Welcome back, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, as I give you a Christmas chapter from me to you.

As I do not want to ruin any kind of story for you with my horrible, but true, excuses, I will just begin, and hope you enjoy.

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The party was kicking off brilliantly, with Siegfried showing off some magic tricks, and Ukita hogging the food. Naruto and Kisara were talking as everyone was laughing and having a good time. "So, you are all healed? No more bruises?"

Kisara nodded, smiling as she drank her soda. "Yeah, I have even trained myself into the ground last couple nights, trying to get even better so if Freya shows up again I can take her on with at least a chance of victory."

Miu smiled at that. "And I have every hope you are, as Martial Artists we should never abandon our training just because we might lose."

Takeda looked over to Miu. "Didn't stop me either. Even after getting my arm back and training I still fought Kisara, even if I did lose."

Kisara smiled at that. "Hey, don't sell yourself short. You gave be a bruise with that last punch, I have no doubt my cheek was smoking from the hit."

Takeda grinned nervously. "Well, I do, but thanks Kisara. Glad to know you don't hate me for it." He turned to Ukita as he grabbed his food. "HEY! Give that back!"

Ukita grinned as he started trying to eat Takeda's appetizers. "Finders keepers Takeda, you can't be leaving warm food to get cold!"

Naruto smiled brightly at that and Miu noticed. She smiled as well. "Seems to me our party is going well. Think it will be ruined by Ragnarok?"

Naruto hummed at that. "Probably, but we better assume they are smarter than that. If anything they may be waiting to ambush us away from a public spectacle."

Siegfried stood up. "Berserker is not one to plan out an Ambush, but it is not totally unlikely they would think of that. Berserker has always been one to just go in and fight, regardless of collateral damage."

Naruto looked as Siegfried started going around the table to leave. "leaving already? But we only just got here half an hour ago."

Siegfried smiled as he bowed. "As much as I would love to enjoy your company further, I have a concert to prepare for tomorrow. It would be best for me to be well rested for it."

Niijima smiled as he came up to Siegfried as well. "Not to mention you're going my way, mind if I tag along?"

Siegfried agreed and the two left. Kisara finished her soda and thought about it. "Yeah, I suppose it is getting rather late. If they are going to Ambush us, it would not be on a night like this. Berserker is one to take his time with his targets. Should be tomorrow he finds us, With the rest or not."

Ukita and Takeda had stopped fighting, both of them a little bruised up from their attempts to claim the food Ukita took from Takeda in the first place. Takeda grinned like a goof. "Hey, It's not that late, the fun isn't over here."

Ukita scoffed as he got up a little wobbly. "Speak for yourself, I need to get to class early tomorrow or I fail this year. Aren't you in the same boat?"

Takeda sweat-dropped as he got up and chuckled nervously. "I suppose you have a point. Best not to seem like an idiot just because I like a little fun every now and then. It wouldn't impress the ladies if I was all brawn no brains."

Naruto rolled his eyes, and Miu giggled. She looked at them. "You go on ahead everyone. Me and Naruto are just going to finish our dinner and head back to the Dojo. See you all tomorrow!"

Kisara put her arms behind her head as she stretched, walking out. "Later Naruto, Miu, see you tomorrow. Don't stay too late, the place closes in another half hour."

As Takeda and Ukita helped each other out, Naruto sat back and relaxed. "So... Who are you guarding?"

Miu shrugged. "Thor came over but he left rather quickly. I think I need to see how he is doing. It will take a good while to find him, but I think it's possible. He said he was going to his old ring just to reminisce, and it's a ways away."

Naruto nodded and ate the last of his Ramen. "I''ll keep Ukita and Takeda safe. Kisara is strong enough to handle anything coming her way, she did keep up with Freya and the others before. If it's only Freya, I think she can win this time."

Miu nodded and stood up, stretching as she did. "I best be off then. Remember, don't be reckless... You yourself were the one who saw Berserke higher threat, if that is true then we better not let him have the upper hand on us. We fixed Takeda before, and Ukita is with us, but we can't let them get hurt like they did during their farewell beat-down."

Naruto nodded, looking serious as he looked blankly across the table. "I know.. But if it cannot be helped, then it cannot be helped. For one to understand defeat they must first experience it first hand. Berserker is one who never lost and who has seen nothing but victory, as Siegfried said, and that makes him vulnerable. Still, never losing is kind of unsettling. Never? Not even to the First Fist? Then why is he only number two?"

Miu kissed his cheek and smiled. "Whatever happens, I know you can win. But be safe, I don't wanna find out why he never loses."

Naruto blushed but smiled up at her, nodding. "And you too. Can't have you finding an even greater enemy in your search for Thor to help him out."

Miu nodded and went to find Thor. "I'll do my best, as will you. Be safe." With that she left and Naruto finished the last of his bowl, drinking the broth before paying and leaving himself. He had to make sure to shadow Takeda and Ukita without them knowing.

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Thor was currently at the old Pit he used to run, the one Naruto beat him in. He smiled as he jumped in,. "Ah, the ring of champions. Here I made men out of the boys, and revealed the skills of all who wished to fight their own battles, and this is where I met the one man who understands Martial Arts is our SOUL!"

Thor slammed his feet into the floor, getting into stance. "Sumo or not, he is one who knows what it means to fight, what it means to be a champion, to be a fighter, to be a SUMO AT HEART!" Thor roared as he charged forth and slammed his palms into the far wall, stopping as he pushed into it. "The party was great, but it's not in me to have fun sitting down. I need to be on my feet, fighting, showing what my Martial Art can do! I AM THOR! SUMO!"

Thor laughed loudly as he griped his hips. After a few minutes of this he settled down, smiling as he looked around in Nostalgia. "This place is where I truly seen what a real fight could do. What a martial Artist at heart is all about. What true friendship means... I can never thank Naruto enough. Ragnarok doesn't stand a chance." "We don't do we? We beg to differ..."

Thor looked up above the ring in surprise to see a dozen girls in the same uniform in different colors suddenly walk up into view all around him. "The Valkyrie. But aren't you supposed to be Freya's force?"

One girl with long brown hair pointed her Tonfa at him. "Our orders are to take you down, Thor. You betrayed Ragnarok, and joined the Shinka. We are here to finish Shinka before it even starts up against us."

Thor grinned as he looked to her. "Well, that so? I guess I should be considered lucky to be such a threat to Ragnarok that you all had to come here to fight me at once. But just so you know, I am not the one who makes Shinka strong, it is Naruto who makes it strong."

Another girl in blue with a bandana smirked. "And Berserker is going to find him. He may have beaten hermit, twice even, and he may have beaten us, but he will not be beating Berserker tonight. Freya is even here to make sure we don't fail in crushing the Shinka."

Thor looked all around him a little bit more before he slammed a foot into the ground again, getting into stance. "Shinka will not back down, Shinka will not fall, we will not let you beat us so easily... Come at me! See what SHINKA CAN DO! BERSERKER AND FREYA STAND NO CHANCE AGAINST OUR FRIENDSHIP AND SKILL!"

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Kisara was halfway home when she found Freya in her way. It was near the park, and Freya had her back to her, looking into the park itself. Freya hummed as she pulled the staff up and tapped it against her shoulder. "This is the same place I was saved from certain death... Was it a month ago already?"

Kisara was confused by this and took a stance slowly. "Are you here to fight me again? I know Berserker is on his Shopping List, did he bring you on Odin's orders to take Shinka down?"

Freya turned, smiling a bit. "Yeah, Orders are to beat Shinka completely. Guess I got caught up in the place Naruto saved me. Like he saved you."

Kisara narrowed her eyes, tightening her stance a bit. "Like he would ever save someone who wants to harm his friends."

Freya turned around totally, planting her staff in front of her and leaning on it. "But he didn't know about me being Ragnarok when he saved me. Not to mention, it was before I was sent to give you a farewell beat-down. I truly am sorry for how the others treated you..."

Kisara seen Freya look down in remorse. She relaxed a bit, but kept her guard up. "Maybe you should have considered that before letting them almost paralyze me."

Freya closed her eyes, standing up straight. "I know they would have, but hoped they wouldn't even think about it... You are one to follow your own path, as we all are. I am sorry I pushed you so hard to use a weapon, but I strictly believed no woman could fight a male equally without them. I still believe women need weapons to keep up with the men."

Kisara stayed cool and calm, but smiled a bit. "We don't, but that should not stop us from using what we are talented at. You have your weapons, and I have my legs. That should be enough."

Freya nodded and smiled more, but not for long as she frowned, turning her gaze serious and battle ready. "Last time we fought, you were a very strong opponent. It has not been very long since then, and I never slack in my training. Do you really believe this time will be any different?"

Kisara smirked playfully. "Hey, don't sell me short Freya. I lost, yeah, but I haven't stopped training my butt off since then either. Sure I would get a few cramps and stings telling me to stop or else, but I haven't gotten soft in my downtime. I may not win this time either... But like hell am I staying still and accepting it!"

Kisara stormed Freya, running at her with amazing speed. Freya was impressed by that, and flipped her Staff up, twisting it into position at her side as she got into stance to fight. "Admirable, as always Kisara, let's see who comes out on top this time!"

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Takeda and Ukita were laughing as they headed to the late night Dojo they always attended. Ukita laughed as Takeda told him a funny joke. "Come on, How do you come up with these? Seriously, a marriage can never lose the ring if a Boxer is in charge of it? You really can laugh at yourself."

Takeda grinned as he shrugged. "It's a gift I guess. Makes the ladies like me even more knowing I can make them laugh."

Ukita huffed, but kept grinning. "Maybe so, but I don't see you havin' a fan club like Hermit has. He gets all the ladies, and he doesn't joke around."

Takeda pouted as he put his arms behind his head. "He's just a pretty body. Only a REAL man can make a girl's heart throb. A guy that looks feminine may be cute to the girls after Hermit, but just wait until they realize cute is what you call a kid, and what a real man that makes you happy is called sexy. Sexy is gruff and a little scar here and there."

Ukita rubbed his chin where he had one. "Yeah, but why aren't we getting a single date though? Truth be told, I kind of have a feeling we should tone down the gruff and turn a little more sensitive."

Takeda looked up and thought about that. Naruto was thoughtful and nice, caring and collected, but also a fighter with the eyes of a true warrior, someone who could be seen as a real man. Takeda smiled at that. "Guess you're right. Heart is what matters, not looks. As long as we are who we are, we shouldn't worry. The right girl will come to us if we wait and show them we are someone they like."

After a few more blocks they were heading around an alley to the arena, only to stop in their tracks. Ukita frowned as he puled his hands form his pockets. "I guess we got unlucky here.. If it was Loki I would be more inclined to think we survive this night, Freya maybe we can have a small fight with and she doesn't try to rip our limbs off, but this is our luck. Berserker..."

A tall muscular blonde with spiky hair was walking up wearing a red open jacket and jeans, blowing a bubble with his gum. He stopped in front of them and looked at a piece of paper. "Yep, thought I would find the lowest on the totem-pole first. Figures I wouldn't get a real fight first..."

Takeda got into fighting stance and looked ready to fight. "We may not be as strong as the others, but we are no push-overs. We can still take you on, just try it!"

Berserker popped the bubble he was making and kept chewing his gum. "Takeda the Puncher, and Ukita the thrower. Heard you two could hold your own against Kisara for awhile, and Kisara can take on Freya pretty well, but that doesn't mean you two can beat me. You think you can give me a good fight? I won't stop ya, but I figure it won't happen."

Ukita got ready to fight as well. "We won't back down, we never do, and neither does Naruto. Takeda, whatever happens just know we need to wear him down. The more worn out he is, the less chance he beats Naruto."

Takeda smirked at Ukita. "Remember? I don't plan on losing this fight. Just try to keep up Ukita. Let's go!" With that, Takeda ran at Berserker, who started popping his neck calmly. Ukita roared as he followed suit, ready to fight Berserker till they could no longer keep fighting.

Even if both were looking to win or do well in this fight, and try not to let Berserker go on to fight Naruto without some sort of bruise, they both prayed Naruto would come and help them with this, so that they could say they held out till their friend could save them.

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Kisara jumped up at the last second and twisted, raising her back leg up swiftly for a rising heel kick, but Freya was not about to let Kisara get the upper hand. Freya raised her staff up and lifted the leg up higher than it's desired path to go above her head instead, as she did this she reared he back leg to the side and turned.

Kisara bent her free leg in and kept it ready as she seen Freya turn and thrust her staff at her from behind, the tip coming at her rapidly. Kisara kicked it hard, the impact causing Freya to move her hand covering the other end out of the way in discomfort and turn back, backing off from Kisara as Kisara herself had enough momentum form the counter-strike to flip backward and on her feet again.

Kisara landed and tipped off her recent kicking foot, balancing on the other for now. Freya seen this and smiled, shaking her one hand that covered the tip that thrust back from Kisara's strike. "Seems we both connected an indirect strike. You've grown in countering my moves."

Kisara smirked as she feather-hopped on her stinging foot, trying to get the pain to numb down with movement. "And you've still got the skill to block me. You're not going down easy, you never were one to do so, but I still think I can win. If I don't then whatever, but you never enter a fight thinking you will lose."

Freya clung her stinging hand into a fist before clapping it onto her Staff, raising it vertical in front of her in a narrow stance. "That is a good way of thinking. Come then, Kisara, show me everything you have! Do not hold back!"

Kisara stamped her foot to the ground and rushed again, this time getting in low and sweeping her leg to drive Freya to the ground. Freya clapped the staff on the ground and raised herself up, dodging the sweep kick. Kisara still managed to kick the staff off the ground, but that only fueled Freya's strike as she flipped and swung her body and the staff around.

Kisara pushed off the ground to the side, landing on her sweeping foot as Freya slapped her stick against the ground where Kisara once was. Kisara kicked off from her position and struck her lifted leg out, aiming straight for Freya's side.

Freya was still in the air from her move, but she pushed off the staff to twist her body to the side and swung it out, slapping Kisara's leg out of the way. Kisara swung her other leg out as the staff made her spin, and her heel connected finally, slamming into Freya's shoulder and making her spin in the air before dropping to the ground before she could recover.

Freya rolled on the ground a bit before rolling on her feet and grunting in pain, holding her struck shoulder, feeling the kick hit hard enough to cause a sprain. Kisara landed on her lower back and rolled a bit, almost on her head, but used this momentum to raise her legs and kick up, coming back onto her feet. She turned and got back into stance, a little shaky form getting up so quickly.

Freya gripped her staff tighter and got up, rushing at Kisara as she got back up, and swung harshly for Kisara's legs. Kisara jumped up over the staff and kicked hard down, making the staff hit the ground and get stuck under her feet.

Freya looked in surprise at this before grabbing her staff with both hands and pulling. Kisara hopped off as she seen this before landing in a low crouch. Kisara pushed off the ground and flipped forward, bringing both legs down at the same time at Freya.

Freya saw this and raised her staff up vertically again. As Kisara's legs came down hard and fast, Freya moved her head and upper body to the side with her staff and created an angle, of which deflected Kisara's kick to the side, making her spin a bit to the side.

Freya suddenly pushed her top hand down, forcing the staff to curve from it's angle and outwards. As Kisara landed on all fours, she looked up to see Freya swing her staff down, and looked in shock as Freya was fast enough to connect, the staff slapping into Kisara's back and side.

Kisara yelled in pain as the staff struck her, but she quickly got on a leg and hand and pushed away, rolling on the ground a bit. Freya swirled her staff in front of her before stopping ti and getting into stance again, her staff facing forward by her side.

Kisara hissed as she got up, holding her side. "Guess I should have expected to get hit sooner or later... You're still able to pull off moves with that staff I can't even see till it's too late."

Freya stepped forward and got into a lower stance. Kisara knew this was no time to talk as she stepped forward too, getting ready to strike. Freya swung her back foot forward and spun, swinging her staff out as she rotated all the way around. Kisara ducked under this and turned around, raising a harsh rising kick to Freya's arm and connecting, slamming it against Freya's arm and making her lose balance, the staff flailing back behind her. Kisara stomped her kicking leg down and turned, bringing her other leg forward and snapped it against Freya's side.

Freya tried to back up, but was hit anyway, being hit to the side. Freya had to catch herself as Kisara's kick almost pushed her on the ground from it's strength. As Freya collected herself and get ready for the next strike, Kisara was already on her, raising her other leg up and thrusting it forward, kicking Freya with a gut-wrenching kick to the stomach, forcing Freya to fall back and roll on the ground.

Kisara stood still, waiting to see if Freya was going to get up and continue. Freya coughed as she used her Staff to slowly raise onto her knee's. Kisara felt compelled to go and help Freya up, but knew Freya was strong enough to get up herself, as well as not done fighting yet.

Freya stood back up, holding her stomach from the kick Kisara sent her way. She coughed hard one more time before taking a deep breath. Kisara knew the look Freya was giving her now. Freya was ready to take the kid gloves off. So was she. Kisara took a deep breath and loosen up. "Come at me, Freya!"

Freya nodded and rushed forward, thrusting her staff forward at Kisara. Kisara dodged to the side and kicked hard up to Freya's side again, but Freya snapped the other end of her staff down and blocked Kisara's kick.

Freya reared back and swung horizontally at Kisara, then rotated the other end up and slammed it downwards, Kisara ducked the first strike and jumped back to dodge the second before kicking off the ground and jumping forward, spinning and swinging a wild kick to Freya.

Freya twisted around, lowing herself to duck under the kick as she swung her staff back, the back tip thrusting up at Kisara again, but Kisara caught it in her hands, blocking it. Kisara also grabbed the staff and raise both legs up before swinging them down.

Freya howled as Kisara slammed both hells into her shoulders, making her almost drop her staff, but it did slam her into the ground, laying on the ground and holding her shoulders. Kisara backed off, having landed on her feet a bit unsteady and having to correct herself.

Freya pushed herself up, grunting as she attempted to ignore the pain, and turned herself to Kisara. Kisara tightened her stance for her final technique, the one she was working on all week. Freya rushed and swung at her fast, turning her back to the front and snapping the staff's back end against her.

Kisara ducked down fast, crouching on all fours with crossed arms. Freya looked down at Kisara as she twisted and swung her leg out, slamming it against Freya's stomach, and the other leg swung out and swept Freya's leg out from under her.

Freya looked in shock as Kisara spun faster, bringing her body up, upside down in a hand stand, as she swung her sweeping leg around, which was bent back inwards, and snapped it out, slamming the heel into Freya's side harshly and kicking her back.

Freya screamed in pain as she felt one of her ribs break, her body rolling on the ground as she lost grip to her staff. Kisara landed on her free leg and rolled her body up, standing upright once more. She seen Freya gasping, holding her side as she finally focused on trying to endure the pain instead of keep her staff in hand to fight.

Kisara came up and grabbed the staff, holding a hand out to Freya. "Here. We should get you to a clinic..."

Freya looked up to Kisara, and seen her smiling. Freya grunted hard and gripped her side, gasping out to get more breathe in her lungs before speaking. "You've grown. AH! More than I thought you could have in such a short time... But you did it."

Freya smiled and let her free hand raise up and hold Kisara's. Kisara lifted Freya up slowly, pulling her up to wrap her arm around her shoulders, being Freya's support. Freya took hold of her staff as Kisara gave it to her and she used to to help her walk.

The two girls started down the street and Freya smiled, still clutching her side. Freya chuckled lowly, still gasping in a bit of pain as they walked. "To think I would be beaten by being disarmed..."

Kisara looked to Freya in confusion, and Freya looked back but with pride. "My student disarming me from my staff with nothing but her kicks, no weapons of any kind from her and she disarms me. You're truly strong and skilled, and more so than you could ever have been with a weapon in your hand. To know I helped you become strong in spirit as a Martial Artist woman, and being able to counter me with my greatest weapon skills."

Kisara smiled at that and chuckled softly. "Hey, don't forget I still got hurt back there. You gave me a good bruise there. If I hadn't learned to fight watching Naruto spar with his masters and friends, I probably wouldn't have come up with my last technique. The Rising Shuriken. That's what won me the fight back there."

Freya nodded at that. "And a wonderful skill it is. Fitting as well, I suppose. Thank you. I needed to lose..."

Kisara looked at Freya again, this time with a very puzzled look. "Lose? Why? You're strong, you shouldn't want to lose a fight, or expect to lose."

Freya shook her head. "No, I did not think or believe I would lose, nor did I think I was weak and should lose for that. I just wanted to lose. If I lose, then my position as the Third Fist of Ragnarok is compromised. I do not wish to be a part of their group anymore. Odin has become quite unstable for the past few days, and he has still not kept his promise, so I fail to see why I should be in a group destined to become truly evil in an attempt to still stand after this final fight."

Kisara stopped and looked at Freya still. This got her attention. "You mean Berserker's Shopping list?"

Freya looked up, frowning a bit. "No. Naruto and Berserker will fight, and I believe Naruto will win. When he does, the only Fists left to fight are Loki, who has already lost, and Odin. Odin has taken a personal stake in fighting Naruto, so the final battle will be all out war. Everyone still loyal to Ragnarok against anyone left in Shinka after tonight."

Kisara looked at Freya in surprise. "Then we have to warn everyone!"

Freya shook her head and looked to Kisara. "The Valkyrie are heading after Thor, Berserker is ambushing Takeda and Ukita, and I came to fight you one more time. Berserker would probably continue to find and fight Siegfried and that other leader, Niijima, then head after Naruto. Shinka will be weakened by the end of the night to just Naruto and that girl with him, Miu."

Kisara looked forward with Freya before looking up. "I think We are stronger than you think. Or at least, smarter. We knew an Ambush was possible, Naruto is probably on his way to someone to help them fight whoever is sent to fight them. Maybe Miu will be fighting Berserker, or the Valkyrie, as Naruto takes whoever is left. Maybe one of them will find us, but I doubt it. I told them both I could handle myself, regardless of whether I win or lose. They trust me, and know I am strong enough to fight my own battles."

Freya smiled and nodded. "But they still wish to help. Naruto did save me from a few weapon masters who wanted me dead. I believe this night will be a lose for Ragnarok more so than it would have been for Shinka. Proof of this is simple, you beat me already."

Kisara chuckled as Freya rubbed her hat a little around. "Hey, stop that. But thanks... I appreciate you accepting my choice, and I am happy to know you are following a better path now by quitting Ragnarok. I would never tel you to stop following your path, and would accept it either way, but the path of Ragnarok is one I did not want anymore, or see anyone I looked up to following."

Freya and Kisara got to a Clinic and as Freya got off Kisara, she stood straight, and smiled. "You are wiser than I. Thank you Kisara, and rest. Tomorrow.. Odin is very well going to send an all out attack to fight Shinka, regardless of how this night turns out. You will need all your strength to help your friends and team."

Kisara nodded and smiled. "And you get better as well, Freya. I'd rather the next time we meet not be a fight, but a calm lunch to talk and finally be friends, not just teacher and student. I will always look up to you, but that does not mean we cannot be friends and enjoy each other's company."

Freya nodded and the two girls parted ways. Kisara rubbing her side a bit as it was hurting more than she expected. "I think she may have hit the bone harder than I thought. Stings worse than it should. I should be ok though, just nothing too serious... Hope Tomorrow goes well."

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MERRY CHIRSTMAS EVERYONE! Man, this one was tough, I had to figure out WHICH fight to do this chapter, cause I could only fit one with a small dialogue scene up. I did it, but I feel it is lacking.. if it is, I am sorry, but I do hope you enjoyed it never the less.

Have a wonderful holidays everyone!