Double-D hummed to himself as he finished his Christmas Shopping. He had to count the lucky stars that he got up early to handle everything, otherwise, it would have been a lot more stressful.

As he was heading home with what he had purchased, he suddenly heard a melodious singing voice that sounded very familiar and couldn't help but sing along to it.

I really can't stay
Baby, it's cold outside
I gotta go away
Baby, it's cold outside
This evening has been
Been hoping that you'd dropped in
So very nice
I'll hold your hands they're just like ice

My mother will start to worry
Beautiful what's your hurry?
My father will be pacing the floor
Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry
Beautiful please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more
I'll put some records on while I pour

The neighbors might think
Baby, it's bad out there
Say what's in this drink?
No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how
Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
Why thank you
I ought to say no, no, no sir
Mind if move in closer?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
What's the sense of hurting my pride?
I really can't stay
Baby don't hold out
Baby, it's cold outside

"That was very impressive singing, Eddward-Kun."

Now fully recognizing the voice, Double-D saw that it was Yumi, wearing a Santa-themed kimono.

"Oh my, I didn't know that was you, Yumi. Forgive me for intruding..."

"Don't apologize, I'm actually quite happy that you joined in. I wasn't expecting anyone to sing with me." Yumi smiled before noticing Double-D's bag. "I take it you've just finished your Christmas Shopping?"

"Yes, luckily, I planned ahead so there weren't that many lines to deal with."

"That's good to hear." Yumi then perked up as an idea came to her. "Eddward-Kun, do you mind if my team visits you for Christmas?"

"Actually, I was going to ask that very same question."

Yumi and Double-D had a good laugh as they began talking about plans and what they wanted to do for Christmas with their loved ones.

Eddy was lounging by the fire at the Peach Creek Boy's house, listening to some classic Christmas music on an MP3 and singing the lyrics.

Gifts I'm preparing for some Christmas sharing
But I pause because
Hanging my stocking I can hear a knocking
Is that you, Santa Claus?
Sure is dark out, ain't the slightest spark out
'Pon my clackin' jaw
Who's there, who is it stopping for a visit?
Is that you, Santa Claus?
Are you bringing a present for me
Something pleasantly pleasant for me?
Then it's just what I've been waiting for
Would you mind slipping it under the door?
Cold winds are howling, or could that be growling?
My legs feel like straws
My-my, oh me-my, kindly will you reply?
Is that you, Santa Claus?

Yes, hanging the stocking, I can hear a knocking
Is that you, Santa Claus?

I say, who's there, who is it, are you stopping for a visit?
Is that you, Santa Claus?
Oh there, Santa, you gave me a scare
Now stop teasing 'cause I know you're there
We don't believe in no goblins today
But I can't explain why I'm shaking that way
Bet I can see ole Santa in the keyhole
I'll get to the cause
One peek and I'll try there, oh oh, there's an eye there
Is that you, Santa Claus?
Please, please, pity my knees
Say that's you, Santa Claus, that's him all right

"That's some good singing there, Shorty~."

Eddy opened his eyes to see none other than Katsuragi up close in his face. Yelping in surprise, the De-Facto Leader of the Eds fell backward as the Blonde Kicker laughed at his reaction.

"Not funny, Blondie!" Eddy grumbled before noticing that Katsuragi was wearing a Santa-themed dress complete with a Santa hat on top and his scowl was replaced with a flirtatious smirk. "Well lookie there, am I on the Naughty List~?"

"Oh yeah, BIG TIME~."

Katsuragi got on top of Eddy as he smirked while looking up at her, boldness taking over as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

"I take it you didn't come here just to see me, did ya?"

"Hey, Asuka wanted the team over here so we could all celebrate Christmas together. Figures we could have some one-on-one time under the mistletoe before then, huh?"

"Man, coming here to become a Ninja was the best idea ever. Where do I come up with this stuff?" Eddy chuckled as Katsuragi didn't give him an answer, instead simply locking lips with him as they began making out.

"Honey-Baked Ham! Honey-Baked Ham! Honey-Baked Ham!" Ed said as he carried a massive pound of ham over his head. He had gone to get a holiday ham for Christmas Dinner and was currently heading home with his gains right now.

"Oy! Ed! Is that you?" Came a familiar voice as the Lovable Oaf stopped and turned to see Homura and her Crimson Squad, all of them wearing Santa-themed dresses and doing some Christmas Sale promotion.

"You bringing home the meat for Christmas, Big Guy?" Homura asked as Ed smiled and looked up at the ham he was carrying.

"Yup! Rolf asked me to run to the store and get a ham."

"Careful with those words, Homura. You don't want anyone getting the wrong idea~." Haruka teasingly said as Homura rolled her eyes in response.

"Har-Har, Haruka. Stick to the Christmas Spirit."

"We're Shinobi, I doubt we can stick very close to the Christmas Spirit without putting our own spin on it," Hikage said with a wry grin.

"Say, after our shift is over, would you mind if we came to your house for Christmas?" Yomi asked with a smile as Ed grinned and nodded.

"Ugh, at least there won't be anything perverted there. Even if we're sharing a roof with a group of boys..." Mirai grumbled.

"Oh lighten up, Mirai~."

"T-Thanks for helping me pick out Christmas Gifts for my friends, Rolf..." Murakumo said shyly as she and Rolf were heading back with gifts for their friends wrapped and ready.

"Rolf is always glad to celebrate the Christmas Mirth with those he considers dear." The Son of a Shepard replied with a smile. "But Rolf must also commend Murakumo for going without her hideous mask that hides her charming features."

Murakumo blushed and looked away bashfully before perking up. "Say, your home village...does it celebrate Christmas in any way?"

"Ah, yes! In Rolf's homeland, we have a mighty deity who represents good food, hard work, and diligence! Yeshmieyak!"

"Yeshmieyak?"

"Yes, and now that Rolf mentions it, I feel a song coming on!"

Rolf then took out an accordion from nowhere and began to play and sing a song.

Deep below the dirt and rocks, there lives the bearded maiden fair
Whose kitchen pot is bigger than her size of underwear… Hey!

Yeshmiyek who peels the root and grinds the sausage with her boot!
Yeshmiyek who cures the meat and stuffs the fruits and sugared beets!
Yeshmiyek who salts the pork and stabs it with her silver fork!
Yeshmiyek who cuts the cheese and gives the loaf of bread a squeeeeze!

But should your chores be never done, your feeble arms too weak to toil
Yeshmiyek will surely come… and throw you in the pot to boil.

"I see..." Murakumo said but smiled. "I think you gave me an idea for the next part of my manga. Thanks, Rolf!"

Rolf smiled. "Rolf is always happy to aid in the endeavors of a friend!"

Murakumo blushed as Rolf continued to sing the rest of his ditty as they made their way back home.

Jimmy and Johnny were laughing as they were currently having a snowball fight with Hibari and Minori. Yagyuu, Yozakura, and Kevin were currently watching over them.

"Heh, gotta say, it feels nice chilling in the snow this time of year," Kevin admitted as he tilted his head to the side to avoid a stray snowball while holding a mug of hot cocoa.

"Indeed. Hibari certainly enjoys it the most since it gives her the time to just be herself instead of a Shinobi." Yagyuu said.

"And Minori is like this all the time but Christmas just makes it special, you know?" Yozakura added.

"Got you, Jimmy-Kun!" Hibari giggled as Jimmy yelped when he got hit in the chest with a snowball.

"Plank'll avenge you, Jimmy!" Johnny yelled as he launched a giant snowball that Plank was riding on at Hibari and Minori, who squealed and giggled as they ran away from it. Jimmy then began making more snowballs as he got behind cover to bombard the two Shinobi girls.

"Yagyuu-Chan! Come and join us!" Hibari called out to her albino friend.

"Yozakura-Onieechan!" Minori cried as she waved Yozakura over.

"Kevin, wanna join? It's fun!" Johnny said as Kevin perked up before smirking as he finished the rest of his cocoa and began making a big dodgeball-sized snowball.

"Better keep your head up, Johnny-Boy!"

Yagyuu and Yozakura looked at each other before joining in the game as well, the participants all laughing as the snowballs sailing through the air doubled.

"Ah, the Christmas Season. A time of giving, a time of togetherness, a time of snow." Said the Hooded Figure with a warm smile as he observed the Peach Creek Boys and the Shinobi Girls all having Christmas Dinner together.

Ed was making funny faces with chopsticks, making Hibari, Minori, and Mirai laugh while Double-D and Murasaki ended up kissing under the mistletoe courtesy of Johnny and Ryobi. Eddy was warding off Katsuragi and Haruka's advances while Kevin was telling stories of the Eds' scams that he personally thwarted to Ikaruga and Yozakura.

Rolf was singing another verse of Yeshmiyek to a delighted and fascinated Murakumo and Yomi while Jimmy shared a piece of cake with Hikage, who had a grateful look in her normally stoic eyes as she accepted the offered slice.

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night." The Hooded Figure said as he looked up to the sky to see a familiar reindeer-drawn sleigh soaring through the air and a jolly man manning it. The two waved to each other as Santa Claus made his way into town to deliver gifts to all the good little girls and boys.

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Next Time: Mikaruga Shrine Training!