A/N: So yeah I've decided to to a short Holiday Series instead of doing just the one story that I'm working on for Another Day. I'm not giving up with that one. Though if you haven't read that, and like platonic Soriku, please give it a read. Keep in mind some chapters are better than others.
Anywho, this story is for dreamninja's Christmas Challenge. I'm hoping to finish all of the prompts by Christmas. The prompt for this chapter was Present. Let's see how this goes.
Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, shape, or form, own Kindom Hearts all rights go to their respective owners.
The three teens sat around the tree, exchanging gifts and laughing joyously at the events of the year. It had been a hectic year, that's for sure, but they were all still together, talking and laughing and loving. If there was one thing they could be happy for, it was that the worst was over; Xehanort and his seekers of darkness had been defeated and everything had gone back to the way it was, more or less. King Mickey, Donald, and Goofy had returned to their world to spend time with their friends and loved ones; Terra, Aqua, and Ventus were working to bring the Land of Departure back to its former glory; Lea had gone back to Radiant Garden to help the restoration committee with the remaining heartless. All in all, everyone went their seperate ways for a well-earned rest.
That aside, Sora, Riku, and Kairi sat around the large Christmas Tree exchanging the gifts they had gotten each other. This became a tradition for the three friends, and they were glad to be able to continue it after everything that had happened. After all, it is a little difficult to carry on a tradition when you're apart most of the time. But after all was said and done, the three decided unanimously that they would continue this holiday tradition, even though they hadn't in a while.
You may think that this is not so special as a tradition. After all, people exchange gifts on Christmas all the time. It's pretty much one of the only parts of the holiday most people do the same, no matter what world they're from. But as simple as it seems, this was very special to these three young teens. It was a chance for them to express their thanks to their closest friends in a physical form. Because, you see, what was special about these presents was that they were all hand-made.
Yes, you heard right. Every year for almost as long as they'd known each other, the three teens made gifts for their friends. Gifts of love, made from the heart. Quite a fitting tradition for three Keyblade Masters, don't you think? So that, my friends, is why this is a very special occasion for the three every year.
You might be wondering what types of gifts the three make. Well each of them makes something different. It depends on what type of craft they are best at. Take Kairi for example. Kairi, despite her looks, is ever the tomboy. If she wasn't, I'm sure she would not have been so close to Sora and Riku. She is also sweet and very wise for a young woman of her age. As such she likes to make gifts that she believes would hold significance for the three. Her presents this year, for example, were charms of good fortune. According to the legend around them, so long as the wearers keep the charm close to their hearts, they will be safe from any terrible misfortune that comes their way. Quite a thoughtful gift, as expected of a young woman such as Kairi.
Riku, on the other hand, has a bit of a different talent. He is very good with tools. You know those wooden swords Sora and Riku used to spar with? Riku was the one who made them. Yes, that's right, Riku made them by hand. Riku likes to gift people with items they can use. For example, he made a homemade metal stepladder for Sora's father one year when he said he needed a new one. He still uses it. Riku's gifts for his friends this year where Keychains in the shape of Paopu fruit for his friends' Keyblades. Made from the heart to represent an unbreakable bond. A very well thought out gift.
Now Sora was a bit different. He was not very talented when it came to creating keepsakes and trinkets. However, he was an exceptional baker. Shocking, I know. But every year, Sora baked something special for his friends: Be it Snowflake-Shaped Brownies or Gingerbread Dream Eaters. The possibilities were endless with Sora. Though I have it on good authority that he almost always struggles deciding what to make. This year he went for Mark of Mastery Sugar Cookies in honor of everything they'd been through together in the last few years. Needless to say, Riku and Kairi loved the cookies. And Sora made extra sure to make enough to send to all his friends from other worlds. After all that's just the type of person he is: Selfless to a fault, with a kind heart that draws in almost everyone around him.
So now do you see why this tradition is so special? Do you see why they look forward this? And why they spend hours afterwords talking and laughing and generally enjoying life? A gift is not something that is expensive and wrapped in a bow. A gift is something that comes from the heart. After all, the essence of Christmas is that of giving. Of profound love and life. So few people remember that nowadays. But so long as the true spirit of Christmas lies in the heart of at least one person, the days of peace, joy, and prosperity can live on. Perhaps, when we learn to give rather than receive, we will finally have peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
A/N: Well that was a super sappy ending. Talk about being cliche. Yeesh.
Well anyway, my semester is over so MORE FANFICTION (Yay!). I got an A- in Calculus III (Which if you read Another Day, you would know how that class was for me. It inspired two chapters after all). Needless to say I'm super happy. So why not celebrate my happiness with MORE FANFICTION (Yay!).
Thank you to dreamninja for making the challenge that will inspire these chapters. Seriously you guys go check these prompts out if you want to try the challenge yourself. I'd love to see what you can come up with.
Please leave a review to tell me what you think.