Author's Note: I've been writing this story over the course of five maybe even six years so I hope you like it. Originally this was just about a petulant little kid wanting a tea party in the middle of winter but then the story grew and took on a life of its own. I have changed several things, especially Sakura's parents personalities and hair color to match what I envisioned when I was first introduced to Sakura. Happy Holidays everyone! -L

Beta: Ancestral Romance

Winter Tea Party

Chapter 1

It was a cold winter's day; the bright sun was shining high in the blue sky above, but it did nothing to warm the white landscape below. In a large house, high upon a hill in a small town not far from Osaka, Japan; a little girl with long pink hair stood behind the locked glass doors of her family's balcony. She wore a little red dress that went down to her knees and high white socks with frills. Her short little arms were covered by the long sleeves of the dress but her tiny little fingers were free to draw aimless designs on the cold glass her nose was pressed against.

"Sakura darling, please stop staring outside. There's nothing you can do. Just have your tea inside like your mother." A man with short blonde hair walked up behind her and kneeled down, wrinkling his black dress pants.

"But Daddy!" She whined and turned to face him, her emerald eyes pleading. "I want to have a tea party outside! Like I do in summer!"

"Sakura…it's snowing out." He shook his head and brushed some fringes out of her eyes and fixed the large red bow sitting atop her head. "You'll get sick and Mommy and I can't let that happen. We have a very important dinner party tomorrow night and we want you nice and healthy, okay?" He smiled down at her, pleading silently for her to understand.

"No!" She shook her head, her long, pink tresses fanning out around her tiny frame. "I want a tea party!" She sniffed, holding back tears. "Have your party later!"

Her father sighed and closed his eyes with practiced patience. "We can't. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve honey. It's a long standing tradition that the Harunos have been doing for many years." He looked down at his little girl, his heart breaking. There she stood with her tiny little fingers clutching the edge of her red dress revealing the white bloomers beneath, her pudgy little face swelled up and pink as tears streamed down and dripped off her chin, her emerald eyes glued to his shining black shoes. "…But I suppose…since you are my little princess you can have a tea party outside."He relented with an exasperated breath.

Just then her head shot up a big smile glued to her tear stained face. "Really Daddy?!"

"Yes." He heaved a heavy sigh and stood up, fixing his black suit. "When it stops snowing." He mumbled and picked her up, taking a white handkerchief out of his pocket and drying her wet face. "Out on the patio though okay? And not in the grass."

"Okay…can I invite Naruto?" She blinked her shining orbs at him. "Please?"

Her father groaned and strolled into the parlor where his wife sat. She was a beautiful woman with long red hair piled high atop her head. She sat by the double doors that led into the back yard, a look of pure calm resting on her pale face. She wore a simple green corset dress that went down to the floor and a beautiful turquoise necklace hung around her long, graceful neck. "Darling?" He called as he walked in, Sakura in his arms.

"What is it?" She asked, her eyes closed as she rested.

"Mommy, I'm having a tea party!" Sakura screamed happily, squirming in her father's arms.

Her mother looked over at her, a confused look passing over her face before she schooled it back into a look of composure. "You're what darling?"

Sakura wiggled out of her father's arms and ran clumsily to her mother's side. "I'm having a tea party!" She giggled, her tiny, pudgy hands covering her mouth in embarrassment. "And I invited Naruto!" Her emerald eyes shut in excitement. "I'm so happy!"

Sakura's mother gaped at daughter.

"O-Oh dear…" Her mother murmured to herself and patted Sakura's head. "You are?" She collected herself and smiled.

"Yes!"

"And Daddy said yes?" Her mother began to run her long fingers through her long, pink tresses, trying in vain to comb them back into place.

"Yes!" Sakura nodded happily, leaning against her mother's legs. "He also said I can invite Naruto!"

Her mother looked up at her father standing off to the side looking outside; trying to appear nonchalant. "He did, did he?"

"Yup! Oh! I better go do that!" With that said, Sakura clumsily scurried off out the door, no doubt looking for the butler.

An awkward silence built between her parents.

Sakura's mother slowly stood up and took measured steps toward her husband. "You said she can have a tea party?" She asked, voice calm and cool.

He nodded, one arm crossed over his stomach the other over his mouth, hiding the smile that snuck its way onto his face at the predicted displeasure of his wife.

"In this weather?"

He nodded.

"It's snowing in case you haven't noticed!" She sighed exasperatedly.

"I know." He mumbled lowly.

"Then how can you say yes?!" She demanded, her brown eyes seething in rage.

"She was crying!"

"She's a five year old!"

"Stop yelling at me!"

"How can you cave into her?" She groaned and closed her eyes as she paced the floor, her face wrenched in worry. "And to top it off you invited Naruto Uzumaki…"

"She wanted him there."

"Why not invite all of the kids hm?" She whirled to face him, her voice deriding. "What about the Uchiha's? Forget about them? And the-"

"Pardon me Sir, Madam." They turned to face the butler standing in the doorway. "But Guest Naruto Uzumaki has just arrived and he and Miss Sakura are on their way to their…winter tea party." He bowed and left the room.

OOO

"Sakura!" A little boy with messy blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes laughed as he pushed open the glass door and felt the cold air from outside rush in. "This is going to be so much fun!"

"It sure is!" She giggled and ran up next to him, feeling the cold air brush her exposed cheeks and stocking clad legs. "Wha! Cold!"

Naruto looked down at her and frowned. "You're wearing stockings and boots!" He pointed down at her feet. "Of course you'd be cold!" He then stared at his own boot clad feet, thick pants and heavy jacket.

Sakura looked down at her legs and pouted. "Mommy said to wear this…she said this is what girls wear…"

"Oh…" He looked out at the cold, snow covered yard then back at her. "Do you not want to…?"

"No! I want to!" With that said, she pushed past him and ran to the table their butler had set up for the tea party.

OOO

"She seems happy." Sakura's mother mumbled to herself, fiddling with her necklace.

Her husband shrugged and shoved his hands into his pant pockets. "She's a child, darling." A small smile snuck its way onto his face. "The smallest thing is the world can make her smile."

Her dark orbs narrowed. "This isn't small dear…she can catch cold out there."

"They're drinking hot tea."

His wife huffed and turned away from the scene. "She better not catch a cold. Otherwise I'm holding you responsible."

He shook his head and followed her out of the room. "Why can't you just let her be?" He glanced back to see Sakura giggle as Naruto re-filled her teacup, hot steam rising as the liquid hit the bottom of the cup. "Clearly she is enjoying herself…let her have fun."

"She is my baby! And we have a very important party tomorrow!"

He turned back to his wife to see her checking her clipboard. "Darling relax. If she gets sick we'll call the doctor."

His wife glared at him as the maid took the clipboard from her long fingers. "And have him say what a horrible mother I am…right." She rolled her dark orbs. "Just…make sure she doesn't get hypothermia." She sighed and rubbed her forehead as she walked away.

OOO

Sakura giggled happily as she allowed her Nanny to pull her white nightgown over her head and bloomers. Nanny smiled warmly as she buttoned the top buttons of the nightgown under Sakura's chin and then grabbed the brush to comb out the tangles of her long hair. "Did you have fun today?" She asked, turning Sakura around on the bed to comb out the ends of her long hair.

"Yes! I did!"

"That's good."She encouraged.

"We had loads of fun-I wasn't even cold like Mommy said I would be." Sakura sniffed and tried to turn around only to have the nanny place a firm hand on her shoulder to hold her in place. "But then one of the butlers brought my jacket and made me put it on."

"He didn't want you to get sick is all." Nanny chuckled. "There! All done. Would you like me to braid it for you?"

Sakura gasped in pure delight at the thought of her favorite nanny braiding her hair. It was something her mother never did claiming it made her look like a country girl. "Oh would you? Please?!"

Nanny laughed and patted Sakura's head. "Of course, stay still now." And she began to elegantly weave her long pink hair into a French braid. "Tomorrow's Christmas Eve, are you excited?"

"Yes, Mommy said she invited Sasuke and Naruto. I get to play with both of them!"

At that Nanny smiled. "Oh tomorrow you'll get to play with even more friends Sakura. Your parents invited the Sabaku's, Yamanaka's, Hyuga's and so many more. You'll make even more friends." She encouraged and tied a ribbon at the bottom of the braid.

Sakura turned around to face Nanny, an eager look on her now red face. "Really, Nanny?"

"Yup." She leaned down and kissed Sakura on her forehead. "Now get under the blankets and go to sleep! You want to have lots of energy for tomorrow don't you?"

OOO

Sakura's mother smiled as she picked up her daughter and fixed her long, pink hair. "Sakura, honey, this is Kakashi." She nodded to a man wearing a mask covering his nose and mouth with messy silver hair falling into his left eye. He looked very much like a pirate wearing a three piece suit. The party was now in full swing with everybody who was anyone dressed to the nines in long flowing dresses, corsets pulled tight, three piece suits with matching top hats and fashionable canes. Three large rooms were open up to the party guests for dancing, lounging and eating but Sakura was in her mother's grasp, much to her annoyance.

Sakura shifted uncomfortably in her mother's arms and turned to stare at the man she was being showed off too. Her mother had made sure that she was dressed in a full red dress complete with petticoats, a large red bow in her hair and matching dress shoes that clicked when she walked.

Sakura hated it. She couldn't run too fast or the shoes would make too much noise, she could barely sit down with all of the petticoats, and the red bow kept flopping down into her eyes. Sure she looked like a little doll but she didn't feel like one; she wanted nothing more than to rip off the petticoats and bow. The shoes she could deal with.

"Say 'hello,' honey."

"Hello." Sakura repeated automatically.

"Nice to meet you, Sakura." Kakashi greeted and gently took her tiny hand in his own. "My name is Kakashi."

"So Mommy said."

Kakashi nodded, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

"Why do you wear that thing on your face?" She asked innocently.

"My mask?" He raised a slim, silver eyebrow.

"Yeah…are you ugly? Is that why you wear it?" She pressed.

"Sakura!" Her mother chastised. "I'm terribly sorry about that." She frowned down at her daughter starting innocently up at her. "She…she's young."

Overhearing their conversation an older man with long white hair turned around and clicked his cane; though he was clearly aged he stood with his shoulders back, head held high and long hair tied back in a loose hair tie. "Good evening Mrs. Haruno, Sakura." He looked down at Sakura and chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Quite alright isn't it, Kakashi?" He leaned down to her eye level. "You have quite a mouth on you don't you?"

Sakura's mother sighed and patted her back. "Yes. Yes she does. My apologies Jiraiya, Kakashi."

"She'll be quite a match for Konan's son don't you think?" He mumbled and looked around. "What was his name?"

"Deidara, I think it was."

"Ah yes…he is an impudent little child isn't he? About her age right?" Jiraiya took Sakura's pudgy little fingers in his one hand and poked her stomach, earning a giggle from her.

Sakura's mother laughed and nodded. "That would be a show. The two of them together that is."

"What would be a show?" Her husband cut in, smiling at Kakashi. "Well hello, Kakashi. Jiraiya, didn't think you'd make it this year." He held out his hand for him to shake.

Jiraiya laughed and shook his hand. "Yes well, I wouldn't miss the Haruno's annual Christmas Eve Party for the world. I was just discussing your adorable daughter's future here with your wife."

"Oh?"

"Yes well she has quite a little mouth on her. Would give Konan's son a run for his money."

Sakura looked up at her father as he laughed and took her out of her mother's arms. "I suppose she would, but she's glued to the Uzumaki's son's side you know."

Kakashi chuckled and winked at Sakura. "Cheeky little boy isn't he?"

"Definitely. But those two are inseparable." Her father shifted her in his arms as she turned to look over his shoulder. "Sakura, honey, what are you doing?"

"I want to go sit with Naruto and Sasuke." She pouted and wriggled.

Her father sighed and shifted her again. "See what I mean?" He gently placed her on the ground and watched as she waddled off to the couch where the two boys sat.

Kakashi laughed and swirled his drink. "Yes well. What about the Uchiha's? Good breeding."

"True, but honestly as long as she's happy, I'll be happy."

At that his wife turned her nose up and huffed. "You darling may be happy but I want my daughter to be happy and secure."

Jiraiya burst out laughing and clapped Kakashi on the shoulder, nearly spilling his drink in the process. "Now I see where the little one gets her fire!" He chuckled and shook his head. "If I may, no matter whom you two decide will be her husband I think she will be the one running the show." He jutted his chin in the direction of the couch where all the little kids seemed to flock to.

OOO

"Hi Sakura." Naruto smiled widely as Sakura crawled her way up onto the couch beside him and Sasuke. It took quite some time considering the petticoats she had to wrestle with, even with the boys tugging at her arms to help her.

"Hi." Sasuke greeted and moved over so Sakura could sit between them.

"Hi guys." She laughed and hugged them both.

"Aw look at the cute little kids Kankurou!" A tall girl with blonde hair crouched down in front of Sakura and smiled. "Hello, little one!"

"Hi." Sakura smiled back and clutched the edge of her dress. "I'm Sakura!"

"I'm Temari." The girl grinned and pulled down her brother. "This is Kankurou."

Kankurou nodded, not at all impressed that he was now forced to talk to little kids. "Hey."

"And this little guy," Temari reached behind her and picked up another little boy around Naruto's age. "Is Gaara. Say 'hello' Gaara."

Gaara scowled and stared at Sakura while Sakura merely blinked her big green eyes back up at him. Gaara had pale skin but his cheeks were red and rosy, his hair was bright red and messy, no doubt from him scratching his scalp. They had dressed him in a little charcoal grey three piece suite, most likely to match his older brother who was wearing the same thing, but he had long since removed the jacket and was now walking around in an unbuttoned vest, exposing his white shirt and suspenders. "Hi." He eventually spat out, tugging at his red tie.

Temari noticed his hands and slapped them away from his tie. "No, Gaara! You've already shed your jacket you're keeping on the tie." She hissed and then smiled at Sakura. "Sakura, would you like to play with Gaara?" She then placed her little brother on the couch beside Sasuke and pinched Sakura's rosy cheeks. "Aw I just can't get over how cute you are!"

"Temari, dad's calling us." Kankurou sighed and shrugged. "Stay here bro and be good." He ruffled Gaara's hair before trailing behind his sister who had already left.

Things were quite around the couch for awhile before Naruto decided it was getting a little too boring for him. "So you're Gaara?" He stared at the redhead still tugging at his tie.

"Yeah." Gaara muttered, trying in vain to undo the complicated knot around his neck.

"Your hair is red." Sakura pointed out.

Gaara rolled his eyes. "Are you stupid?" He asked. "And your hair is pink. Are we done now?"

A little boy with long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail atop his head frowned as he climbed onto the couch in front of Naruto, his bright, crystal eyes staring at Sakura's little body engulfed by the elaborate red dress. "Hey you, yeah." He spoke, his little voice filled with annoyance.

"Uh…Hi! You're sitting on my hand!" Naruto yelped, not at all happy that he was now squashed towards the back of the couch, almost hidden behind the large pillows.

Sakura pouted as she turned to look at the new boy; her long, pink tresses falling off her shoulder and onto her dress. "Yes…you." She stared back at him, both of them ignoring Naruto and his pleas to have his hand released.

"You're that crazy girl that likes tea parties." He stated, his little face scrunching up in a mixture of annoyance and fascination.

Sakura's eyes turned into slits. "I'm not crazy."

"Yeah?" He mocked, leaning forward. "I heard you and him," He pointed at Naruto, almost poking his eye out. "Had a tea party yesterday. In the snow. Weirdo!"

"Leave Sakura alone, Deidara!" Naruto yelled, climbing the couch in front of him. "Stop being mean you doo-doo-head!" With that said he pushed Deidara off the side of the couch.

"Ouch!" Deidara cried as he hit the ground. "You're mean!" He sniffed and rubbed his arm as he stared up at the two faces looming over him.

"Oh my-are you okay sweetie?" Sakura's mother swooped down and picked him up. "Are you hurt?"

"Naruto pushed me!" He squealed and started crying. "My hand hurts!"

Sakura's mother stared down at her daughter and Naruto in shock before hustling away with a crying Deidara in her arms.

"Wow…I like you Naruto." Gaara spoke for the first time since Deidara shoved his way in. "You really pushed him."

Sasuke sneered at the red head beside him. "Freak."

"Sakura, Nanny says its tea time!" A little girl with long blonde hair curled into large curls came running over, her knee length purple dress swishing about her short stubby legs. She rushed over to the couch and spread her short fingers over the cushion in an attempt to grab Sakura's legs. "Come on! I want cookies!"

"Ino stop!" Sakura kicked the little girl's hands away with a scowl. But then squealed in delight; it was tea time, her favorite time of the day. "Nanny won't start without me. It's my tea party." She stated, having stopped squealing.

"You're having another one?" Naruto asked, blinking his large eyes. "Can I come?"

"No!" Ino cried, pouting petulantly. "No boys allowed! Right Sakura?" She stared up at her friend as she carefully slid off the couch and onto the ground, her red puffy dress riding up to reveal the many petticoats and frilly bloomers.

Sakura nodded and looked up at her best friend. "I'm sorry Naruto. I promised Ino only girls." She apologized then skipped off with Ino, their elbows linked together as they shoved their way through the party guests; kicking shins and stepping on shoes as they went.

OOO

After all the wine was drunk, food eaten, and desserts devoured, and the kids all tuckered out, the party guests left with much praise to the Haruno's. Well, all except one very sour little blonde boy nursing a bruised arm and hiding in his adopted mother's skirts. For once Sakura's mother left everything up to her husband and escorted her daughter up to her bedroom, mentally preparing her speech.

"Mommy, where's Nanny?" Sakura looked around, waiting for her nanny that also doubled as her maid to come and take her to the bathroom. "I want to wear my pink night dress tonight."

Sakura's Mother bit her lower lip as she stood before her defiant daughter. She clutched the edge of her dress and breathed deeply before kneeling down in front of her, worry lines etching themselves onto her face. "Sakura, honey…" She began, folding her hands in her lap.

"What Mommy?" She asked, her tiny arms folded over her small chest, her chin tilted up not at all pleased with the fact that her mother was still here and her nanny was not.

Her Mother closed her eyes and tried to take her hand, only to have her pull away. "Sakura…please, try and be friends with Deidara."

Emerald eyes shot open in horror."Why?!" She screamed.

"Baby…"

"NO! He's mean! I don't like him!"

"Oh my, Sakura are you-Mrs. Haruno! My apologies ma'am." Sakura's nanny curtseyed and kept her eyes downcast having barged into an argument.

"Nanny!" Sakura cried and almost ran to her nanny but couldn't since her mother had grabbed her and held her back.

Just then the main door to her bedroom opened to reveal Mr. Haruno standing there. "What's going on in here?" He asked, taking in the scene of an upset wife, ruddy faced daughter and worried nanny.

"Honey," Sakura's mother began. "It's Sakura."

Sakura's father smiled a soothing smile at his daughter as he entered the room. "Are you okay sweetheart?" He asked gently, walking up to her, his arms open wide.

Pink hair swayed as she vigorously shook her head. "No! Daddy, Mommy's being mean!" She yelled.

"Oh?" He looked down at his wife, now sulking in the nursing chair.

"Yes!"

"Then I shall have a little chat with Mommy, okay?" He smiled and took his wife's hand and led her out of the room and into the hallway. "Darling what in the world are you doing?" He asked, leaning against the wall, an eyebrow raised at her.

His wife sighed and closed her tired eyes. "Apparently she hates Deidara."

"Hm?"

Dark eyes stared up into his face. "Hm?" She mimicked.

"Hm." He nodded, his eyes closed.

"That's all you can say? Hm?"

"Well darling, what can we do? If she doesn't like him she doesn't like him. Oh well."

"Oh well?"

"Oh well." He affirmed.

"This is her future we're talking about and all-"

He suddenly smiled and grabbed her shoulders and ran his hands gently up and down her arms trying to placate her. "Honey please, Sakura is only five years old. So what if we don't immediately set her up in an arranged marriage? We are the Haruno's. Our little girl can have her pick of the litter." She kissed her cheek. "Would it be so bad if we let her choose and she picks the Uzumaki's? Or the Uchiha's? They are just as good as us darling, why today I found out that the Uchiha's have just invested land in America and the Uzumaki's have made an investment into the Sabaku corporation."

"Sabaku?" His wife looked up at him in confusion. "I thought they all moved to America."

"They have, but the company president and his kids are in town for a few days. They were all at the party today didn't you speak with them?"

At that her eyes lit up. "Oh we must invite them over as soon as possible for dinner-or lunch! Whatever is-"

"Honey." He warned, not at all likening the growing glint in his wife's eyes. "What are you planning?"

"Their youngest son is only a year or two older than Sakura right?"

"I thought we agreed that-"

"Invite them over." She ordered and with a tired sigh, she hobbled up to the stairway. "Soon darling."

OOO