Christmas Good Cheer [open]

[Elena]

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The little box stood by the door, with a small picture—a caricature he drew of a little girl and boy in rags. He had read that Christmas was a time of goodwill and cheer. It was also a time for couples, but most people he knew were single. Sai and Sakura decided they wanted to do something nice. They were going to have a Christmas Party, inviting as many people to come for as long as they wanted, and just make a small donation. The money would go toward street children, because Sai read the story of The Little Matchstick girl and thought it would be fitting. However, at the moment, the party hadn't started. Was it right to call it a party? It seemed a lot cozier than any party he's been to.

He was up on the ladder, placing the last of the ornaments on the tree. They were using his apartment because it was convenient. 'I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause' was playing in the background, and the lights were dimmed to allow the glow of the decorations give spotlight. Little red portly men with rosy cheeks took up the spaces, and portraits of iconic Christmas themes replaced the other works on his walls. One mistletoe hung on the ceiling, his sneaky addition (it was a tradition, he read). Beneath his now done Christmas tree were some presents. On the table in the room were some plates, some empty and some filled, and the sound of the timer had him turning his head.

“Ah, Sakura-chan, that's the last batch for the cookies. I also think the kettle will be--” The whistle went off. “Do you mind getting that? I just need to put up a few more decorations and I'll be with you.”

[Elle]

Haruno Sakura absolutely adored the Christmas season.

The snow that fell from the sky and blanketed the roads with white, the warm train of stream that was visible when you spoke, the people bundled in their heaviest coats, gloved hands interlocked with their loved ones for extra warmth; Sakura loved it all. Most of all, however, the pink-haired girl loved the comforting atmosphere that encircled the holiday. People were just nicer during the Christmas season and she basked in it, making sure to be one of those people in a jollier mood.

It also meant that her temper was considerably cooled.

However, it did shock her when Sai approached her with the idea of a Christmas get together. She had agreed right away, wanting nothing more than to help her friend out with the decorations and preparations for the day. So now she stood in his apartment's kitchen, watching the cookies rise in the oven while she multitasked, smearing white frosting and holiday sprinkles on a fresh cake. While Sakura was, by no means, a baker, her mother had been more than willing to scribble down precise directions for the simple cake that was now resting on Sai's counter.

“I got it!” Sakura placed the white-coated knife on the edge of the cake pan, remembering to place on the pot holders as she turned off the burner, allowing the water inside of the kettle to simmer down some more before they would add it to the tea and hot chocolate mix. Truthfully, Sakura was glad that Sai had decided to put on a party such as this one. Lately, the pinkette was finding herself more relaxed in his presence, and less likely to beat the crap out of him.

Perhaps it was the Christmas atmosphere, though.

[Elena]

“Ta-da.” He spoke lightly, though a bit unnaturally, when he put up the last of the decorations; one of his own handmade, of himself in the popular 'chibi' form in a santa suit. It was between two others, and it wouldn't be hard to guess who they were even if you couldn't see the hair was pink and blonde. He was more fond of the collection than he let on. As he moved down the ladder, he heard the affirmative response from his partner in festive merriment, and folded the step ladder as he moved toward the kitchen.

The scents grew stronger and he placed the stepladder in its place within the slit separating the fridge and the wall. When he turned around, he was satisfied by the work that had been accomplished. They were, after a considerable amount of time, done. He wasn't certain who would show up, if anyone really would aside from some people he personally contacted (at the very least his neighbour could drop by to get some cookies), but that didn't quite matter. There was something rather warm-feeling watching Sakura move around his kitchen and looking relatively content. It was the first holiday in a long time he felt glad he was taking part in.

He slipped over and took the frosting covered knife, quite casually licking it off—for inspection of course. He wasn't even that much of a sweet lover. “Unless you've secretly poisoned it, I don't think I have to worry about eating any of your creations.” He smiled, and while he was implying that there could have been a cause to worry in the first place, his intention was for it to be a compliment.

He looked down at the apron she wore, and then to the kettle. “You can relax now and I'll finish up the drinks. Under the tree you can find a present with your name, so if you'd like to go see it...” He waved his hand toward the living-room in invitation for her to go ahead. Sai had given her two gifts. One was a dating sim for girls he had happened to seen strolling through the Akihabara district where it was a hospital setting with various male specimen working within the job. The fact that it was rating a little more than it should be for a Christmas present could escape anyone's notice given how nice and innocent the cover was. Since Sakura was going into the medical profession he thought it was fitting. The other was a small punching bag. They were wrapped together in one with very cliche wrapping paper of candy-canes and holly.

[Elle]

Slipping the pot holders off of her clammy hands, the pinkette turned her head as Sai walked in, sampling the frosting off the butter knife with his chilled expression, before commenting on it. Snorting in a rather un-lady like manner, Sakura rolled her emerald-shaded orbs and blew air in between her teeth, “Well, you aren't passing out or choking, so it isn't poisoned, clearly.” She said this with a smile, obviously showing that she was going along with his comment. However, she slipped back and finished topping the cake with red and tree sprinkles, which resembled candy canes and Christmas trees, respectively. Once she finished her task, Sakura exhaled softly and allowed the upwards quirk to appear on her lips.

“Thanks Sai. Your gifts are underneath the tree, too, y'know.” If Sakura was becoming completely honest, shopping for Sai had been one of the hardest experiences during the duration of her Christmas shopping. Naruto, Ino, and her other friends had been easy enough, but Sai? Sai was always a rather enigmatic fellow, which was why she had been relatively stuck on the gift to give him. In the end, after dragging both of her blond friends all across town, the pink-haired girl finally settled on fine-haired paintbrushes, which had been rather costly, but that fact was irrelevant. On top of that she had purchased a thick-paged sketch pad, which she hoped he could put to use. Then again, her friend always seemed to be drawing inside one; it was bound to get some use.

Untying the apron and slinging it on the back of a chair, Sakura tracked over to the decorated tree and knelt down, hands checking and re-checking the names on the gifts before she finally spotted hers. A faint trace of a smile was visible upon her chapped lips—damn the cold weather—as she grabbed her gifts and walked back into the kitchen, taking a seat on one of the chairs. “I didn't want to open it without you being in the room,” she admitted softly before tearing away at the colorful wrapping paper. At first she cradled the game, an amused expression painting across her face, as she took in the cover of the game with high interest.

“Oh wow, Sai, this looks like so much fun! I, uh, thank-you,” she placed it down on a clear spot on the table and reached for her other gift, which was not so well-received as the one prior. Counting to ten, backwards, Sakura only shook her head and voiced another round of thanks. Still, the punching bag should have been expected with that temper of hers.

It was probably better for her to punch that instead of the faces of her two closest friends.