Disclaimer: I don't own anything; all rights to Naruto and its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto. Sorry for any mistakes, please enjoy.
'.' = thoughts
"." = Speaking
'Italic' = Kurama
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'I hate the cold.'
"Hurry up Naruto!"
'This will be the death of me.'
'Yes, it most likely will be with that attitude, kit.'
'Shut up Kurama.'
"I'm coming, don't rush me Sakura!"
Yet he stood rigid at the edge of the rink. It was like the world was mocking him; since for starters he'd never skated before, which made it all more daunting. Secondly Sasuke was effortlessly mocking him as he skated gracefully around the rink, it annoyed Naruto to no end how easy it was for the Uchiha.
"Give up already he's not coming, he's too scared." Sasuke called over to Sakura who was still trying to coax their shivering friend onto the ice.
"I'm NOT scared T-teme!" Naruto shouted from his place along the edge. Though his red cheeks and runny nose were less than intimidating.
Thinking back when Sakura had originally invited him to the park after school - with a few others - Naruto's last thought was that they were going to be skating. He'd thought snowball fights or making snow forts, not skating. Unfortunately for Naruto there were enough skates for everyone, his fate was sealed.
Sakura had long since gone in favour of Sai's romantic advances. As for Sasuke, he was still showing off, and to top it all off Kurama was taunting him.
Pulling his toque down roughly, tightening his scarf, Naruto took the first wobbly step onto the frosty ice. Slowly he put his other foot to be parallel with his first one.
His small accomplishment went mostly unnoticed besides a soft reassuring smile from Sakura as she continued to skate with Sai.
Stretching out his arms to his sides for balance Naruto slid his first skate forward about an inch, then the other to match. After he's first steps gravity kicked in and one slight wobble led to Naruto landing flat on his butt.
There was a spark that ignited in Naruto's eyes after his first fall, but that spark soon died and Naruto opted to stay fallen on the ice letting his backside go numb.
'Silly kit did you honestly think you could do better?' Kurama chuckled loudly the sound resonating in the walls of Naruto's mind.
'No but you don't have to go rubbing it in' Naruto ignored Kurama, to frustrated to listen anymore.
Naruto didn't notice Sasuke approach until he was almost touching Naruto with his skate.
'Would you look at that it's your knight in shining armor.' Kurama's laughing started up again as Naruto blushed a bright red from embarrassment. Realizing the situation, Naruto kept his head down his blush deepening at the thought of more humiliation.
As Sasuke's smirk broadened he cleared his throat, holding out his hand for the other to take. Glancing up Naruto refused to let Sasuke help him, his pride was on the line for crying out loud.
There was a moment of silence between them that dragged out for an uncomfortable amount of time.
"Dobe."
"Don't call me that, teme." With small hesitation Naruto finally took the offered hand his gaze still averted. An actual smile graced Sasuke's features as he pulled his friend up.
Wobbling Naruto tightened his grip on the other, who helped him stay steady.
"First thing is you need to stay calm, if you can't do that you'll end up falling every time." Sasuke waited for Naruto to loosen his vice like grip before continuing. "Now you need to spread your skates out shoulder width apart, just as wide as mine."
Cautiously Naruto spread his feet out wider to match Sasuke's keeping his firm grasp on Sasuke's jacket sleeve. Once he looked ready Sasuke began to gently push him at a slow pace, gliding along beside him.
"O-oi what are you doing?" Naruto panicked as Sasuke sped up.
"How else do you expect to learn?"
"Too fast Sasuke!" Naruto whined his grasp tightened as much as physically possible, Naruto leaned heavily against Sasuke for support. The unexpected weight caused him to wobble but managed to keep them standing.
"Stop leaning on me, your gonna make us fall!"
"Well sorry but you don't just push someone and expect them to skate!" Naruto snapped back.
"That's how you learn idiot!" Sasuke replied his voice almost cracked at the end in aggravation.
Letting go of Sasuke Naruto dropped onto the ice like a bird shot out of the sky.
Holding out his hand silently Sasuke had only to wait a few seconds before Naruto took his hand.
Trying a different strategy, Sasuke moved behind the other. Sasuke stretched out his arms in front, prompting Naruto to do so well.
Once the he was sure Naruto wouldn't drop his arms he moved his right hand to rest on Naruto's hipbone. Making Naruto nervous for a whole other reason, his face started to heat up till a light blush had dusted over his cheeks.
Sasuke whispered, afraid to unsettle the moment. "Match your strides with mine, don't worry about anything else."
Moving slowly Naruto's body pressed against Sasuke's until he slowly started to move his skates in roughly the same motion as Sasuke's own strides.
Soon Naruto was actually skating. Feeling a burst of achievement bloom in chest Naruto let a huge grin form.
"Ready to try on your own?" Sasuke asked hopeful.
"Huh, um I don't know" Naruto suddenly became very hesitant to continue on.
"Are you scared to fall again?"
"What no, of course not." Naruto muttered looking at his skates awkwardly.
"I promise you won't fall, okay?" Sasuke's voice softened into a genuine tone.
"Okay" Naruto whispered.
"Ready?" Sasuke smirked trying to regain the fire in Naruto.
"Of course I am!" He pumped his fist in the air.
Sasuke let go of the loud teen and Naruto's eyes widened in alarm but quickly his face changed from dubious to triumphant.
Coming up behind Naruto again Sasuke hummed,
"See your fine." Too engrossed with keeping his stride, all Naruto could do was nod.
"Ready to go faster?" Without any other warning the Uchiha grabbed Naruto's already outstretched hands. Pulling them along as Sasuke skated backwards at an increasing pace. Naruto just about screeched but held it down once he was matching Sasuke's large, quick strides again. Letting go Sasuke continued to skate backwards hands behind his back a smug smirk in place as Naruto furiously tried to catch up.
'Look who's finally skating!' Kurama said smirking.
'That's right I am!'
Naruto cheered in his head. Focusing back Sasuke and trying keep up Naruto lost his train of thought.
Sasuke monitored Naruto, cautious to make sure he didn't fall and break something.
"Slow down!" Naruto called his concentration wavering.
"Is this close enough for you?" Sasuke had slowed so he was almost arms' length away.
Naruto growled exasperatedly.
Looking over his shoulder, Sasuke saw Naruto was heading straight towards a pile of rock hard snow that would end in an unforgiving crash. By the look on Naruto's face Sasuke could tell he was in deep need of help.
Turning around instantly, Sasuke shot off on his skates at an amazing speed, going straight for Naruto.
"O-oi what are you-" but he was cut off as the other teen hit him full on. Waiting for an impact that never came Naruto realized that he was in a warm embrace, clutching Sasuke's jacket. Spinning around the large empty rink. Only they were left from the group they'd come in.
Nuzzling back into Sasuke's chest Naruto closed his eyes waiting for them to slow down Sasuke let out a sigh of relief.
Letting the ice carry them around in a slow rotation there was a silence that covered them but neither teen minded, it was a comfortable silence.
Peeking out from Sasuke's chest Naruto's breath was taken away as he caught sight of the dazzling ice below. The fading sun shimmering softly off of the frozen water, skate marks covered the rink, adding to its beauty. the thin sheet of almost invisible snow traced the paths made.
Every small reflection of sunlight looked like fairy dust. The ever-changing colours reflected onto the snow brilliantly.
A smile graced Naruto's lips at the striking display before him, captivating him.
Looking up at Sasuke a blush bloomed on his already rosy cheeks as he realized the position they were in. Sasuke's strong arms wrapped securely around his waist. Gloved, tanned hands hanging tightly on to Sasuke's dark coat, their close proximity especially.
Most of all, how Sasuke was leaning down and whispering into his numb ear making Naruto shiver as his warm breath hit grazed Naruto's skin. The contrasting sensations distracting Naruto away from the words. They'd become a mere sensation.
Finding his bearings once more, Naruto listened to what Sasuke was actually saying.
"No body's here." The words finally making through Naruto's brain, he followed Sasuke's lead and leaned into the others lips connecting them in a chaste kiss.
Breaking the kiss for just a moment to whisper against Sasuke's laughter hiding behind both teens' smiles.
"But us."