The snow crunched loudly under Sasuke's boots, his breath billowing in icy clouds—it was winter in Kusa and it was freezing.

Not that Sasuke felt the cold. Under his woolen cloak, he was sweating like it was August, but not because his shinobi-issued winter gear was so efficient. It was because of…

Sakura giggled and his eyes slid to her. She was shushing through the snow, kicking up glittering puffs and laughing when it blew back into her face. Another wave of heat burned his skin when the sun glinted off the ice on her lashes, making her eyes seem rimmed with crystal.

Today, he thought. I have to ask her today.

For weeks now, Sasuke formulated strategies on how best to ask Sakura on a date only to be defeated by insecurity, embarrassment, and circumstance each time. All of his carefully rehearsed speeches were choked in his throat when Sakura would smile. Or he'd manage to grunt out a few words and then a patient or a certain teammate would interrupt. But today, he would find a way to get her alone and ask.

Today.

Today they were freezing their asses off in the Kusa winter on a mission—assist with the preparations for Grass Country's Snow Festival. It was crappy and D-ranked and probably best handled by genin, but Sasuke thought he'd do a million D-ranked missions with Sakura...and then swiped his hand down his face, wondering when he'd become so pathetically lovesick.

"Sasuke-kun?" He looked up as Sakura's hand wrapped around his elbow. "When we're finished, would you help me through the Ice Maze?"

"Ice Maze?"

She leaned in closer, directing his gaze with a pointed finger, never letting go of his arm. He pretended not to see where she was pointing for a few seconds longer, just so she'd stay close.

"Nah, Sakura-chan. Sasuke doesn't want to do girly stuff like that. That maze is stupid. It's for kids." Naruto punched Sasuke's shoulder. "Right, idiot?" Sasuke's teeth ground together. "He'd much rather do the ski jump with me." He nodded at Sakura as if the matter was settled and then grabbed her wrist. "Anyway, I need your crazy strength to set up these fences. Sasuke, see if you can get the lights ready. They should be behind the food stands. If we finish early, we'll help you string them." With that he dragged Sakura down the street, leaving Sasuke dazed and frustrated.

Stupid D-ranked mission.

Sasuke spooled off a length of lights and attached them to a pole bordering the road. He landed lightly and walked to the next pole, chakra-climbing fifteen feet up and tacking them.

Stupid winter.

Naruto had stolen the only thing that made all the cold, boring hours of this mission bearable.

Stupid moron.

The familiar burn of revenge bubbled in his gut as an evil smirk slanted his mouth. He had a new plan.

Sakura repositioned the last bench in the row and dusted off her hands.

"Finished. Finally."

"Ready for that Ice Maze then?"

She straightened and saw Sasuke, arms crossed, leaning against a wall as if he'd been waiting for her the whole time. The smile that spread across her face couldn't be tamped down if she tried. When she approached, he stuck out his elbow ever so slightly for her to hold as they walked—Sakura thought she couldn't possibly be any happier.

"You finished all the lights?"

Sasuke nodded.

"And Naruto doesn't have any more jobs for us?"

He shook his head no.

"Wow. That's a shock. I thought he was going to work us until the festival was over. He's taking this team captain thing a bit too seriously, don't you think?"

He nodded again and chuckled clouds of icy breath.

"I wonder where he ran off to…"

Naruto smelled the mouth-watering scent of ramen as he rose toward consciousness.

Mmm…maybe I'll get a bowl of pork ramen for breakfast. Wait…breakfast?!

His eyes snapped open as he remembered Team Seven and their mission to Kusa. Had he been captured by enemy shinobi? Memories slowly seeped back into his brain.

Memories of helping Sasuke with the lights.

Of his teammate's odd smile as he handed him a coiled strand.

Of blue light and Sasuke's voice in his ear—That's the last time you walk away with her.

Naruto twisted and found himself wrapped in blinking, white lights, his hitai-ate tied firmly over his mouth. Worst of all, he was hanging upside-down over the ramen shop, inhaling the tantalizing smells, but unable to get to them.

"I wonder where he ran off to…"

He stopped wriggling at the sound of Sakura's voice. Suddenly, his two teammates came around the corner arm-in-arm.

"Last I saw, he was hanging around the ramen stand," Sasuke said, a sinister grin curling his lips as his eyes met Naruto's.

"Typical," Sakura scoffed as she slipped her arm further through Sasuke's and snuggled closer.

So, here it is...the infamous Fairy Lights story. I don't know why this was so hard to write, but I really want to thank you all for being so inspiring! Unicorn Paige especially for reading this over when I was ready to throw it out and talking me in off the ledge...as usual.

Okay...one more story and that's it for Bingo!