A/N: Just a heads up, this is not a conventional chapter update and does not advance the plot of the story. It is just a bit of fluff for the holidays. We'll continue with the regular storyline after the holidays. Happy Christmas.

Omake: Christmas Wishes

A lush but modest tree stood in the middle of the sitting room. Blinking lights flashed many colors as they wound around the branches. A young man dressed in a simple white long sleeved shirt and jeans peered into a box, pondering the treasures inside.

"Which ones should we use first, the glass bulbs or the wooden toy ornaments?" Minato asked no one in particular.

"Wooden toys," A young brunette in a star shirt and capris said as she sauntered into the room with a tea tray. "There aren't many wooden ornaments, so we'll use them all first and then balance it out with the glass bulbs." Uzume continued as she handed Minato a cup of tea.

"Why are we doing this again?" Minato took a sip of tea before reaching into the box and grabbing a miniature wooden rocking horse.

"Umm… It's Christmas, Minato, what else would we be doing?" Uzume replied as she grabbed a few wooden tchotchkes before heading toward the tree.

"I don't know. I could be making rounds at the hospital or you could be out snapping sek…"

"Shhh! Minato! You're not supposed to know about that yet." Uzume chided.

"See, my point exactly, shouldn't we be advancing the story instead of decorating a Christmas tree? Do sekirei even celebrate Christmas?"

"This one does." Uzume stated matter of factly. "Besides, I don't know about you, but I need a break. Let's see, I crawled into an alley way bloodied where you saved me, thank you for that, by the way. My ashikabi has some as-yet-named debilitating disease which is apparently incurable. I eliminate sekirei in exchange for said ashikabi's care; so you can say that I'm a mercenary. And I have nightmares. Who wouldn't need a little time away from that life?"

"You have me." Minato responded.

Uzume wraps her arms around Minato tightly, "Not fully, not yet at least. But you're right, at least you're in my life in some capacity."

"Stop with the PDA, you two. You'll start giving the readers ideas and soon the review boards will be blowing up with speculations. Besides we have a Christmas tree to decorate." A lavender haired woman said as she grabbed a few ornament, making her way toward the Christmas tree. On her way to the tree, she innocently leaned over and kissed Minato softly on the cheek.

"I thought you said no more PDA, and I think you're little kiss might cause even more gossip among the readers." Uzume said as she released her hold on Minato.

"What? Minato is my Otouto-san. I'm allowed to show affection. You on the other hand…" Miya smiled softly.

Uzume sighed and took a sip of tea, holding the mug tightly in her hands, relishing the warmth. "Maybe I should pray to The Maker and ask him to speed things up."

"You pray?" Minato asked curiously.

"You betcha! How do you think I got a starring role in this fan-fic?" Uzume smile brightly.

"Unfortunately The Maker is quite busy right now, hence why we are here, to provide his fans a little service." Miya smirked.

"Nice play on words there, who knew you were so witty?"

"She is quite a clever one." Minato said as he place more wooden ornaments on a tree. "Still doesn't explain this whole Christmas fluff."

Whack!

"Ow, what was that for?" Minato rubbed his head, wincing as he felt the beginnings of a large bump at the center of his head.

"One, since you are not my tenant in this story and have not participated in inappropriate behavior in my inn, I have not had a chance to whack you yet. What kind of Sekirei fic would this be if you didn't get whacked on the head with my ladle? Two, you just insulted The Maker; it's a wonder he hasn't punished you himself. The Maker loves Christmas."

"Well presents and stuff are kinda cool, I guess. And I guess God would celebrate a religious holiday."

"You really are clueless about The Maker and this fictional world aren't you? You sure you aren't canon Minato?" Uzume inquired looking Minato over. "I mean you are wearing his costume."

"What? It's my day off! And what do you mean clueless. I'll let you know I learned how to draw blood the other day." Minato replied indignantly.

"Okay, well you are clueless about this fictional world." Uzume glanced at Miya. "You want to break it to him or should I?"

"Go ahead dear, after all you are the one who prayed to The-Author-of-These-Things first."

"Minato, when I say The Maker or The Author or as Miya stated, The-Author-of These-Things, I am not referring to God but to our illustrious writer who gave us life on the computer screen. Not to be confused with The Creators, they live in Japan and they are busy cranking out canon stories. Anyway, our Maker is out there right now typing on his keyboard trying to get the next chapter out. So in a way he is a god, our god, but not The God, though he does pray to God often."

"So the Christmas tree?" Minato gestured toward the decorated pine.

"Yes, the Author is a Christian, so he wanted us to spread some Christmas cheer as a gift since he won't be posting any new chapters until next year."

"Didn't think our Maker would be some sort of Bible thumper."

Whack!

"What now?" Minato cried.

"I think you've been away from your story too long, you're reverting back to your stupid inconsiderate self." Miya chided. "Anyway, The Maker is not a 'Bible Thumper' as you put it; he's just not ashamed of his faith and convictions. Besides, many great authors have been Christians."

"Miya's right. There's J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Nicholas Sparks..."

"Really? You associate Nicholas Sparks with great authors?" Minato chuckled.

"What, I like a good romantic story every now and then." Uzume shrugged. "I think Miya's right; you don't sound like the Minato we know and love."

The front door slid open and a young man in a suit and lab coat walked in. "Sorry I'm late, rounds ran a little long today. I just came back from the hospital. I checked in on Chiho for you, Uzume, still no change, sorry. So what did I mis…" Minato paused in the hallway taking in the scene before him. "Who the hell is that?"

Slacker Minato slowly inched his way toward the exit trying to avoid the six eyes boring down upon him with disgust. "How dare you invade our story?" Miya was the first to break the silence. But before she could continue, a large white foam hand came down upon Slacker Minato in a violent chopping motion, squashing the invading character into oblivion.

"What just happened?" Minato said as he loosened his tie, unbuttoning the top button of his shirt.

"I don't quite know. We were busy decorating the Christmas tree which led to a philosophical/spiritual debate then you walked in." Uzume sighed and she wrapped her arms around her Minato. "Now this feels right. I should have known better, the other Minato didn't feel this comforting." She leaned up and pecked Minato on the cheek. "Thanks for checking in on Chiho for me."

"No problem, Uzu-chan. So I take it that the nigh almighty Author-of-These-Things still has personal obligations that are keeping him from this story." Minato sighed "I wish I was a doctor already, so I could help his family out."

Miya ruffled Minato's hair. "We can only do our best and comfort him by having a little fun, so let's finish decorating this tree."

Minato nodded as he grabbed the last of the wooden ornaments and placed them on the tree. "Not to sound selfish, but do you think The Maker is too busy to answer our prayers."

"I don't know, I commune with him every day and while he's not actively working on our story right now, he has let me in on how our story is going to progress." Uzume smiled softly.

"He hasn't abandoned us, so don't worry too much Minato." Miya reassured the young medic. "Why don't I get us some more tea and we can finish up the tree tonight." With that Miya retreated toward the kitchen.

"So what was my other self like?" Minato inquired.

"He was your typical clueless canon self, didn't even know about The Maker and such. He insulted The Maker and made fun of me because I read Nicholas Sparks books."

"Nicholas Sparks, huh? Have you ever seen The Notebook?" Minato asked innocently.

"I'm sorry, Minato, but 'Notebooking' only works on males." Uzume smirked.

A ceiling tile above them slid open. "Did you want to watch The Notebook, Minato-kun?"

"Oh no! You are so not "Notebooking" me. Go watch it with Shiina and Yukari; they'll be putty in your hands afterwards." Minato replied as the ceiling tile slid back into place."

Uzume and Minato looked at each other before bursting into a bout of laughter. A lavender haired beauty bounced into the room. "What's so funny?"

"Just inside jokes and pranks." Uzume replied as she regained her composure. "Um, did you forget the tea, Miya."

The woman with lavender hair ignored her.

"Miya?"

"Yes?" This time it was the lavender haired landlady's turn to look into the sitting room with shock.

Uzume and Minato looked from one lavender coif to the other. Miya was in her normal Miko robes and holding a tea tray. The other lavender woman was in dark jeans, leather corset, burgundy knee high combat boots and what looked like a judge's robe; she was definitely not Miya Asama.

"I see we have another intruder. I do hope this is not some other alternate me." Miya said softly as she offered a mug of tea to the newcomer.

"Wotcher…" The lavender beauty replied as she took the proffered cup.

"Waitaminute!" Minato exclaimed. "You're Nymphadora Tonks from the Harry Potter books!"

"Don't call me Nymphadora!" Tonks' hair flashed from luscious lavender to raging red in a blink of an eye. In another blink of an eye her wand was raised and poised to deliver a curse when…

Whack!

"No fighting or spell casting in Maison Izumo." Miya commanded.

Tonks lowered her wand and bowed slightly. "I'm sorry to intrude but I was told to come here to pray to someone called The-Author-of-These-Things. What's with all the long nicknames anyway, The-Boy-Who-Lived… You-Know-Who… He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named… The-Author-of-These-Things…"

"So is this the place?" Another voice inquired causing the others to turn back toward the hallway, where a tall aristocratic lady with long luscious blond hair stood looking down upon them. When flaming red met platinum blond: wands were drawn again, as both looked at each other and seethed. "You!"

Whack! Whack!

"Like I said there will be no fighting in Maison Izumo." Miya said with a huff.

The two witches lowered their wands and bowed their head in resignation. Miya gestured for them to sit, offering Narcissa a mug of tea. "So, you are both here to pray to The Author."

The two witches nodded when a flash of realization spread across Tonks' face. "Whoa, what are you praying for, Cissy? It better not be what I think it is. I was here first; you will not defile the Man-Who-I-Will-Shag!"

"Rather presumptuous of you, my dear niece. Why would it be you to turn that boy into a man? Maybe he would benefit from a more experienced lover." Cissy smirked.

"I'm experienced and if he is even mildly attracted to you, which I doubt, I can fulfill that fantasy too." With that Tonks shifted her form into an identical replication of Narcissa Malfoy, complete with aristocratic sneer.

"Ahem, need I remind you about the rules." Miya said calmly brandishing her ladle.

The two witches bowed their heads in embarrassment.

"That's better. Now why don't you help us decorate our tree and you can send up your requests while we work. I'm sure he'll answer your prayers, he is rather considerate of characters who have been short changed in their canon stories." Miya smiled.

"She's right. My prayers were answered almost instantly." Uzume beamed and sent up a thank you toward The Maker.

"It might take a while since he is just one author and he has some other projects in the works, but he'll get around to it eventually. I know mine will be answered eventually, I have even peeked at the scripts and I must say I am quite impressed." Miya blushed slightly.

Uzume was shocked. "You prayed to The-Author-of-These-Things?"

Miya nodded sheepishly. "Not long after the answer to your prayers started to develop. I figured if he could answer your prayer, he might help me with my problem."

"What did you pray for? Wait… No…" Uzume glanced at the oblivious Minato, who was busy placing ornaments on the tree. "Well, he is quite desirable."

"Wait, both of you…" Tonks started to reconsider her actions. "I think I might have the wrong Author. The last thing I need is to be dragged into some harem fantasy created by some sex starved otaku! Especially with her," Tonks glanced over to her aunt. "That's just wrong! There are enough of those stories around here. Besides I don't like sharing." Tonks stood up and started toward the doorway.

"No, stay, he wouldn't do that to you. He might do that with us, maybe, but that's because our race is sort of made to be part of a harem. The Author will not place you into a narrative that you will be uncomfortable in, so don't worry. Besides it's Christmas, grab a glass bulb and help us decorate." Uzume smiled at the two witches and gestured toward the tree. Soon the tension in the air was broken as two sekirei, one young medic and two witches worked in harmony beautifying the tree in time for Christmas.

They were so filled with holiday cheer that they did not notice shadows coalescing in the hallway forming an inky black figure. A skull like visage emerged at the head of the figure while overly large foam-like hands slid from the depths around what would be considered as arms. The figure stood in the doorway for a second then tilted his frame at a right angle and with a cheery wave of his gigantic white hand a nasally voice greeted the Christmas decorators. "Hiiiyeee!"

"Ah! Get back, death eater scum!" The now violet tressed witch exclaimed as she let loose a chain of curses and hexes. The colorful stream of magic cascaded into the shadowy depths of the figure's body and disappeared.

"Awww! Now is that a way to great your Maker?" The nasally scull faced figure inquired.

"You? You are The-Author-of-These-Things?" Uzume replied in shock. "I thought you'd be more handsome, not…"

"Shinigami – the image of death? Who were you expecting, Nicholas Sparks?" He sneered at Uzume behind the skull. "And just call me Author or Maker or Bruno, no need for long titles, I'm not Voldemort." The two witches flinched at the name. "But to answer your question, I am the writer and I do answer some prayers."

"You won't put me in some sort of harem?" Tonks inquired.

"No one in this room, right now will ever be involved in a harem story." He brought an overly large foam finger to his chin bone and tapped it softly. "Wait, I'm sorry, I was wrong. Minato will be involved in a harem story, but that won't be for a while and none of you ladies in this room will be involved."

A woman with lustrous silver hair tied into a neat bun and a pair of smart looking rimless glasses strode into the sitting room. She was dressed in a neat and tidy grey business suit that complemented her silver locks. "Oh, there you are Minato; I need you in the server room."

"Dammit, can't you all stay in your own stories." A laptop emerged from the shadow's body and amazingly the gigantic fingers tapped on the keyboard with astonishing dexterity. Soon a voice, sounding remarkably like Minato's, was heard from below.

"I'm already here finishing up the diagnostic checks. Uploading should be ready to commence as soon as you're ready." The voice said while Dr. Minato rubbed his vocal cord area in confusion.

"So you're ready to upload." The silver haired beauty smiled as she undid her bun and shook out her lovely locks.

"Yes, ma'am" The voice chortled in the distance.

With a one last shake of her hair, she hastily retreated from the room. "I'm ready to receive your data, Minato." Was the last thing that was heard before she disappeared.

"That was easy." The nasally voice chimed.

A ceiling tile slid open and a red head peeked through. "Wait! That second rate hacker gets her hands on Minato. What about Matsu? Matsu is a single digit, so Matsu's way better with technology than that ice queen."

"That may be, but Kochou does know how to rock that sexy librarian look." He said as Minato nodded in agreement.

Matsu glared from the ceiling. "I'll show you how good I am." Matsu said, her emotions getting the better of her as she stopped referring to herself in third person.

He sighed. "I wonder what she's doing now. At least she stopped with the third person reference, that's quite annoying."

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement. They continued decorating the tree as He watched admiringly. "Now, that's starting to come together nicely. I think you're almost done, we don't want to overdo…"

Matsu's head popped down from the ceiling waving a sheaf of paper triumphantly. "So, let's see, you've already answered Uzume's prayer. Wait why does Miya get two stories and Minato all to herself? Twice!?"

Miya blushed and bowed slightly. "Thank you."

"No problem landlady-dono, not my fault that you go through the canon-verse heartbroken and alone. I'm just trying to rectify things." He replied.

"Way to go Miya-san." Uzume cheered.

"She gets him twice and you cheer for her." Matsu glared at Uzume indignantly.

"C'mon, it's not like there isn't a plethora of fan-fiction stories out there where you get to bang Minato senseless under landlady-dono's nose." Uzume retorted

Seeing Miya readying her ladle, Matsu quickly forged on. "Okay… Well this will stir things up." Matsu looked over to the two witches who were watching things unfold with increasing confusion. "Granted they only recently started praying to you, oh-Nigh-Almighty-Author, but do those two know that you've already started answering one Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black's prayers already."

The witches' heads snapped quickly letting their gaze fall on the image of Shinigami.

"Umm." He faltered then glared at Matsu, gone was the nasally voice and goofy countenance. The room became dark and cold, colder than even the coldest of Miya's hannya moments. "How do you know all these things!?" His voice resonated throughout the room.

Matsu quivered but bolstered herself behind the bundle of papers in her hand. "I hacked your files, oh mighty Author-of-These-Things."

"Oh…" The room became brighter again and with a slight sniff the nasally voice returned. "If that's the case…" The laptop emerged from His shadowy form again and with some more large finger tapping alarms started to go off far above the ceiling.

"What did you do?" Matsu squeaked as the sheaf of papers melted into a whiff of smoke.

"Oh nothing, just crashed your system files and deleted all data concerning me. I did underestimate you, but that won't happen again." A nasal giggle accompanied the nasally voice.

With a yelp the ceiling tile slid back into place and thumping was heard above them as Matsu rushed to check her computer systems.

"Really, she says she's a master hacker and yet her files have not only been hacked by me, a god, but Kochou also broke through her systems in the canon-verse. I think you'll be in good hands, Minato." The skull winked at the young man.

"What's this about Bellatrix's prayers?" The two seething witches said in unison.

"Oh, hey, well…" His ginormous fingers flitted across the keyboard at lightning speed as sheets of paper rained from above, floating into two neat stacks in front of the two witches. "Nymphadora, the first one is for you." A ridiculously huge finger pointed at the stack in front of the now festive green and red haired witch.

"What are…" Tonks started reading the title page.

"Tut, tut, tut… Don't want to give things away. Buuuuut…" He leaned over at a right angle again, staring at the witch sideways. "…If you hurry, I might just answer a Christmas wish before the holidays are over."

Tonks read the title page silently and smiled before sprinting toward the exit. Unfortunately her feet got the better of her and she stumbled through the paper portal. "Sorry about that…" The witch drew out her wand and waved it at the ruined door. "Reparo." With a snap, the paper sealed itself shut and the clunk of boots was heard thumping down the walkway.

"Now you, my dear Cissy, will have to wait a little while longer before I answer your prayers. However, I do know how much you like to prepare for your roles, so in your hands is the rough draft for your request." He said snapping himself up straight. "Now go along and study your lines, if you ask nicely I might consider crafting your tale alongside this one." The humungous hands waved ridiculously around the sitting room.

Narcissa smiled and turned on a dime, disapparating on sight. "Okay, now that's all settled, let's finish with this tree and…"

"I just want a little more drama. I love how our love stories are unfolding in other fan-fictions, I just want a little more side action." A feminine voice was heard as the front door slid open.

"Just as long as you don't go running off with some… Dad? What are you doing here? You should be in the death room recovering." A young man with three white lines streaking across one side of his head entered the sitting room followed by a tall thin woman in a crop top, jeans and cowboy hat.

"Well hello there Kiddo, Liz. I was just answering some prayers." The nasally voice continued rather uncomfortably.

"Dad, you're a death god not a maker god. You don't answer prayers unless it concerns a swift end to someone's suffering." Kid stated matter of factly.

"Oh. Well then, maybe I should head off to the death room. I am getting rather tired. Why don't you two fetch Professor Stein and I'll meet you both there." He said leaning over in mock pain.

"Right away dad, c'mon Liz." Kid said as he pulled Liz towards the door.

"But my prayers…" Liz said but the concern over Shinigami-sama over rid her personal desires.

Once He was sure they were out of earshot He stood up straight and turned back toward the sitting room. "That was easy… Oh, now that is beautiful." He said as he admired the tree festooned with brilliant holiday decorations. "Thanks, guys. Let's call this a wrap. Why don't you take the rest of the day off and celebrate, it is Christmas after all."

"Did someone say celebrate!" A buxom brunette cheered cradling two large jugs in her arms; she also carried a couple of bottles of sake with her as well.

"Kazehana!" Minato and the sekirei cheered. "It wouldn't be a celebration without you." Minato continued as he ushered his beautiful companions toward the dining room.

"Have fuuuuun!" The image of Shinigami-sama exclaimed his body contorting at a ludicrous angle, huge foam hand waving farewell.

"Okay, well that's it folks." He said as He pulled the Skull mask to the side revealing a shadowy visage that was hard to discern. The nasally voice was gone, in its place was a soft caring one. "Thank…."

"Peyt, are you sure about this. I mean we did ride off into the sunset or was it sunrise…"

The shadowy visage grumbled something about a band wagon before chuckling in a deep resonating voice. "This should be fun." The skull slid back into place of its own accord as the room darkened yet again. He turned toward a tall leggy blond and resonated. "If you don't turn around right now, blondie, I will re-write your story and have you die giving birth. Maybe I'll answer Quin James' prayers while I'm at it. She's rather good at comforting widowers. Is that the change you want?"

"No! I'm happy, I just wanted to say hi!" Peyton said as she backed away slowly. "Hi!" With that she bolted out the front door toward her Mercury Comet.

"That was a bit harsh, don't you think?" Lucas Scott smirked as he turned to follow his wife.

The skull mask shifted again revealing a mysterious face. "Look, from one author to another, you had your epic love story, be happy. I've wracked my brain trying to figure out how to make it better without being just fluff, but I can't. Take your own advice and just be happy. If I think of something, you two will be the first to know."

"I know, but she's the missus and…."

"I know Lucas, I'm married too. Speaking of which, I should get back, I only meant to visit this place for a few minutes."

Lucas nodded. "We're praying for her by the way, to the real God, not some silly fan-fiction author who hides behind a cartoon image of death."

"Heeeeyyyy! I resent that." The skull slid back into place as He leaned over at an odd angle. "You take care of yourself and your family."

"You too… Bruno…." Lucas said with a shake of his head as he slid into the passenger seat of Peyton's Comet and rode off into the sunset.

"Cute couple, wish I could do more for them."

"Ack! Shinigami-sama what are you doing here?" A pretty girl with twin pig-tails inquired.

"Oh… Hi Maka… Give me a minute will you…" He said muttering something about never getting out of here…and my fault for writing an Omake as a gift to the readers… A clacking of keyboard keys could be heard from the shadows and a sheepish looking nondescript young man started to fade in with each click and clack. He turned to the image of a man and started resonating in the deeper Shinigami-sama voice. "Now, listen here, oh-author-of-these-things, no one is going to mess with my son's happiness. So don't you dare try splitting him and Liz up or you will learn why I am Shinigami." Turning back to Maka, his nasally voice returning. "Now what is it you needed dear?"

"Oh… Um… Nothing… Shinigami-sama… I was just wandering around." Maka replied shakily. "I think I'll head back to the DWMA and check the assignment board."

"You do that dear. I'll be along shortly." He said with a wave of his obnoxiously large hand. He continued to wave his gigantic digits until He was sure that the young girl in pig-tails was gone. With another clack of keys the fake author melted into a stream of binary code.

"Okay, before this gets even more ridiculously out of hand. I just wanted to say thank you for reading. As you can see I have my work cut out for me. I'm not promising anything and I might have thrown in a red herring or two just to keep you guessing, but I do have a few stories that I have already outlined as well as the ending to this tale mapped out. So sit back and relax and I'll do my best to keep you entertained." With one last ridiculous lean to the side at an improbable angle He waved a humungous hand. "Happy Christmas and may 2013 be a better year for all of us! Byyyeeeee!"