A\N- would y'all believe me if I said I had no intention if writing a holiday themed chapter until a friend dared me to \ threatened to hide my laptop charger, rings, and cross necklace if I didn't. I'll get back to the regular story asap. ( Dec 7. This was supposed to be out the first I'll elaborate more below)

Disclaimer- I don't own Sao

Chapter 10- Christmas

December 23rd,

The air was chilly as Kazuto & Asuna walked through the parking lot each carrying bags full of decorations and supplies for the Christmas party they'd planned. Asuna groaned and almost walked into the nearest store as the freezing air pelted her exposed face all the while Kazuto tried to suppress his laughter. As they walked the wind kicked up a bit, and snow flurries swirled through the air as if they were dancing. after a brief stop to their apartment complex to drop off the items they bought Kazuto & Asuna took off hand in hand in the direction of the Dicey Cafe.

Later that evening everyone sat at the Dicey Cafe enjoying hot chocolate and talking about the up & coming party. Kazuto stood cleared his throat and pulled a plastic bag with everybody's names in it out of his pocket then spoke.

"Everybody if you would each take a scrap of paper from this bag that will be who you'll be buying a gift for."

Klein jumped at the chance to be the first to pull a scrap of paper from the bag. Kazuto nodded as he passed the bag around before settling back down next to Asuna. After everyone had taken their respective piece of paper Asuna stood and spoke.

"One more tidbit guys you can't tell anybody who you have out of respect ."

Wait what about trading with other people?"

Mctavish (Celt) asked before taking a sip from his mug.

"Nope you're stuck with whomevers name you pulled." Kazuto said smugly which in turn earned him a death glare.

Mctavish sighed and scratched at the beginnings of a stubbled beard as he pocketed the name then turned his gaze to the youngest of the group as he tried to come up with the perfect gift for her. Keiko who was on her third cup of hot chocolate, was nearly bouncing in pure delight in her seat next to Rikka & Sugu as she thought of the perfect gift for the person she'd drawn. As the initial bombardment of questions subsided everyone either broke into groups to chat, or to research the interests if the other people within their group.

Shino Asada bid everyone farewell as she walked out of the cafe into the chilly night and set off towards her apartment all the while nervously mulling over what to get someone as sporadic as Klein. Every so often she would have to stop and wipe the fog from her glasses only this time she noticed a stores that would be her saving grace. From the moment she'd met Klein and the others the one thing that stuck out about him was he loved the Samurai, and there in front of her stood a sign advertising a game about Samurai's. She hurried into the store found & paid for the game and before long she was trekking through the streets once more.

Dec. 24th,

The next day Andrew, Keiko, Sugu, Klein, Rikka, Asuna, Kazuto, & Mctavish set out to find gifts for people they might of missed and the friend who they'd drawn the previous night. Andrew stood at the register in an electronics store paying for the item he'd chosen for Kazuto after the clerk handed him the receipt and hurried to get back to his Cafe before the lunch rush began. As he walked through the shopping center on his way out he Rikka entering a book store and could only guess as to why she'd entered such a place. Throughout the day everyone busily rushed from store to store on their own little quests hoping they'd be done before that evening. As Christmas eve came to an end everyone was exhausted from the mad rush they'd gone on but one by one as their heads hit their pillows a deep sense of accomplishment enamored them.

Dec. 25th

The Kirigaya-Yuuki apartment was buzzing with activity as Asuna & Kazuto prepared for the Christmas party later that evening. After the majority of the prep work was finished Kazuto sat in the living room hurriedly wrapping a package he'd been hiding from Asuna for a few days. After more than a few haphazard wrapping attempts Kazuto was finally satisfied with his work and thus the package was placed under the tree. Kazuto breathed a sigh of relief as he exited the living room and crashed into Asuna who in turn was heading into the very room he had just exited.

" Geez Kazuto-kun that hurt!" Asuna groaned as she rubbed the left side of her face with her free hand.

" sorry Asuna are you ok?"

"I'm fine I was just coming to check on you and to tell you that people will be arriving shortly."

Kazuto nodded, as Asuna turned to leave and a brief smile flashed across his lips as he imagined her reaction when she opened her gift. Later that evening the apartment was filled with the sounds of laughter and merriment as the group of friends sat together enjoying each other's company & opening gifts. As every slowed down Asuna noticed a lone gift left under the tree and decided to investigate as she made her way to the tree she noticed all eyes were upon her & that each and every person had a smile upon their faces. She picked the present up noticing it was addressed to her. As she slowly turned around present still in hand her eyes fell upon Kazuto who was nonchalantly grinning she sighed as she made her way back to her seat and slowly opened it up. Inside was a well made leather bound memory book book filled with various pictures & notes pertaining to the pictures but what really got to her were the individual notes everyone left for her. Asuna was taken aback by the gift and could barely hold back the tears of joy as Lazy to wrapped her in a warm embrace. The night went on as new memories to add to her book were made with the people she held dear to her.

A\N- First off a memory book is a wonderful thing to own don't let anyone tell you otherwise well unless you're an airsoft operator like me then your pics generally look the same. Haha sorry humor is all that's keeping me from freaking out right now.

As for why it took so long to write this chapter festive chapters aren't my strong point. That and I've been stressed to much to write due to the fact that now Kaitlyn, my wonderful girlfriend told me she was pregnant, why so stressed you ask her father is an ex drill instructor nuff said.