Oh Christmas Tree Chapter 19, a naruto fanfic

Hello all!

This is probably a surprise chapter update for most of you, but not for TerasBad... cuz she's psychic. She told me herself.

*clears throat* now that I'm done teasing my sweet honey... *picks up note cards* let's continue.

So, I know I said I cut off the other chapter by a few thousand words. Well, I really only cut it off by a little more than a thousand. I didn't want to leave too many people wondering so, today I wrote up another few thou to accompany the thousand I'd lopped off before. It'll be my late Christmas/Hanukkah ect ect present for you guys and an early Happy New Year! gift as well. ^_^''

Sorry that I suck at April Fools. You will see what I mean after you've read. -.- I'm getting anxious to reach the next chapter though. I'll try to make it good.

Also the song used in this chapter is Come Back To Me by Utada.

Oh, remember Powerful Stuff? Well, there is a prequel in the works! If anything, it's just as good, but a little smuttier than Powerful Stuff. We haven't thought of a name for it yet, but I'm pitching Hot Gay Ninja Sex to TerasBad next time we talk. :p We may produce a list of pairings involved just to tease you all with the imagery.

For now please enjoy the newest chapter for Oh Christmas Tree.

Previously on Oh Christmas Tree:

Sasuke was waiting for Naruto in the kitchen. He had undressed and was wearing an old comfortable shirt Naruto used to wear when they were kids. He was surprised it fit. It was short on him, but the fit across his chest wasn't as tight as he would have thought. Then again Sasuke grew long and lean while Naruto was wide and stocky. He chuckled as he smelled the shirt. He honestly thought he was Naruto's only secret keeper. Now he knew he was wrong.

Naruto trudged through mud all the way to their apartment. He didn't even notice it raining while at the party. The music had been way too loud for any weather to be heard through the boom of the bass.

He unlocked the door and kicked off his muddied shoes. He'd probably ruined Sasuke's ho pants too. The edges were caked with mud and splattered in grass stains as he'd slipped once on the way over. Naruto took a calming breath and removed his pants at the entrance. He doubted leaving a trail of mud through the living room was likely to help him.

Sasuke could feel the waves of irritation coming off of Naruto. His chakra was always easy to read. He set some water to heat and slowly walked from the kitchen out to greet Naruto. They had to talk.

Naruto went to the room and didn't see Sasuke standing in the kitchen. He grabbed his pants from after his shower and put them on. "Kitten?" He called out wondering where Sasuke was.

"In the kitchen, Idiot." Sasuke replied.

Naruto went to where Sasuke was and finally smiled. The change in his chakra was once more obvious. "I didn't know where you'd gone. I thought you were still at the party." He said.

"I left." Sasuke said even though that was obviously the case.

"Why?" Naruto asked and took a seat at the table.

"Just a lot of thinking tonight." Sasuke said. "All of today, really."

Naruto nodded. "I know. It's like a whole week compacted into one day." He said and smiled.

"Are we really working out?" Sasuke asked suddenly.

That had caught Naruto off guard. He startled and sat up. "Yeah. We're good." He answered. When he'd said a lot had happened he meant in each other's lives. It had nothing to do with their relationship. It was nothing that affected them or so he thought. "Right?"

Sasuke shrugged and left to the kitchen.

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked and followed the other.

Sasuke was pouring hot water into two cups full of tea leaves. "What?" He asked calmly.

Naruto took the pot of hot water out his hands and set it down. "We're working out right?" He asked suddenly uncertain.

"Do you have secrets you haven't told me?" Sasuke asked right back and left to the table with the cups of tea.

"No." Naruto said and took a seat. "Not really." He said and shrugged. "Maybe."

"So which is it?" Sasuke asked and leaned back in his seat.

Naruto looked at Sasuke. "Well, yeah." He said.

Sasuke nodded. "I have none I'm keeping from you." He said. "I just want to know everything. I've told you everything in exchange." He said and felt the first signs of nerves. What if Naruto said no?

"Okay." Naruto answered eagerly. "Let's play strip secret!" He yelled excitedly.

Sasuke had to chuckle. "How do you play that?" He asked a little more relaxed already.

"We say secrets and take off our clothes." Naruto said.

"No. How about we just share secrets?" Sasuke asked and hoped Naruto began with the one Neji knew.

"Well, I can go first." Naruto said and literally giggled. "There was this one time I went out with Kiba. He was so drunk, but I wasn't and he'd brought his dog, not Akamaru, but the little brown one." He explained. "Then he was just like 'I brought peanut butter! Want to see a trick?' Then I was like 'what kind of trick?'-"

"No. Stop. Oh my god Naruto. Not those kinds of secrets. What the fuck is wrong with you two?" Sasuke asked afraid of where the story was going.

"What?" Naruto asked. "The dog is addicted to peanut butter." Naruto said and smiled. "He does this really funny thing-"

"That's animal cruelty or indecency with an animal. Oh god. I'm sleeping with a zoophile!" Sasuke said and looked at Naruto strangely.

"What's that mean?" Naruto asked.

"What did you do to the dog?" Sasuke asked slowly, strained and saying each word carefully.

"We put peanut butter between it's gums and made it talk." Naruto said suddenly not as excited. He was more confused than anything else.

Sasuke hit the table with his forehead. "Oh." He said and finally looked up. "I thought you-" He blushed and didn't say what he'd really thought.

"We what?" Naruto asked and looked up brightly at Sasuke almost innocently.

"Nothing. So, I guess my secret is- I don't really have any from you." Sasuke said. "You know everything." He said and shrugged.

Naruto looked at his nails carefully. "That wasn't really a secret." He said in reference to his dog story. "I only really have two." He said and looked at Sasuke. "I can talk to Kyuubi and Tsunade has taken me as her apprentice." He said.

Sasuke was surprised. He didn't even have the words to respond.

"Since when?" Sasuke asked as he'd known for a while that Naruto could speak to the fox inside him.

"She told me she would after my bandages came off." Naruto said.

"You didn't tell me? For so long and you didn't tell me?" Sasuke asked feeling definitely upset.

"It wasn't for certain. She said that it would only happen if I didn't get hurt in the next few missions. She won't tell me if I'm in training or not until after spring is over." Naruto tried to explain. "I didn't want to get your hopes up just in case I failed." He said.

Sasuke shook his head. "I would have helped you succeed. You can't keep things like that from me." Sasuke said feeling hurt.

"If I'm going to be Hokage, I can't be asking for help at every corner. I want to do this on my own, by my own power and with my own brain." Naruto said suddenly serious.

Sasuke shook his head. "Fine. Then, now you can. Do it all by yourself, Naruto." He said and left the kitchen then slammed the bedroom door behind him. Such a big secret and he hadn't been told. Oh, but Neji knew. Sasuke grit his teeth and locked the door behind him. So much for being best friends and lovers.

Naruto sighed. He followed after Sasuke and tried to open the door. "What is that supposed to mean?" He asked with his head against the door. "Sasuke?" He asked when he received no response.

Sasuke undressed and laid in the large bed trying to not hear Naruto's voice.

"Kitten, what did I say?" Naruto asked. "I was just saying- Sasuke? Are you even listening?" After getting no answer Naruto tried a different technique. "Where am I supposed to sleep?" He asked.

Sasuke thought it over. He saw the extra pillow and shoved it off of the bed.

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked defeated. He knew the other was even more stubborn than he. "Sasuke?" He asked one more time.

Naruto got no answer in return. He walked to the sleigh and checked it for a blanket. There was none. Naruto went to the theatre and sat on their couch. He was cold, but it was pointless to think about it. He laid down on the couch and stared at the ceiling. He didn't even know how he'd messed that up. He guessed it was their first real fight.

Naruto woke up with a pillow under his head and a warm blanket over him. He woke up slowly and when he didn't feel the warmth of Sasuke's body next to his he opened his eyes immediately and looked around the room . Naruto saw that he was alone and still in the theatre.

He sat up slowly and stretched. Naruto went straight to the bedroom and saw that it was open and empty. Naruto looked around and went to the kitchen. There was a note on the fridge door. Naruto tore it off eagerly and sat down to read it.

Naruto,

I had a mission at noon. I'll be gone for a three days or so. B rank. I have a team.

Naruto was hoping for a little more, but sighed when there was nothing on the back. He looked at the paper and put it back on the fridge. Naruto didn't know what he did wrong or what he'd said, but he knew he wanted things back to normal. Naruto spent the rest of the day watching movies and thinking of how he could fix things when Sasuke returned.

The next morning found Naruto at the academy. He was sad now that he was experiencing not just a few days without Sasuke, but a few days while knowing that Sasuke was mad at him. He trusted him not to cheat or do anything foolish, but there was that part of him, that darker part of his mind that whispered things he didn't want to hear. It was constantly telling him that the Uchiha could easily find somebody that wasn't as much of a dumb blonde. He could find somebody who truly deserved him.

"What's wrong?" Neji asked as he walked up to the old academy swing.

Naruto stopped swinging and looked up at Neji when he was startled out of his thoughts. He smiled a bit forced. "Just thinking." He replied.

"Oh?" Neji asked and went up behind Naruto to push him lightly.

Naruto let himself be pushed higher and higher. "Yeah." He answered evenly.

"What's got you this worried?" Neji asked. "I think I can see a frown."

Naruto smiled a little then. "Just trouble with my-" Naruto didn't even know what he should call Sasuke.

"Boyfriend?" Neji asked. They were alone. What was the difference if they said it out loud? "Your lucky boyfriend causing you trouble?"

"Yeah." Naruto said and looked behind him so their eyes met. "Except I'm the one causing the trouble. Just- I just guess I messed something up and I don't even really know what I did wrong."

"Want to tell me what happened? Maybe I can help." Neji offered.

"I think it'll mean more if I figure it out myself," Naruto said and stopped the swing with the tips of his shoes. The dust rose slightly, but settled quickly in the humid atmosphere. Naruto stood up and tried to smile again at Neji. ",but thanks." He said and checked the time. "So what are you doing out here? Isn't it too early for a walk?"

"I have classes. Remember? This has been my long term mission." Neji said as to why he was there.

"Right." Naruto said as he recalled the last time he'd seen Neji teaching a class. He'd kissed him. Naruto unconsciously reached up to touch his cheek.

Neji felt happy at the small movement. It might mean that Naruto thought of it too. "I saw you before going inside and thought you looked a little down. I've got to go now, but do try to cheer up. Those blue eyes of yours don't look good with tears in them." He said and touched Naruto's jaw lightly before taking off. "I like them better when they're dancing with joy." He said as a parting sentence.

Naruto watched Neji walk away and there was that warmth again that came over him from the slight caress. Naruto was delighted at the flattery, but then there was another secret he was keeping. That one he wasn't likely to share.

Sasuke had always considered himself the mature one. Between him and Naruto there was little to no competition. Naruto was loud, could be obnoxious and made decisions on the fly. He was hot headed and rushed head first into situations most would first avoid. He was childish and immature. He played pranks and still enjoyed childrens' movies.

Sasuke had always considered himself the mature one until the night before, when he'd made Naruto sleep on a couch without even a blanket. Guilt had made him make Naruto comfortable before taking off. Sasuke knew he had to apologize and only because he wanted to apologize in person, did he not apologize on paper when he left him a note.

Sasuke laid awake amongst the trees about 20 feet above his team's camp. He was on guard duty and thinking of Naruto. He'd overreacted. Naruto didn't tell him because he was afraid of disappointing him and told Neji because he obviously didn't care about his opinion of him. Right?

Sasuke leaned his head back and while he'd never felt inferior to anybody even while being held as a prisoner, he suddenly had a small part of himself reminding him that Naruto was no longer just his young foolish friend. He was as famous as his father and obviously now it was official, Naruto was headed towards great things. His life's dream was right there within reach and he hadn't seen it fit to share with his lover.

Sasuke scoffed. After years and years of fighting and working hard together, then apart, only to once more be reunited and work hard once more, only to be kept in the dark about the future felt bad, but what made it worse was that he'd told Neji first.

Sasuke growled low in his throat. He wanted to throttle the Hyuuga heir. He'd make a great meal for the animals in the Konoha woods. He would start by shaving off all that hair- then it hit him. Sasuke groaned and held his head. He was just another jealous boyfriend making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Now, Sasuke had another thing to apologize for.

Naruto woke up on the third day and the first thing he did was look for a song that fit his mood. He looked through several and finally picked one that was probably from Sasuke's collection.

"Come Back To Me." Naruto read out loud before playing the song.

The rain falls on my windows
And a coldness runs through my soul
And the rain falls, oh the rain falls
I don't want to be alone

Naruto smiled instantly. Wasn't that exactly how he felt? He didn't want to be alone. Sasuke needed to come back. They would make up and get over the small bump on the road.

I wish that I could photoshop all our bad memories
Because the flashbacks, oh the flashbacks
Won't leave me alone

If you come back to me
I'll be all that you need
Baby, come back to me
Let me make up for what happened in the past

Naruto laid on the couch and pulled the blanket around himself. He got comfortable with the pillow and listened to the sadness in the song. The longing in her voice was perfectly mirroring what he felt.

Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
Boy, you're one in a million (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
You're one in a million (one in a million)

Lower east side of Manhattan
She goes shopping for new clothes
And she buys this
And she buys that
Just leave her alone

I wish that he would listen to her side of the story
It isn't that bad
It isn't that bad
And she's wiser for it now

Naruto sat up when he heard the theatre door open.

Sasuke walked in and sat down on the arm of the couch.

I admit I cheated
Don't know why I did it
But I do regret it
Nothing I can do or say can change the past

Naruto heard that line and suddenly he wasn't relating that much to the song. "I didn't-" He wasn't even sure why he was defending himself.

"You didn't cheat on me?" Sasuke asked and smiled. He sat down on the seat nearest Naruto's feet once Naruto had sat up.

Naruto thought back to Neji. Nothing had ever happened between them. He shook his head vehemently.

Everything I ever did
Heaven knows I'm sorry babe
I was too dumb to see
You were always there for me
And my curiosity got the better of me
Baby take it easy on me

"I believe you." Sasuke said and pulled the blanket over his lap.

"About before, what I said- I'm sorry." Naruto said and hoped things would hurry up and get back to normal again. "I shouldn't have said I wanted to do things alone." Naruto said and looked hopeful at Sasuke.

"Naruto, you probably don't even know why I got mad." Sasuke said and finally faced Naruto. "I should be the one apologizing not you. I was jealous."

"Jealous?" Naruto asked. He hadn't even considered that possibility. Sasuke was always so confident in everything that he did. He almost laughed. If anybody had a reason to be jealous, it was him.

Anything from A to Z
Call me what you wanna but
I open my heart to thee
You are my priority
Can't you see you punished me
More than enough already
Baby take it easy on me

Baby, take it easy on me

Baby come back to me
Baby come back to me

Sasuke nodded and listened to the song. It was one of his favorites. "I really love this song." Sasuke said.

Naruto only nodded. He knew Sasuke was having a difficult time with whatever he wanted to say.

"I saw you and Neji at the party." Sasuke finally said.

Naruto thought his stomach was about to drop out of his mouth. "A-at the party?" He asked and remembered Neji's confession and how he'd ran after him. It must have looked so wrong. He had to be quick and explain, but what could he say?

Sasuke nodded. "I was standing in the hall when you and him -"

"Sasuke, I swear-" What did he swear? Naruto was waved off.

Sasuke spoke again. "I heard everything when you were talking about a secret you hadn't even told me." Sasuke paraphrased and looked at Naruto.

Naruto nodded. Great, so he didn't hear the confession.

"I heard that and left. That's the reason I left the party. I was upset."

Naruto was finding breathing a little easier. "I didn't tell him though. He heard it from Hinata who probably heard it from Tsunade." He explained.

Sasuke blushed red. He probably looked as foolish as he felt. "Regardless, that's what I heard so, I was jealous of him." He said and looked down at his hands.

Naruto grinned. "Because you love me." He said and hugged Sasuke tight against him. "But I love you too, only you and nobody else. So, don't get mad at me. Don't feel jealous, Sasuke." He said and kissed Sasuke's cheek lightly. "There is nobody else who could compare to you." He guaranteed.

Sasuke placed his arms around Naruto's waist and sighed into his neck. "So you... didn't tell him first?" Sasuke asked still feeling a little childish in his jealousy. He pouted as he faced Naruto once more.

"Of course not." Naruto said and smiled. He kissed Sasuke's lips until the pout melted away. "I was keeping it a secret, but if she accepted me, then you were the first one I was going to tell. I promise." Naruto guaranteed.

Sasuke smiled. Naruto's promises were still as good as gold. "My little – love." Sasuke said affectionately.

Naruto felt his heart skip a beat. He closed his eyes and sighed. "I think I like that." He said and pressed his lips against Sasuke's. "You're my little kitten." Naruto said once he'd pulled away.

Naruto grinned at Sasuke then chuckled when he felt Sasuke pull his hair and laugh. "Idiot." Sasuke whispered and kissed Naruto again.

A different month would dawn soon, but for now once again the daily toil of missions was upon them.

"Naruto," Sasuke said as he tried to pull himself out of Naruto's tight embrace. "I'll be back by tomorrow night." Sasuke insisted.

"I know, but why can't we be assigned missions together?" Naruto complained as he held tightly on to Sasuke.

"Probably because we'd forget the mission and you'd have me pinned against some tree all night." Sasuke teased as he finally managed to pull away from Naruto.

"But they don't know that." Naruto said. He reached for Sasuke's backpack and helped him put it on.

"Tsunade isn't as blind as you think." Sasuke said. He knew that she knew something after the last time they'd spoken.

"Sasuke," Tsunade called before Sasuke left her office.

"Yes?" Sasuke turned around.

"Naruto is a very special person." Tsunade said.

"I know." Sasuke replied. He wasn't sure what Tsunade was trying to say.

"I know you know." Tsunade gave him a smile that was more amused than teasing.

"May I be excused now?" Sasuke had asked nervously.

"Certainly. Good job on your mission." Tsunade complimented easily as she went back to her work.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.

"Nothing. Don't worry needlessly about it." Sasuke said at the door. He put on his shoes and gave Naruto a rare smile. "I'll be back."

"Be careful." Naruto said and leaned forward for yet another goodbye kiss. "I love you."

Sasuke admired the way Naruto looked just then. He took a mental picture to remember later and always. Naruto looked so handsome just standing there in his wrinkled pajamas with his hair skewed all over the place while his honest grin was lighting up his still sleepy blue eyes.

"I know, Naruto." Sasuke said. He came forward and ran his hand through Naruto's hair. "I love you too. Never forget that. No matter what." Sasuke kissed Naruto and finally turned to leave.

The mission was just a short one he told himself. If he rushed the team, they'd be back by morning instead of nightfall. Even as these reassuring thoughts ran through his head he couldn't help but feel a bit of trepidation.

While Sasuke was away Naruto was preparing for April. He had a plan. He had a really good plan. He had a little something for every single one of his friends. The pranks were going to be a riot this year. He promised himself that much.

The first he had to get was Iruka. He was sure to be the hardest one as he was quite the prankster himself, but Naruto thought he could get him by doing something unexpectedly cliche, like switching his conditioner for Nair. Naruto chuckled behind his hand as he sat on the floor filling up Iruka's favorite conditioner bottle.

The living room and kitchen was designated for pranks only. Everything was carefully labeled and one by one Naruto was finishing his pranks.

Hair grew back right? Naruto giggled now that he was alone as he switched out cans of Shikamaru's favorite calming tea with a potent energy mix. He could just imagine the usually calm, sleepy ninja bouncing off the walls!

He was saving his best prank for Tsunade. He was sure it was the one to cause the most destruction. He had finally been able to locate her stash of sake. He was switching it all for water. He thought it was on the tame side, but separating Tsunade and her alcohol was like standing between a lion and its prey.

For Sasuke he hadn't thought up anything, but to dye his clothes pink. Knowing the bastard though, he'd probably wear it well. Naruto rolled his eyes affectionately. Bastard.

Neji was weary of opening any box on April Fool's day, especially one that came from Naruto. He placed it down against the wall where he'd found it and let it be. It couldn't possibly be anything he wanted anyways.

Neji's curiosity got the better of him about five minutes later. That's how he ended up walking around town the entire day with a red face, literally. Exploding kool-aid powder did a wonderful job of staining skin and not washing off when wet. In fact, getting the powder wet had only served to make it into a thick paste that spread the dye-like powder further on his skin.

Iruka wasn't as easily fooled. He knew Naruto still had a key to his place. He checked every food container, weapon and finally bathroom necessity before using it. He thought his conditioner didn't look quite right. When he washed his hands with it to experiment he was thankful that he had, as the small hairs on his hands had washed away with the 'conditioner'.

Perhaps the worst day of all was had by the ANBU guards assigned to the Hokage Building, where Tsunade went without her sake for an entire day as Shizune had refused to let her leave for refills.

She knew who's fault it was and she swore he'd pay.

The worst prank of all though was unexpected.

TBC

^_^ Thanks for reading and for all of you that have taken the time to review. I'm still getting favs and alerts to this story every week so I'm plenty happy with the way the it's being received. If you all get a little anxious for the next chapter, remember that I do have a profile FULL of other stories, the majority one or two shots. They should be able to keep you for a bit while I write up the next one.

Thanks again to everybody. Also a question I've gotten a few times this week o.O Am I going to post the sequel to Knightly Treats? Why, yes. Yes I am, but it's going to take time. I'm not a machine, sadly. Before I do post a sequel, I'm going to do a rewrite as I feel that the writing in Knightly Treats no longer represents who I am now. Not that I'm much better (lol), but I am probably a little smuttier. Look forward to that.

Ja ne,

Lovely Spell