Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Kingdom Hearts.

Winter:

"So how did your garden handle last night's frost?" Tifa asked Aerith as the two women entered a shop.

"As well as can be expected," replied the green-eyed woman. "It will probably be snowing by the end of the week anyway, so I wasn't expecting it to last much longer."

The Umber-haired woman nodded and then turned her head to the right as though something had caught her attention. "I didn't expect Leon to be shopping yet; the guys usually seem to wait until the last minute…"

Both women unanimously turned and headed over to the man, who was looking through a rack of coats.

"I think these are a little small for you," commented Tifa with a grin once they were in earshot.

The sable-haired man smirked slightly, "I'm looking for Riku…as you've undoubtedly guessed already."

Aerith smiled, "Getting a start on your holiday shopping?"

"No, he just needs a coat," answered Leon. "Damn, I haven't thought of what to get him yet…"

Tifa rolled her eyes, "There's a surprise…"

Aerith frowned slightly, "Doesn't he have a coat?"

"Just that one from the Organisation, and it's not really suited for cold," answered the scarred man as he pulled a black coat with fur trim from the rack.

"Doesn't it ever get cold on the islands?" asked the mahogany-eyed woman.

"No," answered Leon.

Aerith smiled sympathetically, "Oh, the poor baby must be freezing."

"He is," answered the steel-eyed man. "I think he's wearing about five layers of clothing everyday."

"Doesn't he only own enough clothes for about a week anyway?" asked Aerith.

"Yeah…I had wondered why he kept doing laundry about everyday," replied the Gunblade wielder.

Tifa shook her head, "Wait here a moment, I'll be right back." Then, she disappeared into another section of the store.

"Why hasn't Riku complained sooner?" Aerith asked as she turned her attention back to Leon.

"He didn't complain now," replied the scarred man. "I just realised that he didn't have a coat and he needs one. He simply isn't the type to draw attention to himself or make a fuss…"

"You mean he just doesn't expect anyone to do anything for him," replied Aerith, shaking her head. "He is so much like you sometimes..."

"Here," said Tifa as she approached her friends and shoved a couple of packages in Leon's hands. One was black, the other charcoal grey, and both appeared to contain a silky material that was sealed in plastic.

"What are these?" asked Leon.

"Insulated shirt and pants sets," replied the mahogany-eyed woman. "I bought some for Denzel a couple weeks ago and they work great. This way, Riku doesn't have to wear nearly everything he owns at once. Those are his size, right?"

"Yeah," Leon smiled slightly, "Thank you, Tifa."

Aerith look thoughtful for a moment, "You know...you should consider getting him some boots while you're here. Those sneakers aren't going to keep his feet warm in this whether. There are some nice ones on sale and they had his size in when I was here yesterday."

Leon chuckled, "I'm going to have to find a way to make Riku see how much everybody here cares about him. He'll probably be surprised to hear you two know his sizes already."

"Well unlike you, we've already started our holiday shopping," stated Tifa. "I got Riku some shirts with sleeves and a couple even have hoods, so he'll be set after Christmas."

"I bought him a couple sweaters and Zack picked out some new art supplies for him," added Aerith.

"I started my holiday shopping already," stated Leon. "Riku said something about a tradition and dragged me out with him right after Thanksgiving. I just haven't decided what to get him yet."

Tifa smiled, "So Riku got you started, Aerith has had Zack whipped into shape for years, Shera's shopping for her and Cid, and I got Rude started a few days ago…I think everyone will like his gifts. He's actually surprisingly observant…"

"That actually isn't surprising," stated the Gunblade wielder. "…And Quistis dragged Zell out yesterday, so you shouldn't be getting panicked calls during last minute shopping this year."

"Well that's good, but do you guys have to refer to it as us dragging you out?" replied Aerith.

"What else am I supposed to call it when Riku tugs on my sleeve until I get up and then proceeds to pull me out the door all the while murmuring about how he and his mother always had all their presents purchased by the first of December?" questioned Leon flatly.

"Wow, she was good," replied Tifa.

Aerith nodded, "I don't usually start purchasing until then."

The scarred man rolled his eyes, "Never mind, I'm going to get those boots and then head home."

"See you tomorrow," said Tifa as the steel-eyed man waved and left.

"You know what I'm thinking?" asked Aerith as she turned to the mahogany-eyed woman with a thoughtful expression.

"We need someone to get Cloud on the ball?" replied Tifa with a similar expression.

"Actually, I was thinking that one of us should get Cloud a coat for Christmas, but I like your thought better," answered the green-eyed woman.

Tifa nodded, "First, let's handle the easy stuff…who's left on your list?"

"Yuffie, Reno, Quistis, and Barret," Aerith stated easily.

"I still need Barret, Cid and Shera, Zell, and Sora," said Tifa.

"Feel like getting some hot chocolate and looking around some more?" asked the green-eyed woman.

"That sounds great," answered Tifa as both women adjusted their scarves and headed back out into the cold.