Improvised Christmas

It was December 24th, Christmas eve, the night before Christmas, a day of happiness and cheer. Then again, so is Christmas eve, excitement and merriment for all, except for a certain group of mercenaries.

The Akatsuki had been forced to do to a meeting a few days ago and had left for home on Christmas eve morning. They'd been happy, thinking they'd make it home to celebrate the holiday but then a blizzard broke out and they were forced to take refuge in a cave. They were huddled in the back; family and friends sitting close by the fire.

Kakuzu sighed. "Guess we won't make it home after all," he murmured.

Hidan, who was sitting back to back with Kakuzu, sighed and tossed a twig into the fire, his sadness glowing with the embers. He wasn't the only one. Konan was in the back, leaning on Pein's shoulder, sad though emotionless, Deidara looked like he'd cry, Sasori looked frustrated; Kisame looked flat out devastated. Their leader, Madara, was wearing a scowl as he leaned against eh cave wall, his little brother, Tobi, softly crying into his shoulder.

Madara silently huffed and then looked around. Itachi was near the mouth of the cave watching the storm, he looked emotionless but Madara knew, his little cousin was upset too. Zetsu was absently playing with a bushel of pine needles, occasionally taking in its scent in deep breaths. Finally, Madara looked at their silent 'father'; Pein was emotionless, being the good guy by keeping up a front so this night wouldn't be a sob fest. Madara could see though, Pein wasn't too happy to be here instead of home, where he'd watch the tree til midnight. Mara scowled and stood; everyone looked up at him as he walked to the center.

"Nii-san," Tobi asked; sniffling.

Madara took a stance and focused his chakra before beginning a barrage of rapid hand signs/

"Wood Release: Pino Emergencia!"

As soon as the words with uttered, in a white light, a tree began to grow from the ground; a pine tree. Everyone watched in shock as Madara pulled out a kunai and put it on a branch. After a second, Tobi giggled and scrambled over, hugging his brother before putting shuriken on the tree as well. In seconds, mini clay angels were flying over and latching onto the branches. Kisame grinned and wrapped one of Samehada's bandages as a bow; Kakuzu made snowflakes with his stitches to hand. Hidan put his Jashinist pendent on a branch with a small smile; Konan giggled as she put on origami cranes and roses. Zetsu and Itachi joined them but only watched; everyone paused and watched as Sasori walked over. It was a tense silence before Sasori put a miniature puppet on the top, a piece of the Akatsuki cloak on it.

"Perfect," Pein said, the smallest of smiles, gracing them.

It was like they were home. Zetsu used jutsu to make poinsettia on the walls, and Hidan, Kakuzu, and Kisame were playing their usual game of Gold Fish. Tobi, Deidara, Konan, and Itachi were silently listening to Sasori tell one of many Christmas stories. Pein was watching the tree, his favorite tradition made better with the fire's glow; making it more beautiful. Finally was Madara, Madara was watching the snow fall gently; the blizzard has calmed but no one had noticed. This was probably their greatest Christmas.

It was around midnight that everyone had finally settled down to sleep. They may have been away from home but they were together and they had survived another year in this dangerous world. That was what mattered most to them.

"Good night fam-hm- guys," Pein said, a faint pink appearing on his cheeks.

The others smiled. "Night Pein-sama," a few said, others grunted. Soon, they were asleep.