Chapter 8: Christmas Eve

A/N: Here is the next chapter, hope you enjoy. Sorry for the slow updates, Finals are coming up soon and this is where college gets interesting. I will try my best to do better. Now on with the show!

"So, what do you want for Christmas?"

Shikamaru stared at the blonde with a puzzled look on his face. The guild was decorated in the spirit of the holidays. They reached the 10th floor but after a month of searching, not one person was able to find the boss room. All of the front line guilds decided to collectively to take a break until the New Year. Shikamaru thought about Ino's question. Of course he wanted nothing more than to leave this game.

"Hell if I know Ino," Shikamaru sat in his chair, watching his guild members try to put ornaments on the enormous fir tree they cut down from floor 1.

"Well please figure it out, Christmas is tomorrow you know" Ino smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder before leaving to help the struggling guild members.

A message appeared on Shikamaru's HUD, the loud ping noise waking him from his thoughts. Opening the message, he noticed it was from Choji. Choji created a restaurant of his own, not wanting to be a part of fighting in this world. He invited everyone to a Christmas party he was throwing to celebrate the grand opening of his new restaurant. Shikamaru was happy that his friend was doing so well for himself. He sent a message back replying Ino, himself, and his guild members will be in attendance.

CRASH!

Shikamaru looked up and noticing the fir tree laying on the ground, some of the ornaments breaking into pieces and shattering into data. A heartbroken Ino sat on top of the fallen tree, the glass star in her hand shattering into data as well. Tears began to form in her eyes, the guild members frantically running around trying to calm her down and pick up the tree. Shikamaru could not help but laugh at the scene. They might not be back in the real world, but for now this was home.

"I wonder what Naruto would like for a present?" Hinata walked through the shops of the Town of Beginings. He guard simply smiled at her, watching her carefully as she continued to window shop.

"I just don't know what he likes. He said he was going to Choji-san's party. What should I wear? Something revealing to make him notice me, or something wholesome? Maybe he will like this?" Hinata rambled, picking up a pair of orange and black fingerless gloves. There were two small metal plates on the back of the gloves, with a small red swirl in the middle of the plate. Hinata face heated up, blushing at the thought of giving Naruto a gift.

"I am sure he will love whatever you get him Guild Master" the guard lightly patted her back.

"Thanks..." said Hinata smiling at her guild member. After paying for the gift, the two of them left the store. Hinata notice a player with pink hair siting with another player that had a small wolf cub next to him.

"Kiba! Sakura!" Hinata called over to her friends.

"Hey there Hinata! What brings you to the first floor?" Sakura smiled, hugging her friend tightly.

"Just a little…" Hinata looked down at the wrapped present in her hand "Shopping"

"Yeah for Naruto I bet" Kiba jokingly stated which caused Hinata face to turn a bright red color

"Ha! Bingo, you hit the nail on the head Kiba!" Sakura smiled, holding up gifts of her own. "I'm doing a little shopping myself for Sasuke."

"I hope he likes your present" Hinata smiled, trying to regain her composure.

"I do to," Sakura blushed "Maybe he will kiss me under the mistletoe tonight?"

Hinata nearly fainted at the thought of her and Naruto sharing a kiss. She probably would die, shattering into a million pieces right there on the spot. He face reddened even more earning a sly comment from Kiba she didn't hear, too preoccupied with her daydream. Sakura giggling in the background said something on the lines of "we will see you at the party" or something like that. Hinata could not focus on anything but her daydream.

Sakura lightly hugged Hinata, Kiba ruffling her hair, the both of them walking off toward the teleportation gate. Hinata waved as they disappeared into a bright blue light. Smiling at her guard, she decided it was time they head back to the guild.

Shikamaru walked into a shop on the 9th floor, Tenten's Armory. He grinned as his friend conducted a deal with another customer.

"Hey there Shika! Long time no see" Tenten smiled, thanking the guest for their patronage.

"I know, I am sorry about that Tenten" Shikamaru scratched the back of his head.

"What brings you in here?" Tenten propped herself up on the glass casing, holding her head in her hands.

"Well I came here to buy a sword for a friend. Her sword was destroyed in a bad fight recently so I thought it would be a nice Christmas gift to get her" Shikamaru glanced at the swords around the shop, varying in size and price range.

Tenten smiled, watching Shikamaru as he browsed the shop. Shikamaru stood completely still when his eyes fell upon a single sword in a separate glass case. The blade of the sword was silver and the hilt a golden yellow color. In the center of the sword was a single red dot.

"Good eye Shikamaru, I made that little beauty last week." Tenten activated the screen next to the sword showing its stats and the name of the weapon, Uchiwa.

"How much is it?" Shikamaru pulled up his screen to check his funds.

Placing a hand on her hip and a finger to her lip, Tenten began calculating in her head, "Well, based on the material used and the level of Slash Weapon Forging I needed to create that sword, 150,000 col should be enough."

Shikamaru almost fell over, his jaw dropping at the price.

"Okay, what is the price for a friend?"

"125,000 col"

"A best friend?"

"120,000 col"

"As if we don't have enough troubles clearing this game already…" Shikamaru sighed and paid Tenten.

The shopkeeper smiled evilishly, patting him on the shoulder lightly. She transferred the sword into his inventory, "Thank you for your patronage!" Tenten said with a bubbly voice.

"Let the party begin!" Choji held his drink high in the air, laughing out loud.

The restaurant called Choji's Kitchen was packed with members from all guilds. The waitresses danced through the crowd, passing out drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The walls were lined with a multitude of colored Christmas lights. Mistletoe hung from random spots on the ceiling and the tables draped in red and green cloth. Shikamaru sat at the bar, sipping on his drink when a sandy-blonde player, with cat ears approached him.

"Hello there Shikamaru" Temari smiled, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear. Her outfit consisted of a blue kimono, decorated with flowers, and a small Nekosuna cat symbol on the right side.

"Hey there Temari. How has everything been?" Shikamaru returned the gesture, placing his drink down on the counter.

"It's been quiet without her" her eyes dropped to the floor "But, Nekosuna will bounce back and begin fighting on the front lines again."

"That's what I like to hear" Shikamaru smiled at her.

A loud noise began to erupt from Choji on stage. He was singing karaoke, well if you could call the screeching he was doing singing. Even so everyone cheered him on. Sasuke got up onstage and Sakura nearly fainted from all her fangirl screaming. Hinata walked up and amazed everyone with her voice, earning her more attention from the guys in the restaurant. Sakura and Ino decided to do a duet, the crowd began to go wild at the two girl's performance. Even the quiet Shino decided to sing a punk rock version of Silent Night. Temari and Shikamaru both laughed at their comrade as he paraded across the stage imitating a rockstar.

"N-n-Naruto?"

Naruto turned around in his seat facing the person who just said his name. In his right hand was something that resembled a chicken leg. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat.

"What's up Hinata?"

Hinata held out a small blue box, closing her eyes tightly. He breathing became short and she felt the need to pass out. It took everything for her to muster the courage to say something.

"Merry Christmas Naruto-kun! Will you please accept my gift?"

Naruto took the gift in his hands. He smiled at the small box and then frowned a little.

"Jeez Hinata, I wish you would have told me something. I would have got you a present" Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously.

"No! I mean it's okay," Hinata took another breath "I wanted it to be a surprise"

"May I open it now?" Naruto lift the box up to the light to see if he could recognize the gift.

Hinata only nodded.

Naruto opened the box revealing the gloves she had bought for him. Naruto's eyes immediately began to light up, taking the pair of gloves out of the box. Equipping them to his avatar, he looked down at his hands and smiled.

"Thanks Hinata! They are perfect!" Naruto exclaimed loudly.

Hinata simply smiled, a red blush stained her face. She was so happy Naruto accepted her gift, and even liked it. Hinata looked up to thank the heaven and her heart nearly stopped. There, hanging from the rafter above them was a simple green leafed plant, mistletoe. The heavens weren't finished with her yet.

"Hey is that mistletoe?" Naruto looked up as well, smiling at the plant. Realizing what that meant, a blush appeared on his face.

"ImsorryHinata!Ididntplanforthistohappen!Pleasedontfreakout!" Naruto rambled, waving his hands in front of him.

Hinata took his hand in her own and looked up into Naruto's eyes. With the last small amount of will she had left, she leaned forward closing the gap between them.

Sakura held out a gift toward Sasuke, staring at the floor. She was shaking in fear of being rejected. Rocking back and forth on her heels, Sakura spoke up.

"I got this for you, so Merry Christmas!"

Sasuke took the gift from her hands, opening it. He pulled out of the box a thin ring, decorated with the wings of an angel and a heart-shape gemstone. Sasuke looked up at her with a slightly puzzled look.

"Are you proposing to me?"

Sakura immediately fainted, dropping to the floor. Some players around them helped her to her feet, walking her to a chair. Sasuke pressed the stat button on the ring, a small window appeared next to the ring.

'A special magical ability that allows the user to send a voice message to a registered friend once a month via the ring'

Sasuke grinned and placed this item in his inventory. He walked over to the chair where Sakura's limp body lay and sat down next to her. Watching her sleep, he leaned closer and gently kissed her forehead.

"Merry Christmas Sakura"

Shikamaru found himself at in very troublesome situation. Ino and Temari both approached him with their Christmas gifts. Shikamaru backed up against the bar counter, both girls asking him to open their present first. Shikamaru swore he heard Choji, Kiba, and Lee behind him laughing. Shikamaru looked around for a chance to escape the situation. He looked over to Neji, who was too preoccupied with Tenten to aid him. The three stooges behind him were no help. Shikamaru then saw his opportunity.

"It's about time! Hey look everyone!" He pointed in the direction behind the two swordswomen.

Ino and Temari turned around to find Naruto and Hinata standing under a mistletoe, locked together in a very passionate kiss. Everyone began cheering for them, yelling out either 'Congratulations!' or 'It's about damn time!' Ino and Temari turned back around, only to find Shikamaru had not only left the area, he left the floor.

Shikamaru entered his office, sitting at his desk. Placing his head on desk, he sighed and laughed to himself. He was a little ashamed he ran from two girls.

"As if we don't have enough problems clearing the game. First dark guilds, now my love life." Shikamaru sighed and opened his messages. He had one new message. Hoping itwasnt a hate letter from Ino,he opened it hesitantly.

"We have found the boss room. Here is a map with the safest route. Enjoy your time off, this battle will not be easy. The Knights of Blood Oath will stand with you.

From, Kuradeel"