So this is a omake/Interlude for Christmas! Here in AUs it's 1:42 am and Christmas day, so to all who reads this MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope everyone has a good one!

[Also this is unbeta'd, it will get beta'd but later!]

This takes place a fair bit into the future but I really wanted to write something about christmas! IT also contains the spoiler for the relationship between Naruto and Akiko! I really hope you don't mind. If you find the fact that this is a spoiler for the future chapters, you may skip this one!

This is a Christmas present to my wonderful Beta: bleeding-roses-16! She has done a wonderful job in helping with my chapters

Enjoy!

Akiko could see her breath in the cold air of winter as she passed through the gates and into the Leaf village, nodding briefly at the gate guards Izumo and Kotetsu before hurrying along.

'At this rate, I'm going to be Late!' Akiko thought in alarm as she almost ran through the white roads and many times just missed slipping. Christmas was here and knowing Naruto, he was going to be sulking if she missed it!

(Considering she had missed the last two years in a row)

Christmas had been hard to introduce since it hadn't really existed in the first place and it had taken some very heavy editing of the origin just to make it fit with the elemental continents!

(When Santa was explained, well, There were numerous traps in the very tiny fireplace and an almost constant surveillance for the fat man in red. She really should have seen this coming and she didn't think Naruto was the only one who planted those traps.)

But once Naruto had been told that there would be an exchange of presents and a time for family, well he was on board all the way! And somehow, a mysterious person only known as Inu was roped into the mess as well.

How? She wasn't entirely sure herself, but with Naruto? Well, anything can happen with the at boy.

(Akiko had the faintest feeling in the back of her mind that she knew the man behind the mask who hovered almost protectively around Naruto. That feeling constantly annoyed her to no end.)

Akiko was coming around the last corner to Naruto's apartment, and with a rash decision to save time, she broke into a run with a single arm outstretched to catch the single pole to swing her around and keep her momentum.

The impact jarred her arm but the plan worked and she slid around the corner and someway down the street, just keeping her balance by waving her arms around like a flailing octopus.

A quick glance to the top of the build that Akiko is approaching shows that the lights are still on and Akiko just knows that in that apartment, a nine year old boy with bright yellow hair is waiting for her.

Her heart clenches at the thought and warmth spreads from that spot, so much warmth that Akiko smiles softly at the very thought.

Akiko enters through the door way and races up the stairs with an unusual amount of speed for a civilian as she hurries to get back to her...family before midnight. The closer she gets to the door, the heavier her pack seemed to become. Full of presents from all the countries and towns she had visited.

x

By the time Akiko reaches the top of the stairs, she is gasping for breath like a fish out of water but she is determined to be on the other side of that locked blue door in-front of her.

She staggers up to it and knocks heavily, enough so that it could be called pounding. And after the first two knocks, the door is open and suddenly there is an armful of happy crying child.

"I'm home." She whispers softly into Naruto's hair as she hugs him fiercely, wondering why couldn't he be her ache, he be the person she lives for.

"Mum, you're home." He croaks back, half laughing and crying from relief.

"I'm home." She repeats, stroking his hair, her own tears slipping down her cheeks as her voice breaks. She is home, after four long months away on the road, sleeping on the ground and on branches, pretending to be a man and working in the fields. And during those time, Akiko wished with all her heart that she was with Naruto, helping with his homework, helping out with his reading, meeting his friends and even setting up play dates. She would have rather been there listening to him nattering on about Iruka-Sensei, his new crush Sakura and, quoting Naruto, "That Bastard Sasuke"

But she was home now and right now, that was all that mattered.

"Now, why don't we go inside." She kisses his head. "I have chocolate."

Naruto doesn't say much about himself but he is telling her about the time she wasn't here, what she missed and his classmates. His voice is thick and cracks in some places and when he looks at her, there is the suspicious sheen to his eyes and the evidence of tear tracks on his cheeks that makes Akiko want to reach out and crush him into another strong hug and take him somewhere he'll be safe from harm.

(And in some corner of her mind, the reality strikes and whispers that keeping Naruto safe would be almost impossible and some days, that's what makes her worry, that's what causes her sleepless nights.)

Akiko doesn't pull away or do anything but let him drag her by the arm, because she's missed this, and into the warm apartment.

x

The room is warm with heating from a crackling fireplace, soft splashes of colour fill the moon. Comfort fills her, and something loosens in her chest at the sight of her home and her...son.

Akiko was very aware he wasn't her child by blood but she didn't care. They adopted each other in ways that in a sense healed each other and helped them grow. Akiko didn't regret her decision then and doesn't regret it now and can't see when she'll regret it in the future.

Naruto wasn't as energized as he usually is, she can see the sluggishness in his actions from his apparent fatigue.

(Akiko can see the dark eye bags from late and maybe sleepless nights and she worries)

Her brow furrows in worry as she enters the kitchen and takes of her pack. What could be keeping her son up so late? Or was he just worried that she wouldn't make it again?

Akiko makes good on her unspoken promise for hot chocolate and comes back to Naruto sitting on the couch and playing with a wrapped gift. Akiko raises an eyebrow but doesn't question it since such gifts had begun to show up almost right after Naruto had attempted to tell his school mates.

(Akiko could only assume that those who liked Naruto heard about it and passed it one since sometimes there is more than one present left for him.)

"When did this one come around?" Akiko asks softly as Naruto plays 'spin the box'.

"This morning. I woke up and there it was on my bed! Smells like Inu though." The last part is muttered petulantly.

"I'm sure he has his reasons, now here have some hot chocolate. I'll get the presents when you're done." Akiko hands the second mug she carried from the kitchen to him.

"But I have a present too!" Naruto whines and he does. Ever since that first present ended up on his bed, Naruto had bought presents for the mysterious Inu who sometimes took the present or not until much later. Akiko knew that he is focused on finding out who is behind that mask.

(Akiko also gets the feeling that Inu is finding this amusing.)

Naruto grasp the cup with his small hands and smiles shyly.

"Thanks mum." It seemed that he still loved the fact that Akiko was his mother just as much as Akiko loves the fact he is her son.

Akiko watches Naruto finish his drink as she regales him with the humorous stories of her travels, making him laugh and on the good occasion, making him snort the chocolate milk out his nose.

Eventually the warmth of the chocolate, the energy he spent and the wait tires Naruto out and he slowly drifts to sleep with the cup hanging in his hand.

Akiko watches with calm eyes and relishes the time she has with him because she knows that when Naruto gets older, he might be like the other teens when their older and Akiko also knows that by then he'll be a real ninja and he will have duties to attend to and probably wouldn't have time for her.

She smiles softly, gently running her hands though Naruto's hair. It's moments like these full of calm and peace and love. With all her heart Akiko wants to stay, so much that *every* time she leaves, it with a few tears.

Gently taking Naurto's cup and placing her own on the small table by the couch, Akiko lifts him with great care and takes him to his room.

She tucks him in and watches with fond eyes as Naruto burrows into his pillows with a small grin.

"Good night, Whiskers." Akiko whispers as she leans down and kisses his forehead.

"Love you." There is a reaction and a mumbled reply that makes her eyes light up and her heart warm.

"Merry Christmas."

So Thoughts? (Also this fits into a bit of Semi-AU)

Later on I'll have the new chapter at the place where 13 is and this will become chapter 14.

Once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!