Wolfchick101: Hey everyone! If this story looks familiar, that's because I wrote it about a year ago. And... I never finished it. hehe ^^* So here we are, and now that I'm on break, I've decided to rewrite it (as well as my other fanfic Past the Scarlet) I hope I've improved since then!

Sasuke: Can we just get on with this?

Wolfchick101: How rude! D:What are you doing here anyways? This is my subconcious! *Sighs* Nevermind. Would you mind doing the disclaimer for me?

Sasuke:Wolfchick101 does not own Naruto. If she did, I'd fear for my love life.

Wolfchick101: Or lack of.

Sasuke: :p

This is the story about how I fell in love... then fell out of it, and... then back into it. Maybe if I hadn't beendeluded, I could've avoided the whole predicament. Not to mention cut out a huge chunk of this story, so I suppose it just makes it more interesting to tell it this way. Anyways I guess this all started on December 14th, after school:

The first day of Christmas.

It was a Wednesday. It didn't really seem like a particularly aberrant one. The day hadn't been particularly demanding, with only one day left to finish lessons. Winter Break was right around the corner, slowly plodding out of tomorrow and into today. The tension of horses in a starting race gate reverberated throughout the hallways, kids scurrying to and fro on their way out the doors.

Instead of following the motions I struggled out of the throng of teens and patiently worked my way through the plethora of currents into the art room. Slightly enervated and disheveled by the trek, I cast aside my burden consisting of my backpack and assorted pieces of chill-resistant clothing to the floor by the others'.

I sighed as the world slowed down, far out of the arms of the chaos of high school. The air was heavy and warm from the kiln. The walls were barren of any projects, long taken home by their artists, feeling striped of its identity. Aside from me, the room was full of several students that either milled about the room or were hard at work on their mosaics.

Our current project was to make a mosaic of a flower. They'd all be put together and placed on a wall in the new children's wing at our local hospital. My friend Sai waved me over to where he and a few of my friends had arranged themselves around one of the large wooden tables.

I lowered myself gently beside Sakura, across from Sasuke. I smiled tentatively and tossed a small wave at him; He in return nodded in acknowledgment. Sakura, who had been deeply engrossed in conversation with Ino, picked up my presence.

"Hinata!" She drew me into a tight hug and gave me one of her famous cobra squeezes.

"Sakura, you're killing her." Sai observed, not looking up from his project.

"Oh! Whoops!" She unclamped herself from me and readjusted my purple and white snowflake top.

"Sorry, I'm just so excited! You'll never guess what happened!"

"What?" I inquired precariously as I regained my whereabouts.

"Naruto and I are now officially dating!" She squealed, hugging me again.

My breath hitched inside my throat. I was beyond shocked, I was paralyzed. Numbness flooded throughout my body and slowly replaced any feeling I had felt that day.

Although she was my best friend, I had never plucked up the courage to tell her about my frivolous crush on Naruto. I'd figured she would've probably tried some mortifying way to hook us up. I knew she didn't do it on purpose, but my heart swelled with hurt and jealousy.

"G-Good! I'm s-so happy for y-you." I managed to choke out.

"Thanks!" She beamed and turned back to her Cherry Blossom project.

Sinking into my subconscious, I fell to the mercy of a silent at war within myself. The only thing I felt was stretched, like taffy that's been pulled way too far. Could I host myself a pity party while at the same time throwing a celebratory one for Sakura? Even as I asked, I knew the answer.

"Here." Sai placed my purple water lily masterpiece-in-progress in front of me.

He offered a serene smile, completely oblivious to the throbbing ache within me. Uttering a soft "thanks", I attempted to expunge my weariness and focus on my project.

Usually art cleared the fog from my head, but today I just couldn't get into it. My choice had been made, to be happy for her, but I was weighed down by remorse I set down my supplies and gazed at the half finished flower.

"You okay?"

I looked up to see Sasuke staring at me. A quick glance around affirmed that the question had come from him; Sai was replenishing his supplies while Sakura and Ino still sat, enthralled by their topic. I swallowed before turning back to the disconcerting onyx eyes.

"S-Somewhat." I whispered, willing myself to turn my attention back to the table top.

His gaze set me on edge, so I immersed myself in scrutinizing his deep blue, soon-to-be Iris. I pondered incoherently why he had chosen that flower. Glancing up, I remember that he looked like he wanted to say something more, but Kurenai interrupted.

"Okay Kiddos! That's all for today! This will be out last meeting until school is resumed." Many groans emitted from the passionate students.

"But." She held up a finger and smiled. "You are all invited to a Christmas Eve party. The venue is at Konoha Event Hall. Feel free to invite whoever you'd like, there's plenty of room. Have a fun break!"

The students launched into animated conversations about what to wear and who to bring. Sakura, Sai, and Ino said their goodbyes and departed. I gathered up all my discarded items and headed to the side door.

It was almost dusk and since I couldn't drive yet, I have a late birthday for a sophomore, I decided to walk. Neji's driving horrified me anyways. At the door, I adorned my fuzzy earmuffs, purple coat, and the scarf that Hanabi had knitted for me last Christmas to brace myself against the December chill.

Swinging open the door, a gust of winter wind caught me in the chest and knocked me backwards into someone.

"Careful." Flustered, I peered up slowly only to be ensnared in Sasuke's onyx eyes once again.

"Oops! S-sorry!" I sputtered, collecting my thoughts and darting outside. I felt my face turning red as he smirked and strode out the door behind me.

The bad news was, we both live in the same neighborhood. Pretty much everyday we were stuck walking home together.

In the silence, our footsteps struck a synchronized rhythm on the cold pavement. My nerves built up a tension that flowed through my veins, furthering my blush.

"S-so... when do y-you think it'll snow?" I asked.

I staggered as if I'd caught even myself off guard with the question. A few nerve-wrecking seconds passed before he answered.

"I don't know." He breathed thoughtfully.

"Hopefully soon."

"I h-hope so. It j-just isn't right w-without it here." He nodded in agreement and the tension flowed out of me as I began to sink into repose. Before I knew it, the sunlight was edging away, eight blocks had passed, and we were outside my uniform front yard.

I opened the white picket gate and turned to him.

"Thank you." I smiled, and noticing he was showing the teensiest bit of surprise, I turned to the side, blushing again. I buried further into my scarf and muttered the last half.

"Y-ou know. For always w-walking me h-home."

"N-no problem." His speech stumbled, something Sasuke just doesn't do, leaving me flabbergasted.

I turned to begin trudging down the path, when I felt his hand grab my arm.

"Um... I, uh, just wanted to, uh, say that..." He faded off and I stared inquisitively at him.

"Say that, you shouldn't feel too bad about Naruto and Sakura. I-I, uh, mean that, um, there are worse scenarios out there s-so its nothing to get depressed about." He let my arm go and ran a hand nervously through his black hair.

"Geez, I'm real bad at this aren't I." He then smiled ruefully, as if he were a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

My breath caught in my throat for the second time that day, but for a completely different reason. I felt a burden fall from my back and my heart grew light.

"At l-least you're trying." I felt my face lift into a sincere smile.

"Thanks Sasuke. I feel loads better now."

It was then that I noticed a slight pink tinge to his cheeks. I blinked and shook the mist from my head before deciding that it was the cold. It had to be. Sasuke may show his emotions to me once in a while, but there was absolutely no way he was blushing.

"Uh, no problem." He ran his hand through his hair again. "See you tomorrow."

"Good night."

"'Night." Then, as if on a last minute whim, he ruffled my hair, and walked down the sidewalk.

Sadly, I just stood there dumbfounded and let him walk away. Even telling this now, I get irritated. If I hadn't been so oblivious to the stupid butterflies in my stomach, maybe this wholeordeal could have been avoided! But no matter, like I said, it makes for a good Christmas story. And this isn't the least of it.

When I had accumulated what little of my feelings hadn't been torn off by shock throughout the day, I managed to plod inside. After closing the door and practically collapsing in the front hallway, I was greeted by the rich smell of hot coco and brownies.

I effetely shrugged out of my jacket and kicked off my shoes before stepping into the incandescent kitchen. Inside, Hanabi stood at the stove stood in a red and green apron and Neji sat on the counter, licking a batter bowl.

"Hey Hinata, did I ever tell you how much I love our sister's cooking?" Neji inquired, smirking while he continued clearing the bowl of its splendor. I grinned.

"Yes Neji, everyday at morning, noon, and night." I laughed.

While Neji and I are the eldest siblings in our small family, Hanabi did all the cooking. Otherwise, the house would burst into relentless flames. On the bright side, for her anyways, Neji and I cleaned in exchange.

Our mom had died giving birth to Hanabi and our dad a big CEO at a major company and was never home. He sent a monthly check to pay for our food and needs and such, and even extra for special occasions, but not a word of acknowledgment. Not that it mattered. We were doing amazingly well on our own.

See, Hanabi had this motherly aura around her and it seemed to draw people to her, Neji had the caring older brother feel to him, and I... I suppose I am the listener. Together we make up a pretty loving home.

"Well, I'm beat. I'm heading upstairs." I said.

"Okay, dinner's almost ready. Oh!" She smiled slyly.

"And there's a package on your desk for you."

She glared at Neji still licking the chocolate off the bowl.

"Stop that! It's not healthy!" She yelled playfully as she began to wrestle the bowl from his grip. He stuck his tongue out.

"Make me!" He mocked and then smeared chocolate on her nose.

I dashed upstairs as a full on chocolate war broke out and shut the door on the laughter. I breathed in the stillness and familiarity and sighed.

The calm lavender walls brought on a wistful aura. A candle with the fragrance of pine brought in the smells of Christmas with a tranquilizing touch. The combination melted away the stress of the day as I threw my abused backpack on the ground.

Curious, I glanced at the small brown box on my desktop as I settled into my after school routine. When I'd finished, I finally grabbed it off my desk, and with the sense of Christmas-come-early, belly flopped onto my plush bed.

Butterflies stirred in my stomach as I slowly sliced the tape confining the contents. When it had been opened, I discovered that on top was a piece of purple stationary and beneath it, a basic chain bracelet.

Bewildered, I unfolded the paper and the smell of lilacs wafted over me.

The first day.

I know you don't know who this is, but I know you.

I've watched you from afar, not sure what I should do.

So now I've sent this package, the first of twelve,

And while I'm not Santa, or one of his elves,

I'm your secret Santa, and gifts I will send.

Hopefully with them, your heart I will mend.

So at school tomorrow, please wear this gift,

To show your appreciation, and your spirits to uplift.

Your Secret Santa

My heart fluttered and a soft flush coated my cheeks. Someone out there liked me and wanted to make me happy. Someone that wanted to let me know. The question was, would I let them?

As an answer to my question, I slipped on the bracelet. The first gift of twelve, the first hectic day as the world around me molded into something completely anew.

For the first time, I knew, I wasn't the only one who had done the watching.

Wolfchick101: The next chapter should be out sometime tomorrow :D In the mean time, later tonight I will be restarting Past the Scarlet (which uploads weekly.) If you have any questions, comments, concerns, etc. Feel free to leave a comment! I'll be answering questions down here in future chapters. ^^ Goodnight everyone, I hope you enjoyed this story.

Sasuke: *sarcasm* I know I did

Wolfchick101: Get out of my brain! D: