Hey guys, Murayama Tsuru here. Here is the second annual Christmas Gintama oneshot. I hope you guys enjoy! Yeah…that's all I have to say…so, here it is…

Disclaimer: I don't own Gintama; it's the property of Sorachi Hideaki-Sensei.

Sakata Gintoki sat, once again, staring out the window of his house feeling bored out of his gourd. Like last year, he imagined that, on any other night, he would have thought that the city decorated up with lights for Christmas was pretty. But tonight, on Christmas Eve, he hated the lights and the decorations. The only reminded him that he did not have a date once again (and he wasn't going to take Sacchan up on her offer this year for sure). What pissed him off even more, though, were all the happy couples walking around without a care in the world! It was like they were intentionally mocking him for not having a date! They should all just go to their love hotels and leave him alone already!

And the worst thing about this whole damn evening, yet again, was that neither Kagura nor Shinpachi were there to commiserate with him about how annoying couples who went on dates on Christmas Eve were! Ok…so maybe it was understandable that Shinpachi would want to go to a concert that Otsu was holding on Christmas Eve because it was very in character for him. But, it made no sense to Gin why Kagura had gone out with that Shinsengumi sadist again this year! She didn't even like the guy (maybe…to his fatherly eyes, she couldn't possibly like that sadist!). But he had come over and invited her to the "Second Annual Christmas Eve fight" as he called it, and she had gone without hesitation, leaving him alone with Sadaharu again.

But, as like last year, not even Sadaharu had stayed for long. The large Inugami had left a few minutes later for some unfathomable reason to the silver-haired Samurai. In absolute desperation once again, Gin had called Katsura once it was obvious that Sadaharu wasn't coming back. Gin once more had invited his former comrade for drinks, but he'd been rejected, again, with an, "I'm sorry Gintoki, I can't. I have plans with Ikumatsu-dono. Maybe some other time."

But what really drove him over the edge was that Sakamoto blew him off again this year. Feeling even more desperate after Katsura had declined his offer of getting too drunk to care about all the annoying couples, Gin had contacted the loud, curly-haired space traveler. Once he'd actually gotten ahold of that irritating idiot, Gin's offer of drinks was rejected yet again. Sakamoto's excuse was that Mutsu was dragging him to some dinner this year too because, Sakamoto's exact words so they may not be all that accurate, "She's bored, and she wants me to treat her to a fancy feast. Who does she think I am? A rich tycoon, Ah-ha-ha-ha! Sorry Kintoki, maybe some other time."

Gin did not understand how Sakamoto manage to force that firebrand of a first mate to allow him to take her out to dinner again, he just didn't! Sakamoto was hardly good company; he was an idiot and that laugh of his was really annoying. But then Gin wasn't really being picky right now so even a laughing idiot would have done for company at the moment. But, of course not, even Sakamoto could get a date on Christmas Even when Gin couldn't. Gin was beginning to feel a rather strong sense of déjà vu and looked up to his air duct expecting Sarutobi Ayame to jump him at any time.

But, after staring for long enough, she didn't appear. So, just to be sure his stalker wasn't stalking him at the moment, Gin stood up and began looking through his air duct for the purple-haired Ninja. Instead of a Ninja stalker, though, Gin found a piece of purple paper with a note written on it in Sacchan's handwriting: Gin-san, I'm sorry I can't accompany you on a date like I did last year. I would have been here, waiting for you, but I was called away on urgent Ninja business…Perhaps, I'll see you next year and we can have some more fun. I really enjoyed it when you tied me up above your Christmas tree…if only you had stayed to see me suffer…or made me suffer some more…I would have loved to feel more of your delicious pain…

Gin rolled his eyes and crumpled the note up into a small ball without reading all the way to the end. Once he had thrown the piece of paper away, he sighed deeply. So much for that plan. Even though Gin hadn't really wanted to spend more time with his stalker than he usually did, she was better company than himself at the moment. But, clearly no one else was going to be keeping him company this year, so it was back to staring out the window for him.

Just as Gin settled back into the chair he had been sitting in earlier, the door banged open and Gin was met with a bright red face and blond hair. Blinking at the sudden intrusion, Gin asked, "Tsukuyo, what are you doing here? I thought you were gonna spend time in Yoshiwara with Hinowa and that brat."

The other Ninja lady Gin knew paused to swallow hard, her face growing even redder. After a moment, Tsukuyo said, her voice cracking just a little bit, "N-no, those two kicked me out…"

"Why?" Gin asked, after it was evident that Tsukuyo wasn't going to keep talking

There was another awkward pause as the blond-ninja looked at everything but Gin. After another few moments, Gin was about to repeat his question when Tsukuyo said so quietly that Gin had to strain his ears to hear, "…Hinowa said that I shouldn't be spending time with them but rather with someone I l…care about…"

Gin blinked in surprise and was about to ask, 'And you care about me enough to come barging into my house?' But, before he could say anything, Tsukuyo seemed to sense Gin's question and she stood up straighter and said a little too loud, "B-but, I don't have anyone that I especially care about and I figured that you'd be alone so I came here! It doesn't mean anything special or anything!"

Gin rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, sure, sure, whatever you say. So, what do you want to do tonight? I had nothing planned so you get to choose. You know, ladies first or something like that."

Tsukuyo raised an eyebrow, "I don't think that's how you use that phrase." Gin raised an eyebrow in return that said 'I really don't care'. With a small sigh, Tsukuyo continued speaking, "And, I didn't really have anything in mind…I mean, because Hinowa and Seita kicked me out and all. By the way, where are Kagura and Shinpachi?"

Gin growled in annoyance, "Out. Shinpachi is at some stupid concert and Kagura is off who knows where with that sadist boy from the Shinsengumi. And here I am, alone, on this stupid day meant for stupid couples! I would have gone drinking, but there's no one available. Gah, that's why I hate Christmas!"

At Tsukuyo's small chuckle, Gin leveled a glare at her, "What's so funny?" he snapped, still feeling in a foul mood for being left behind

Tsukuyo tried, and failed, to hide a small smile, "Oh nothing, you just sound jealous is all. Well, it's a good thing I'm here then isn't it. Now that you have some company, you can come drinking with me."

The anger on Gin's face melted away very quickly at Tsukuyo's suggestion. Now he wouldn't have to be alone when he went to drink away his sorrows. Now he would have someone to complain to as he did so loudly (and drunkenly) about the couples that were sure to litter the bar that they would go to.

Suddenly, Gin's face became deathly pale as he realized something. Tsukuyo watched as Gin looked increasingly nervous. She was about to ask what the problem when the silver-haired man stuttered, "A-actually, I just remembered that one of my Christmas gifts to Shinpachi and Kagura tonight was that I wouldn't go drinking…S-so, why don't we see if any of my usual cafes are open and I can treat you to some dessert. You like sweet things right? I mean, who doesn't like to eat something sweet this time of year after all…"

Tsukuyo was momentarily confused as to what Gintoki was going on about but she just shrugged it off as she no longer felt like being alone in the same room with the silver-haired idiot, lest he say something really stupid. And, she didn't especially feel like fighting with him tonight. So, without giving Gin's paleness a second thought, she shrugged, "Sure, I like sweet things. Let's go."

Gin visibly relaxed and then he nodded, "Sure, let me just get a scarf. Ketsuno Ana's weather prediction said it would be cold tonight." As Gin walked to his room, Tsukuyo tried to swallow down the irrational sense of jealousy that bubbled up inside her suddenly. Why should she care what that silver-haired idiot thought of some weather girl? It wasn't like they were d-dating or anything. So, he could do whatever he wanted…

Tsukuyo's thoughts of how to take out Ketsuno Ana as competition for Gin were interrupted when a hand touched her shoulder, "Hey," Gin said, making Tsukuyo jump, "what are you just staring into space for? Are we going or not?"

Once over the initial surprise of Gin breaking her out of her reverie, Tsukuyo noticed Gin's hand on her shoulder and swallowed hard. After roughly pushing the hand off, she stammered, "Y-yeah, I'm ready, let's get going."

Gin nodded and the two left the Yorozuya. It was a short walk to the first of Gin's usual cafes from the top floor of Otose's bar. It was a short visit to the café as well, seeing as it was closed for Christmas. With a short curse, Gin frowned and continued on to the next café, Tsukuyo close behind. But, that one was closed too, and the silver-haired Samurai and the flaxen-haired Ninja had to keep walking. This went on for a while until they finally reached one that was open (Gin was starting to feel more than a little grouchy for lack of sugar).

The two entered the café and, surprisingly, it was pretty much empty except for a few very lonely, forlorn looking guys who seemed to be sobbing into girly-looking desserts that looked to be made for two people. Gin almost felt sorry for them, but Tsukuyo was there with him so he, unlike them, had date, even though it seemed to be a forced one (Gin was still a little fuzzy on the details of why Tsukuyo was here in the first place).

Once the two were seated with menus, Tsukuyo started studying hers very carefully. She looked up from the menu after a little while, a confused look on her face and said, "Gintoki, I don't have any idea what the stuff on here is. I think it would be best if you decided. You do seem to be into sweets more than I am after all. And you've been here before so I am sure you know what's good here."

Gin, feeling a little bit proud that Tsukuyo would think that he would know more about sweets than she did (which he would), let his eyes land on some random item on the menu; it also had a cool name; Parfait d'Amour. Gin then called over the waitress and ordered two of the weird-sounding (to Gin that is) parfaits. The waitress smiled, nodded, and said that she would be right out with their parfaits.

A few minutes later the waitress was back with two tall glasses of…something purple. Gin looked at Tsukuyo, hoping his face didn't betray the fact he had chosen something at random without checking to see what was in it. The waitress then proceeded to explain what was in the parfait, but Gin wasn't really paying attention, he really only wanted to know why the hell it was purple (something about violets making the parfait the color it was). That was not a natural color!

But, not being one to turn down something sweet sighed and dipped his spoon into the purple dessert. He took a bite and almost gagged when he swallowed. Whatever this purple stuff was, it was mostly made of liquor…shit. If this Parfait d'Amur, or whatever the hell it was called, was mostly alcohol and Tsukuyo was eating it, this would mean the return of the scary drunk she usually was. Gin had to think of a plan if Tsukuyo had already eaten her parfait.

Gin looked over to Tsukuyo who had finished almost all of the purple dessert. Her face was flushed red and a strange smile was creeping its way onto Tsukuyo's face. Gin gulped, this wasn't looking good. Not having any other ideas, Gin dug through his pocket and slapped whatever Yen he found in there on the table. He then ran without looking back.

After what felt like miles of sprinting (he was really starting to wonder why none of the closer cafes could have been open instead), he could see his apartment only a few block away. Before he could get any farther, though, he felt the scarf he had been wearing go taut around his neck, forcing him to stop moving (if he didn't want to be strangled to death).

Turning his head slowly, he felt his heart sink; there was Tsukuyo still smiling manically. With a nervous smile, Gin said hesitantly, "S-so…you caught up to me…"

With a slight slur, Tsukuyo responded, "That wasn't very nice of you Gintoki. But, I did have fun chasing you around. Now that you've lost though, I guess it's time for your punishment."

Gin had a very bad feeling about whatever this punishment was. He didn't have any time to enquire about it, thought, as Tsukuyo proceeded to drag him to the Yorozuya. After the door to the odd-jobbers living quarters had shut, a terrified scream rang out through the whole neighborhood.

The next morning, Shinpachi entered the Yorozuya and smiled to see that his lazy silver-haired boss had decorated for Christmas again this year. There were lights all around the house and Gin had even put up a small tree. Shinpachi walked over to the tree and was surprised to see there were gifts under it addressed to him and Kagura. Once again, Gin had decided to actually get his sort of coworkers presents.

Shinpachi opened the one addressed to him and his smile widened to see one of Otsuu-chan's CDs that he had wanted. Shinpachi, busy looking at the CD almost missed the muffled, "Mph" from somewhere above him. But when he heard the sound again, louder and more desperate this time, he looked up hoping that he wouldn't find Sacchan above the tree again (that was a nightmare last year).

Instead of Sacchan, though, Shinpachi's eyes landed on his boss dangling by that red scarf he sometimes wore during winter. Shinpachi blinked and rubbed his eyes, wondering if they were playing tricks on him again this year. But he looked again and he as still there. Shinpachi blinked again, wondering what the hell had happened last night for him to end up like this. He then turned his eyes back to his new CD; he would deal with this later…just like last year…

But, Gin, seeing that Shinpachi had decided to ignore him, started yelling. Eventually, the yelling got loud enough that Shinpachi could no longer ignore his sort of boss. With a sigh, he tore his eyes away from his new CD and untied Gintoki from his scarf. Once the silver-haired Samurai was down, Shinpachi asked, "Gin-san…what happened."

Rubbing his wrists, Gin glared malevolently at the glasses-clad boy. After a moment of tense silence Gin said one word, "Tsukuyo." Shinpachi sighed, he now knew exactly what happened.

And that is the end of that! Without anything to say I shall leave you. I wish you guys a merry Christmas. And, as always, if you'd like, please review, that would be a lovely Christmas present for me ^_^ See you next year then!

-村山鶴