Disclaimer: Don't own.

December 21st: Parties.

Iruka walked into the kitchen to get more drinks for the small amount of guest they had over. The small get together wasn't necessarily planned, but after their deliveries yesterday, their friends wanted to return the gesture. He looked over at the entryway when he heard someone walk in, "Ah, Minoru-kun, want to help me with these?" he gestured at bottles of cider Genma bought with him.

Minoru nodded and took one of the bottles.

Iruka noticed that the young boy wasn't his usual energetic self, "Minoru-kun, is something wrong?"

Minoru gave his dad a smile and shook his head, "No, it's just…," he trailed off with a shrug.

Iruka furrowed his brows with concern, "Just what?"

Minoru shrugged again, "I guess it feels kind of strange being the only kid."

Iruka sighed and moved closer to the young boy to fondly ruffle his already unruly hair, "I'm sorry, Minoru-kun."

Minoru shook his head, "No, it's alright," he hesitated, "Maybe Kakashi-dad can summon the pack?"

Iruka considered, "Maybe not the whole pack since we have too many guest over."

Minoru smiled and nodded, "Alright."

And as if sensing his cue, Kakashi strolled in and quirked an eyebrow, "Did someone say my name?"

Minoru chuckled, "Can you summon Pakkun and Tomo-kun?"

Kakashi nodded and discreetly bit his thumb, is hands flowing through familiar seals, and two puffs of smoke followed.

Minoru beamed and laughed as Tomodachi greeted him, standing on his hind legs to lick at his face. He looked up at Iruka, "We'll be in the backyard."

Iruka smiled, "Put your outerwear on and then you can go."

Minoru beamed and moved out of the kitchen and down the hall, Tomodachi following.

Pakkun looked up at Kakashi after the boy left, "He's feeling left out in the small get together you guys are holding."

Iruka sighed when Kakashi looked at him, "One of the reasons I declined any party invitations we received, wouldn't be fair to him."

Kakashi nodded and looked over at the hall when Minoru came back and looked at Pakkun, "Are you coming?"

Pakkun perked and followed the boy out to the back.

Kakashi waited until he heard the door slide shut, "Didn't you say…," he trailed off when Iruka nodded.

Iruka took the bottles and gave Kakashi a smile, "But then things work in mysterious ways."

Minoru was shaping snow in the backyard and laughed when Tomodachi jumped in and through it. The next thing he knew gloved hands covered his eyes and a familiar voice chuckled behind him.

"Guess who."

Minoru grinned, suppressing his initial surprise, "…Now…what was his name…" the hands moved away and instead dropped to his shoulders to turn him around to find the blond boy's frown.

"Minoru-kun," Naruto whined.

Minoru laughed and gave Naruto a hug, "Naruto!"

Naruto laughed and returned the embrace, "Hey," he pulled away and met the darker blue eyes, "How've you been?" he asked with a smile.

Minoru's smile brightened, "Good."

Naruto looked around, "Why are you out here by yourself?"

Pakkun barked, "He's not alone."

Naruto looked at the pair of frowning ninken, "You know what I mean."

Minoru chuckled, "Kakashi-dad and Iru-dad ended up having an unexpected get together."

Naruto nodded in understanding and sat down on the cold ground, "Well, that's no fun."

Minoru hummed in agreement, moving to his pile of snow, "It was at first though."

Naruto looked at the house, thinking that he should probably let Iruka and Kakashi know that he made it back before Christmas. But his musings were effectively cut off when snow met the side of his head. He whipped his head around and narrowed his eyes at the boy that was innocently smiling at him, "Ehh! Two can play that game!"

Minoru grinned as he shaped another snowball, "That's the point."

Naruto opened his mouth to retort when another snowball met his face, "Stop aiming at my head!"

Minoru laughed, "But how can I miss it?" He ran away in time to dodge a ball that was thrown at him.

Iruka smiled to himself when he recognized the other chakra signature that was outside with Minoru. He knew Naruto was going to make it on time. He couldn't help but chuckle when Kakashi glanced at him, and saw the subtle shift of the dark fabric covering half of the older man's face as he smirked, He always pulls through.