Hey, everyone! I was checking out the forums and I saw that there was a contest for the best Christmas story, so I decided to give it a shot. Well, wish me luck, Merry Christmas, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna, or any of it's characters. Oh, but if I did...yeah, you know what would happen.

Warning: This story will contain yaoi. You have been warned.


White, fluffy snow fell from the sky, coating everything it touched in an enchanting glow. Families were wrapped up in coats, scarves, gloves, and many layers of other, various clothes to keep out the cold rushes of air that engulfed them every now and then. Awe-struck children peered in shop windows, pointing to various toys and gifts that they wanted, then turning to their parents, putting on their best pout, to assure that they got the desired object. A group of children were running door to door, offering carols to lighten spirits and spread what joy they could. It was Christmas Eve, and everything was picture-perfect. At least, it was perfect for most of the world.

Ayumu Narumi, however, was far from in the spirit of Christmas. He was currently being drug around from store to store as his partner in shopping gazed at all the expensive things she couldn't have, "Ayumu, look at these!" Hiyono exclaimed, pointing to a pair of diamond earrings, which were being showcased behind a sheet of heavy glass to protect them, "Aren't they beautiful?" she asked, turning to him.

Ayumu gave the earrings a glance, but didn't see anything especially stunning about them. As expensive as they were, Ayumu could still only see a shiny rock that was way overpriced; far from impressive. Instead of voicing his opinion and risk getting bopped in the head by a sock puppet, he simply continued to walk on, leaving Hiyono to marvel over the jewelry. After a few moments, he imagined Hiyono finally snapping back to reality, looking up to continue their browsing, and not seeing Ayumu anywhere. Then, she'd finally spot him a few meters away, walking casually among the hurried shoppers, "Three, two, one..." He thought.

"Ayumu!" Hiyono called, "Wait up!" she complained, running after him.

The chocolate-haired boy smirked, the honey-haired one was just too predictable. After tiring of hearing her complaining, Ayumu turned and waited for her to catch up. When she finally reached him, she furrowed her brow at him, "You know, that wasn't very nice." She informed him.

Ayumu's expression didn't change, not that it ever did, "What are you talking about?" he asked, innocently, "I was just walking." He defended himself.

"You know what I mean." Hiyono told him, "You left me behind!" Sighing, she smiled, "It's okay, though, let's go." She suggested, grabbing his hand and dragging him to the next store.

Ayumu simply stared at her, wondering (not for the first time) why he put up with the drama queen. One moment she would be on the floor crying, and the next she would be smiling like nothing ever happened. He listened to her ramble on about what she was going to get Rio, Kousuke, and the others, and smiled despite himself. He supposed it wasn't so bad having her around, "At least she's here for me." He thought, and frowned at the thought of not having her always there. As annoyed as he acted, he would hate being lonely much more.

Hiyono stopped in her ranting to turn and look at Ayumu, "What are you going to get the Blade Children?" she asked.

Ayumu faltered at the question, "I'm not really sure what to get them." He admitted. He had thought quite a bit on it, and had still come up with nothing.

"It doesn't have to be anything big, just something that you put some thought into." she explained, looking over even more jewelry, "Like with Rio, you know she likes those melons. Kousuke has been complaining for weeks that he needs a new bike." She continued.

"Do you have any idea how expensive those melons are?" Ayumu asked, "They're almost as much as a new bike. Let Rutherford get those expensive things, it's not like he's going to run out of money anytime soon."

Hiyono turned to him, "Well, you better tell him that he's buying them, then." She told him, "I don't think he's thought about anyone except Kanone the entire season. He really has no idea what to get him."

"How about an attitude adjustment?" Ayumu asked, under his breath. Ever since Kanone had become accepted back among the ranks of the Blade Children, he'd been especially pissy towards Ayumu. Probably because he'd had to apologize to said boy before Rio would even talk to him.

"I heard that." Hiyono informed him, "Don't be like that, he's trying!" She defended Kanone.

Ayumu wondered why she would stick up for the Blade Child, but just shrugged it off; Hiyono did a lot of things that Ayumu would never understand, "So, what are you getting them?" he asked.

Hiyono almost answered, then turned to Ayumu, sticking a finger in his face, "Oh, no you don't." She warned him, "No mooching ideas off of me!"

"Damn." Ayumu thought, sighing, "She's smarter than I thought."

"Well, you better figure it out quick, Christmas is tomorrow." She commented, "By the way, what did you get Madoka?"

Ayumu actually had an answer for this one, "I'm giving her a gift certificate to a spa." he replied, "The one she went to on her vacation, she said it was really good."

Hiyono's face brightened up, "Oh, Ayumu, that's so thoughtful!" She cried. Then, she got a mischievous look on her face, "So, what did you get me?" she asked, "Maybe those earrings I was looking at?"

Ayumu just looked at her, "You mean the ones you just saw tonight that I had no idea you wanted until about 10 minutes ago?"

Hiyono frowned, "Well...maybe I could just turn my back..." she began, turning around. After a second, she glanced behind her to see Ayumu standing there, "Ayumu, you're supposed to go get the earrings!" She told him.

"Forget it." He said, continuing past her, "Besides, I've already gotten your present."

Hiyono's smile widened even more, "Really? Oh, Ayumu, what is it?" she silently begged him to hand it over now.

"Sorry, it's not Christmas yet." He informed her, "You'll get it tomorrow."

Hiyono sighed, "At least he's getting me a present on his own this year." she thought, remembering Robertson from last year. Ayumu had come a long way since then, though, and Hiyono admired him even more now. She could only imagine what he had gotten her, "It won't be that, stupid girl." She told herself, "Ayumu's already made it perfectly clear he doesn't feel that way about you." Sighing, Hiyono put on a smile, "At least we'll be together on Christmas." she tried to lighten her mood. They would be together, even if it wasn't in the way she wanted, and that would have to be good enough.

--

Eyes Rutherford, on the other hand, had everything he wanted. He had fame, talent, friends (whether he wanted them or not), and Kanone. In fact, the only thing he didn't have was the one thing he needed right now, and that was an idea. For the past month he had been wracking his brain for ideas for a present for Kanone. A couple things had passed through his mind, but he had discarded them quickly.

The silver-haired boy was now looking out the window of his penthouse, trying desperately to come up with an idea, any idea for Kanone. The talking that was coming from the others, though, was disturbing his thought process, and he glared at the three, "Can't you do that tomorrow?" he asked.

Rio peeked around the tree at him, "Tomorrow's Christmas!" she told him, as if he didn't already know, "We can't decorate for Christmas on Christmas."

"Besides," Kousuke added, reaching up to one of the top branches to place a maroon bulb, "We need to have it done by tomorrow afternoon, and you'll yell at us if we get here too early."

Ryoko looked at the annoyed Blade Child from her place by the mantel, where she was replacing the burned candles with new ones, "Still can't think of a present for Kanone?" she asked.

Eyes sighed and shook his head, "No." He answered simply.

Kousuke didn't help matters any, "You know, he's out buying your present right now."

"I know." Eyes growled, wanting the redhead to leave now.

Rio threw a bulb a Kousuke, which hit him in the head, "Kousuke, why did you say something like that, you jerk?" she asked, then gasped as the bulb failed to be caught and went crashing to the floor. It shattered into a million tiny pieces, and scattered everywhere. Eyes stared at the broken pieces, and looked up to Rio, telling her that was a serious lack in judgment. Rio laughed, nervously, "Umm, I'll get the broom." She offered, and ran off to do just that.

"I think that's enough." Kousuke commented, looking over the tree. The three had come over almost three hours ago, insisting that Eyes needed a tree since this was where everyone was going to be exchanging presents. Eyes hadn't seen the necessity to gather everyone in one place to do a such a simple task, but didn't want to hear Rio complain when he denied their request. Instead of actually going out with them, though, he simply gave them money (well, gave Ryoko money, fearing what the other two would do with it if they got their hands on the loot), and told them to find a tree.

They had arrived an hour later with not only a tree, but more than twice the ornaments they would need. The sheer number of them resulted in an argument between Rio and Kousuke about what colors should go on the tree. Rio wanted silver, while Kousuke objected that gold was better. When they finally got back to the apartment, Eyes said that there would be no gold on the tree, which resulted in a happy cheer from Rio and a glare from Kousuke. After much 'convincing' by Ryoko, Kousuke finally agreed to help decorate.

The result was a 8 foot tree, fully decorated with silver garland and tinsel, not to mention an array of colors of bulbs that ranged from dark blue and green to silver to maroon and a few clear glass ones. Accompanying the decorations were several strands of clear lights, whose light reflected off the shiny, silver bulbs and tiny strands of tinsel. On top was an angel, donned in a flowing pink and white dress with lace and two small candles in her tiny hands, which were illuminated with two clear lights. Overall, the sight was a bit breathtaking, and even the silver-haired ice prince was impressed. Though, he was more impressed with the fact that only one bulb had been broken and no one had been seriously injured.

Eyes came to stand by Kousuke to gaze at the giant tree, "What do you think?" he asked, looking to the blue-eyed boy.

Eyes stared at the tree, his mind racing, "A key." He said.

Kousuke raised an eyebrow, "Umm, Rutherford?" he asked, a little worried about the other boy.

"A key to my apartment." Eyes explained, "That's what I can give Kanone."

Then, reality in the form of Kousuke came, "He's here all the time, anyway, and you never keep your door locked." He pointed out.

Eyes sighed, he hated to admit it, but Kousuke was right. Then, something else surprised him that day, Kousuke gave him an idea, "That's it." He said, looking at Kousuke, wondering how he could inspire such an idea.

"What's it?" Rio asked, finally returning with the broom, "Oh, did you think of what you're going to get Kanone?" she asked, excitedly.

Eyes nodded, but said nothing. Knowing the two he was talking to, he could tell them tonight, and within 24 hours, Kanone would know. Kousuke yawned, and cracked his neck, "We should go before Kanone gets back." He suggested.

Rio nodded, and looked to Ryoko, "You ready?" she asked, quickly sweeping up the broken bulb into the dustpan. Ryoko agreed that she was ready to leave, and the three did just that, leaving Eyes to await Kanone's return.


Hmm, this was going to be just a oneshot, but it's getting pretty long. I've decided to split it up into Christmas Eve, which is obviously this chapter, and Christmas Day, which will be the next chappy. So, what do you think so far? The next chapter will be more interesting, I promise! We'll get to see what Ayumu managed to scrounge up for the Blade Children, and what did Eyes finally decide on for Kanone? Hope you like it so far!