Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or any properties in this work that I did not make myself.
Harold of Konoha
Chapter twenty-eight: Harold and company are Saving Christmas (AKA the Ass-kicking Christmas special)
One mid to late December day over at the Hyuga clan estate in Konohagakure, Haru Uchiha and Inohime Nara were watching Natsu Uzumaki spin a small wooden top. "It's a shame Shikaru couldn't be here, given that he had to help his dad and grandpa decorate for the holidays" Haru remarked, "This thing you're showing us looks pretty neat, Natsu."
"Not only is it neat, but it also holds a bit of significance to people of the Jewish faith," Natsu explained as she picked up the little top and spun it again.
"Inohime want to try and spin top next!" the young Nara girl exclaimed with some giggling.
Walking onto the scene of the kids playing was Harold Fisher, Inoichi Yamanaka and Tsume Inuzuka, plus Tsume's ninja dog Kuromaru. Seeing the top, Harold pointed at it and said, "Hey Hiashi's granddaughter, is that thing you're playing with one of those Beyblades?"
Looking up at the older ninjas, Natsu said to Harold with a mild hint of confusion in her tone, "Umm, no. It's called a dreidel."
"Hey Uncle Harold," Haru interrupted, "What's mom and Mrs. Nara doing again with Mrs. Uzumaki?"
"Ehh, they're talking about the upcoming holidays," Harold replied in a dismissive tone.
"So how does this work?" Inoichi asked as he pointed to the dreidel, "Does each person playing spin their own little wooden top thing so that they all collide into each other, and whichever one scores the best wins?"
"No, that's not how it works at all, Mr. Yamanaka," Natsu replied, sounding just as confused as when she replied to Harold's question.
"The gist of how the dreidel game works is that each person starts with a set number of items to throw into a pot," Kuromaru began to explain, "Each person periodically puts a piece of their starting loot, usually pieces of candy since this game is commonly played by kids, then each person takes turns spinning the dreidel. The person who spins the dreidel takes an action depending on what symbol is face up when the dreidel stops spinning."
"Wait a minute," Tsume began, "Kuromaru, how do you know so much about the function of that little Beyblade that Hiashi's granddaughter has?" (1)
"It's called a dreidel, Tsume," Kuromaru replied, "And Hogato told me about it when he was teaching some young Jewish kids how to play the game."
Looking to the dreidel as it laid on the floor, Harold said as he looked to Natsu, "So you're teaching Haru and Inohime how to play a holiday game, huh?"
Nodding in the affirmative, Natsu replied, "I was taking the time to teach the game and explain how it works first before Haru, Inohime and I start playing for real. That's why I didn't take out the bag of candy that I-"
"Candy?!" Inohime exclaimed excitedly.
"Relax Inohime, we'll get to that eventually," Natsu replied, sounding like a kind older sister. As the kids proceeded to get back into the game, Harold and the other older ninjas walked off.
"So that's like, what," Tsume began, "Underage gambling?"
"Ehh, you could technically refer to it as such," Kuromaru replied, "But it's not quite that simple."
Later that evening, after the kids all went home, Harold and the other adults got together for a socialization party of sorts over in one of the large rooms of the Hyuga clan estate. In one area of the party room, Harold, along with his wife Sophia, were talking to Harold's little sister Mebuki and Mebuki's husband Kizashi. "Aww, that sounds really adorable," Mebuki remarked as Harold recounted what he saw earlier that day.
"Indeed," Kizashi said as he took a sip from the wine glass he held, "So Harold, did you see which kid won?"
"I didn't see a definite winner, but the point is that Haru, Inoichi's granddaughter and Hiashi's granddaughter all had fun," Harold replied, draining the last of what was in his can of Pape Konoha's Brand Lager. As the seniors were talking, Hiashi Hyuga, the leader of the Hyuga clan, came walking up to the Fisher-Haruno family. With Hiashi was his wife Omiyo, who had recently been released from the hospital.
"Ah, Hiashi, my man!" Harold greeted when he saw the Hyuga lord come up, "This is some party you're throwing!"
"I wasn't aware that the cadet branch members I put in charge of refreshments got some cans of your favorite drink," Hiashi remarked as he noticed the (empty) can of Pape Konoha's Brand Lager in Harold's right hand.
"Oh, this?" Harold began as he looked at the can in his hand, "Yeah, Inoichi, Tsume and I brought one can each. We weren't banking on you and your guys providing more, as you tend to favor that microbrewery junk from Suna."
"With all due respect, Harold's got a point," Kizashi said, "I mean, nothing beats what's made locally."
"Say Omiyo, what are those little fried potato thingies called again?" Sophia asked, "You know, the ones over at the refreshment table."
"You mean the latkes?" Omiyo said.
"Mmm, yes," Sophia remarked with a nod, "Those are very good. You must let me have the recipe."
Chuckling softly, Omiyo replied, "Sorry Sophia, but it's a family secret." With a sly look on her face, Omiyo added, "But maybe if I can get a copy of your brisket recipe…"
"Oh ho, I see how this is!" Sophia remarked, getting both women, along with Mebuki, to start laughing.
To Hiashi and Kizashi, Harold said, "Sophia does make a mean brisket, in all seriousness."
As the adults continued to talk and socialize, they heard a crashing sound coming from outside. "The hell was that?!" Inoichi exclaimed from where he was talking with Michelle, Shikaku and Yoshino. All of the adults decided to head outside to investigate what had made the noise.
As the adults looked around, Harold and his group could hear Sakura shout, "It's too dark outside to see anything!"
"Hey Hinata, can you activate your Byakugan and take a look around?" Naruto could be heard saying from around the same area Sakura's voice came from.
"Hey, Lord Sixth has the right idea," Harold remarked to his group, "Hiashi, dude, use your magic eyes to see things out." On that cue, Hiashi activated his Byakugan.
As he looked around, Hiashi heard Hinata shout, "Over by the gazebo! There's a…sleigh and knocked out reindeer?" Confused by what his adult daughter said, Hiashi turned his view towards where the gazebo should be. When he saw a crashed sleigh, with multiple reindeer scattered around. As Hiashi turned back to face the estate so he could shout an order for someone to turn on the lights in the backyard, Harold and everyone else ran over to the gazebo.
As the lights around the gazebo flickered on, the adults were all shocked to see the crashed sleigh and the numerous reindeer. Half-sitting, half-laying in the front seat of the sleigh was an overweight man; he was dressed in bright red, and he had a long white beard. "Holy crap! It's frigg'en Santa Claus!" Tsume exclaimed as she pointed at the downed spirit of Christmas.
"And here I thought that me dressing up as the big man was needed to keep Shikaru's and Inohime's Christmas spirit alive," Inoichi remarked as Michelle, shocked by what she was seeing, held her hands over her mouth.
Walking over to the sleigh, Kuromaru took a quick stroll around until he came to the right-hand side of the sleigh (if you're seated in the sleigh and facing forward). Stopping short, Kuromaru shouted, "There's a big hole in the side of the sleigh! It's all splintery and charred!"
"Son of a bitch," Harold snapped, "Someone shot down Father Christmas!"
"Sakura, go tend to Santa," Naruto half-asked half-ordered (2), "He got shot down, so he must be injured."
"I have some experience as a medical ninja," Ino offered, "Should I help?"
"The more the merrier," Naruto replied as he gave Ino the go ahead.
After a minute or so, Sakura and Ino managed to get Santa Claus stabilized. After another half-a-minute or so, Santa finally woke up. "Oh my," Santa said in a woozy daze, "What happened?"
"Judging by the damage on the side of your sleigh, you were shot down," Kuromaru explained, "Do you remember anything?"
"…I think I remember hearing an explosion before spiraling down," Father Christmas said as he held a hand to his head, "Other than that, I have- Wait, my reindeer! What about them?!"
"My fellow clansmen and I already took a look at them," Shikaku said to Santa, "Luckily, they all wore collars with names tags on them so they could be identified. I'm sorry to say this, but Dasher and Prancer are both dead, and Vixen, Cupid and Blitzen all have at least one broken leg, making them lame. Also, one of your reindeer is missing. If I recall correctly, the missing reindeer's name is Comet."
"Wait, what about Dancer, Donner and Rudolph?" Santa asked.
"…Okay, both Comet and Rudolph are missing," Shikaku said as he quickly corrected himself, "As for Dancer and Donner, they're both stunned, but otherwise okay."
Sighing, Santa remarked somberly, "Who would do such a terrible thing? Who would shoot me and my reindeer down as I was trying to deliver Christmas gifts to all of the good little boys and girls of Konoha?"
"Orochimaru?" Sasuke suggested.
"Katasuke?" Naruto offered.
"Tween pop stars?" Inoichi guessed.
"Donkey Kong?" Harold said in a questioning tone.
"A bunch of cats?" Tsume provided.
"No, no I don't think any of them are responsible," Santa replied, "Although now that you mention it Harold, I did put Donkey Kong on the naughty list."
"Justice is served!" Harold exclaimed as he pumped a fist into the air.
"Wait a minute," Sophia said, "Santa, how do you know Harold's name?"
"Sophia, dear, this is Santa Claus we're talking to," Harold pointed out, "Of course he knows my name. He knows the name of everyone in the world. How else do you think he comes up with his naughty or nice list?"
As Sakura and Ino helped Santa sit up properly, Father Christmas gave a yelp of pain. "Ah! My leg!" Santa cried out in pain.
After taking a quick look at it, Sakura said, "It's broken. Santa will be out of commission for at least a month and a half."
"But what about my duties tonight?" Santa asked, "There are kids here in Konoha that I must deliver gifts to!"
"I'm sorry Santa, but you need to take it easy," Sakura said firmly, "Plus, most of your reindeer are either dead, lame or missing. Who's going to pull your sleigh?"
Sighing in a resigned tone, Santa replied, "I suppose you have a point. But in all seriousness, there ARE gifts to deliver."
"Yo Santa, I'll do it," Harold declared as he raised a hand. Following Harold's lead were Inoichi and Tsume.
"…What?" Mebuki asked in a deadpan.
"Yeah, the dudes and I can totally deliver all of the Christmas gifts to the kids here in Konoha," Harold declared.
"Hey, Harold's got a point," Inoichi said to Mebuki, "Harold, Tsume and I can totally rock the whole Santa gig for Konoha's youth."
"Are you all sure you want to do this for me?" Santa asked Harold and his friends, "I mean, this IS a big responsibility after all."
"Pfft, you worry too much, Father Christmas," Harold replied, "We'll be fine."
"…Well okay then," Santa said as he reached into a front pocket on his coat. Pulling out a small light tan draw-pouch, Santa said, "First things first Harold, I must sprinkle some Christmas dust over you, Inoichi, Tsume and Kuromaru. This will enable you four to fly over Konoha and deliver the gifts."
"Question about this Christmas dust," Tsume interrupted as she raised a hand, "It won't make the guys and I fat, will it? Because I totally cannot rock the fat chick look."
"No, no it will not," Santa replied, "Although in addition to giving you, Harold, Inoichi and Kuromaru the ability to fly, it will also magically generate outfits for you all to wear." As a case in point, Santa cast a handful of dust over Harold and company; Harold and Inoichi both wore Santa outfits, Tsume wore an elf costume (complete with fake elf ears) (3), and Kuromaru wore a reindeer antler headband. Jerking a thumb at a sack in the back of his sleigh, Santa said to his volunteers, "That sack contains all of the gifts for the children of Konoha. Please hurry and deliver them all."
As Tsume, Inoichi and Kuromaru went to get the sack of gifts, Harold saluted Santa as he said, "You can count on us, Santa Claus. We'll get the deliveries done before the night is over!"
"Hey Santa, you said the dust you cast over us will let us fly," Tsume began, "How do we trigger the flight? Also, how long will we retain the ability to fly?"
"Jumping up with the intention to fly will trigger it," Santa explained, "And willing yourselves to land will let you do so. Also, the dust should wear off before morning."
"Okay, just wanted to clear that up," Tsume replied.
As Harold and company jumped up into the air, Harold looked down at everyone and said, "Don't worry, everyone! The boys and I are going to save Christmas!"
After Harold and company flew off, Michelle remarked, "Boy, won't this make for a good story to tell the grandkids."
The first stop Harold and his friends made was a lower-middle class home in Konoha. Taking out a list that he found in the sack of toys, Inoichi said, "Okay. This is the home of one Usagi Tsukino and her younger brother Shingo." (4)
"What does the list say we have to deliver to them?" Harold asked as he looked over Inoichi's shoulder.
"Apparently, miss Usagi gets a new MP3 player, and Shingo gets a copy of Pokémon Sun version," Inoichi replied, "…Hang on, Santa included a footnote on Shingo saying that the boy is always on the nice list. Well ain't that the neatest thing!"
After collecting the two gifts to drop off, Harold and company entered the Tsukino residence (they were able to slip in through a smoke stack thanks to the magic of the Christmas dust). About five seconds later, however, Harold and company could all be heard screaming; promptly following that you could hear the sounds of real battle. About a minute later, Harold and the guys all got out of the Tsukino residence. They all stood on the roof for a minute or so, breathing hard to catch their breath
As Harold and the gang flew over Konoha airspace to the next house, Harold said, "You know, I wish that Santa's footnote about that place included a warning that the kids' parents were both shell-shocked veteran ninja of Konoha."
"How are we going to explain to Santa that we had to kill the Tsukino parents in self-defense?" Inoichi asked in a worried tone.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Tsume said, "For now, let's focus on house number two."
"Well hey now!" Inoichi remarked as he looked at the list, "The next place we have to hit is Choji's! We get to deliver a gift to lil' Choba!"
As they landed on the roof of Choji's residence, Inoichi took out the list to see if there's anything made as a side note about Choji's family. "…It says here that Akimichi families leave the absolute best cookies, and as such each Akimichi gets one extra stocking stuffer-type item," Inoichi read aloud.
"Bribery will get you everywhere, it seems," Kuromaru remarked dryly as he and the humans entered Choji's place. When they entered, they saw that Choji and his family decorated much the same way Choza and his wife decorated their place (Inoichi and Harold both visited Choza's place to see the decoration).
Over on the coffee table, Harold and company saw a (very large) glass of milk placed next to a plate of cookies (that were piled very high). "…Wow, if every Akimichi household is like this one, then Santa will have to join us and Ten-ton in our regular dancing work-out," Tsume remarked as she walked over and took one cookie. Harold and Inoichi likewise took one cookie each themselves.
"The Akimichi clan ninjas are known for good-tasting food," Inoichi remarked, "I can't tell you how many times Michelle and Yoshino have asked Choza's wife for her cookie recipe."
"The hell is with women asking each other for recipes?" Tsume asked rhetorically, "It's not something that I understand." (5)
"Well I had just placed the gift for Choza's grandson under the tree prior to grabbing my cookie," Harold said to the others, "Let's bounce already. We got loads more houses to cover tonight."
"Is there any chocolate in those cookies, and if not Tsume can you grab one for me?" Kuromaru asked.
"Sure, we'll grab the lot," Tsume replied as she picked up the plate and took it with her and the guys.
As they left, Harold said, "Hey Tsume, you're going to return the plate, right? Because if Choza's wife is anything like Sophia and Michelle, she'll be real anal about plates and the like that belongs to her and her family."
"Relax, I'll return her plate eventually," Tsume replied as she ate another cookie.
As Harold and company landed on the roof of the next house they visited, Harold said, "So Inoichi my man, who's the lucky kid at this place?"
Taking out the list, Inoichi looked at it and said, "…A pair of orphaned twins who are currently the charges of one Mr. Atlas, Mr. Atlas's girlfriend, Mr. Atlas's three roommates, and the one roommate's girlfriend."
"Wait a minute," Kuromaru said as he took a quick look around. A stunned look on his face, Kuromaru said, "We've landed at the Atlas penthouse!"
"So this is how the rich and wasteful live, eh?" Tsume remarked casually as she proceeded to take a look around herself.
"You think Atlas took in the orphans to get tax breaks, or something?" Inoichi said as he and his friends magicked themselves into the large, stately home. Once inside, Harold and company took a look around.
"…Apparently, one of the orphans left a ramen cup for Santa," Kuromaru said when he noticed a prepared cup of ramen sitting on a coffee table next to a hand-written note for Santa. (6)
"Who does the kids think Santa is, Lord Sixth?" Harold asked in a confused tone.
"You know, it's actually been years since Naruto has had any ramen," Kuromaru said to the others, "Although that's probably due to Ichiraku Ramen having closed down years ago. A darn shame, too. That place always had nice smells coming from it."
"Well let's just leave the gifts for the kids and vamoose," Harold declared, "I get the feeling that if we stay here too long, we might get challenged to a children's card game. Or something." And so, Harold and the others took out the gifts for the twins, placed them under the Christmas tree, and took their leave.
As they gathered their bearings on the roof of the penthouse, Tsume said, "You know, I've been wondering. Why did Ramen Ichiraku close down in the first place? From all reports, the place was a successful business with regular customers." (7)
As Harold and company flew over Konoha airspace as they continued their Christmas quest, Inoichi checked the list again. "…Hey! We get to swing by the Uchiha residence next!" Inoichi remarked.
"Wait a minute, you mean my niece's place?" Harold asked.
Nodding in the affirmative, Inoichi continued, "The next kid we get to drop off a gift for is Haru!"
"Well hot damn! Let's get going, boys!" Harold proclaimed, "Follow my lead! I know the way!"
After a short flight, Harold and company landed on the roof of the Uchiha residence. Landing on the roof, Harold took the gift that was labeled for his grandnephew out of the sack of gifts for the youth of Konoha. "This is something that I have to do alone," Harold remarked to his friends, "You dudes understand, right?"
"Of course we understand, dude," Tsume replied, "And this all reminds me. If and when we get to bring a gift to my grandson, can one of you dudes swap costumes with me? It's Santa Claus who delivers the gifts to kids, not one of Santa's little helper elves."
"Sounds legit," Inoichi said as Harold went into the Uchiha residence alone.
Once inside, Harold looked around the darkened living room. Instantly spotting the Christmas tree, Harold walked over and placed the gift for Haru under the tree. As he turned around to leave, Harold spotted the coffee table in the living room. More specifically, the Fisher patriarch spotted a plate of cookies and a can of Pape Konoha's Brand Lager, along with a small wrapped gift next to that. Under the can of Harold's favorite drink, there was a hand-written note, which Harold picked up and read;
Dear Santa,
The gift next to the cookies and beer if for my girlfriend, Natsu Uzumaki. I had intended to give it to her earlier today, but set up for the holidays was a bit hectic for all involved. I know that Natsu and some her clan doesn't celebrate Christmas, but could you please make sure she gets this gift anyway? I'd really appreciate it.
Sincerely, Haru Uchiha
P.S.: The drink I left you in place of the traditional milk is a can of Pape Konoha's Brand Lager. My uncle Harold swears by it, so it must be a good adult drink.
Harold could not help but let a tear well up in the corner of his eye. Even during a holiday that Hiashi's granddaughter doesn't celebrate, Haru STILL thinks enough about the girl to get her a nice gift. Plus, Haru recommending Pape Konoha's Brand Lager to Santa simply because Harold and company loves the drink. Deciding to honor Haru's holiday wish, Harold collected both the gift and the can of Pape Konoha's Brand Lager, then took his leave.
Once he was back on the roof of the Uchiha residence, Harold explained why he had taken so long to Inoichi, Tsume and Kuromaru. "…That is the sweetest thing ever," remarked the Inuzuka ninja dog.
"Plus, you gotta admit that it's pretty kickass that Haru's recommending our favorite drink to Father Christmas just because it's our favorite drink," Inoichi stated, drawing nods of agreement from the other humans.
"We'll be swinging by Hiashi's place when we're done delivering the other gifts, so we can drop of the gift for Haru's dorky little girlfriend then," Harold said, "But until then, we've got the rest of the village to worry about." As Harold and company took up into the air so they could fly to the next house, Harold popped open the can of Pape Konoha's Brand Lager that he collected from the Uchiha residence.
"…Hey Harold, are you sure that you should be drinking and flying at the same time?" Kuromaru asked, "I don't think that it's a safe idea." (8)
After they had finished up the last of the deliveries, Harold and company returned to the Hyuga clan estate's back garden, where Santa Claus and the other adults were waiting. When the group landed from their flight, Harold walked up to Naruto and handed him the gift that was collected from the Uchiha residence. "Haru left this next to the cookies for Santa with a note asking if it can be delivered to your kid," Harold explained to the Hokage, "Can you make sure your kid gets this?"
"Heh, sure thing, Mr. Fisher," Naruto replied as he accepted the gift from Harold.
"Harold, Inoichi, Tsume, Kuromaru," Santa called out, "Can you four come over here?" Doing as they were asked, Harold and company approached the Spirit of Christmas. "I cannot thank you four enough for the work you've done in my place," Santa began, "Truly the meaning of Christmas is in the hearts of each and every one of you."
"Question, Santa," Tsume interrupted as she raised her hand, "Why didn't you include a warning about the Tsukino residence on your list that said that the parents were shell-shocked veteran ninja of Konoha? The boys and I were forced to kill the parents in self-defense when they attacked us."
"…Darn, I knew I was forgetting something," Santa said as he snapped his fingers.
"By the way, did you all find out who shot down Santa's sleigh and how?" Kuromaru asked.
"As it turns out, some Konoha ninja were practicing the Fireball technique," (9) Naruto explained, "They were taking every precaution, and they even had a jonin sensei supervising them. It just so happened that one of the fireballs went off course."
"So Santa getting shot down was a freak accident?" Harold asked. After Naruto nodded in the affirmative, Harold remarked, "Well at least there was no malicious intent involved."
"Indeed," Santa stated, "But that's all beside the point. Harold, Inoichi, Tsume and Kuromaru. I have a little something for everyone of you four. It's about high time I gave them to you, especially considering what you've done for me."
"But the Tsukino incident-" Tsume began, only for Santa to cut her off.
"-Is pretty much on me," Santa replied, "Now then, the four of you, despite any concerns that you may have, do deserve a little something for what you've done for me."
"For Inoichi," Santa began when he handed Inoichi a small wrapped box from one of the sacks of gifts, "A pocket watch to replace the one you lost a few years ago."
"Neat," Inoichi remarked when he received the wrapped gift.
"Open the gift and take a look," Santa added. Doing as he was bided, Inoichi unwrapped his gift and saw what the pocket watch looked like; it was a butter yellow in color, with soft pink trim, and on the cover of the pocket watch was an insignia of three butterflies.
"Aw, this is frigg'en sick!" Inoichi exclaimed excitedly, "Thank you, Santa!"
"For Tsume," Santa continued, handing the Inuzuka matriarch what appeared to be a wrapped DVD case. Opening the gift, Tsume saw that it was a blue-collar type comedy special on DVD.
"Dude! The blue-collar types are my favorite! And this is one I don't have yet!" Tsume said in an excited tone, "Thanks, Santa!"
"For Harold," Santa said as he handed Harold his gift; if one were to take a guess, it was an eight-inch-tall plushy that wasn't in a box. Unwrapping the gift, Harold went wide-eyed with shock when he beheld his new eight-inch-tall plushy of Knuckles the echidna.
"…Thank you…" Harold said to Father Christmas, unable to take his eyes away from his Knuckles plushy.
"And last but not least, the best good boy in Konoha," Santa said when he presented Kuromaru with his gift; a large (and I do mean LARGE) rawhide bone. (10) When he was given the rawhide bone, Kuromaru took it, then ran to the other side of the sleigh so no one would see him with his new treasure, lest someone get jealous and try to take it from him.
Smirking, Tsume said to Santa with a chuckle, "The only reason why Kuromaru didn't thank you is because his animal instincts took over the instant he saw the rawhide bone. But I'm sure he's thankful."
"Now then," Santa said as he turned to face his sleigh, wincing from the pain in his leg, "I must be heading back to Oh sweet milk and cookies I forgot to deliver the gifts to Shikaru and Inohime!"
"Ehh, Ino and I can make sure they get them," Shikamaru said, "No need to sweat it, Santa."
"Wait a minute," Inoichi said, getting the attention of everyone else, "I have an idea."
"If your idea is what I think it is, then I'll have to switch from this Santa costume to an elf costume," Harold remarked.
Early on Christmas morning, Shikaru Nara was woken up by his little sister. Looking at Inohime, Shikaru said when he looked at his digital alarm clock on his nightstand, "…It's five-thirty-two in the morning."
"But Christmas!" Inohime said excitedly.
"Can't this wait until, like, seven or so?" Shikaru asked, "It's not like-"
"HO HO HO!" a loud and jolly-sounding voice boomed from downstairs, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
"What the?!" Shikaru exclaimed as he got out of bed and led his little sister down to the living room. When they got there, they saw Inoichi dressed as Santa Claus, Harold and Tsume dressed as elves, and Kuromaru dressed as a reindeer (it was still just his reindeer antler headband). Shikaru knew full well that it was his grandfather and said grandfather's friends. Inohime, on the other hand, ran up and tackle-hugged Inoichi.
"I hear that you two have been very good children this year," Inoichi said as he placed a sack he was carrying on the floor. Opening the bag, Inoichi took out a gift and handed it to Inohime while saying, "For the good little girl, a doll of Pinkie Pie from Equestria Girls."
"Yay!" Inohime exclaimed as she hugged Inoichi, thanking 'Santa' for the gift. Shikaru could not help but smile; even though he knew that Inoichi and the other older ninja were doing this mostly for Inohime's benefit, (11) the Nara boy thought that the scene was pretty heartwarming.
"And for the good little boy," Inoichi said as he handed Shikaru a gift, "A new game for his handheld game system."
"Cool," Shikaru remarked as he received the new video game, "Thanks for the new game." In a knowing tone, Shikaru added, "Santa."
"Hey Santa, Inohime has favor to ask," Inohime said.
"Oh? And what would that be?" Inoichi asked, leaning in to hear what the young Nara girl was going to ask.
"Can Santa make sure Santa reindeer not run over Inohime grandmas?" Inohime asked. (12)
Smiling, Inoichi replied with a chuckle, "Sure thing, young lady. But I need you and your brother to do me a favor in return."
"What's the favor?" Shikaru replied.
"I need the both of you to enjoy Christmas," Inoichi replied.
"Inohime always like Christmas!" Inohime declared.
Chuckling softly, Shikaru said, "Sure thing, Santa. You enjoy yourself too, okay?"
Giving his grandson a thumbs-up, Inoichi said, "Sure thing, kiddo. Have a Merry Christmas."
After Inoichi and the others took their leave, Harold remarked, "Well wasn't that the sweetest thing."
"Yes, but there's a more pressing matter to attend to," Kuromaru stated. To Tsume, Kuromaru said, "Can I have my rawhide bone back?"
END, CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Author's Notes:
(1) Harold, Inoichi and Tsume are all idiots, so of course they would think that a dreidel is a Beyblade.
(2) As he is the Hokage, Naruto can give orders to Sakura (within reason).
(3) It wasn't a sexy elf costume.
(4) I have a friend in real life who would love this reference.
(5) Uhh, Tsume…
(6) It's probably wasn't either of the twins who left the cup ramen for Santa.
(7) This is something that I'd like to touch upon.
(8) If drinking and driving are bad...
(9) At least in the anime, various non-Uchiha have been seen using the Fireball technique.
(10) It's about a foot long (not counting the knobby ends), and thick enough so that an adult's hand could barely grip it.
(11) She's four. What else would you expect?
(12) After hearing a certain holiday song, Inohime believes that all reindeer want to run over Michelle and Yoshino.
This is how the holidays would go down in Konoha (well, the Konoha in this series, at least) if Harold and his friends were put in charge. I hope that everyone, regardless of whatever religious beliefs they have, enjoys the holidays.
Try not to fill up on Figgie Pudding.
