His body quivered and his hands grabbed a fist full of the blankets as his erratic breathing fought its way out of his lungs, he arched his back as playful fingers traced his abdomen.

"Those six months with Suigetsu sure made a difference, right here" - Sasuke traced a line down the dip of his hips. Naruto covered his eyes with a shaky breath.

"I've been training hard"

"I know, you're stronger and more agile" - Sasuke's mouth captured his own in a hungry kiss, his hand traveling playfully down the tan legs. "Your body has changed" - his fangs nipped his skin here and there, teasing the tan skin.

There was a knock on the door, stopping them on their time alone.

"We're going to hunt, are you coming?"

"I'm kind of busy" - Sasuke growled

"I know you love birds" - Ino made a kissing noise, Naruto laughed out loud from inside the room.

"We're coming Ino. I want to go to town and buy some things for Christmas"

Sasuke pushed himself off the blonde and Naruto straddled him, leaning for a kiss.

"Christmas?" - Sasuke asked

"You… don't celebrate it?" - Naruto asked discouraged

"I mean, I've lived more than 500 years, i think i haven't celebrated anything in forever'

"Oh… it makes sense, you wouldn't be able to have dinner either" - the blond sighed sadly.

"Move your butt, I'll cater to your human wishes this time" - Naruto leaned forward again, his hips digging into the other boy. "You have one second idiot, you are testing my self control" - he growled. With a laugh Naruto moved away.

XxXx

Naruto disliked the looks so he chose to always hide his features underneath the hood of his cape and the heavy snow that was falling over the town was making his plans easier, the vampires had all scattered to different locations to avoid any attention driven to themselves so Naruto was left alone to shop little mementos for his friends.

After some thought he concluded buying tons of food and decorations was worth it, the immortals were probably not interested in celebrating anything. He distracted himself with the thought of just spending time with his new family and the possibility of finally being one with his lover. He blushed and laughed to himself nervously, so unaware of his surroundings that he bumped into someone. The girl squeaked and fell to the ground.

"I'm so sorry, I was distracted. I apologize" - he stammered offering a hand to the lady. The girl lifted her gaze un surprise when she recognized the voice.

"Naruto?" - she asked, her hands moved to remove the hood and display the long hair and marked tan cheeks. "It is you!"

"Hinata" - the girl overlooked all decorum and threw her arms around his neck.

"How wonderful to see you, it's been so long. Your parents! They have been looking for you" - she hugged him tightly, so unlike the shy girl he had met long ago.

"What about you, what are you doing here?"

"I live around here now, with my cousin Neji. I enrolled in university to my family's dismay, and I am unmarried" - the last statement she announced with pride.

"You opened the door of your cage"

"And I flew right out. Not in peace if i might add, father was a mess" - Naruto laughed

"You are not the girl i met before, your confidence and personality come to shine. I am happy for you, if i helped you in any way to achieve this it makes me feel better, breaking the engagement and all must have been a scandal"

"Your father was furious, he would have hurt you, I am glad you are safe and well, you look different. Happier" - Hinata reached up to take Naruto's face into her hands, her eyes were full of adoration.

Naruto opened his mouth to respond when an arm coiled around his waist. Hinata took a step back, blushing profusely.

"Your friend?" - Sasuke asked

"She is" - Naruto raised an eyebrow at the brunette. "Hinata is an old acquaintance from my hometown, my fiance for a day" - he laughed. Sasuke's grip tightened.

"Nice to meet you my lady, such an honor to meet a friend of Naruto" - he reached for her hand and kissed it. Hinata stammered a "likewise" making the blonde laugh as she had turned into her old shy self.

"I'll leave you two alone so you can continue to enjoy your evening" - Hinata thought about it for a second before giving the blonde a hug. "He's a keeper' - she whispered against his ear before waving goodbye. Naruto's wide eyes didn't even dare to blink.

XxXx

It was a strange holiday to say the least, Naruto was the first to awaken as usual, he had gone down to the kitchen to make something to eat and just sat on the table alone, the fire was raging in the fireplace making his skin rosy.

When he was younger his mother baked him a cake every Christmas eve, she read stories about knights and dragons and after the last bell chime of the night she would shower him with kisses and give him a small gift. But all that was in the past, it had all changed when he turned thirteen and his father had taken a hold of his life and nothing had ever been the same.

A hand on his shoulder and a kiss on his head brought him out of memory lane, he turned to find Sakura in a crimson velvet dress.

"Merry Christmas my sweet child"

"Merry Christmas Sakura"

"Don't dwell in those memories too long and forget to see the beauty of the present. It might not be what you expected but there is plenty of joy and love in this house"

"Thanks" - Naruto smiled and reached for his pocket. "This is for you" - he gave her a small box which the pink haired vampire opened immediately, she gasped in surprise.

"It is perfect,'' she said. Sakura reached down for the cherry blossom earrings inside the box and rushed to put them on.

He followed Sakura's advice, there was no point in dwelling in the past, he was happy here, with them. So his night barely began and he had taken a few hours to show the two boys, Suigetsu and Juugo, their presents, a novel for the ever so quiet and refined Juugo and a pair of leather boots for the rambunctious Suigetsu. Ino who had just now opened her adorned box to find a silk scarf pranced around dancing to silent tunes.

"Play something for us" - Ino pleaded while pushing the blonde to the fortepiano. Naruto complied and played, the girls were giggling and dancing all around, taking the hands of their companions who were forced to follow them. Sasuke came downstairs when the chanting and dancing got louder, Naruto's laughter could be heard from upstairs and it was infectious.

"I am afraid I'll ruin your fun but i need to take him with me" - Sasuke apologized. The others just nodded, the mood was so uplifting that even without the music the girls still twirled around, remembering all those centuries ago when they were younger and more connected to their humanity.

Sasuke took Naruto's hand and guided him to the back garden, the white roses welcomed with their smell.

"Merry Christmas" - Naruto hugged him tightly

"I got something for you" - Sasuke fished through his pocket and took out a golden necklace with a blue gem hanging from it. "It reminded me of your eyes, blue as the sky I remember from my mortal life, so soft and serene" - Sasuke moved behind thee blonde, he kissed his head, and shoulders before putting the necklace around his neck.

"Thanks" - Naruto stood on his tiptoes to kiss him.

"My present is upstairs" - he whispered against the pale lips. Sasuke's eyebrow raised and he smirked. "I didn't mean it like that, you pervert" - Naruto stammered, making the other boy laugh. "I'll go upstairs and get it before you get any ideas" - he chastised. Naruto came back with a small box in his hands, he opened the velvet box to display a silver band

"Are you proposing?" - Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Naruto blused, his ears reddened as much as his cheeks and neck

"I… no, it's not like that… I just thought…" - Naruto took a step back

"So easy to tease you" - Sasuke pulled the band from the box and tried it on his finger. "Thank you" - Sasuke closed the gap between them to kiss the mortal boy on the forehead.

"I'll buy you one next time and I'll make you my husband then" - Sasuke teased again, laughing at Naruto's pout.

Sasuke's laughter died suddenly and with a violent pull he moved Naruto behind him, the confused boy met red eyes.

"My, my Sasuke-san is so overprotective" - a voice resonated inside his mind. "Are you scared we hurt your little toy?"

Sakura and the rest of the enclave burst through the door with worried expressions.

"They're here" - Ino said "Orochimaru is here"