"Wow," I said as I leaned back in my chair. "I never thought I would be doing this again. Seriously, I thought my days as being part of the side plot were over." From the sideline comes my worst nightmare. The person who ruined my home so many times in the past. The person I fear more than death it's self. That's right: Mihoshi!
"Oh boy, oh boy," she exclaimed as she jumped up and down. "I'm back in the fan fiction world."
"People just love to see me in pain," I said as tears ran down my cheeks.
"So we're back with Ninja of the Sand then?" she asked hopefully?
"No."
"What do you mean no? A lot of people have been asking for it to come back."
Tick marks appear on my face."Yes, I know that," I said. "I'm still working on the changes that I want to make on it and I am also considering chucking it. But that's for another time. Right now is the Christmas season and I have a plan to get back at my Liberal neighbor for trying to get rid of all my Christmas decorations!"
"I can't believe he threw your manger set in the trash and called you an intolerant jerk."
"They are the intolerant jerks," I said with my arms crossed. "Anyways, I have decided to do my version of Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' for Naruto! And who better to be my Scrooge than Sasuke!"
"But at your writing pace you'll never get it done before Christmas!"
"That's why it's going to be only a couple chapters long and I have been planning it for years. Sadly, as new information came out I had to rethink some of the plot. So please just go with it and have a good time. I already have the first two ghosts booked and I'm working on a special guest start for the third. Now Mihoshi, cue the disclaimer!"
"DarthValgaav doesn't own A Christmas Carol or Naruto. What you are about to read is a merger of the two from his insane mind."
"Oddly, I'm not offended by that."
-x-
Orochimaru was dead to begin with. He had been dead as a doornail for seven years. Kabuto as well was dead, but he's not all that important to the story. At least not this one.
While some would have believed that Konohagakure would be better now than what it had been, that was not the case. The village that once prospered had become a shell of its former glory. The streets were nearly empty of people and the color of the homes seemed to be faded. Even the snow seemed to be less white. The villagers stayed inside more to be with their families for at any moment they knew they could be lost forever. It wasn't from what had happened with neither Pein nor Danzo who was quickly deposed as Hokage.
It was from the Hokage in training named Uchiha Sasuke.
The truth had come out about what had happened to the Uchiha clan. People began to understand why Sasuke did some of the things he did to some degree. And when he returned to the village, he had become a well known and well feared shinobi. So much so that the Daimyo had decided that it would be Sasuke who would one day succeed Tsunade as the Rokudaime Hokage. Tsunade, who had awoken from her coma, did her best to fight it and continued to fight it to this very day with no luck.
At first, Sasuke was given the simplest of jobs like assigning missions. And as time went on his power and influence grew. Soon he was passing law which he claimed were to strengthen the village. But that wasn't the reason at all. In truth, Sasuke only agreed to all of this so that he could destroy the village from the inside. To weaken it so that it would fall into ruin.
Sasuke had a heart that was like a small piece of coal. Cold and hard and black. He lived alone in a home that had once belonged to his former sensei, Orochimaru, when he still lived in the village. The building seemed to generate a cold that could chill a person to the bone on the warmest summer's day. And during the winter season it was all the worse. Other than that, his appearance hadn't changed much from when he was a sixteen year old boy.
It was in the meeting room where this story starts. Sasuke was staring at his former teammate and friend, Uzumaki Naruto. Over the years, Naruto had become more and more like his father in appearance. His hair had grown longer and he wore an outfit similar to that of a jonin, even though he was still a genin, along with a cloak like the one he had on during his famous battle with Pein. And while Sasuke seemed to give off an aura of cold, Naruto gave off warmth.
"Uzumaki Naruto," said Sasuke in a neutral tone. "I have an A-ranked mission for you. This one will most likely last you several weeks. And, due to Shinobi law, you will receive a genins pay and fulfill it yourself."
Iruka glared at his former student. If there was anyone who hated Sasuke's laws more than anyone, except for Tsunade, it would be him. One of the first changes he had made was that genins who had been on active duty for more than a year had to do all their missions on their own. Then, the method of how they got paid changed so that you got paid due to your rank and not the mission level. This meant that a jonin who did a D-ranked mission would receive much more money that a genin who did the same mission. Then there was forbidding use of the hospital to all non shinobi.
"Uchiha-sama," said Iruka with bitterness. "If you send him out on this mission, he'll miss the start of the chunin exams. Again."
"Is there a point Iruka?" asked Sasuke rudely.
"You have dozens of shinobi who could take this mission," said Iruka. "Other villages are laughing at us because one of our best shinobi is still a genin!"
"I decide the missions here Iruka, not you," said Sasuke in an icy tone. "This mission is perfect for the so called hero of the village. And we need him to do is take down a large scale drug smuggling ring that has connections from here to Suna. Also, they have several A-ranked nuke-nins working for them." Sasuke then turned to look at Naruto again. "I'm sure that's not too much trouble for the person who defeated Pein and Uchiha Madara."
Yes, Naruto had been the one who had defeated Madara in the end. And it was something that Sasuke never forgave him for. Madara had been his best chance at the time for destroying the village and getting his revenge. Now, Sasuke used every chance he could get to make Naruto's live miserable. He kept him at genin by making sure he was always off on missions during the start of the exam. He kept him poor with his laws and taxes. He would not stop until he had broken the blond.
"Actually, I didn't come here for a mission," said Naruto. "I came over to say that I will be taking tomorrow off." Sasuke stared at Naruto, his eyes narrow.
"And why is that?"
"Well its Christmas Day and I would like to spend it with my family."
Sasuke smirked.
"That's not a good enough reason," he said. He then closed his eyes and smirked as a wicked idea came to mind. "Very well, I'll give you tomorrow off on the condition that you take two additional A-ranked missions the next day. However, you'll only get paid for one." Everyone in the room held their breath. So little money for three A-ranked missions was just too cruel, and Sasuke knew it as he watched Naruto tighten his fists. He knew Naruto needed the money. He could clearly see the pain Naruto was in as he tried to decide what was best for his family.
Before Naruto could answer, two men walked into the room. They had a jolly appearance with bright cheeks and smile on their faces. They both wore fine suits, but not too fine. It was more of a retail brand but still nice. One of them held onto a red notebook and pen while the other beamed at Sasuke.
"Excuse me my dear sir," he said in a voice that powerful and happy. As he spoke his large belly seemed to jiggle a bit, but he paid it no mind as he stroked his white beard. "I am looking for the leader of this village."
"Tsunade," said Sasuke as he purposely left out the horrific, "is doing other work right now. I, on the other hand, am the future leader of this village. In fact I will be the leader tomorrow." He smirked as he said that, seeming Naruto wincing as he stabbed in him the back once more. The old man seemed to notice this and patted Naruto on the back gently before returning his attention to Sasuke.
"I see," said the man without losing any of his vigor. "Well then, allow me to introduce my cause. During this time of year many people are without the most basic human needs: food, water, and warm clothing."
"Are there no prisons?" asked Sasuke.
"Too many I fear."
"And the mills?"
"They are still in operation, but I wish they weren't."
"What about the work houses?"
"They too are still around." The man seemed to hesitate for a moment as a look of confusion appeared on his face. But, it was gone as quickly as it had appeared and he was right back into his happy mood. "Well, many feel that during this time of the year that we should be making an effort to help those who are in need. How much might we put you down for?" As he asked this, his assistant opened his red notebook and prepared to write.
"Nothing," said Sasuke.
"You wish to remain anonymous?" A flash of light shot across the room and pierced the notebook, leaving a giant hole in it. The two men watched as Sasuke's Chidori retracted and vanished in his hand.
"I wish you both to leave and take your nonsense with you!" yelled Sasuke as he stood. "I'm not happy during this time of year and I don't have the power to make others happy. And if I did, I would never use it. Why would I, or anyone for that matter, help others without any gain? Why should they get a free hand out for being weak and useless? I support the establishments I have mentioned earlier and if the poor need somewhere to go then they must go there." Now the man stood his ground and a serious look appeared on his face. He thought about all the people who needed this money and all the good it could do.
"Sir, many can't go there and many would rather die," he said in an effort to talk some sense into Sasuke.
"Then they'd better die then!" bellowed Sasuke. "It is what the weak deserve!"
The man puffed up his cheeks and turned to leave, clearly offended and enraged by what had happened. But, as he turned to leave, Naruto grabbed him by the arm. The man snapped his head to face Naruto who reached into his pocket and pulled up all the money he had on him. The man looked at him strangely as Naruto placed what few coins he had on him in the man's hand. Realization flooded that man and he tried to give it back but Naruto just shook his head.
"Merry Christmas," he said as he gave a short bow to Naruto. Naruto, in turn, returned the greeting with a smile and waved him off. The two men then quickly left, needing to return to many of the people they had recently visited to rerecord them.
"Baka," muttered Sasuke. A smile then crossed his face. "I guess you'll never be able to make it to chunin at this rate. You can't even plan out your finances." Before anyone could say anything, the door opened and in came Sasuke's last remaining relative. It was Uchiha Susumu, Itachi's son and Sasuke's eight year old nephew. They had found the poor boy several months after Madara was defeated living with his mother who was on her deathbed. However, Sasuke never took in the boy or showed him any kind of compassion. He left him at the orphanage and never spoke to him if he could avoid it.
"Uncle," said Susumu as he panted. "Will you be stopping by for Christmas?"
"And why should I?" asked Sasuke.
"Well, I'm going to be in the Christmas play this year and I was hoping that you would-"
"The answer is no," said Sasuke. "I have much work to do and I don't have time for your foolishness. And show some pride as an Uchiha! Don't run in like some street trash and take part in those meaningless activates."
"They're not meaningless," said Naruto. "They have more meaning than anything you have right now." He then looked down at Susumu and smile. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'll come and cheer you on. And so will the rest of my family."
"Why ever did you get married," muttered Sasuke. Naruto heard it, looked up, and grinned.
"Because I fell in love," he answered.
"Baka," said Sasuke. "Love is the only thing more useless than Christmas." Naruto only shook his head and left with Susumu.
-x-
That night, Sasuke walked in the cold toward his home. It was a two story building with a bare yard. Not a flower bloomed, not a single leaf on a branch, or even a blade of grass. They never appeared on the lawn of Uchiha Sasuke. And he didn't care for they couldn't offer him any power.
Slowly he walked over to the door and took out his keys. As he did his gaze fell on his door knocker. It was shaped as a viper with a ring in its mouth. As he put the key in the lock, the snake opened its mouth causing Sasuke's eyes to widen as he backed away. Then Orochimaru's head came out from the snake's mouth. It was covered in slime and had a rotting odor to it. His eyes were closed, yet the expression on his face told Sasuke he knew everything that was around him.
"Orochimaru?" asked Sasuke in fright. It was then that Orochimaru opened his eyes. His yellow eyes fell on Sasuke and a chill fell over him. Orochimaru then opened his mouth and let out a howl that echoed into the night. Sasuke raised his arms to guard himself and braced himself for an attack. When none came, he lowered then and saw that his former teacher was gone.
Shaking it off, Sasuke quickly unlocked the door and went inside. He then locked the door behind him. To say that he wasn't unnerved by what had happened would be a lie. But the moment had passed and all seemed normal in the world. But Sasuke was still shaken by what he had seen and thus decided to check every room in his home. He checked under every chair, bed, inside every closet, and so on. He then made himself a small meal and went to his room for the night.
Slowly he ate his meal in silence. Tomorrow would be the day he would secure his revenge. Once he became Hokage, he could truly unleash his wrath on the village. Slowly, little by little he would chip away at the village until it was nothing. Just like what it had done to his clan.
Suddenly, there came a hissing sound from the fireplace. Sasuke looked over at it and saw snakes made of fire and embers slithering out of the fireplace and onto the carpet. Not knowing what kind of jutsu this was, Sasuke was forced to leap back and activate his Sharingan. He kept his eyes focused on the snakes and they began to form a circle in the middle of the room. Once they were done, the flames rose to the ceiling. Thinking that someone was trying to kill him, and not for the first time since he had returned to the village, he made his way to the widow to move the fight onto the street. But the window refused to open. He unsheathed his sword and tried to cut his way out only to see it snap in half like a twig. It was then that Sasuke noticed that the outside had turned black like the abyss.
"Sasuke-kun," wailed a familiar voice. Slowly, with sweat pouring down his face, Sasuke turned around. The flames were gone and so were the snakes. But in their place was Orochimaru. His body was transparent and he hovered in the air. He might have floated away if it weren't for the chains that covered his body.
"I-It can't be," stammered Sasuke as he took a step back. His back was now against the wall.
"I trained you better than that Sasuke," said Orochimaru. "Never doubt what you sense. In life I was Orochimaru. It was I who led an invasion on this village and it was I who stole others bodies so that I could live forever. And for my crimes I am DOOMED FOR ALL ETERNITY!" Orochimaru lifted up his chains as he wailed the last part.
"This can't be," said Sasuke as he shook his head. "I killed you. Itachi removed the cursed seal from my neck. You're gone forever." He then took a deep breath. "I must have eaten something rotten or undercooked. Yes, that's it. I'm sick and seeing things."
"No, you are not," said Orochimaru. "All you see is real."
"Then why are you here spirit," said Sasuke as he moved over to his seat. Slowly he regained some of his composure. "And why do you wear those chains?"
"These chains are the chains I forged in life," said Orochimaru as he stared at them. "Link by link I forged them with every cruel act I committed. With every life I played with, with each child I molested, I forged these chains."
"But you were always a good shinobi," said Sasuke. "You knew that power mattered!"
"NO!" bellowed Orochimaru. "Mankind mattered. Good will matters. Uchiha Sasuke, I have come here today to tell you that you also wear a chain. And your chain is longer and heavier than mine. And when you die you will share the same fate as me. You will roam the earth and bear witness to the suffering of others and be helpless to do anything for them."
"Why are you telling me this?" asked Sasuke.
"Because I am here to tell you that you might escape this fate." Sasuke blinked as it was unlike Orochimaru to do something like this. Orochimaru sensed this and continued. "What, do you think that I really think I want to wander around the earth with you until the end of time?"
"Thank you, I think," said Sasuke.
"Tonight, you will be haunted by three spirits," continued Orochimaru. "Expect the first when the bell tolls one. The second will come at the same time the following night. And the third will appear before you at midnight on the next night."
"Can't I just meet them all at once and be done with it?" complained Sasuke. "I have plans tomorrow."
"No you can't," said Orochimaru as he moved toward the window. "And if you don't meet them then you will have no hope to avoid this fate!" With that the windows blew open and Sasuke's eyes widened in horror. The night air was full of ghosts like Orochimaru who flew out to join them. Each one had their own chains and each seemed to be in pain and discomfort. They wailed into the sky and begged for the chance to help others. They wanted to make up for the time they wasted while alive, but that is one thing that can never be retrieved.
Each one the author of their own fate.
And as Sasuke looked around, he saw Madara. His entire body wrapped in chains so heavy that he couldn't float. He could barely walk. And there was Kisame and Deidara as well. Even his father wore chains.
And then, without the need of any wind, his windows closed and the phantoms outside vanished.
-x-
"Time to put up the X-mas tree," said Mihoshi as she brought in a pine. "Oh, by the way, what other ideas are you thinking about?"
"Well, I guess I can help," I said as I got up from my PC. "I just finished chapter one and I think I did a good job with it. Hopefully my audience will enjoy it as well. As for future idea's, I'm thinking about a Naruto/Temari story were Minato is revived along with the rest of the village after the Pein attack. Or maybe the Tenchi/Naruto crossover I have been wanting to do. Speaking of Tenchi, I have wanted to do a Smallville story that takes place in season six were Ryoko lands on earth and falls for Clark. Oh, and by the way, it's Christmas and not X-mas."
"That's not what your neighbor said," replied Mihoshi. "He said that saying Christmas and wishing people a Merry Christmas in public is illegal."
"Like hell it is! Look, I'm not trying to offend anyone here, but this is stupid! All I am doing is celebrating the holiday and inviting other to joy with me. I don't care if you believe or not, I'll still invite you because that's the true meaning of the season. To bring peace to others. Why do these people want to ruin that?"
"That's so moving," said a teary eyed Mihoshi as she began to take out the Christmas light. She then moved for the plug next to the sink and then dropped the plug into the water. Grabbing it quickly, she then put it in the electrical socket and the two of us began to spasm from the electricity.
