Hey guys. Few things : 1) Sorry for this shortish update. meh. I'll update again maybe tommorow or, well, soon, to make up for it :P 2) I'm going to safely assume that in canon, Naruto, Sasule, and the gang, are not christians. I'd assume they're shinto, or buddhist, or perhaps both or nothing, but religion plays no part in the series (Besides Hidan's cult) and, as I've decided against the suffix system in this story, it can safely be assumed that they are living in America here. Now, there's no inclination that they'd be christians even if they were raised here, but, for fear of seriously fucking up traditions with religions i'm not so familiar with, they will be celebrating Christmas during this story. I am not trying to alienate other religious beliefs/belief systems/atheists, but, let's be real - i need an excuse for Sasuke to continue his cute 'friendly' behavior and I know Christmas best ) Sorry if that's not okay. if you're particularly offended, drop a comment and I'll be sure to make some of the side characters different religions, even if mentioned in passing :)

When Naruto came to, he found Sasuke sitting at his desk scribbling away at something. Disorientated, Naruto mumbled out, "What time is it?"

"Around four thirty."

"In the afternoon?"

"Morning."

"Why the hell are you up?"

"Oh, I don't know," Sasuke replied monotone, "Maybe I was worried for a certain blonde who decided to go ice skating in a blizzard."

Naruto rubbed his eyes, "Huh?"

"If he thought he was on thin ice earlier, he's on thinner ice now," Sasuke refused to look up from whatever he was working on, "He nearly gave me a heart attack today."

Naruto finally started to come to, remembering everything that had happened. He looked at Sasuke, startled by the fact that his friend could sit there so calmly when he knew Naruto owed his life to him – and this would be twice now.

"I'm so sorry, Sasuke."

Sasuke lifted his head from what he was intently writing to look at Naruto, who seemed desperately apologetic. He had never heard Naruto sound so… afraid. He really wondered what was going through the blonde's head: Especially at times like these, when those blue eyes burned with fear and yet wetly glossed like glass.

Sasuke stood, placing down his pen and shutting his notebook, and walked over to Naruto's bed. He stared down at the blonde, and for a long time, that's all he did. Their eyes met and Sasuke tried to figure the best way to phrase this to the blonde whose expression was frightening to him. He was tense when he spoke, "I'm only going to say this once, Naruto."

Sasuke knelt to be eye level with his blue eyes, ensuring Naruto would understand, "I did what I did because I care for you. You shouldn't be sorry for that. Don't be sorry for anything, unless you hurt and don't tell me. Do you understand?"

"But-"

"Naruto, I know you're not the brightest, but that was a yes or no question."

"I could have killed you by bringing you onto the ice. Or gotten you sick because you gave my your jacket. And I wasted your time by-"

"First of all," Sasuke was determined to get this in his skull, "You never waste my time. If you did, I wouldn't associate with you. You should know this. Secondly, a part of me would have died if you died, especially when I felt to blame. So don't-"

"You would have felt… to blame?"

His eyes trained to the wall - suddenly it was just fascinating, "I didn't know you were going skating. I would have told you you were stupid. I also should have followed you sooner."

"I went onto the ice to…" Naruto looked at his hands, "It would have been solely my fault."

"Would have, could have, it doesn't matter," Sasuke placed a hand on the blonde's head, "If you so wish, your apology has been accepted. Though it wasn't needed. Now, go back to sleep."

Naruto watched through tired eyes as Sasuke sat back at the desk, opening his notebook and resuming his work. He wasn't sure why, but Sasuke's words had broken his thick skin. You never waste my time. A part of me would have died if you died. I did what I did because I care for you.

"Hey grandpa," Naruto held the phone close to his ear, talking quietly. Naruto only called home every once in awhile, but this was a special occasion, "I didn't get a plane ticket for home yet."

"Naruto…" His grandfather's hoarse voice was hesitant, "Do you want that to be your present?"

"What?"

It was getting very close to break, and as it neared and the holiday spirit kicked in, they allowed themselves to forget the terrible incident that had recently occurred. No major damage was done, and though Naruto felt more in debt than ever, he was able to focus on other things. Like going home.

"I… Don't have money for a gift and a plane ticket right now. I'm so sorry to put that on you-"

"I'll take the plane ticket over the gift," Naruto twirled the cord on his finger, "It's been awhile, grandpa."

"But you're doing good, right?"

"Yes," Naruto neglected to mention the near death experience a few days ago, "I'm fine. Just… seeing you is enough of a present for Christmas."

"If that's what you want," He spoke, "I'll make arrangements to bring you home for vacation then. Keep working hard, Naruto."

"Will do," He smiled sadly, "Goodnight."

Naruto placed the phone on the hook, curling under the blankets. His grandfather worked three jobs to pay his tuition yet his pay didn't even cover a full month of meals (there's that one day gap) and was starting to wane on covering travel expenses. Naruto hugged his knees as he let it out for once, since Sasuke had fallen asleep ahead of him for the first time in a while and he didn't fear opening his screwed shut eyes to find the dark, curious gaze on him. Or perhaps concerned? Naruto couldn't really think of how Sasuke would look right now. His life was strained and he was tired, tired of the unfair conditions and ridiculous poverty he lived in.; He stared at the barren plum tree and wondered if the flowers would begin to bloom before he returned.

Sasuke lay in his bed, eyes fixated on the quietly sobbing Naruto across the room. He wouldn't even get a Christmas gift this year? Of all the 'good' kids in the world, Naruto would easily be considered one of the best. He deserved it more than any one. He was… Well, Santa Claus, in all his fake glory, would just have to make a stop there. He would have to.