holding a gift box and is trying his best not to jostle it too much in his excitement.

really really really reeeeeally hopes that Tsuna will like the gift! <3

had spent half the day down at the local petshop the day before, picking out a pet for Tsuna.

intended on getting him a puppy, but the breeds they were offering there didn't really catch his eye.

had been about to leave when he spotted a rabbit, small enough to fit on the palm of his hand, huddled in the corner of it's cage.

couldn't help but take a picture of it: www.haethor.com/wp-conte...

...figured a bunny might suit Tsuna better than a dog and ended up getting it instead.

grinned. The rabbit was a little shy, but it eventually trusted him enough to eat out of his hand after he spent some time with it.

half jogged up to the door as soon as he arrived and pressed the doorbell.

greeted Nana when she answered the door and stepped inside, making his way up to Tsuna's room and knocked on the door lightly.

blinked and looked up from staring holes into the grocery bag he'd pushed aside into the corner.

got up and went to answer the door. He wondered who would be knocking... Mukuro would usually just enter, but then again...

opened the door and blinked in surprise. "Gokudera-kun!"

gave Tsuna a wide smile. "It's a day early, but Merry Christmas, Jyuudaime! "

held the box out to Tsuna.

A-aa, thank you! owo

took the box and smiled widely up at Gokudera. "I--I was thinking of visiting you tomorrow... Oh, wait--"

turned around and set the gift down on his bed and then grabbed the paper bag with Gokudera's scarf inside it.

walked back to the other boy and shyly held it out. "H-here. Merry Christmas."

blinked and took the bag. "...Ah, thank you, Jyuudaime! "

*hesitantly* U-um. It's probably not as well-made as the ones you can get from stores...

... Well-made..? o_o

peered into the bag and reached in to pull the scarf out, staring at it for a moment.

...Did you make it, Jyuudaime? o__o

Un. Uh. Sorry. I didn't have time to make matching gloves...

......... I....... I......

I'LL WEAR IT EVERYDAY, JYUUDAIME!! <333333333

wrapped the scarf around his neck and thanked Tsuna again.

;; E-everyday is a bit... Uh. You're welcome~ I'm glad you like it.

... Should I open your gift now? o:

nodded.

retrieved Gokudera's gift from his bed. He hadn't been expecting it to be anything alive, so he accidentally jostled it a bit.

frowned when he felt something inside it move around. And he only noticed now that it wasn't gift-wrapped.

gingerly lifted the cover and stared at the tiny ball of fur. The ball of fur sleepily blinked back at him.

o_o I-is this... a rabbit?

grinned and nodded again. "Do you like it? "

>_< It... it's so small...

Un! It fits nicely on your hand!

hesitantly reached out with a finger and carefully touched the rabbit's ears with his fingertip.

soon felt bold enough to lightly rub the top of the rabbit's tiny head with a finger. Its fur felt incredibly soft.

smiled. The rabbit was adorable. It had huge eyes, and it was obviously still a baby, and he had no doubt that it really would fit in a hand

--but he was afraid to even try lifting it out of the box. He might drop it, or injure it...

Um. +_+ N-not that I don't like it, but the last time someone asked me to take care of a small furry mammal...

blinked, then looked at Tsuna with a dejected look on his face, his shoulders slumping forward slightly. "......You don't... want it? "

shook his head violently. "T-that's not it." +_+ Really, he was afraid that Gokudera would interpret his apprehension that way...

muttered, "I... I killed the class hamster three days after I was assigned to take care of it. Back in grade two. I'm not good with pets."

................. .-.

I'm sure you'll do fine, Jyuudaime! That was a long time ago.

adds, "... Besides, you've been taking care of that stupid cow for a while now and he's still fine. >_>"

;_; Lambo's an exception to the rule. I don't want to end up killing your gift, too.

shook his head. "You wouldn't! I've also bought a stack of books on rabbit care along with all the other things you might need."

The storeowner offered to deliver them here later today since I couldn't carry them all alone.

So all you have to do is to follow the instructions in the books!

Oh! A-all right... o_o

Books and the essentials... He felt much better knowing that he'd have somewhere to start...

walked to his bed and carefully lifted the rabbit out of the box with both hands, and set it on top of the blanket. The rabbit promptly

--started to sniff around curiously.

grinned again and walked back to Gokudera and reached up to give the other boy a hug. The scarf he made tickled his cheek.

Thank you. I'll take good care of it!

Don't mention it, Jyuudaime! Feel free to give me a call if you need any help and I'll drop by immediately!

Hai~

pulled away and looked back to make sure that the rabbit was still on his bed, and looked up at Gokudera.

E-eto... Do you want anything to eat? We have cake downstairs.

I'd be delighted to have some! ...If it's not too much trouble, that is.

Okay, I'll just--go downstairs and get a couple of slices. :3

Ah, would you need help? o:

shook his head, and grinned mischievously, gesturing at the rabbit on his bed. "Watch over Hayato while I'm downstairs?"

blinked. "......... H-Hayato..? o_o"

The rabbit.

Do you mind if I name it that?

quickly shook his head. "N-no! Not at all! o_o"

Okay. I'll be right back~

A-aa... .___.

if he should tell Tsuna that the rabbit is a girl.

................. .-.

decides not to.

, oblivious to Gokudera's thoughts, went downstairs to get their food. :3

had been wondering what he was going to do during Christmas Eve. Everyone was out doing last-minute Christmas shopping, and--

had been thinking that he might have to spend it alone in his room.

happy that Gokudera came to visit. |3 He hadn't been spending time with his friends lately, as they were all too busy with the holidays.