A/N: Here's Chapter Two of "A Sleepwalking Soldier: A Sleepwalking Christmas!" Please read, review, and enjoy!

A Sleepwalking Soldier: A Sleepwalking Christmas!

Chapter Two: Arriving at the Naegi House!

The limo rolled to a halt in front of an average, middle-class house. The rear passenger doors opened, allowing Mukuro and Junko to step out of the car.

"Huh, so this is where Luck Boy lives, huh?" Junko stared, unimpressed by Makoto's residence before her eyes lowered and her lips tugged into a depressed frown. "Completely average and boring in every way…just like him…"

"Makoto…" Mukuro muttered as she took her first step towards the door. "…Itai…" She muttered as Junko bonked her over the head with her hammer.

"You baka! Are you really planning to just stroll over future boyfriend's-?"

"Like…Santa?"

Junko raised an eyebrow in surprise at Mukuro's unintentional suggestion. "Huh, not a bad idea for once, Muku." The fashionista grinned as she took out a can of whipped cream. "Luckily, Big Sis Junk snagged a can of whipped cream back at Walmart!" Junko snickered as she imagined her latest plan. "Naegi will be super surprised, so stand still please."

"…Yes, Junko…"

Junko grinned even wider as she sprayed whipped cream all over Mukuro's chin. The sleeping soldier didn't even flinch as her sister gave her a Santa beard.

"Hmm…not bad, but we can do better…I know!"

Junko reached in the car and hung a necklace of Christmas lights around Mukuro's neck, giving her a rainbow aura. She then took out a bag of chocolate chips and opened it, pouring some of its contents into Mukuro's beard.

"And…done!" Junko placed a Santa hat on Mukuro's head. "There, now you're all ready! Go get your man, Muku!"

Mukuro sleepily nodded as Junko hurried back into the vehicle to avoid being seen. The sleeping soldier walked up the steps and rung the doorbell. A few seconds passed before the front door opened, revealing a confused woman with long, brown hair.

"Can I help you, Miss…?"

"…Makoto…"

"Makoto…are you a friend of his, dear? He didn't tell me he had more friends coming. That is quite the Santa costume. Your beard looks especially real…" Curious, the Naegi matriarch slid her finger over the surface of the beard before she brought it to her mouth. It's whipped cream… She realized before she looked down at Mukuro.

"I'm here…to protect Makoto…from an evil siren's spell…"

The matriarch cocked her head in confusion at Mukuro's nonsensical words. She frowned at Mukuro's obvious sleeping state before her eyes flickered to the present in the soldier's arms.

"Well, come in dear, it's cold outside." I can't exactly leave her out; she could sleepwalk into who knows what kind of trouble. Besides, she seems harmless, and she brought a Christmas present for Makoto.

As the Naegi matriarch stepped aside and gestured to the open doorway, Mukuro lumbered inside. As the door closed behind her, Junko snickered from the car.

"Oh, man, Mrs. Naegi actually let Muku in without knowing who she is? Man, she's as gullible and careless as her son! At least now I know where he gets his genes from!"

"Alright, dear, take off your snow gear and loaders before you catch a cold."

Mukuro mumbled and agreed, disrobing until she was left in her pajamas.

"Alright, I'll put those in the closet later. Just take my hand, dear, and we'll figure out what to do with you."

"…Makoto…where is…Naegi-kun?" Mukuro sleepily mumbled as she allowed the Naegi matriarch to lead her by the hand.

"He's asleep in his room, dear, right over there."

Mukuro let go of Mrs. Naegi's hand before she lumbered over to the open door. She peeked her head inside, where Makoto and Kyoko were snuggled up together. Before she could go any further, Mrs. Naegi took her hand once more.

"Let's go, dear, I still need to bring you to my husband."

Mukuro sleepily nodded as the matriarch took her hand once more, leading her away from the boy and his girlfriend.

"So, Hana, you just found this girl asleep at our door?"

"Yes, Shingi." Hana nodded at her husband before glancing back at the still sleeping Mukuro. "She showed up like this, present in hand and mumbling Makoto's name."

"Makoto…?" Shingi's brow furrowed in confusion. "You think she's one of his classmates? Like that Kirigiri girl he brought home?"

"It's possible. Once everyone's awake, we can ask them before we open presents."

"Good idea. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to get her cleaned up and let her rest on the couch."

"I'll take care of that." Hana turned to look at the still slumbering soldier. "Dear, why don't you give the present to my husband for now?"

Mukuro merely mumbled and loosened her grip, allowing Shingi to take the present.

"Alright, dear, let's get you cleaned up."

Mukuro sleepily nodded as Hana took her by the hand, leading her out of their bedroom and towards the nearest bathroom.

"There you go, dear." Hana draped a blanket over Mukuro as she laid on the couch in front of the Christmas tree. "Just come find one of us if you wake up, dear."

Mukuro mumbled before she began to snore, causing Hana to smile at the cute scene in front of her. With a sigh, she turned and walked away.

"…Cookies…?"

Hana jumped in surprise as she saw the sleeping Mukuro standing behind her. "Oh, you startled me, dear. Yes, I'm making cookies for the family. It's a Naegi tradition."

"…Cookies?"

"You must have smelled them from the couch. Would you like to help me, dear?" I can't believe I'm asking a sleepwalker to help me bake. But she made her way here well enough, so…

"…Yes…Mrs. Naegi…"

"Alright then, sleepyhead, why don't you start with…"

I can't believe it, but she was actually very helpful. An impressed Hana thought as she handed Mukuro two cookies and a cup of hot chocolate. "Here you go dear. Eat up, then I'll bring you back to the couch."

Mukuro smiled as she nibbled on her cookies and washed the crumbs with hot chocolate. Her taste buds sang at the sweet taste of chocolate and the crumbly texture that tumbled down into her belly.

Komaru groaned tiredly as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. "Merry Christmas…huh?!" Now awake, Komaru's eyes widened in shock as she took in Mukuro's sleeping form. "What the…did Makoto invite another cute girl over without telling us?" She knelt down in front of Mukuro's sleeping form. "Hey, cute girl? How do you know my brother? What mangas do you like? What's your talent?"

"…Classmates…Never read mangas…Ultimate Soldier…"

"…You're obviously too sleepy to know what I'm asking you…" At that moment, Komaru smirked as she pulled the blanket back.

Mukuro shivered as her feet were now exposed. With a Cheshire grin, Komaru drummed her fingers against Mukuro's soles, causing her to giggle in her sleep.

"Hey Komaru, why are you snickering?"

Komaru stopped tickling Mukuro's feet, turning to see a still sleepy Makoto walking in with Kyoko flanking him from behind.

"Wasn't me, I was tickling this cute girl who goes to your school."

"Cute girl?" Makoto's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about? I didn't bring any girls home, other than Kyoko…what the?!"

Makoto and Kyoko's eyes widened as they saw Mukuro sleeping on the living room couch. Kyoko felt the hatred for the Ultimate Soldier burin gin her heart as she anxiously bit her glove-covered fist.

"Makoto…wha…what is SHE doing here?!" This was my first Christmas with my boyfriend and his family…and now SHE has to come and ruin this for me?

"Ah, you found out surprise guest." Everyone turned to see Shingi and Hana walking towards them, amusement sparkling in their eyes. "Hana here found the poor girl at our doorstep."

Hana nodded. "Somehow she managed to sleepwalk the entire way here with a Christmas present." She gestured to the large Christmas present, causing Kyoko's eyes to darken in jealousy.

You should have left that conniving witch to freeze in hell! Kyoko knew however that such a remark wouldn't get her in Hana and Shingi's good graces, so she kept that thought to herself.

"We should…probably wake her up…" Makoto suggested, scratching his cheek.

"She's out like a light." Komaru shook her head in denial. "Tickling her feet makes her giggle, but that's it."

"…Let me know when she leaves."

Everyone turned with widened eyes to see Kyoko storming off upstairs. Makoto sighed, lamenting "I…should have expected this."

"You know something, dear?"

"Well…not specifics…jus that there have been a couple…incidents between the two. Kyoko says they fought, but Mukuro has no memory of it. I haven't really taken sides, just because…I don't wanna doubt any of my friends, you know?"

"Onii-chan, what boyfriend doesn't take his girlfriend's side?" Komaru deadpanned.

"Well, what would you have done?" He shot back.

The two parents sweatdropped as their children began to argue. "I'll…go tend to Kyoko…" Hana decided.

"I'll see if we can't wake Mukuro up, once these two stop bickering, that is." Shingi smiled as Hana nodded.

The Naegi matriarch left to tend to her son's lover while her husband tried to break up the argument that had broken out between his children.

"Dear…? Are you alright?" Hana peeked her head in to see Kyoko sitting on the bed, her back turned. "What's wrong, dear?" She asked as she sat down next to the girl who her son had given his heart to.

"…It's nothing…"

"Dear, I'd hate to see you so upset and withdrawn during your stay with us, especially on Christmas Day." She began to rub the detective's back soothingly, making Kyoko flinch. "So tell me what's wrong, Kyoko."

"…You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Makoto doesn't even believe me."

"Ah, so it was about that after all." Kyoko turned to the woman she hoped would be her future mother-in-law. "Makoto only mentioned that there were a couple of incidents between you and our…surprise houseguest."

"…I know what I saw…"

"Nobody's calling you a liar, dear." Hana assured her. "Makoto just…is the kind of person who doesn't like to believe that his friends could do bad things. He likes to believe the best in people." Hana sighed. "Dear, I don't know this Mukuro girl, so I am in no position to be able to pass judgment on whatever quarrel the two of you might have. All I saw was a teenage girl who could have caught hypothermia trying to bring a Christmas present, so I let her in so she could warm up while dropping it off."

Kyoko bit her lip, unsure of what to say for once.

"I promise, dear, she won't be staying long. Once she wakes up and we all have breakfast, I'll ask her where she lives. Then, once she gets to see Makoto open the present she came to give him, I'll have Shingi bring her home. Until then though, do you think we can agree to a Christmas truce?"

"…I'll stay silent if she doesn't try anything…" Kyoko reluctantly relented.

"I suppose that'll do." She then stood up, smiling at the detective. "Now, let's see if they've woken up our houseguest, shall we?"

"Ah, I see you two have finally stopped bickering." Hana smiled in amusement as Makoto and Komaru blushed in embarrassment. "Any luck rousing our surprise guest?"

All three of them shook their heads in denial. "She's really out like a light." Komaru groaned.

"Yeah…why don't we just let her wake up on her own?" Makoto suggested.

"Good idea, Makoto." Hana gestured to the kitchen. "Come, let's all have breakfast. Perhaps she'll join us once she wakes up."

Kyoko suppressed her frown, not looking forward to spending her Christmas morning eating breakfast with her arch-rival. Shaking the thought from her head, she followed the Naegis to the dinner table, hoping Mukuro would stay asleep for a good long while.

"Where…where am I…?" Mukuro muttered as she walked into the dining room, attracting everyone's attention.

"Ah, there you are, dear." Hana smiled. "Glad to see you're finally awake! Do you remember me?"

"…No…sorry, I…I don't remember anything after I went to sleep…where…where am I…?"

"You're inside our home, dear. I'm Makoto Naegi's mother. This is my husband, and my daughter, Komaru."

Seeing Makoto awkwardly wave at her Mukuro's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed pink. I…I'm in…Makoto's house…on Christmas Day…?! Her eyes wandered to Kyoko's subtle glare, causing her to frown. It would be better if she wasn't here…but they are dating now…

"Come sit down with us." Shingi invited as he gestured to an empty chair. "I made sure we saved enough breakfast for you."

"Yes, dear." Hana agreed. "Once you finish eating, you can tell us where you live, and my husband can bring you back home."

Mukuro frowned slightly as she admitted to herself, I would have liked to spend the entire day with Makoto…but I guess I was uninvited…I'll take what I can get.

"…Wash your hands first." Kyoko ordered as Mukuro was about to take her seat.

Just as Mukuro was about to grit her teeth, Hana agreed "Would you mind, dear? The bathroom's down there."

"Oh…of course…" Mukuro muttered as she walked out of the dining room.

Kyoko bit back a smirk as she finally claimed a small victory under her belt. Ikusaba 2-Kirigiri 1!

"Alright, dear." Hana handed Mukuro's present to Makoto as they sat around the Christmas tree. "Before Shingi takes you back home, we've agreed that you may watch Makoto open the present you brought for him."

Mukuro smiled gratefully as she nodded, feeling satisfaction at the slightest hint of a jealous scowl from her rival. All eyes turned to Makoto as he ripped through the wrapping paper and ribbon. Once he took the cover off, he peered in and his eyes widened in surprise.

"What'd she get you, son?" Shingi asked.

"Yeah, Makoto, what'd Mukuro get you?"

"Well…" Makoto scratched his cheek nervously. "Why don't I just show you?"

He turned the box over and dumped its contents on the floor. Everyone's eyes widened at the numerous blades that clattered on the floor.

"What the…knives…?" Hana gasped.

"That's not all, look at that!" Komaru pointed. "It's a broadsword, like in Inuyasha!"

"Son…do you really have need for…so many weapons?" Shingi asked nervously.

"Well…not exactly…but I understand why Mukuro gave these to me." As his family looked curiously at him, Makoto explained "See, Mukuro's talent is that she's the Ultimate Soldier, so weapons are probably the first gift that came to mind."

"I see…" Hana sighed. "Well…I suppose we could use more kitchen knives…and we could probably hang the broadsword over the fireplace as a decoration."

"Yeah, that's a good idea, Mom." Makoto turned to the crushing soldier with a smile. "Thanks, Mukuro. I really do appreciate it, even if the gift itself is a little…unorthodox."

"Th…thank you, Naegi-kun…"

"Alright." Shingi stood up. "I'll take you home, Mukuro. Now, where do you…?"

"Hey, Muku! Oh, there you are! You kept me waiting forever!"

Everyone turned to see Junko Enoshima standing in the entryway. The parents and their daughter looked curiously at her while Makoto and Kyoko glared at the unwelcome houseguest.

"Ju…Junko…what are you doing here?" Mukuro stammered.

"Uh, duh, I came to get you? That's what sisters do, right? You were supposed to just give Luck Boy here his present and come back to the car." She grinned at the Naegis and Kyoko as she apologized in a sing-song voice "Sorry, we didn't mean to intrude."

I doubt that, Junko. Makoto and Kyoko thought suspiciously.

"Anyway, I'll get Muku out of your hair now. Come on, Muku."

"Y-Yes, Junko." Mukuro obediently got up before she turned and bowed to the Naegis. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"O-Of course, not dear." Hana nervously replied.

"…See you back at school, Mukuro." Makoto awkwardly waved back.

"Sayonara!" Junko waved before she dragged Mukuro out of the house, leaving everyone to sweatdrop.

"Ano…what just happened?" Komaru asked.

"The most pompous fashionista in all of Japan just strode into your living room." Kyoko informed them. At least she took Mukuro with her, I thought she'd never leave. Come to think of it…why didn't Junko come in with her? It's almost as if…that's it! Junko…she must be behind Mukuro's sleepwalking episodes! But now I need proof…

"Okay dear." Kyoko blinked as Hana held out a present expectantly towards her. "Now that things are back to normal, why don't we start by having you open a present? It's from me and Shingi!"

Blushing, Kyoko turned to Makoto for advice. As the boy smiled and silently nodded, Kyoko allowed her lips to stretch into a relieved smile.

…I can worry about that later… Kyoko reasoned as she accepted the present gratefully and began to tear excitedly into the wrapping paper. Ultimate Detective Kyoko is on vacation. It's time to be teenage girl Kyoko, the Kyoko Kirigiri whose only concern is enjoying her first Christmas with her boyfriend and his family!