The joke felt sort of off without Violet in the room, but Shauna grinned anyways and walked over to help herself down on a nearby chair.

"Aye, it certainly seemed that way," she nodded with agreement to Mamouru's match. The woman had put up quite a fight on several other occasions, so it was odd to see her go down so easily. It made her think she had given up on it all. Thankfully, it wasn't the same for Shauna.

"I...well I tried some things in the tag division that didn't go as well as I had hoped." She shrugged, taking a careful sip of the tea. "I've taken some time off but I need a match soon as part of my contract. Not really soon, but eventually, you know?" She was putting it off until she believed she was ready. Or maybe had an easy opponent lined up.

She noticed a picture of Aurora, Mamouru, and the little Megumi on the nearby shelf and couldn't help but get up to get a closer look at it. "Aww, look at the wee little lass...So how does it feel being a father and all. Ya know, while still wrestling and all?"

"Ah, yeah." Mamouru said and nodded. He smiled at Shauna and sipped his own tea. "I haven't been looking for matches that much. I take them when they come to me, rather than seeking them out. It's good to have the freedom to be around and with Megumi-chan but I still need to make sure we have some income coming in. My managerial work hasn't been the best lately, though I had been hoping to do a bit more with that."

He sighed and looked at the picture that Shauna pointed out and smiled. "Well... I think it's fine. I was like her once and... She's changed my life more than I could ever believe possible. She's... truly a blessing." Mamouru said and then frowned. "Speaking of... I'm sure you must want to see her for yourself! Pictures do not do her justice! I'll be right back!"

He quickly shuffled away from Shauna and moved towards the bedroom where Aurora should have been. "Kasan!" He called out as he approached. "Your friends are here! Is everything alright?"

The bathroom door opened after Mamouru called and passed by.  Vi had changed into a more appropriate sweater, and stuffed all her riding gear into the bag.  She stuck her head out into the hallway just as Aurora did the same from the bedroom.  "Shh, not so loud.  Meg is sleeping."

Then she noticed the guest. "Hey Violet, come in and see Megumi while she's being good."  As she spoke, Shauna too came into the hallway and she waved them both in along with Mamouru.

Megumi was sound asleep in her crib.  There was a variety of little toys in with her, including a panda plush that was bigger than her.  Aurora squeezed Mamouru's hand as they watched her, a big smile on her face.  Vi and Shauna both seemed to appreciate the baby girl in their own ways.  The Brit had a small smile but the Celt seemed like she wanted to pick her up.

But the show didn't last long before Aurora ushered everyone out of the room so they could talk.  "You two have a beautiful little girl," Shauna said quietly as Aurora closed the door.  "She really took after both of you."

As the four walked back to the living room, though, there was another buzzer. Aurora walked right by the door towards the kitchen, looking back at Mamouru. "Did your brother and company ever confirm they were coming?" Aurora asked, assuming it was them.

Mamouru smiled at Shauna's words. "She is. Thank you." Mamouru said with a polite bow of his head. Megumi was beautiful child, but he thought both he and Aurora were quite attractive.

As they left the room, Mamouru heard the buzzer as well. He gave Aurora a look. "I thought so. It must be them. I'll get it."

Mamouru moved to the door and pushed the button to open the door and then pulled the apartment door open, expecting his brother and sister-in-law.