Disclaimer: The usual.

NOTE: Thanks goes to all reviewers! I really don't have time to announce them right now! I promise that you will all get feedback in the next chapter! THANKS!

Maybe reading the last part will help if you were confused before.

This has nothing to do with the plot itself. It's just a little Christmas side story.

For all readers, MERRY CHRISTMAS/ HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!

Warning: Surprise ending. :)

" ...text" present/dialogue

'...text' Sakura's thoughts/sound

Interlude

Poinsettia

Flakes of large and small waltzed in mid-air as they descended down from Heaven----angelic spirits bond to bring good luck.

The seventeen-year-old stood before the rectangular entrance, shielded from the countless cold specks thanks to the roof above him. One hand hid behind the pair of sweat pants that matched his gravity-defying strands as the other reached out to tap lightly against the wooden surface.

Knock. Knock.

His keen hearing caught soft footsteps making its way up to him behind the closed door.

Two feet pounded against floor boards, matching the beat of his heart against his rib cage.

Click.

Cool onyx met warm emerald when the door swung open to reveal the female he had been expecting.

Her cherry lips immediately lifted at the sight of him.

" Hey, Sasuke-kun!"

Silence.

Huh?

Then it hit her.

" OH! Merry Christmas, Sasuke-kun!" She stuck her tongue out, feeling a bit sheepish for forgetting such an important holiday. " Uh... You're here for your present, right?"

' Yeah... right.'

" No." He declined calmly. That hidden structure slowly retreating from the cloud shrouded in mystery. With his hand, he brought along another object which he held carefully within his grasp. One flower, a fresh red rose, hung before her vision. " I was training when I found this. You can have it since it has no use to me anyway."

She eyed it curiously, her mind conscious of one fact.

' Roses were currently out of season...'

Despite her suspicion of ways that he might have used to obtain such a treasure, she still accepted it with a grateful smile of her own.

" Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

He nodded indifferently, his navy blue figure then disappeared through the sea of white snowflakes.

After shutting the door and preventing the bone-chilling wind from entering her warm environment, the pink-haired Kunoichi lifted the blossom to her nose, careful not to prick her fingers on its sharp thorns while drawing its sweet fragrance.

She was a blossom too, a cherry blossom. Yet never in her life had she smelled, as others' way of putting it, "intoxicating". She was somewhat almost envious of the flower.

Knock! Knock!

At the sound of another visitor requesting attention, delicate hands quickly set the plant down on her kitchen table.

Her feet propelled her to the door once again.

Twisting the knob, she pulled it open.

" Hey-..." Sakura froze, jade depths growing into an incredulous size. " Sasuke-kun?!"

There the Uchiha stood, at the same exact spot he had been a few minutes ago.

She became the target of his unfaltering obsidian gaze.

" Eh, why are you back again, Sasuke-kun?"

" It's cold out." Came his monotonous reply. Not bothering to seek his pockets for warmth or ask for her permission, he invited himself into her sanctuary, kicking off his sandals by the side when he entered.

She exhaled, large puff of water vapor ascending into the air.

" Yeah, sure is. It's snowing outside." Suddenly feeling unintelligent for stating the obvious, she quickly shut her door to find him standing motionlessly behind her, waiting for her.

The female appreciated his offer in company.

" You want anything?'

" Tea." He agreed simply.

Without further delay, she hurried to the kitchen to boil the water in the kettle on the stove.

He roamed aimlessly around her average sized living room while she busied herself with their drink, eyes wandering from object to object.

The walls were covered with smooth cotton candy tones of wallpaper, giving the guests a rather feminine feeling.

It was very like her, he mused, the Cherry Blossom of Spring.

They ended their search when his eyes caught the sight of a single red object resting on her kitchen table.

A single crimson rose.

" Sasuke-kun!" Her small head poked out from the kitchen, catching him deep in thought. Following his line of vision, she found the item that she set aside a while ago lying on the table surface.

It was the flower he had given her.

Her lips twitched to a grin.

" I'll be right back." She dashed into her bedroom, rummaging through her closet for a good amount of time before emerging again with another material at her possession.

He sat at the table, eyes never once leaving the present he presented to her that day.

Sakura stalked up to him, slightly amused at how he tried to wilt the flower his stony gaze. She wove the dark wool scarf around the large collar of his shirt gently, avoiding to have to disturb him from his peaceful moment.

Giving the knot she made one last tuck, she let her hands fall back at her sides.

He tore his eyes away from the flower, refocusing them upon her figure as he slid off the chair. Pools of green admired the sight of him with glee.

" Merry Christmas, Sasuske-kun." A joyful smile was brought to her lips. " I-..."

He didn't let her finish. Those moist lips of his dove down to her own.

Her eyelids fell shut instantly.

In addition, she felt another object being shoved into her hands along something that felt suspiciously like paper.

The intimate moment between them ended quickly. Emptiness met her face to face when emeralds reopened. There was not one trace left of him in the place.

It was almost as if he was never there in the first place.

But she was positive that he'd been there.

She looked down to the things he had left behind.

One fully bloomed fiery poinsettia.

...And a note written on a small piece of paper.

Didn't he give her a present already?

Luminous orbs ran back and forth, delivering the message to her brain.

She read the scribbles once.

Reread them.

Twice.

Three times.

... Then she finally let it escape her hand, while the other clutched the winter blossom close to her heart.

Remember me, as I shall remember you...

Thank you, Cherry Blossom.

Itachi

Outside, shadowed by the thick fog of snow, the masculine figure slowly evolved.

His blue top grew darker in color and longer as red clouds in silver lining form on the cloak that ran past his knees. Spiky hair grew into longer locks secured into a low ponytail.

Through the opening of the heavy cloak, a matching scarf can be found around the man's neck.

Shooting the building one last look from his ruby Sharingan eyes, he slowly went on his way again, a slight smirk gracing his lips.

" Merry Christmas, Cherry Blossom..."

Author's Crap:

No one's still confused, right? I had to post this little story before Christmas arrives. And since the teachers have all decided to stuff us with homework now, this might the only time that I get to post...

Anyway, I just got Naruto DVDs... And I saw Itachi in the anime! Um.... I sort of think his voice is too deep for his character... It doesn't really match him.. And WOAH he is cruel... For those who haven't watched the anime, I won't spoil it for you... Let's just say he kicked his little brother's ass... Heh heh... Just by watching the anime, I realize how OOC Itachi is in here.... (guilty guilty)

Anyway, THANKS FOR READING!!! Please feel free to leave comments, "you suck"s, and anything else in the review box. LOL!