FINALLY updating this! Sorry it took so long! O.O

"Oh, Madoka!" Gingka called down the stairs. "Are you ready yet?"

It was Christmas Eve, and Madoka had been preparing for the party all day, cleaning, decorating the basement, and, most importantly, preparing food. Gingka-and everyone else, for that matter-was starting to get pretty impatient.

"Almost!" she shouted back. "Just hold your horses!" She put out the last plate of food, took one more look at the tree, then, with a nod of satisfaction, called up to him. "Okay! You can come down now!"

He darted down the steps, skipping one or two. He stopped when he saw the room, all lit up and Christmasy. His eyes grew wide. "Madoka..." At last, his gaze found the food table. "FOOD!" He made a run for it.

"NO!" She stepped in front of him, bringing him to a halt. "Don't even think about it, Gingka! Not yet!"

"Aw..." He sighed, then plopped down on the sofa.

For the first time, Madoka noticed his hat. "What are you wearing?"

"Huh?" He looked up at his head. "Oh, yeah! It's a Santa hat! Cool, huh?"

"Uh... Sure."

Suddenly, a clattering of footsteps came upstairs, and, within moments, Kenta, Osamu, Takashi, and Akira-in that order-came clattering down the steps, Santa hats bobbing with each stair.

"Wow!" Kenta mused, stopping at the foot of the stairs.

Osamu crashed into him, creating something of a domino chain. In the end, Kenta, Osamu, and Takashi lay in a pile on the floor, leaving Akira on the last step. He shrugged at Madoka, giggling.

Madoka sighed, shaking her head. "Come on in."

The boys scrambled to their feet, their cheeks red with embarrassment. Osamu and Takashi shot Akira a sharp glance.

"Soo," Akira started, looking around, "this is pretty nice."

"Yeah," Kenta agreed. "Good job, Madoka."

"Thanks," she said with a smile. She looked at their hats. "...Nice hats."

"Oh!" Osamu started. "I forgot!" He reached into his back pocket, pulled out a Santa hat, and brought it over to Madoka. "We got one for you!"

"Erm..." She stared at it, not really sure what to think. "...Thanks, I guess." She put it on. "How's it look?"

Before anyone could answer, more footsteps came from upstairs, and the room fell silent. Kyoya and Benkei entered slowly, not wearing Santa hats.

"Hey, Kyoya! Benkei!" Gingka grinned.

"Hmph." Kyoya scanned the room. Obviously disappointed, he grunted again. "Hmph." He made his way to a near wall, leaning against it.

There was an awkward silence.

Suddenly, Benkei gasped. "Look at all that food!" He dashed towards the table.

Madoka sighed.

Kyoya face-palmed.

Gingka followed right after Benkei.

Madoka turned to them, exasperated. "What is it with you boys and food?!"

The only answer was a loud series of gobbling.

"Oh, brother..."

The door opened and closed upstairs. Kyoya perked up a bit. The person that came downstairs, however, was the last person anyone expected.

"Hyoma?!" everyone gasped-everyone except Gingka, that is.

"Hey, Hyoma!" Gingka cried through a mouthful of food. "You made it!"

"Hey, you guys," Hyoma smiled. "How's it going?"

"What are you doing here?" Kenta asked.

"Gingka invited me," he explained. "I've never been to a Purple Elephant party before."

Madoka laughed. "Well then, welcome to the first ever Purple Elephant party, Hyoma!"

Just then, more people entered, and all eyes turned to see who it was. Finally, Hikaru came down. Kyoya glanced up, then back at the ground, acting cool. Hyoma stared up at her for a long moment, his mouth hanging open.

"Hey, Hikaru!" Gingka grinned at her, waving his hand.

She sighed, coming down the stairs. Much to everyone's surprise, Tsubasa was right behind her.

"Hey, Tsubasa!" Gingka cheered, obviously excited. "Isn't this great."

Tsubasa smiled back. "Sure."

Madoka gave Hikaru an inquisitive glance. She ignored it. Madoka raised her eyebrows, a smirk playing at her lips.

"So," Hikaru asked, holding up a gift bag, "where are we supposed to put these?"

"Oh!" Madoka had forgotten all about that. "Just put them under the tree."

"Oh, cool!" Gingka grabbed his gift, putting it beneath the Christmas tree.

"How Christmasy," Kenta smiled.

"Well," Madoka grinned, "it is Christmas Eve, after all."

This is so late... but maybe I'll be done by next Christmas. XD

Anyways, thanks for reading!

God bless!

-LittleBrotherSocket