In The Locket

by Aristane Lale

Warning- Future BoyxBoy. Don't like, don't read; I'm not forcing you to. OOC.

Disclaimer-

Ari: Why do we do these? It's not like we don't know who Naruto belongs to.. obviously a girl name Aristane right?

Nile: *Sigh* And that's how you sued…

Ari: Sued for what? My computer? Ipad? I'm sure Kishimoto-sensei has one already. I have like 10 pennies in the change jar, but other than that I really own nothing.

Nile: Subtle

Ari: ...Well… maybe Eren, ya?

Nile: *Sigh* Stupid.

Dear Readers,

Chapter 4 has been redone. Sorry about that chapter, I really have no idea what I was thinking and was meaning to re-write it for a while, but it became a choice between a new chapter or a redone chapter 4. And the Christmas shopping part 2: I'm skipping it for now, I just couldn't get my thoughts together. I figured let's go on with the story! Sorry for the wait!

Things that kept me from writing:

1. Homework is a bitch

2. My best friend had a miscarriage

3. I moved.

4. I got a kitten. (Named her Ayako)

Thanks Guys,

Ari

My birthday was on October 11th guys, reviews are the best presents! They also keep the story going!

XXXX

And when those blue snowflakes start falling

That's when those blue memories start calling

You'll be doin' all right with your Christmas of white

But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

- Elvis Presley, Blue Christmas

XXXX

Chapter 7: Christmas for You and I

"Gaara, come on! I wanna go home!" A long haired redhead whined at her friend who was looking at the new manga releases. She never found them interesting, preferring words to pictures.

"Alright, alright. I'm coming, you brat." He sighed, she was so needy.

They started walking past the busy stores and enter in the more dangerous part of town. It was quicker to get home through there.

"You know Kyuubi, I don't have to walk home with you. I would much rather be at the bookstore right now." He said shrugging his shoulders and walking ahead.

"Kyuubi?" He asked when he didn't get a reply, looking back he saw her stopped at an alleyway looking at something.

"Gaara, look at him." She pointed.

Teal eyes focused to the point that was shown and saw a boy; no older than he was, with blond hair soiled with dirt and bloody was fighting five highschoolers who been known to cause trouble. And to Gaara's surprise, winning. They both stayed watching the dark angel beat the others to a bloody pulp with their hearts thumping in their chest. When he was done the boy spat out the leftover blood and turned to the two bystanders.

"Who the fuck are you?" The boy glared.

Both redheads shared the same thought:

He was beautiful.

"Mom?" Sasuke walked into the kitchen, seeing his mother in a daze while washing the two coffee cups left behind, by who she assumed was her oldest son and Deidara.

"Oh, Sasuke. Merry Christmas!" She asked turning off the running faucet and wiping her hands on a paper towel.

"Merry Christmas Mom, how's everything?" Sasuke asked, it was a big day of work ahead.

"I'm good Sasu, where's Naruto? He's usually right behind you." Mikoto giggled, looking past her baby for the blond man.

"Oh, he slept in, I sent Tobi and Madara after him." Sasuke smirked.

"How heartless of you Otouto, god bless Naruto's sleeping soul." Itachi yawned sleepily, his hair frizzy from the absence of a morning shower.

"Shhh, quiet!" The older twin put a finger this lips, silently opening the door, revealing a queen size bed with a bit of blond hair popping up from the sheets.

"W-wait, T-tobi should we be doing this?" Madara asked putting his hands over his face, guiltily.

"Uncle Sasuke said it was okay, so it's fine!" Tobi giggled.

"A-alright. Let's just get this over with.." Madara grimaced.

The twins slowly crept up the either side of the bed, ready to pounce on the count of three, "One!"

"Two…"

"THREE!" Tobi finished as both boys jumped on Naruto's stomach, repeatedly, like a small dog having his owner come home.

"Ufh...urg. What are you two doing?" Blue eyes opened to two excited children.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Tobi cheered, throwing his arms in the air.

"Merry christmas…" Madara blushed, burying his head in Naruto's chest. Naruto's eyes narrowed in his sleepy state, the action of Madara reminded him of Ever.

A deep throaty chuckle escaped in rumbles through Naruto's chest, "Merry Christmas to you too."

The smile the elder showed made both little boys blush in happiness, but this distracted them from the two tan hands that came in for an attack, "Hahah! Hah s-stop! Nar-uto! Heh." Both boys laughed trying to fend off the tickling fingers.

Finally breaking free after a few minutes both boy made an escape, panting Tobi called over his shoulder, "J-just hurry and come down for the opening of our s-stockings!"

Naruto chuckled again for the last time, while getting on a shirt. He could smell the warm food through the door that the boys left open. As he went down stairs there was only one thing in his mind, finding Ever. Naruto could hear Fugaku and Kakashi talking as he slipped down the stairs and passed the living room into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Naruto-kun!" Mrs. Uchiha welcomed with a warm voice, setting a plate down filled with warm bacon and pancakes.

"I see you scared off the twins." Itachi said sitting on the counter, taking a sip from his coffee. Naruto laughed a bit, shaking his head while his hair waved back and forth gently.

"Tachi, get your bum off my counter." Mikoto tsked, dishing the rest of the breakfast onto plates to serve.

"Naru-kun if you're looking for baby Uchiha he's outside with Kashi's dogs, yeah." Deidara said picking up a plate.

Naruto simply smiled a bit and waved his thanks, walking straight to the door. Opening the screen he saw Sasuke playing fetch with Kakashi's dogs, Pakkun and Bull. The wind blew and his breath caught at the sight before him, Naruto watched the snow glisten in blue locks and admired the scarlet color in his cheeks from the cold. He stood there appreciating the smile that played on the raven's lips, but as if sensing the stare of blue, Sasuke turned his head spotting the blond gazing.

"Sending the kids to do your dirty work? Tsk, tsk, Ever." Naruto crossed his arms, leaning on the door way.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I did no such thing." Sasuke laughed, walking up the stairs, stomping the snow off his boots.

Naruto chuckled and pulled Ever into an embrace, "You're freezing. Ever, how long were you playing in the snow?"

Sasuke blushed, looking up at Naruto's face that was inching towards his own, as if in a trance. His eyes fell into the endless blue that wasn't letting him go anytime soon. "N-not very long." He stammered in a whisper, shivers ran down his spine and they were not from the cold.

"Oh? But look at your nose, it's as red as Rudolph's." Naruto and Sasuke's lips were inches apart, just a few centimeters and they would k-

"Aachoo!" Suddenly Sasuke was pulled tighter into a hug as Naruto turned his head away to sneeze.

"Fuck," he sniffled, "damn dogs." Naruto looked down when he felt a squirming in his arms.

"I, um, uh gonna go see if Mom wants anything!" Sasuke said in one big breath, escaping through the door. He ran away leaving Naruto out in the cold.

"Sigh."

So close.

The air was crisp, chilling the bone slightly. White sparkles reflected in the porch light left behind from the long departed storm clouds. Crunching of snow could be heard as the last guests arrived to the Uchiha adone. A large sliver of light came through the open door, and a welcome was said from the Uchiha Mistress.

"I'm so happy you came!" The ravenette hugged the blue eyed brunette close.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" She exclaimed excitedly, a grunt came behind them from her husband.

"Did I tell you? Tomoe canceled last minute." She said with a huff, ushering them in.

"Why? What's more important than Christmas with family and friends."

"Apparently a girl, Karura!" She giggled, covering her small mouth with her right hand.

"Oh my!" Karura Sabaku laughed along with her friend. Her husband long ago passing them to find the men for a drink.

"Oh, where's Gaara? He should be here, shouldn't he?"

"Ah, he said he'd be late. He's been living in America, you know. Flights are so iffy there."

"Oh! That's right. For the past four years correct?"

"Yes, he's such a smart boy. Scholarship and all. Doesn't need his mother anymore…" She sighed sorrowfully.

"Who doesn't need his mother?" A voice came from behind.

"Oh my! Gaara!" Kurura turned to hug her son.

"Hello Mother. Good evening Mrs. Uchiha," He nodded to the lady of the house.

He was being avoided.

Naruto was sure of it. Ever since their almost-not-so-much kiss, Sasuke has been purposely running away.

He was frustrated.

It felt like he was back to square one… again. God surely is cruel. Why couldn't his Ever be easier to obtain? Oh thats right. Because he's Naruto's Ever, and nothing will ever go smoothly for Naruto Uzumaki. Nothing. But then again, wouldn't that make his life boring?

Another sigh escaped his perfect lips.

He was embarrassed.

His heart wouldn't calm down. Naruto almost kissed him, he was going to kiss him. Sasuke Uchiha was going to be kissed by Naruto Uzumaki. But why? Was it just a caught up in the moment situation? Christmas feel? He was sure there was no mistletoe. Did Naruto like Sasuke?

Sasuke shook his head. Of course not. The latter was close to impossible. How can Naruto like him? He isn't anything special. But somehow he knew that wasn't the issue. Why does he care so much about a kiss? Its not like it was going to be his first kiss. But is was definitely a kiss… with Naruto. Wait, is his heart so out of control because he's in lo-

"Sasuke." A voice whispered in his ear.

Sasuke whipped his head around, and a gasp left his lips.

"Gaara!"

"Hello there, Sasuke." He purred. Green eyes rolling up and down the long body. Uchihas' certainly age like fine wine, the older the better.

"I didn't know you were home." Sasuke said, rolling his eyes at his friend. Yes, he knew he was being checked out.

"Heh, just for today, I heard you brought a friend?" Gaara smiled fondly.

"Ah, yep. I meet him in college." Sasuke smiled, looking being the redhead and seeing a blond approaching.

"Gaara..what are you doing here?" A voice came from behind the redhead.

Gaara stilled, could it be?.. He slowly turned around, his breath catching.

"Naruto." Gaara breathed.

"Gaara." Naruto smiled, it was was a sad kind of smile that made Sasuke's heart ache.

"Naruto, you know Gaara? You're friends?" Sasuke asked, though he was a bit timid to ask.

"You could say that." Gaara mused.

"Mhm." Naruto hummed.

"Well Sasuke, you'll have to excuse us, I need to talk to your boyfriend. It's been a while since we've seen each other and I'm afriad catching up is in order." Gaara smiled teasingly.

"Boyfriend?... Hey! He's not my boy-"

Naruto gave Gaara a disapproving look, but chuckled softly. Ruffling the soft black hair, Naruto nodded to the door.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, coming home for christmas."

"Even a child wouldn't believe that." Naruto rolled his blue eyes.

"True." Gaara and Naruto chuckled.

Minutes passed simply basking in each other, "How are you Naruto?"

"I'm well, better really. How... have you've been?"

"Mhm… okay. I went back and you were gone. Kyuubi said you left for Japan, why?"

"Well... I needed the changed... it was getting too... heavy. You were gone, and I... I was so lonely." Naruto whispered the last part and took out a cigarette. He didn't like thinking about the past.

"Naruto… I'm- I see." Gaara looked away. He couldn't apologize, he didn't deserve the forgiveness his friend would undoubtedly give him.

"Yeah." Naruto took a huff.

"I saw her. Kyuubi, I mean. She's not in good shape." Gaara grimaced as he thought of his friend.

"I figured, but she'll get over it. She's strong."

"I'm not so sure..."

Sasuke looked around, everyone had long ago gone home and off to bed. The Christmas magic was wearing thin, and Sasuke had not seen Naruto since he left with Gaara. Honey eyes landed on the Christmas tree, where under it was a single present wrapped in orange and gold. He never got a chance to give it to him. What a waste. He slowly walked up to the gift and picked it up, going off to the kitchen, unwrapping it. Warm soft silky cotton slipped through his figures, the orange-gold color sparkled in the low light of the red fire.

A sneeze brought him out of his musings, he looked out the back door and found a blond sitting out in the cold. Sasuke briefly wondered how long he'd been their. Taking a big gulp, here's his chance to give the present, but his nerves were getting to him.

He opened the door, feeling the freezing cold wind. Quietly creeping behind the blond, who seemed to be in a daze looking up at the sky, and wrapped the scarf around the bronze neck. Naruto felt a warm sensation and looked up to see the object of his affections smiling.

"Ever... what's this?" He touched the smooth fabric around his neck.

"Your present." Sasuke stated, taking a seat by Naruto on the porch.

"Oh? Thank you Ever, and here I thought you were avoiding me." Naruto teased lightly.

Sasuke blushed as Naruto pulled him closer for warmth, "I would never."

"Mhm, I beg to differ." He laughed, knowing full well that he was right. They stayed there for a while until Sasuke started yawning.

"Time for bed," Naruto smiled.

Another yawn escaped Sasuke's mouth, "I think you're right." He let Naruto pull him upstairs.

"Oh Ever, I forgot. Close your eyes." Naruto said, rummaging through his Jean pocket, watching Sasuke obliged his order.

He took out the necklace and clasped it around his neck. And on a simple whim he kissed the white nose in front of him. In fascination he watched the pink in his cheek creep to Sasuke whole face.

"I-I um... you.. uh." Sasuke looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Goodnight Ever." Naruto walked away to his room.

In shock Sasuke whispered, "You kissed my nose!"

XxXx

Forgive me for being so late. The next one will be quicker. Pinky promise.