A/N: well, this chapter is strictly MinaxMina, except with a minor appearance of Junpei. But worry not, since no cockblocking will occur.

(12/24/13)

Christmas evening...

After bidding the guys goodbye, Minako and I walked together on the way home.

The snow fell softly as the winds made tiny whirlwinds, blowing snowflakes, leaves and cold air mixed together.

"So, uh..." Minako began, twiddling her fingers, "I saw what you did for that child..."

I scratched my head, "Is that so?"

"Yeah..." She admitted and hugged my arm, "And I'm pretty glad I'm friends with a kind guy like you... As well as handsome too..." And I heard her mutter something about scoring as well.

I smiled, "Well, I guess that's exactly the kind of guy I am." I said proudly.

"Hahaha, you're so full of yourself, you know?" Minako chimed, "But that's one of the few reasons why I like you..." She panicked, "As a friend!"

I sighed, "Yeah, I guess."

"Wanna go home or should we walk around?" She asked.

"Why don't we look at the lights at Junes?" I offered, "At this time, we could stare at it until our eyes bleed."

She winced, "Uh... Not that far, but let's go." She said.

We walked together towards Junes. The lights were indescribably beautiful. The palm trees that lined the avenue were decorated with pretty Christmas lights of green, red and several other colors. The nativity sets were life-sized and terribly life-like, and intricately made by skilled artisans. A Christmas tree stood in the storefront of Junes. There were angels, reindeer and on the top was a realistic looking star.

"It's so pretty..." Minako sighed while leaning beside me.

"I heard a German designer modelled and coordinated this." I said, "Shall we have a seat?" I offered.

"Okay." Minako agreed as we sat down on the chairs.

We stared at the frosty scenery. Minako laid her sweet-smelling head on my shoulder.

"You know, we could be mistaken for a couple..." I said.

"I really wouldn't mind that..." She said quietly as she held my hand.

I felt like melting into a puddle of goo. She looked so beautiful in Winter, that I forgot to breathe for a moment.

"So, uh, Minako..." I mumbled, "Y-Ya got a boyfriend or something?" I said so awkwardly, it sounded as if I was shouting.

Minako recoiled, "Where is this coming from? You know the question to that..."

"R-Really?" I panted, "I.. I.." Suddenly, I couldn't breathe and my vision became blurry. It was quite obvious I was suffering from a panic attack. Minako thought quick and smacked me in the back, restoring my breathing to normal.

"Thanks." I managed, "So... Um... I-If you want... a boyfriend... then... Uh, I know someone who's available..."

Her eyes brightened up, "You know someone?"

At that moment, I didn't want to live in this planet anymore.

"But..." She thought, "I really don't want to do this to the first guy I kissed..." She said playfully.

"So, who was your first kiss?" I asked cautiously.

"My first kiss? Well, I forgot his name. But I really, truly did care for him. He's sweet, hilarious, thinks he's funny... He didn't die, but he just went away." Minato thought while pursing her lips.

"Who is this guy? Is he taller than me?" I asked, rather hotly.

"Nah, he's just as tall as you." She said.

"Is he better looking?" I asked indignantly.

"He *is* you, dummy."

"I... I was your first kiss?" I said dumbly.

She laughed, "Of course you are! What, do you think I run around kissing any guy I find?"

Smiling, I fixed my hair, "Say, Minako... Would you date me?"

She thought deliberately for a while, "Of course I would. You're a catch."

"Really?" I asked in disbelief.

"Come on, you can't ask me that." She said, "I love you in every way. You ARE my bestest friend."

"I'm your only friend." I pointed out.

She made a face, "Gee, thanks for that."

"I'm just keeping it real." I laughed, "And I'm incredibly lucky you're my friend. No one I know is as fun as you."

She smiled and remembered something.

"Oh, I almost forgot, Junes closes in a few minutes! We should buy gifts for each other while we can!"

"Okay, we meet here in a few moments?" I asked.

"Dealio." She smiled and she raced through the mall.

I entered the mall and started window shopping. Everything was either closed or too expensive to buy (I forgot my ATM card).

Then, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was a kindly old lady who loved to tease and poke fun at my love life.

"Grandma-san!" I cried as I gave her a hug, "Hey, how are you doing? Merry Christmas!"

"And a jolly New Year to you." Grandma laughed, "I'm shopping for our dinner. What about you?" She asked.

"Window shopping." I explained, "Looking for a gift."

"Ah, Minato-kun, I haven't seen you for such a long time now! What help can this old lady give?" She asked.

"Well... There's this girl..." I began.

"Ah... I see..." She gave a mischievous smile, "Is it Minako?"

I blushed, "Oh, uh... yeah..."

"Well, all you need to say is that 'You're a good woman. I'm a good man'..." She trailed off, leaving me to complete it.

"Yes, well, I need to show her a physical gifts of affection." I said, "And sadly, my funds aren't exactly on my side as well."

"I see..." She mused, "Well, what are you looking for?"

"Preferably a ring." I said.

"Ah..." She smiled, "There is one thing..." She opened her bag and unlocked a jewel case. She held in her hands a beautiful ring made of intertwined gold, adamant and rhodium. It had an intricate and elaborate autumn leaf design and was set with rubies, diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. It was so beautiful, I stared at it transfixed.

"This rings was given to me by my husband, who gave it as a promise ring... A promise of either being friends forever or lovers for all eternity" She explained, "Like you two, he was my best friend as well and gave it to me on a snowy Christmas night like this... He spent his entire savings to buy it, but this ring has something special to it that even I don't know... I'll admit, I was shocked when I saw it."

"It's beautiful." I said in awe, wondering how much it would cost to even make something that pretty.

"It's yours if you want it." She said, gesturing me to take it.

I was taken aback, "Gran, it's extremely beautiful and I'm flattered, but I... I can't accept that..." I said sheepishly.

"No, I insist." She said, giving it to me and closing my hand.

"I can't accept this." I said.

"I'll hear none of it." Grandma said, "Grandmothers love giving stuff to their grandchildren. It makes us feel as if we're going to be a part of you long after we're gone." Grandma said with a sigh.

"Grandma, I only just met-"

"Please? Before I die?" She said sweetly.

"Uh, okay!" I said at last, "Thank you." I hugged her again.

"Just swear to me that you'll make a move." Grandma said.

"I swear it."

"Well, go to her!" She cried, "She's waiting for you."

I nodded and went off after thanking her again.

Minako was warming her hands in her jacket as she held a shopping bag.

"There you are!" She cried, "I thought I said a few minutes? Well, let's go home."

"What's in there?" I asked while we walked.

"Oh, a few things... Blindfolds, lingerie-"

"Sexy." I muttered.

"Oh, you perv." She winked, "At any rate, let's hurry in walking before the snow buries us."

True enough, the winds picked up and by the time we entered the house, there was an all out blizzard.

Junpei was alone, in front of the hearth drinking hot coco. Minako talked animatedly about what she'd get, while arranging the pile of presents.

"It must be nice," Junpei mused to himself, "Having someone you can go out with."

"We aren't going out." I said, "And what about you?"

"Jupei, you must be such a loser not to ask anyone out to Christmas." Minako teased.

Junpei smirked, "Yeah... I'm such a loser..."

Minako nudged me, "Whoa, he's really bummed out."

I strode forward to Junpei, "Something wrong, pal?"

"Just the fact that it's another lonely Christmas for me..."

"Hang in there." I said.

"Yeah... I don't need a woman to make me feel good-" then, the doorbell rang. I opened it to see a young lady with orange hair on the snowy walk holding a cake box.

"Chidori?" I said in recognition.

"Hello. Is Junpei home?" She asked, "I've been calling and texting him and he hasn't responded."

"That so?" I said, "Come in, come in! You must be freezing!" I said.

"Thank you." Chidori said in appreciation.

"Junpei, you got guests." Minako shouted.

Junpei stood up and looked at Chidori, "What are you doing here?"

"Junpei, that's not really nice." Minako chided, "Poor thing must've walked the entire way to meet you here... Personally, I don't see the point."

"I left you several messages via text, yet you saw it fit to ignore my messages." Chidori said sternly.

"Oh yeah? Well, I didn't 'receive' any messages!" Junpei said back, looking at his phone. Amazingly, he didn't realized it died out from battery-loss.

"Well... Isn't that a mistake..." Junpei said, "You DO love me!" He embraced Chidori.

"Of course I do, my dear," Chidori said, "I love you very much and I apologize for ignoring you. Would it be fine if I stay the night though? I may be speaking out of turn, but the blizzard is getting terrible. I'll even sleep at the couch-"

"What are ya, nuts?" Junpei said, "Come up in my office... I cleaned my room today!" With that, Chidori and Junpei disappeared upstairs.

Minako rubbed her hands, "Well, shouldn't you go up as well?"

"Okay, but what about you?" I asked.

"Oh, uh... I need to finish up here." She said, "Here, you can have this." She gave me a handmade ticket that read: Xmas Special Only!

It read:

I'll fulfill all your deepest, most carnal desires tonight.

"I'll redeem this one..." I said, keeping my cool.

"Alright!" Minako said as she pumped her fists, "I'll be by your room later."

"YES- I mean, yeah, sure." I said, trying to keep my cool.

I ran up and arranged my stuff, lit some candles and darkened the room. Also, I played some Bossa Nova, since it wouldn't hurt my chances to set the right 'mood'.

Minako entered my room after knocking.

"What's with the decor?" She asked.

"It's Christmas." I said, thinking fast.

"I see..." Minako said, not sounding convinced.

"Ahem. I'm ready." I said formally.

"Sweet!" she cried, "But first, you have to blindfold yourself. It's a surprise."

"Kinky!" I muttered as she blindfolded me with a red silk scarf and tied my hands with a necktie.

She made some movements and a bit of banging. Suddenly, I was afraid if she was gonna try some BSDM stuff on me. I did NOT want a dildo up my rear. Not did I want jumper cables clamped on my nipples. Then again, she might even connect jumper cables somewhere... I tried to run away, but I was tied up well and good.

Suddenly, she stopped and sat down, "Open your eyes."

I smiled, then it faltered. In front of me was the most fanciest and delicious looking foods, followed by the chocolatiest Death by Chocolate cake that should be named "Mass Destruction by Chocolate" instead.

"What is this?" I said, a bit disappointed.

"Your gift." She said.

"B-But it read carnal-"

She tutted me, "For shame, Minato, for shame... Carnal also means hunger!"

"I'm not complaining! There's enough food here to feed Somalia!" I cried.

"Yeah, well,the girls and I thought it would be nice to save up money to buy you guys Christmas Dinner. Yukari spent hers on plane tickets, so it all worked out in the end, I guess."

I nodded and we started eating.

The taste was exquisite, sophisticated, cultured and expensive. It also had a faint flair of French in it, indicating Lili's possible involvement as well. (although Monaco might not be French at all)

After eating, we were moaning from a full stomach.

"Oooh..." Minako groaned, "My tummy is so full..."

"That'll pass, Hamuko." I managed.

"Why'd you keep calling me that?" She asked curiously.

"My special nickname for you." I said, "Should we exchange gifts now?" I asked.

"Let's open our gifts first." Minako suggested.

"Sure , Hamu." I smiled.

From Akihiko, I got a pair of supple soft leather gloves. Minako got a winter coat from him.

From Junpei, I got a PS Vita with several games pre-installed, while Minako had the latest Assassin's Creed game.

From Leah, I got a brand new white leather and silver holster for my Evoker. Minako was given a set of tank tops which would look sexy on her.

From Lee, I was given a CQC tactical knife, while Minako received a Swiss Army Knife. Lee likes knives.

From Yukari, I was given a silver wristband, while Minako was given a pack of guitar picks, even though she didn't know how to play.

Fuuka gave the two of us her own brand of MechaDoctor, to fix our techno stuff.

Kenji and Rio gave us both a matching pair of sportsbands, with our names sewn to it by a skillful Kenji. With it were matching sweaters.

Quan and Pink gave us many hair care products. Especially Quan, since he gave me a pack of red hair dye, with a threatening letter to dye my hair red before the Redhaired Movement of the World take over the world and persecute all who don't go red.

Naoto gave Minako and I matching watches, that seem to track each other.

Mitsuru presented me with a new scabbard for Deus Xiphos. It was jewelled and meticulously made with metal and leather. Minako got a new laptop.

"Well, that's it." I said with a sigh, "Now, should we exchange gifts?"

"Me first!" Minako cried.

"Okay... Close your eyes." I said while she obeyed.

I took the ring and set it in her left ring finger. When she opened her eyes, she gave a great gasp.

"Holy fuck! Where the hell did you get this?!" Minako cried.

"My grandma gave it to me." I said, "It's yours now. As a promise of wether being my friend or my... lover."

Her eyes shot up, "That's an easy decision then."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Uh... Not telling." She said as she handed me a box.

"What is it?" I asked.

She gave her trademark sarcastic face, "I couldn't afford to give you a gife, so I got you this box."

"Hehehehe..." I snickered as I opened it.

It was a white-gold pendant shaped like a star encrusted with diamonds and was exquisitely fashioned that the star also looked like a leaf. Actually, it looked liked an actual star, shining bright in the dark. With it came a sterling silver chain and I wore it.

"A promise." I said.

"A promise." Minako nodded.

I spent a long while with Minako. After a while, she went back to her room.

After bathing for a while and drinking choco, I was about to turn in, when Minako entered wearing an orange pajama.

"Hey, Minato?" She squeaked, "My auntie can't come home cause of the blizzard and I'm too scared to sleep by myself."

"Say no more." I waved an arm as I prepared the spare futon.

"Actually, can we both sleep on the same bed? Just one night?" I raised an eyebrow at that, "Uh, just use the futon as a barrier."

I nodded and we split the bed down the middle.

"Good night, Minato." Minako said.

"Good night Hamuko." I said happily.

We slept together on that wintery night. The night seemed warmer with her at my side. Life could only get better at this point...

But I had to ask myself... Did I move closer into Minako's heart? Or will she feel nothing for me other than brotherly love?

A/N: Done, done, done. Please give your thoughts out on the next chapter! Review please.

I mean, really... there must be at least a few thousands of you reading this right now. It wouldn't kill you to leave a short review, mind you. I'm not asking for an entire spiel, just your thoughts. Same dealio as last time, you want an update, you should review. That's how I roll.

Q/A:

Mistress: Actually... They were Orpheus, Thanatos and Messiah respectively.

Radeketor: The cameos will make sense in the latter chapters.

Aaron: You got most of them right. I was actually surprised at how much you got, but for spoilers sake, I won't say which.

Good observation, dude.

Hoshi: Thanks! I'm doing my best in the descriptive thing.

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