Chapter XI. "January"

When Naruto awoke and checked on Sasuke Christmas Day he was a little startled. Sasuke had been awake and there was a love-struck smile on his face. Instead of the photo, Sasuke was gazing dreamily at a little wooden locket. Naruto had never seen the locket before. He noticed a piece of paper beside Sasuke's head over the photo.

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked, in hopes of getting a response.

"Hm…"

Naruto felt his heart warm. It wasn't a word but at least it was some form of response.

"Where did you get that?" he asked, daring to try for words.

"He sent it to me," Sasuke replied, never looking away from the locket.

Naruto smiled at the spoken answer. Sasuke was getting better! He had to be! Naruto glanced at the piece of paper.

"Is that paper from him?" he asked.

"Mmhm."

Naruto wandered to that side of the bed and picked the paper up.

"Would you mind?" Naruto asked him.

"No."

Naruto read that it was a letter from Itachi. He skimmed through the personal, romantic stuff but read carefully about Itachi's suspicions of Akatsuki. Naruto bit his lip. This news troubled him. If Akatsuki set Itachi up that may mean he wouldn't be able to return to Konoha. Naruto felt like he should go to Tsunade and share Itachi's suspicions. But then Naruto remembered that Tsunade thought Itachi was a traitor. She would think it was a trick. Naruto's teeth ground together and his hand clenched into a fist around the letter. How could they think he was a traitor? If they could read this letter and realize how Itachi felt through the memories he recalled, then maybe they wouldn't consider him a traitor. Or, knowing Tsunade, she'd find a way to make the letter sound threatening. Then again, Naruto didn't know how that was possible. It was awfully sappy.

"Hey, Sasuke?"

"Mmhm."

"Would you mind if I borrowed this letter he sent you?"

For the first time that month, Sasuke actually made eye contact with him. His eyes were full of distress.

"If you don't want me to take it then I won't. Its not that important."

Sasuke bit his lip, his eyes glued to the letter in Naruto's hand.

"I'd prefer you didn't…"

"No problem. It is addressed to you."

Naruto handed him the letter and Sasuke seemed much more relieved when it was back in his hands.

"Did you sleep okay?" Naruto asked, trying to keep a conversation.

He had to keep Sasuke talking. He didn't want to lose him again. Naruto noticed a smile on Sasuke's face and he looked back at the locket.

"Yeah," he answered.

"Did you dream about him?" Naruto had to ask.

"Yeah."

"Good! Uh…"

Naruto searched for something else to talk about.

"So…its Christmas Day! Everyone's been really worried about you. I'm sure you got tons of presents."

"That's nice."

Naruto realized that the only gift that matter to Sasuke was the one Itachi sent.

"Sakura's coming later. It would make her happy if you talked to her."

"Mmhm…"

Naruto sighed. Now he was to entranced by the locket to speak.

Damn you Itachi.

But there was a smile on Naruto's face as he thought it.

.:AlL tHoSe PrEcIoUs SeCoNdS:.

"Naruto! Its us!" Sakura called through Sasuke's apartment door.

Naruto let them in and Sakura noticed a much happier atmosphere in the little apartment. She turned to Naruto with a questioning gleam in her eyes. Naruto didn't seem to catch her glance.

"Naruto, did something happen?" she asked.

"Mmhm," Naruto replied like Sasuke had to him.

Sakura clenched her fist but restrained herself from pounding the answers out of him.

"Okay Naruto. Enough silence. What went on?" Kakashi asked for her.

Naruto knew better than to toy with Kakashi. He sent him a glare for ruining his fun but it was quickly replaced with a smile.

"Itachi sent him a gift last night."

Sakura's spirits lifted.

"How is he?" she immediately asked.

"Better. He's happier and he spoke a little this morning."

"Why didn't you call us?"

Sakura was enraged that Naruto didn't call them the second he got a response from Sasuke. Naruto braced himself for an enraged Sakura drawl. At least Itachi's gift was making Sasuke better. She could bitch and complain that she hadn't been the first to hear from him all she wanted. It didn't matter to Naruto. All that matter was Sasuke.

"Can I see him?" she asked instead of going on and on about Naruto's lack of responsibility.

Naruto glanced at Sakura and saw that longing look in her eyes as she gazed at the bedroom. Naruto noticed that since Sasuke's depression, Sakura's taunting had lessened and she fussed over Sasuke more than she did before. Naruto wasn't sure if it was out of love or not but he figured he'd just leave it until Sasuke got better.

"Go ahead," Naruto answered her. "I don't know if he'll talk to you or not but you can try."

Without another word Sakura headed for the bedroom. Naruto hadn't been lying. Sasuke did look much better. There was a dreamy smile on his face as he gazed at the locket in his hands. She guessed that must have been Itachi's gift.

"Um, hey Sasuke," she tried in hopes of being as lucky as Naruto.

She heard a small grunt in reply. Well, it was better than nothing. She noticed the mistletoe and cross Ino had put up were still there.

"How'd you sleep?" she asked, remembering how Ino had said the mistletoe might bring him dreams of Itachi.

"Fine," Sasuke replied.

Sakura smiled at the sound of his voice. She had missed that sound and she had feared that she'd never hear it again. It was only a tiny peep but it was enough to make Sakura happy. She decided not to push to hard for more. She'd let him come back on his terms, not her's.

"If you need us we'll be out here," she simply said and left to join Naruto and Kakashi on the couch.

Kakashi looked at her expectantly.

"Naruto's right. He is getting better."

"That's good," Kakashi sighed.

Though he tried hard to hide it, Sakura could see that her sensei was exhausted. Between training them regularly, training himself for a possible war, keeping a lookout for Akatsuki, and worrying about Sasuke's condition, he barely had time for himself. Sakura had noticed that he carried his infamous orange book around less and less and he was earlier to their lessons than he normally was. Itachi's departure, or "betrayal" as Tsunade called it, had hit Kakashi hard. He blamed himself for the pain that departure caused Sasuke. He hated that he let his guard down around Itachi. But Sakura thought she had something to cheer up Kakashi.

"So!" she started suddenly. "Its Christmas Day! That means presents! Here you go boys!"

She handed Kakashi a small, wrapped rectangle and Naruto an envelope. They looked at the gifts stunned. Sakura had gotten them something? Sakura had gotten them something!? Sakura only bought gifts for Sasuke!

"Come on! Open them!" she ordered.

Fearing that if they didn't open them she'd take them back, they tore into the gifts. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and they couldn't pass it up. No way! Kakashi's gift was the next book in the "Make-Out" saga and Naruto's was two gift card to Ichiraku Ramen.

"Wow! Thanks a million Sakura!" Naruto said, fascinated with his cards.

"Wouldn't they ask questions about a little girl buying an adult novel?" Kakashi asked, flipping through the pages of his new book.

"I told them it was a gag gift."

"Smart girl."

She smiled at the compliment but was unbelievably sad inside. She had bought Sasuke a gift as well but had purposely left it at home. She thought he wouldn't want it. She hadn't expected any change in his behavior. It was a nice Christmas present to be able to see Sasuke smile and hear his voice. Sure she could go back and get his gift but she knew that he was to mesmerized by his locket to accept her gift. Itachi was returning in Spring and Sasuke's birthday was in the Summer. Maybe she'd give him the gift for his birthday rather than right now for Christmas. He'd be happier when Itachi was home. Then she'd give him his gift.

.:AlL tHoSe PrEcIoUs SeCoNdS:.

The last days of December dwindled away. New Year's Eve was approaching. Sasuke sat in his bedroom alone, clutching the locket and staring at the digital clock on his bedside table. He bit his lip, dreaming about how he and Itachi would have spent New Year's. They would have spent the night home despite Naruto and Sakura's attempts to drag them out to party. They would spend their New Year's quietly and romantically. They would have a nice, candlelit dinner and then wait for midnight and kiss the second the clock changed. Sasuke was sure Itachi would have found more romantic things for them to do along with dinner and kisses. But Itachi wasn't here. Sasuke would bring in the New Year alone once again.

Sasuke's eyes stung. Why did this have to happen? He had finally been happy. Was he cursed? Was he not meant to be happy? Sasuke pulled his eyes away from the clock and gazed back at his locket. He tried to think of a creative way to share that first kiss of the year with Itachi, even without him being with him. Than, he heard the repetitive tapping at his window. This time, he rushed to the window to find a familiar carrier pigeon pecking at the glass. Sasuke quickly allowed the bird inside and untied the little bulging message. The bird departed the instant he was free of the message. Eagerly, Sasuke sat on his bed and unwrapped the object the letter was wrapped around. It was a Hershey's chocolate kiss. Sasuke was puzzled. What did it mean? He read the letter, hoping for answers.

I hope this message made it in time. There's a blizzard where I am and I'm afraid this bird won't be able to make it through. If by some miracle this message made it to you then I'll be happy. If this did get to you I should probably explain the candy. We were supposed to bring in the New Year with a kiss. I figured that since we couldn't physically kiss like we wanted to we could use chocolate kisses instead. Eat this kiss at midnight and I will eat mine. It'll have to do since I can't kiss you myself. It's a stupid idea but I didn't know what else to do. Maybe I'll be able to kiss you in my dreams this New Year's Eve. Don't forget to try this chocolate idea. I won't. I still miss you. I miss your warmth. Its harsh out here. But the thought of returning to you and your sweet smile is keeping me going. Again, though I would cherish to hear from you, I must beg you not to reply. It'll be safer for all of us. I love you so much. I promise I'll be home soon.

With Every Ounce Of My Love, Itachi

Sasuke smiled. The chocolate kiss idea wasn't stupid at all. It was much more creative than anything he would have been able to come up with. Sasuke watched the clock, the kiss in his hand. Ten minutes to midnight. The pigeon had barely made it. Any later and he would have missed his New Year's kiss. Sasuke awaited midnight eagerly. His heart was racing with excitement. The minutes ticked by to slowly. Sasuke heard the faint screaming and shouting outside as the villagers celebrated the New Year in the streets. Sasuke hated that Itachi had to celebrate New Year's in a blizzard. He hated that he had to be surrounded by Akatsuki, the people he despised. One minute to midnight. Sasuke unwrapped the kiss and prepared to pop it in his mouth the second the clock changed again. At least Itachi would have this little trick to make him feel loved for the New Year. Sasuke listened to the villagers outside counting down the last seconds of the year.

Sasuke closed his eyes, picturing Itachi waiting to pop the kiss into his mouth as well. He didn't have to see the clock or listen to the screaming villagers to know it was midnight. He popped the kiss into his mouth and watched the dream image of Itachi do the same. He let the chocolate melt in his moth before swallowing, savoring the replacement New Year's kiss. He smiled and lay down on his bed, letting sleep overtake him.

He entered the dream land where he met Itachi for the past week or so. Itachi appeared soon after he'd arrived.

"Nii-san!" Sasuke called when he saw Itachi looking around for him.

Itachi's eyes met his and a smile lit up his face. Sasuke ran to him and threw his arms around his neck. He sighed in content when he felt his brother's arms wrap around his waist.

"That was such a sweet idea," Sasuke said in reference to the chocolate.

"It was stupid," Itachi said.

"No it wasn't! It was really creative! I liked it."

Sasuke pulled away enough to see his face and gave him an honest smile. Itachi couldn't resist smiling in response.

"You really liked it?"

"Yeah. It was sweet. I bet no one else thought to do something like that."

"I'm glad you liked it."

"You know…its still midnight. We still have time for a real kiss."

"I guess you're right."

They leaned into one another and shared their first New Year's kiss.

A/N: Sorry it took so long. I was bored with this chapter. I'll probably get more into it when I bring Itachi back which should only be one more chapter. So I didn't get it done by Valentine's Day like I had hoped which really sucks. Now I'm going to shoot to finish it by my birthday. I'll try to update sooner next chapter. I've read some vampire books and now my headaches are gone so I should be able to be more prompt with this fic. PLEASE REVIEW!! The authoress loves you! XDXDXD