Hey everyone! Here's the ninth chapter of Twelve Days of Terror.

It's a little shorter than the other ones, but the next chapter is going to be longer. There isn't much drama wise that happens in this, but that's because the next chapter is filled with it.

In this chapter, Naruto is invited to be in the Uchiha's annual Christmas photo, and brings his own form of cheer into it.

THANK YOU to everyone who has faved/followed and an especially big THANK YOU to everyone who has reviewed, or continued to review. You guys make me very happy and I love hearing what you have to say.

I hope this isn't so bad you go into a coma from banging your head on a desk.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 9

Ninth Day of Christmas

On the ninth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me,

Nine Photographs Taken,

Eight Horses a Galloping,

Seven Snakes a Slithering,

Six Mistletoe a Hanging,

Five Christmas Trees,

Four Christmas Carols,

Three Purchased Books,

Two Disapproving Parents,

And His Douchebag Brother Itachi.

Naruto roared with laughter and Sasuke scowled furiously, flipping him the bird. "Shut up! Stop laughing at me, you loser!"

Mikoto grabbed Sasuke's hand and lowered it, giving him a soft slap to the back of his head in reprimand. "Sasuke Uchiha, do not use that gesture so blatantly in front of me."

Sasuke blushed at the scolding. "Yes, Mother." Naruto continued to chortle loudly, and Sasuke continued to fume. "Mother, make him stop..." Sasuke near whined. "He's making me angry."

Mikoto sighed, turning around and putting her hands on her skinny hips. "Naruto Uzumaki, if you don't stop deliberately irritating Sasuke you'll be standing outside in the snow for the rest of the day."

Full name, huh?

Naruto beamed. "Aw, you wouldn't do that, Mikoto, then I would miss being in the photo!"

"That would be no tragedy." Itachi contributed, watching the happenings with a congested expression. "I have no idea why you have even been invited to-"

"Itachi," Mikoto interrupted a little nervously. The times she had ever berated her eldest son seriously could be counted on one hand. Itachi had always been the perfect child. "You shouldn't be so disrespectful. Naruto has every right to be in our Christmas photo as you do."

Itachi pursed his lips, but did not say another word.

Sasuke knew his elder brother was not minding Mikoto; he was merely avoiding upsetting her. In a confrontation, physical or verbal, Itachi would always best the mother.

"The photographer should be here any minute..." Mikoto said, dabbing at Sasuke's cheek with the cotton ball. "Stay still, dear." She prompted, when Sasuke flinched.

"Are you sure you want me to be in the photo?" Naruto asked. He had been overjoyed when Mikoto had all but commanded that he feature in the Uchiha's Christmas photo, but now he was feeling a little nervous.

Every year, the Uchiha's would have a professional photograph taken in front of their Christmas tree, as per their own tradition.

Naruto had always scoffed at the formality. His family of course took many photos, but certainly didn't make such a big deal about it. Nor did they wear formal attire.

"Nonsense," Mikoto said flippantly, adjusting her flowing red gown. "The more the merrier. I was growing tired of having just Fugaku and I in the photographs."

One year, the couple had had the photographer digitally edit Sasuke and Itachi into the photograph. But it had looked fake, and Mikoto and Fugaku had decided to forego doing the same thing the next year.

"Okay." Naruto grinned widely. He was so happy, the fact that he was wearing a stiff black suit did nothing to hinder his joy, and he couldn't have cared less about how his red tie was somewhat cutting off the circulation in his neck. "Oh, that spot looks a bit patchy." Naruto commented, pointing to a spot on Sasuke's cheek were his purple bruise from the day before was peaking through Mikoto's layers of pale foundation.

"Shoot..." Mikoto bit her lower lip delicately as she concentrated, picking up a makeup brush and painting over it with utter care. "There..."

Naruto pressed his lips together hard, trying his hardest not to burst into laughter again. Sasuke was obviously seething, and he could see the white hot anger in Sasuke's dark eyes.

Mikoto had insisted on covering up the 'hideous' bruise that had taken up residence on Sasuke's face, and had attacked the bruise with her own personal set of makeup. It was lucky that Sasuke and she shared the same skin tone; otherwise Sasuke would have looked foolish.

As it was, however, Mikoto could have been a makeup artist if she so desired, and the only indication that there was a bruise underneath the layers of foundation was the slight unevenness of his flesh. And that could only be detected if you looked closely, or knew that the bruise was there.

Naruto looked down at his phone, trying to hide his smirk. If he continued smirking directly at his boyfriend, the man was going to lunge, and beat the shit out of him. Naruto unlocked his phone and logged into Facebook. He updated his status: Watching my boyfriend get his makeup applied for our photo shoot. Cutest thing ever! He completed it with a kissy face, and then logged back out.

He knew Sasuke was going to kill him later, but it was so going to be worth it.

He hoped.

"Done," Mikoto exclaimed finally, stepping back to admire her work. "You can barely tell it's there."

Sasuke looked in the mirror Mikoto held to his face with a grimace. "I would prefer for the bruise to be seen."

"And have it stand out in stark comparison in the photo? That would just ruin it." Mikoto walked over to the kitchen sink and began to wash her hands. "The photographer should be here any minute." She quipped, looking at the microwave clock. "Lillian should be finished with the preparations. I'll have her put away this makeup later." She then walked from the room, leaving the three males alone.

Sasuke glared at Naruto, and Itachi glared at Sasuke, the eldest man critical of the bruise decorating his brother's face. When Naruto had helped Sasuke into the house yesterday, both of them shivering and Sasuke looking as if he had been drugged, Naruto had narrowly avoided receiving a bruise of his own.

Itachi had thought Naruto had been responsible for the entire shenanigan, and even assumed Naruto had punched Sasuke, causing the bruise.

Naruto had been appalled and angry, but had held his tongue throughout Mikoto's explanation. Did he really come across as an abusive asshole?

Sasuke stood up from his seat, and adjusted his forest green tie, looking himself over critically in the discarded hand mirror. "I feel ridiculous."

"You don't look it." Naruto said, deciding to forego any mocking comments for the meanwhile. A self conscious Sasuke was a scary Sasuke. "You can't even tell you're wearing makeup."

"You wouldn't have to be wearing it if you hadn't been so foolish as to enter that outcropping of rocks." Itachi contributed needlessly, still with his eyes narrowed. "I don't know what made you think you could navigate throughout them."

"Oh, I don't know, maybe thirteen years of horse riding experience." Sasuke said, viciously sarcastic. "It wasn't by any fault of mine that I was hurt. Cocoa startled Ice, and I saved her from being kicked. If I hadn't taken the blow in her place, she would have been seriously injured."

"Self sacrificing Sasuke," Naruto smiled at his boyfriend fondly. "You're softer than you make yourself out to be."

"Or stupider..." Itachi grumbled to himself.

Before Sasuke could even begin to yell, Mikoto called out for them. "BOYS, the photographer has arrived! Come out here now!"

Naruto believed Itachi had barely dodged a bullet. After Sasuke's long hours of contemplation, he believed his boyfriend was completely prepared to give his elder brother a one for. But now wasn't the time, and Naruto understood that, no matter how much he was waiting for Itachi to finally get his comeuppance.

The three men exited the kitchen and Naruto grasped his boyfriend's hand in apology for his teasing earlier. He pressed a small kiss to Sasuke's palm, and Sasuke flushed in pleasure.

Itachi clenched his fists so hard Naruto swore he heard a bone crack.

Inside the vibrantly decorated lounge, there stood a weedy little man with an expensive professional canon camera and a shiny tripod. He was dressed in a suit of his own, but a brown coloured one, and he was rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "Hello, hello," He crowed enthusiastically when he noticed the three men's entrance. "Nice to see you all, it is. You look great, perfect, and can I just say," He turned to Mikoto with a crooked grin. "You age like a fine bottle of wine, Mrs. Uchiha."

Mikoto laughed good-humouredly. "It's the same flattery every year. You don't need to act so pretentious, Bert."

The newly dubbed 'Bert' deflated somewhat, but his smile remained pasted on. "You pay me enough for there to be excessive flattery, Mrs. Uchiha."

"Meet my sons." Mikoto gestured to the men, fluttering her fingers. "And my son's significant other."

Bert eyed the three of them carefully, analysing, and Naruto jumped when Bert leant upwards, and began running his fingers through his golden hair. "Just neatening up..." He said by way of explanation. "You're blonde, so I'm afraid you'll have to be the focal point in the photo. And with your eyes..." The photographer leant in uncomfortably close, and it was only Sasuke's hand at his back that prevented Naruto from stumbling back. "They'll definitely stand out." The man stepped back, and began herding Mikoto in the direction of the lavishly decorated Christmas tree. The lights were flickering on and off lazily, and the ornaments shone. "You stand here," Bert stationed Mikoto directly in front of the tree. As it was so tall, she did not block off much of it. "Fantastic. Now you," Bert reached for Itachi, but withdrew his hand back unsurely when Itachi looked at him sharply. "If you'd please stand to the right of your mother, leaving a space, Mr. Uchiha will be standing between you and her..."

"Where is he?" Sasuke swivelled his head around, trying to spot his father.

"Here." Fugaku's voice rang throughout the room, and the photographer simpered.

"Mr. Uchiha, you're looking as youthful as ever. Besides Mrs. Uchiha..."

Fugaku stomped forward, and settled at his wife's side grumpily. Without being asked, he took his wife's hand with the air of one who had been instructed to do so many times in the past.

Itachi moved slightly to the side to make a little more room for him, and Bert nodded approvingly. "Now, I assume you're the happy couple?" Bert said flamboyantly, looking between Naruto and Sasuke. He didn't wait for an answer before continuing. "This will be a bit tricky...considering there is an odd amount of people in this photo..."

"I've got an idea!" Naruto declared cheerily. He darted from the room, and returned quickly with Lillian, who was batting at Naruto's steering hand unhappily. "Lillian can be in the photo! She's technically part of the Uchiha family-"

She's sullen enough to fit in.

Naruto thought.

"-And that way, there won't be an odd amount of people."

"If Mrs. Uchiha approves..." Bert trailed off, waiting for Mikoto to nod. She did, and he grasped Lillian, placing her slightly behind the gathered Uchiha's. "What's your name?" He questioned Naruto.

"Naruto..." Naruto replied a little hesitantly.

"Okay, Naruto, I want you and Sasuke to stand beside each other." He jabbed a thumb to the centre of the gathered group.

Naruto and Sasuke walked hand in hand and stood perfectly between the assembled family.

Bert gave a thumbs up, and walked to his positioned camera. He looked through it, before tutting. "There still seems to be something missing..."

This time, it was Sasuke who left the room, and when he returned, it was with someone much cuter than Lillian.

He sat Cocoa down just in front of him and Naruto. "Sit."

The dog sat down, tail waggling as she looked around excitably. She gave a short few barks when she noticed the photographer, but otherwise obeyed Sasuke perfectly.

"This is wonderful!" The photographer crowed, focusing in on all of them. "You're going to love these photos, Mrs. Uchiha."

"I'm sure I will."

"Now, Naruto, take Sasuke's hand," Naruto gripped Sasuke's palm gently, glad that the blisters on his palm were finally almost healed. "Everyone look at the camera!" The gathered group all stared. "And, here we go!" There was a blinding snap, and spots danced in Naruto's vision. There was a silence as the photographer checked his photo. "Oh my...Naruto," He addressed the blonde haired man. "You were smiling."

"Aren't you supposed to smile?" Naruto asked confusedly.

"Not in Uchiha photos." Fugaku intoned. "We conduct ourselves in a proper manner."

"But it's a Christmas photo!" Naruto yelled, throwing his arms up in the air. "You're supposed to smile and be happy!"

"Not in our family." Fugaku said.

"You know, why don't we actually try smiling?" Mikoto suggested, thoughtful. "We have the same expressions every year, perhaps it would be refreshing to have us smiling."

"I agree." Sasuke said smoothly. "The loser just looks constipated when he tries not to smile."

"Hey!" Naruto pouted. "Mean..."

Mikoto gave a pretty smile, and gently shoved her husband. "You smile as well, darling."

Fugaku's eyebrows were furrowed, but he attempted a close lipped smile. He looked pained and scary, but it was a smile, no matter how forced.

Lillian's smile was wrinkled, and somewhat droopy.

Itachi's lips curled slightly at Mikoto's expectant look, and it was the same smile that adorned Sasuke's face.

Naruto's smile was impossibly wide and extremely bright, as if the sun was shining through him.

Bert snapped four photos in succession, and then gave a grin of his own. "Perfect! These shots wouldn't look out of place in a magazine! Naruto, has anyone ever approached you about becoming a model? Or tried to scout you?"

"No." Naruto said, a little surprised. "Never..."

"You could be a movie star!" Bert complimented, his eyes starry. "Well, I think we've got a good amount of photos. I'll edit the prime one and have it framed for you, as per usual, Mrs. Uchiha, and I'll put the rest on a USB."

"That was over fast." Naruto commented, running a hand through his slightly flattened hair. "Why don't we do a few more shots?"

"Why?" Itachi said, smile now absent.

"Because it's fun! Why don't we all pull some silly faces and do some funny poses!?" Naruto pulled Sasuke close, and lifted him up bridal style, crossing his eyes at the same time.

Itachi stepped forward, but Mikoto held up a halting hand. "I suppose..." She stuck out her tongue.

Naruto gave an encouraging smile. "That's good. Come on guys, do something funny!"

Fugaku and Itachi absolutely refused, but their forced smiles were practically humorous enough.

The next four photos Bert took featured Naruto striking stupid poses and pulling the most ridiculous faces Sasuke had ever seen, and Sasuke was extremely surprised when Mikoto continued to mimic these faces, and shell shocked when he noticed Lillian pulling at her stretches of skin. He himself picked Cocoa up and let himself be pulled and tugged by Naruto. The funniest photo would no doubt be the shot of Naruto pretending to scale the Christmas tree.

Bert clapped his hands. Nine photographs had been taken, and he was on a busy schedule. No doubt he had many wealthy families to take photographs for. "I'll have these photos done for you by no later than tomorrow afternoon, Mrs. Uchiha. I will have my assistant deliver them to you."

Mikoto shook Bert's hand firmly, and then the photographer was taking his leave, chattering to Naruto about him becoming a model all the while.

Sasuke despaired. Naruto's ego would only be more inflated now.

And indeed, that night Sasuke caught Naruto preening in front of the mirror and making muscles at himself.

As revenge, he posted his own status. I'm just watching my boyfriend practicing his modelling.

Sasuke then settled back on Naruto and he's bed. Tomorrow was the twenty third, and Itachi's party would take place. He needed to have a good nights sleep to prepare himself mentally for whatever may happen.

...Facebook? I have no idea. It's a modern Fanfic, so I guess it only makes sense for me to picture Naruto and Sasuke functioning the same way as other people in a modern society.

Next chapter is going to have Itachi's big party. Can anyone guess what guests are going to be attending?

There is also going to be the big confrontation in the next chapter. So prepare yourself for the drama.

Another THANK YOU to everyone.

I hope you're having a good day/night wherever you are!