"Merry Christmas Naruto-kun!" cried sakura as she handed him a small wrapped box. Naruto's heart started beating rapidly. Sakura…give him a present? Naruto took it gingerly as if he was uncertain whether or not it was a practical joke.
"Thanks Sakura-Chan, and merry Christmas to you to" Naruto said softly. They were standing outside Irchiraku ramen shop on a cold winter day. It was snowing and everyone was bustling around, shopping for gifts for their friends and family for Christmas.
Sakura smiled. "I thought I would buy everyone a gift this year" she replied, watching a snowflake land on Naruto's nose. She let out a soft laugh and brushed it off. Lately sakura had been nicer to Naruto.
Naruto grinned widely, his eyes watering from the lack of moisture. "Are you crying just because I gave you a gift?" she asked quizzically, quirking an eyebrow. Naruto rubbed the back of his head in a manner of embarrassment. "No, my eyes are really dry…I don't know why though. Maybe cause of the snow and the cold air" he thought to himself, temporarily that Sakura was standing there.
Sakura let out a tiny chuckle as she raised her hand to her mouth. "Okay we'll go with that story" she said as she rolled her eyes. Naruto frowned. "But I'm telling the truth this time" he protested. Sakura gave him a "I'm not stupid" look which made Naruto stop in mid sentence.
"I guess I have to go shopping then. I didn't before, but I guess now that I've received my first Christmas present-"Naruto's cheery voice was cut off by sakura's surprised tone of voice.
"Wait a minute; this is your very first Christmas present…ever?" Sakura looked at him as if he were out of his mind. Naruto smiled brightly. "Well yeah, what's the big deal?" Naruto asked.
He was obviously unaware that at Christmas people gave gifts to the ones they cared for. This made sakura's heart sink because she realized that Naruto had no one…at all.
"What's the big deal? Are you kidding? Everyone gets presents on Christmas!" Sakura said excitedly. Naruto grinned as well. "That's great! Then maybe I should be buying you a present Sakura-Chan!" he said happily. Sakura sighed. "That's…not what I meant" she said wearily.
Naruto didn't seem to notice, he was too busy caught up in the falling snow. He smiled as one landed on his tongue. "Eww Naruto. You don't know what that snow is carrying! It could have gross germs and everything!" Sakura protested loudly, grimacing as more fell onto his stuck out tongue.
Naruto shrugged. "Oh well, snow's snow right? Have fun with it!" He was always happy. No matter what, nothing could bring the kid down. Not even the constant reminder that he was a feared fox demon with no parents.
Sakura shrugged. "It can't be helped" she said to herself as she watched the tall blonde haired boy catch snow flakes. She glanced down the street towards the tall clock tower. It was quarter to six. "Oh no, I have to go! Sorry Naruto but I still have a lot of shopping to do! And don't you dare open that present until Christmas. It won't be as nice if you open it now or later" she sternly added.
Naruto glanced up from his fun. "How come I can't open it until then? That's way too long to wait Sakura-Chan" Naruto protested as his shoulders slumped way down. Sakura smiled and cocked her head. Naruto felt the butterflies flutter around in his stomach, making him feel light as a feather.
"Because if you open it on Christmas, it will have more meaning" She grabbed the present and held it up for him to see. "If you open it now, then it won't mean as much. It's like your birthday…you open it on the exact day silly" She said merrily. Naruto nodded.
"Uh-uh…" He said distractedly. Sakura stood up properly and gave the present back. "So don't open it! If you do I swear I will kill you!" she said darkly, though a smile was clearly etched across her lips. Naruto laughed. "Okay I promise" He said lightly as the snow fell and started to cover the ground.
Sakura nodded. "Okay well I'll catch you later Naruto-kun!" she said as she started off for the various markets. Naruto waved and turned into the Irchiraku shop. He wondered about Christmas and what was so special about it. 'Nothing as far as I can see…' Naruto thought as he ordered his first bowl of ramen.
-00-
Sakura pressed her face against one of the windows of an expensive shop. She was shopping for her mother and she wanted to get her something nice. 'I really like that brooch…maybe mother will like it too"' she thought carefully as she looked at the other items. Her eyes were searching the display window when they fell upon a small glass figurine.
It was a mother deer with a baby deer sitting down on deep green grass. All of the details were precisely made by colored glass; even the tiny white spots on the fawn were noticeable. Sakura gasped in awe. "It's so pretty! Mother will surely like it! Oh I just have to buy it!" she squealed excitedly. She opened the shop door and went up to the clerk behind the counter.
"Hello" she said cheerfully. The young boy (a little older then Sakura) turned from the shelves of homemade buns and cookies. He smiled. "Hello, what can I do for ya?" he asked as he rested his chin on his palm. He gave her a smile that was heart melting to any fan girl.
Sakura gave him a stupid grin. "I would like to buy that deer figurine in the window please" she said as she gestured towards the small display case. The boy's eyes deepened in interest. "Oh really? Well I suppose I can do that for you. Buying it for a gift?" he asked, still giving her a small smile.
Sakura nodded eagerly. "Yes for my mother. I worked really hard to earn my shopping money so I hope whatever I buy pleases my family and friends" Sakura said happily. She wasn't the least bit worried.
The boy nodded. "Okay one moment I'll get it for you" he said as he turned his back towards her. While he was turned around sakura gazed at all the other things that were for sale. A small stuffed animal grabbed at her heart but she resisted easily. "Okay…got the keys" he said as he walked around the counter and towards the display case. He stuck the key in and turned it until it clicked.
He grabbed the figurine gently and handed it to Sakura. "Would you like it wrapped or just the way it is?" he asked in a business like manner. Sakura nodded. "Yes please. Do you have a pretty blue wrapping paper? Blue is my mother's favorite color"
"Hmm. Let me see, one second…" he said as he bent down to look under the shelves of bakery goods. "Um. Yes. Yes we do have blue wrapping paper" he said as he looked over his shoulder at Sakura. He offered her a small wink that made sakura swoon. He was really good looking,
Black hair and light blue eyes. He was taller then her only by a few inches, maybe the same height as Naruto or Sasuke. But he was a smaller build and wore glasses, but he was a friendly kind of guy anyway. He wrapped it with precise. "There you go ma'am" he said as he handed the small wrapped bow to her.
Sakura glowed with happiness. "Thank you so much!" she said as she hurried out into the busy streets of Konoha. The boy turned back to the counter and walked into the back room.
-00-
"One more bowl! Come on!!!" Naruto protested loudly as he collapsed his face onto the counter of Irchiraku ramen shop. Five empty bowls sat beside him, along with two empty glasses. The chef gave Naruto a stern but friendly look. "You already got five free meals Naruto. If you want one more you're going to have to pay for it" He said as he turned back to chopping the fresh vegetables. Naruto moaned and protested some more until sakura walked in. "Hello Naruto-kun!" She said merrily as she sat down beside him. She looked at him for a minute, head resting on the counter. "What's the matter with you?" she asked.
Naruto looked up grudgingly at the chef and then back at Sakura. "The chef won't give me any more free meals for today….jerk" he finished his sentence with a loud growl. Sakura just laughed. "Well I've already done my shopping. I've bought your present, my mother's, Sasuke's, Lee's, Gaara's, Hinata's, Ino's, Chouji's, Shika's, and shino and kiba's" She said cheerfully as she listed off all the names. "Oh and I also bought Kakashi-sensei something as well" She added as she rested her palms on the surface of the bar.
Naruto sighed. "I have to go shopping for them too, including Kakashi-sensei and Iruka-sensei" he said glumly as he pouted some more. Sakura smiled. "well I still have some money left over…would you like a bowl of ramen on me? BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY ME BACK! No more making promises you can't keep" she said sternly, pulling her girly wallet out of her purse.
Naruto's eyes watered again, he still blamed the cold air and snow. "Thank you thank you thank you!" He cried as he enveloped her in a bear hug. Sakura pushed down on his arms with great effort. "Naruto stop it or you won't get anything!" she cried. Despite her abusive mannerism, sakura was normally a nice person. She remembered when she absolutely hated Naruto when they were first teamed up with...sigh Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura fell into a dream as Sasuke entered her head.
Naruto snapped his fingers in front of her eyes, making Sakura jump back. "Naruto don't do that!" she cried as hit him on the head with her shopping bags. Naruto cringed but took the beating anyway. "Thank you for paying for me" he said as he slurped up the last bit of ramen. Sakura nodded. "Well I should be going home for dinner, mother will be wondering where I've run off to" she said, crossing her index finger with her middle finger. She smiled and stood up.
"I'll see you tomorrow Naruto-kun" she said, blushing slightly. Naruto furrowed his brow slightly. 'Why did she blush?' he wondered as he too stood. "I need a stretch" he said as he held both hands above his head. Sakura grinned and chuckled softly. "See you tomorrow" Naruto nodded. "Yepp see ya!" he said as he went back to harassing the chef.
-00-
Sakura felt faint and a little light headed as she walked down the narrow side walk. She had been running around all day and her energy had just dropped to below negative one. Her stomach felt awful as she held her head. She had started feeling this way for about two days now but she was too determined to buy presents that she forgot to care for herself. She passed by a dark alley and the smell of Urine got to her. She doubled over and fell to her knees. Her stomach pumped the food up her throat and out of her mouth. She gagged heavily, throwing up her meal every five seconds. Her stomach ached from flexing too hard. She couldn't stop it. It kept spewing and spewing out of her mouth, the smell making her gag even more. Her head pulsed with over flowing blood, making her headache accelerate into a throbbing migraine. She felt light headed and over heated. She collapsed in the snow, her body too exhausted to carry her home.
-00-
Naruto was walking back from Irchiraku ramen shop after a half a dozen bowls of steamy ramen. Naruto sighed and rubbed his stomach. "Man that was good" he said as he grinned to himself. He was turning the corner when suddenly a drunken man from a dark alley way came pummeling towards him. The man swung a heavy arm but missed Naruto by inches.
Naruto gave a hard blow to the man's face. Hitting him in multiple places. The man threw Naruto off. "So much for that goof" he growled as he centered in on Naruto. Naruto got up, his leg aching from hitting the wall so hard.
"Hey bastard, who do you think you are? Handling cooler guys like me like that? Get the hell off of me or I'll pulverize you" he warned as he cracked his knuckles menacingly.
The man let out a loud laugh, "I'm twice the size of you, you little dork" he growled. Naruto smirked. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" he quipped as he came at the man again, this time sending heavy blows to the stomach and face. The man doubled over in pain and fought back, tearing Naruto's head plate off and sending it towards the sidewalk.
"Fnn. BASTARD!" Naruto's voice was muffled by the man's heavy leather jacket. Naruto shoved the man into the dumpster, sending both man and container flying against the alley wall. He kicked the man twice in the head and once in the stomach, making him moan in pain. Naruto panted heavily as he softly kicked the man's out reached hand. "He's out" he breathed through pants.
Naruto was about to leave the scene when he saw a figure lying beside a bin of garbage. He came closer to see if the person was alright and if they needed something. He cautiously walked up to the crumpled body and bent down.
His eyes widened in intense concern when he recognized Sakura's pink hair. Snow was covering most of her boy so it was hard to tell whether it was her or some other person. But Naruto, being a big fan of Sakura, knew instantly it was her. He picked her up and rested her head on his knees. "Sakura-Chan wake up…" he said as he shook her lightly. He noticed blood and a few odd colors in the corner of her mouth.
His eyes lifted up and gazed out towards the empty streets. He turned his attention back down to sakura as he brushed a few strands of pink hair away from her eyes. He grazed her forehead as he did this. He pulled back quickly as if he had been scalded. "Holy shit her fever is really high. She must have been out here for a long time…I better get her back home" He said worriedly as he picked her up carefully.
Since Sakura had moved out of her mothers' place, Naruto decided he would take her to his. He bent down, still holding sakura, and picked up his head plate. He had taken his own jacket off and covered sakura with it. So now he had to stuff the head plate into his pants pocket, which was very uncomfortable.
"Her presents! Damn…" he said. He looked back and saw all of them in a neat little pile as if they were placed there on purpose. "He walked back and picked them up. They were surprisingly heavy. "Women…" he said under his breath. Now he was carrying an unconscious girl, six bags, and a head plate stuffed in his pocket. Naruto struggled most of the way, trying to be gentle with sakura while trying to hold onto the gifts.
He walked down the road, the street lights making the snow glisten beneath it. He gazed around at the empty board walks and the darkened shops.
It was a little bit after eight now and the sun had set about a half an hour ago. It was dark and cold and Naruto was anxious to get home. He walked past lots of dark alleys that made his guard accelerate. He stared down at Sakura, making sure she didn't look too cold. Her lips were a bluish hue, making Naruto worry even more.
He came towards the street he lived on. He remembered many times He, Sasuke, and sakura had run down the street to ward off trouble. He smiled to himself as he remembered those days. 'Good times' he thought as he turned the corner.
The fence beside him was covered in snow. Naruto brushed some off of the top of one of the pillars and molded it up into a small ball. He placed it over his eyebrow where the large man had hit him. It throbbed like crazy but the snow had relieved some of the pain.
He finally got to the door of his apartment. "Finally" he breathed as he grabbed his keys out and placed them into the slot. It clicked, telling him the door was unlocked. He pulled the door open and held it with his foot. He walked in, taking the key out and locking the door once more.
He climbed up the stairs. He was on the top floor, which made his muscles ache. Carrying about a hundred and thirty pounds more was hard work but he managed to get all the way to his apartment.
He turned the key and opened the door. He flicked the lights on, making the room light up in a yellow glow. The couches were covered with blankets and pillows, making it easier for Naruto to gently put sakura down.
He settled her onto the couch and placed a pillow under her head. He grabbed the olive green blanket off of the other couch and covered her in it. H. "There, you should be warm enough" he said softly, brushing a strand of light pink hair off of the corner of her mouth.
He looked at her for a long time. He placed his hand on her forehead to see if she had earned a cold for being exposed to the snow and freezing air.
Indeed she had earned a high fever. He trotted into the bathroom down the hall and pulled the drawer of the tall cabinet open. There were yellow and white cloths folded neatly in a row. He grabbed a yellow one and ran it under cool water.
He padded back into his living room and found his way to sakura. He placed the cold cloth on her forehead and brought the blanket up to her chin. "Have a good sleep sakura-Chan" he said quietly as he went into his own room.
He closed the door and started to undress. He took off his wet shirt and pants and changed into his flannel blue pajamas. He yawned as he stretched his hands above his head and flopped down onto the bed. "Mmm...Warm" he said with a loud yawn. He was utterly tired and wanted to sleep right away. He closed his eyes and dropped his head onto his pillow and fell asleep instantly.
-00-
The morning was dark and snowy when Sakura woke up. She felt faint and stuffy and her limbs and back ached. Chills ran up her spine even though she felt really hot. She almost gagged as she tasted her own morning breath. "Eew..." she croaked. Her voice was hoarse and dry as if she had not touched water for a week.
She slowly sat up, oh it hurt to even move. She cringed as she finally opened her eyes. She looked around the strange room. It was a faint yellow white with cleanliness to it. She wondered where she was as she gazed around the room.
Her eyes fell to the window that was half covered in snow. She wrapped the blanket around her tighter and got up. Her legs wobbled as she faltered, almost collapsing onto the ground.
"Ehhh" she whimpered as she moved towards the hallway. She saw two doors. One was open and showed the bathroom and one was closed. She cocked her head (which sent a searing pain down her spine) in wonder as she turned the knob. She opened the door gingerly, uncertain whether or not she should. She walked in, blanket dragging behind her.
The room was dark and the blinds were shut. She looked in and saw a bed. A lump was curled up in the blanket snoring away. Sakura inched closer to see who it was.
She looked down and saw the blonde hair. Her eyes widened in a worried realization. 'Naruto…why am I at his house? Why do I feel so sick? My stomach hurts...' Sakura started crying, the tears hitting Naruto's cheek. Naruto mumbled and opened on eye.
Naruto looked up and saw sakura crying above him. The coldness of the tears woke Naruto up. He was a little ticked off because he hadn't gotten any sleep for the past few weeks.
"I was sleeping!! What the hell is wrong with you?!" he cried as he glared in her direction. Naruto's expression softened and she started to sniffle. "Can I sleep here with you? I don't feel good. I feel as if I'm going to die…it hurts so badly " she asked softly. Naruto nodded faintly, still quite startled.
The next thing Naruto knew Sakura was hugging him tightly and sobbing into his shoulder. He awkwardly hugged her back and patted her. "I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to go shopping for the rest of my friends…I- I….Naruto-kun! " She was sobbing so hard her shoulders shook. She coughed between sobs, making Naruto hug her tighter. "You have a fever Calm down or something." He said softly as she clutched the back of his shirt tightly, as if afraid to let go.
"Hold me tightly and don't let go for a long time" she whimpered. Naruto did as he was ordered. He held onto her tightly, leaning his body towards hers and resting his head on her shoulder. He held her for a long time. He felt his eye lids drop, sleep was coming to him. Sakura was still sniffling away as he fell asleep on her shoulder, comforting her and hugging her tightly as she had ordered.
-00-
Naruto awoke to the warmth of an arm wrapped around his waist. He was bundled up in his heavy duvet blanket, comfortable and not wanting to awake. He glanced over beside him and saw sakura snuggly cuddled against him, sleeping peacefully as she clutched his arm.
He smiled and decided he would let her sleep for a while longer. He started to get up but sakura grabbed his arm and pinned him back down. "Please don't leave me" she whispered hoarsely. Naruto could feel the illness in her voice. "Okay. I promise I won't" he replied back in a soothing voice.
-00-
Sakura awoke in Naruto's bed alone. It was noon and she didn't want to get up. She smelt coffee and the scent of broth. She looked around feverishly as she pulled the blankets in tighter around her body. A knock on the door startled her, making her yelp. "It's just me, Naruto" the voice called through the door.
Sakura shook and brought the blanket up to her chin. "O-okay come in…" she said softly. Naruto entered the room with a tray complete with Yakisoba, a glass of hot coco and a freshly baked bun. "Here, you gotta eat to get better" he said as he set the tray down on the table beside her. Sakura smiled and thanked him. She wasn't sure if she could ever recover from that terrible night. But she would try for Naruto's sake.
-00-
It was two weeks after Sakura's horrible fever. Sakura was feeling much better now and she wasn't as afraid as she had been the previous week. Naruto came by every day to check on her and to keep her company. It was almost Christmas, just another week.
"Sakura-Chan Christmas is coming soon!" Ino said as she walked up to Sakura with a small wrapped box in her hands. She handed it to sakura who was bending over a display case in Ino's parent's flower shop. She was thinking about Naruto and if she should buy him a couple of spring daisies. "Oh. Thanks Ino" she said softly, taking it from her old friend and rival.
Ino smiled and shrugged. "You gave me one so why not give you one back? It is Christmas after all" She said as she turned and quickly walked back and behind the counter.
Sakura smiled to herself as she chopped some flowers down and brought them to the desk. Ino looked at her with a suspicious look in her eyes. "Are those for Sasuke?" she asked slowly.
Sakura shrugged her shoulders. "No, they're for Naruto. He keeps visiting me and I guess I should thank him" Sakura replied without any smugness. Ino looked taken aback. "Oh…yeah" she said softly. Even Ino didn't protest.
Sakura paid for the flowers and told her friend goodbye. Ino waved as sakura pushed the door and walked out onto the cold busy streets of Konoha. Sakura passed by Irchiraku and thought about Naruto. 'Hmm. I should go see if he's in there' she thought as she turned around and headed back to Irchiraku.
She lifted up one of the flaps and saw the tall blonde leaned over a bowl of ramen. "Great Ramen Chef! Serve me up another one!" Naruto said cheerfully. The chef screamed of something about going bankrupt. Sakura giggled softly and tapped Naruto on the shoulder.
Naruto jumped in fright as he turned around and started to tear a strip out of her. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THI8NK YOU ARE SNEAKING UP ON ME LIKE THAT?!?!?! FOR ALL YOU KNOW I COULD'VE BEEN EATING RAMEN AND YOU COULD'VE MADE ME CHOKE ON IT! THEN HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?! DON'T FREAKING STARTLE ME LIKE THAT YOU BASTARD!!" He shouted irritably.
Sakura could only stand there and laugh. "Naruto-kun... You shouldn't yell at a pretty girl like that" said the chef sternly as he gave a smile to Sakura. Sakura blushed and twirled her hair between her fingers.
Naruto's expression softened as he realized sakura standing there, holding a small bouquet of flowers. "Ehehehe….Sorry Sakura-Chan…" he said weakly as he rubbed the back of his neck. Sakura chuckled as she stared at the light pink hue on Naruto's face. "It's fine. Here, these are for you" she said as her face started to burn up.
Naruto looked surprised as he grabbed the bundle of flowers gingerly. "For-for me?" he asked softly. He was asking himself more then anything. 'How come she's being so much nicer then she usually is?' Naruto asked himself with deep thought. Sakura took his hand and brought it up to her collar bone. "Thank you Naruto-kun for taking care of my fever!" she said brightly. It was clear that she was blushing and Naruto could even tell for once. He felt important now that Sakura had finally noticed him.
"Y-yeah no problem" he said faintly as she smiled cheerfully at him. Naruto felt light on his feet the whole day through. He had thought about Christmas and how sakura had bought everyone she cared for presents. "I should buy someone a present too" he said thoughtfully as he left Irchiraku with another stack of empty unpaid ramen bowls. His wallet was stuffed with cash since he rarely paid for his meals.
He shrugged and decided he would look around in some of the shops for presents for a couple of friends. So far he had bought Sasuke, Chouji, Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino, Kakashi-sensei, Jiraiya-sensei, and Iruka-sensei something but not Sakura. He bought small gifts for his guy friends but he thought he should get something great and memorable for sakura since she had got him a present and some flowers.
"Hmm…" he was passing an all women's shop while he was still contemplating what he should buy for Sakura. "Maybe candles? No she'd hate that" he said as he furrowed his brow in deep thought. He looked up and saw the door to the shop. "Hmm…maybe I can find something in here" he said as the lights in his head literally flickered on. He opened the door and bravely walked in. It took a lot of guts to walk into an all women's store if you were a guy.
He looked at all the silky lingerie hanging from the pegs on the walls. Naruto was blushing as he looked at all the crazy costumes hanging on the walls. He shook his head and walked bravely towards the counter. "Um, Um, Um, e-e-excuse me…Ma'am? I-I-I n-need your help because I need to buy a present…." He mumbled.
He could feel the blood rush up to his face in nervousness. He had never been good at deciding what to buy other people. He had gotten help from all the other shop keepers to pick out his friends and teachers' presents. However, he didn't need anyone's help when it came to picking out Kakashi-sensei's present.
The stern middle aged lady looked down at him with an amused smile. "Shopping for one of your little girl friends?" she asked cheerfully. She was giving him a look that totally read "I want you badly". He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck (He did this a lot when he was nervous) lightly. "Y-yeah…I just don't know what to get her I mean…what's a girl supposed ta like?" He asked with a confused expression on his face. The lady let out a hearty laugh.
"I can help you with that!" she said brightly. "Hmm…we have a wide variety of Mrs. Claus costumes…very entertaining. We have bunny costumes…and not the Easter bunny kinds" she said with a wink. "Also we just got a new shipment of…Ehem...Bondage ropes…" she said seductively. Naruto widened his eyes in surprise. "I-no! No I can't get Sakura-Chan that kind of stuff! She would kill me!" he said with slight fear. He hated it when Sakura was angry with him.
The lady smiled politely. "Oh…so you guys haven't…I see. Not into the big kid stuff yet Hm?" she said with a low seductive voice. Naruto felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. "Well err… I-I better get going…not exactly the place I'm supposed to be at…at this age" he mumbled. He didn't get sakura a present good enough for her but Naruto was more concerned about getting away from the pervy old lady.
'Jeeze talk about a female Jiraiya' He thought, rolling his eyes to himself. The lady gave him a seductive smile. "Okay sweet heart, come by anytime" she said sweetly, winking at him all the while. Naruto gave her a look of pure terror and quickly backed out onto the streets.