The Best Christmas Present
Little Tasuki has a wish. This Christmas… he wants to see and know who his parents really are.

Disclaimer: Di ko pagmamay-ari ang Naruto./I don't own Naruto.
Please review... I'll be narrowing down the number of possible parents every chappie... Requests, anyone?

Chapter 1: Favoritism?

"Tasuki! Tasuki!" Tenten called around, looking for the dark-haired boy. "Come down and eat! Everyone else are in the mess room!"

Tasuki squished himself inside the toy chest. He took a deep breath and shut himself into the darkness. Heart pounding, he heard his sensei's footsteps getting nearer.

"TASUKI!!"

He heard a soft padding of little feet.

"Um… Tenten-sensei, I think he's in there."

Tasuki ground his teeth. That brat. He always point on him. He felt the lid lift. Blinking furiously in the sudden brightness, he struggled to get away from Tenten's grip.

"Tasuki! What are you doing in there?!" Tasuki looked away from his sensei. He could feel her getting angry. "I don't want to be with them. I want to be alone."

Tenten sighed. The boy is getting on her nerves. No wonder Hinata got stressed and has taken a leave, leaving Tsunade to appoint the kunoichi with spare time to take Hinata's post in the orphanage. And with Sakura busy in the hospital and Ino having a flower shop to attend to, Tenten had to accept the temporary position. Looking at the boy, she released him and kneeled, trying to catch his eye. "Tasuki, do you have something to tell me? Something troubling you?" Since Tenten arrived a month ago, she noticed the boy is different than the rest. There is something about him I couldn't place…

Tasuki scowled. "Before I tell you anything, I want Ryu out."

Tenten glared at the particular boy. "Out!" Ryu instantly scampered and disappeared. Just talk about Tenten and her commanding skills…

"What is it, Tasuki?" She asked more kindly, smiling gently at the little boy.

"Something's been troubling me…"

"…" Tenten listened patiently. Tell what, the boy looks REALLY cute when he's flustered… the jet-black hair, limegreen eyes, and chubby cheeks…

"Sensei, how come the others know their parents but I don't? How come they were told of their parents' background and I'm not?"

Tenten gave Tasuki a knowing look before continuing. "Well, there is a better time for you to know. How about I give you a private training tomorrow morning, huh? If you beat me, I'll tell you." Yeah, right. As if a kid can beat the weapons mistress… but perhaps Tenten will go easy. You guessed it right: Tasuki's her all-time favorite pupil.

"Really?" The boy's eyes were now shining with delight. "You will?"

"Of course."

The following morning, Tasuki was taken to Konoha Hospital for emergency treatment. Sigh Tenten sure is cruel. Four broken ribs, a fracture and a handful of wounds and bruises – the child looked like he was from war.

"TENTEN-SENSEI!!!!!!!!! YOU CHEATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The weapons mistress can be seen grinning from ear to ear as Tsunade shot her a disapproving look.

"I'm never assigning you to jobs concerning children again…"

YEY!!! SO HERE ARE THE CANDIDATES FOR TASUKI'S FATHER:

Chouji – Tasuki's chubby cheeks… remember?
Shikamaru – black hair
Naruto – where does Tasuki get his energy?
Sasuke – black hair… cuteness
Shino – black hair… again
Lee – black hair… again (sigh)
Neji – dark hair… cuteness
Gaara – eyes
Kankuro – chubbiness