Standard Disclaimer Applies

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I yawned making my cup of coffee before heading up to Naruto's room. The doctor said he should wake up soon. I guess the surgery was pretty extensive. According to my aunt he had a lot of internal bleeding and broken bones. I opened the door and stopped in surprise. Sasuke was sitting next to the bed. Naruto was still sleeping.

"Sasuke?"

He jumped startled turning towards me. I set my coffee on the table next to the bed.

"Has he woken up at all?"

I shook my head.

"According to the doctor he should wake up today."

He nodded in thought. It was silent for a moment before Sasuke spoke.

"I know I've been acting like an asshole. It just seems like Naruto gets everything. You're attention, my brothers, I was jealous."

I didn't say anything letting him talk.

"I forced us into this rivalry and acted like I hated him making him do the same. I didn't realize how stupid I was until this happened."

He gestured to Naruto.

"I never realized how much of a brother he really was to me."

"Naruto talks about you a lot. About when you two were younger before all of this started. He always tells the stories with a smile on his face. I think he missed you too."

Sasuke sighed.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you."

I shrugged.

"We're all human and we all make mistakes. It's not like we're given an instruction manual."

Sasuke gave a half smile at my joke.

"You're too nice for your own good."

I smiled slightly.

"So I've been told."

"I hope Naruto forgives me."

"Of course I will."

We both looked towards the bed to see Naruto turn towards us. His voice was scratchy from disuse and when he tried to smile it turned into a kind of grimace.

"Naruto!"

I sighed with relief.

"I'll go get a nurse and call Itachi."

I left hearing Naruto say something to Sasuke quietly. I smiled glad that they were reconciling. When I got back Sasuke was gone and Naruto turned to look at me.

"I heard you've been here every day."

I Smiled.

"Of course."

"How long was I out?"

"Two days. The doctor said you'll make a full recovery."

Naruto smiled tiredly.

"I'm glad. Sorry for scaring you."

I shrugged taking his hand in mine as I sat down.

"Never do that to me again Naruto. I thought you were going to die. We all did."

Naruto looked at me sheepishly.

"I'm sorry."

He reached up wiping the tears I didn't even realize I was crying.

I smiled slightly.

"You better get better soon or I won't give you your Christmas present."

His eyes brightened like a little kid.

"What is it?"

I laughed.

"I'm not telling you." Hinata is holding a small Christmas party the day after Christmas to exchange gifts. That way Christmas is spent with family. Which is what you seem to need."

He nodded knowing I was referring to Sasuke.

"Who knew me almost dying would bring us together."

He chuckled slightly wincing a bit in pain. I leaned forward giving him a chaste kiss.

"Get some sleep."

Naruto was released from the hospital a week before Christmas. I was surprised when he said Itachi invited my aunt and I over for dinner on Christmas Eve. When I tried to decline telling him to spend time with his family he told me Itachi had insisted and asked to dress formally. Which left me in my room an hour before we were supposed to leave completely lost on what to wear. Last time I was dressed formally was at my family's funeral. I skimmed my closet picking out the only two dresses that were considered formal that I owned. Dress A was an off the shoulder with a scoop cut hunter green ankle length dress with a black sheer layer on top. Dress B Was a maroon color that was strapless that went a couple inches past my knees. I frowned holding the two up to me in the mirror deciding which one would look better. I turned to the door when I heard a knock. My aunt stepped in. She was already dressed wearing a long cream colored dress with black heels. Her hair was left down straightened. She was holding and black jacket in her arms.

"Which one do you like more?"

She pointed to the green one.

"That will go nicer with your eyes."

I nodded putting the other one back. By the time we were supposed to leave I was just finishing my make-up. I stood doing a once over. The dress fitted nicely being slightly tighter in the upper body flowing slightly at the hips. I had on black stilettos and my hair was curled pulled into a high pony tail leaving strands to frame my face. I heard my aunt call from downstairs about being late. I grabbed my jacket heading down stairs. My stomach fluttered as we pulled up to Itachi's house, if you could call it that. It was huge! I couldn't fathom why Naruto would want to move out. It was a two story house with a balcony over the front entrance held up by two pillars. Snow covered the entire yard undisturbed by animals and humans alike. My aunt pulled into the driveway next to Itachi's car. I walked slowly to the door careful not to slip in the snow. I guess it took a lot of talent to walk through snow in stilettos. When I rang the doorbell I was expecting Naruto. Instead an elderly woman wearing a light blue dress and a white apron answered.

"You are Kisaragi Kairi I assume?"

She seemed kind enough. I nodded and she opened the door wider allowing my aunt and I through. She gestured to our coats to give to her and asked us to remove out shoes.

"Mr. Uchiha, young Mr. Uchiha, and young Mr. Uzumaki are in the dining room. Please follow me."

I heard quiet muttering slowly getting louder the closer we got to the room. I looked around at all the expensive items and Christmas decorations.

"Mr. Uchiha? Ms. Kisaragi and her guest have arrived."

She stepped aside letting us enter the room. The table was huge seating at least thirteen people. Towards the far end of the table sat Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto. Naruto gave one of his famous grins waving.

"Hey!"

Itachi stood greeting my aunt. I waved hello to Sasuke, it still felt weird being civil with him, heading over sitting next to Naruto. My aunt sat across from me between the two Uchiha's.

"Itachi set up the meal to be, as the chef says, Americanized. We're having a salad followed by steak and fettuccini followed by a chocolate cake. I recommended the cake because I knew you liked chocolate."

I blushed slightly.

"That's so expensive."

Naruto laughed.

"For Itachi? Hardly."

For the next hours or so we all talked over various subjects. My aunt took the time to tell Itachi, who is a business partner with the hospital, that more of the budget needed to be placed in more nurses and proceeded to tell him how she gets called in even on days off. You would normally think Itachi was incredibly bored but if you knew what to look for you could tell he was in taking everything she said. I spent the time getting to know Sasuke a bit more. Apparently Naruto had a few embarrassing stories on him. It didn't take much for Sasuke to respond with a few stories of his own. Over all I had a blast and was sad to see how late it was. As we gathered our things getting ready to leave I turned to Sasuke.

"Will you come to my New Year's party? It isn't going to be very large, just my friends."

He nodded gratefully. I turned to Naruto giving him a quick kiss.

"I'll see you at Hinata's."

After thanking Itachi profusely and wishing them all a Merry Christmas we left. The day after Christmas I headed to Hinata's house with all of my friends Christmas gifts. After the exchange of gifts we hung out for the day. Ino took several pictures with her new camera and I knew her new obsession would be some kind of scrapbook. Before I knew it, it was already New Year's Eve. It was 11:55 when Ino started passing out confetti poppers to everyone. I stood next to Naruto and Sasuke counting down. When the timer hit zero and all the clocks turned to midnight chaos ensued. Confetti was everywhere and people were blowing their noise makers and screaming Happy New Years. I turned giving Naruto a quick kiss and gave a quick hug to Sasuke before going around to the rest of my friends. Soon enough school started back up again. Naruto walked into the school muttering about being stuck in the hospital for most of the break.

"At least you're alive."

He didn't say anything more after that. The more I interacted with Sasuke, and playing matchmaker with him and Ino, I noticed the more Sakura seemed to get angrier. I passed her without a thought meeting up with my friends at lunch. It took a while for everyone to get used to Sasuke but eventually he was accepted. According to Naruto, who moved back in with Itachi and Sasuke, it really impacted Sasuke. Everyone gossiped about the sudden friendship with Sasuke. I rolled my eyed at the whispers as I walked with the two out of school. I couldn't help but be excited. Not only was the weather warming up, although it was still absolutely freezing, Valentine's Day was coming up. According to Naruto he had something planned but wouldn't tell me and I had plans for Ino and Sasuke. I grinned mischievously. Apparently it was an evil look because Naruto asked if I was planning on murdering anyone. I shook my head.

"Just thinking."

Naruto shook his head deciding, wisely, not to comment. I felt excitement bubble as I told Hinata my plans for our single blonde friend. She nodded in agreement. Ino really did need a boyfriend. She was always complaining about how she was still single and all her friends had a significant other. We enlisted everyone in our group of friends, aside from Naruto and Kiba because they can't keep their mouth shut, to help with the set up. I was so busy planning Sasuke and Ino's Valentines I had totally forgotten my own. It was the day before and I was stuck in the store looking for a gift for Naruto. I eventually decided on a bottle of this colon that smelled really good. The next morning I had text both Ino and Sasuke asking them to meet me at a restaurant. Neither knew that I wouldn't actually be there. Hinata had reserved the table for me explaining the situation the manager. Apparently the elderly lady loved to live vicariously through young teenagers and was very enthusiastic about the plan. I wished I could hide and watch the show like all the others were, really, I wouldn't be surprised if they were all caught, but Naruto was picking me up in about fifteen minutes. He told me to dress casual so I wore blue jeans and a white long sleeved shirt, white tennis shoes and a dark green scarf. I left my hair down in waves. I waved goodbye to my aunt grabbing my gift and running out the door when I heard Naruto drive up. Apparently Itachi leant his car. I slid into the passenger seatand was faced with a boquet of a dozen red roses. I smiled taking them. I smelled the sweet scent with a smile.

"Thank you."

He flashed a grin.

"So I figured we'd go to Ichiraku's. Since last time was cancelled."

When I entered the restaurant I was hit with the smell of spices. We sat down at a table and a woman came up.

"Welcome to Ichiraku's. My name is Ayame and I'll be your server."

"Hey Ayame!"

They waitress looked up from her note book and grinned.

"Naruto! I haven't seen you lately."

She looked at me.

"Is this your girlfriend?"

Naruto nodded and Ayame squealed.

"I'll have to tell my dad. So the usual?"

Naruto nodded.

"Three miso ramen and a coke and…"

Ayame trailed off looking at me.

"One chicken ramen and coke please."

Ayame nodded scribbling in her notebook.

"I'll be right back."

I stretched looking at Naruto.

"You come her often then?"

Naruto nodded.

"I practically grew up here."

I smiled handing him my gift.

"Happy Valentine's Day."

Naruto tore through the paper like a little kid making me laugh.

"Are you insinuating I stink?"

I could hear the laughter in his voice.

"Of course. Why else would I buy you that?"

He laughed handing me a small wrapped box.

"Happy Valentine's Day."

I carefully unwrapped the small item gasping. Inside was a silver chain with a white gold locket. Inscribed was the phrase 'I'll always be in your heart'. I opened up the small trinket and found a picture of Naruto on one side and me on the other.

"It's beautiful."

Naruto grinned sheepishly.

"I'm glad you like it."

I placed the necklace around my neck letting it rest against my chest.

"How could I not? It's breathtaking."

When we got out ramen we talked about random things keeping the conversation light and simple in the casual atmosphere. When Naruto asked for the bill Ayame smiled shaking her head telling him it was on the house. He protested at first but eventually gave in. After that we walked in the city park for a while and Naruto bought two hot chocolates from a side stand. We walked along the lake pointing out various animals. I slipped my hand in his with a smile.

"I love you Naruto."

He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before replying.

"I love you too."