The Link
Chapter X: Jingle Bells
Hinata was sitting silently along the corner, her mug of hot chocolate practically ignored and getting cold. Around her, the arena where a part of the Chuunin exams had been held was radically transformed. Colored garlands were hanged on the walls and banisters along with glittering Christmas lights. There was a huge banner up front saying MERRY CHRISTMAS, KONOHA! But Hinata was seeing none of it. She did not even pay attention to the five long tables laid across the arena, each one groaning under the weight of an excellent Christmas feast.
The white-eye stared into the dark depths of the chocolate in her mug. Naruto was missing for four months now. Hinata knew that the fox she loved was well capable of taking care of himself, but to be gone this long without even a word for his friends? For her? And her cousin Neji vanishing suddenly as well – the last time she saw him (or anybody did, for that matter), was when she confronted him and she woke up in a broom closet. That was when half of the food in the Hyuuga mansion had disappeared as well. Sasuke and Shikamaru had already added Neji in their 'search list'. Her cousin knew about Naruto, really. Else he wouldn't have gone haring off into nothingness for no apparent reason at all.
Sighing, Hinata finally opted to focus on her surroundings. Most of the ninja populace was already here, and more were still coming by the minute. Hinata looked for some familiar faces. As expected, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Chouji, Kiba and Gaara were in a huddle, having a lively debate. Sasuke was gesturing wildly, a sign of his agitation. Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Kiba and Chouji were frowning up at him while Gaara only stood there like a stone, arms crossed. Ino was standing near one of the long tables, drinking punch and glaring at Shikamaru. Sakura was nowhere to be seen.
That was another mystery, Sakura. It all began one day when she had fled from Tsunade's office, shouting for Sasuke. She very nearly had come to him if it wasn't for the gigantic slug Katsuyu appearing in the middle of the street, barring her way. And then...Sakura avoided all contact since, especially from Sasuke. She shut herself up in Tsunade's house, only coming out when it was badly needed. This annoyed Shikamaru and Sasuke further. It only confirmed their worst suspicions that Naruto, wherever he was, was in serious trouble.
"Hi, Hinata, Merry Christmas!"
The Hyuuga heiress turned to see Sakura smiling brightly down at her. Hinata nodded in acknowledgement, and Sakura took the vacant chair beside her. "I think this is the biggest feast the Academy has ever hosted, don't you think?"
Hinata's lips thinned. She did not look at Sakura. "Yes, it is. Wouldn't it be nice if Naruto and Neji-oniichan were here instead of spending their Christmas somewhere cold?" she said in a stony voice. Her hands started trembling.
Sakura was dumbfounded. She looked at Hinata, at a loss for words, her lips open. Hinata went on, hammering her point further.
"You know if you really do care about other people, you would help them." The Hyuuga continued. "You shouldn't hide information on their whereabouts. Because, if you ask me, that doesn't solve anything. What if when you finally decided to talk, everything's too late? What if the person you were helping keep stay hidden died? Can your conscience bear that much of a burden? That he would have been alive if only you talked?"
"Hinata, I..."
"If something happens to them both...my Naruto and Neji-oniichan...I won't...I definitely won't...I will not forgive you."
"You don't understand..."
"What I understand is you're not helping a single bit." Hinata whispered, finally glaring at Sakura. "I don't know what Godaime-sama told you, but I'm willing to bet my eyes that she held your apprenticeship at stake. I pity you, Sakura. Hatake Kakashi would have been disappointed. You chose your rank over your friends, and that's very selfish of you."
Sakura burst into tears and hurried away. Hinata watched her go with savage triumph etched on her gentle features. Sasuke walked over to her side, hands in his pockets.
"That was quite harsh of you." The Uchiha commented.
Hinata rose and smiled at Sasuke. "Sometimes you need to be harsh to get what you want."
Sasuke gave her a smile that would have made all of his fangirls melt into putty. He offered her his hand, and they walked to join the crowd that was starting to gather before the podium. Tsunade was already standing there, clearing her throat. When most of the crowd had turned to her (Shikamaru had great difficulty turning Chouji from the roast turkey), she began the traditional opening speech.
When the speech ended, the Genins went forward and presented their presents to their teachers. This was when Shikamaru nodded pointedly toward Sasuke, who had already tied the plushie Konohamaru, Moegi and Raito gave him to his belt (the plushie was a mini version of him). After the gift-giving, the feast began, and Chouji very happily dug in, claiming a whole turkey for himself. The feast lasted for a good two hours and then the second gift-giving began. After this was the much-awaited dance that claimed up to four hours well into eleven in the evening. The dance ended and all the ninjas present climbed up the stage and started to sing carols, and when midnight struck, the gigantic Christmas tree flared to life amidst much shouting of "Merry Christmas, Konoha!"
But then, everything would have been much more enjoyable when a certain fox-boy and a white-eye were present.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride
A one-horse open sleigh!
Naruto was singing at the top of his voice as he went around the house with a purple garland curled around his neck. Neji was singing along as well as he finished the last three dishes for their own feast. Jiraiya was busy checking up the decorations and finishing the last touches to their Christmas tree with help from Orochimaru, who was singing too.
Naruto took one end of his garland and started spinning it, before clearing his throat and beginning a new carol that Neji, Jiraiya and Orochimaru took up.
On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me,
A partridge in a pear tree!
Even though there were only four of them, the house was happily noisy. Neji and Naruto woke up early that day and started with the chores – Neji with the cooking and Naruto the laundry with much enthusiasm. Jiraiya was next to rise and started rummaging through the house for decorations. Orochimaru did not wake up until lunchtime, but it was a surprise that he greeted everyone a Merry Christmas with a big smile on his face. The Serpent also asked if he could help a bit on anything, and Neji told him to assist Jiraiya instead. Naruto jokingly asked why Orochimaru was being helpful, and the Serpent bluntly replied that this was the first time he'd celebrate Christmas since leaving Konoha.
"Hey, hey, perverted hermit, do we get to drink sake with you tonight!" Naruto demanded.
"Of course! Drink all you can!" Jiraiya replied.
"Yahoo!"
Neji rolled his eyes while Orochimaru only smiled. Naruto started to set the table as he resumed the carol he had been singing. And finally the sun set, the sake bottles were taken out and the feast was ready. The gang decided to eat where the TV was, because Naruto proposed of having a song showdown while they were drinking.
"Besides, as there's so little of us," said Naruto. "Why don't we give gifts to everyone? I mean...I'll give something to Neji, to perverted hermit and O-chan...and then all of us have their turns giving the other three a little something. What do you say?"
"Sounds good to me." Jiraiya murmured, while Neji and Orochimaru nodded.
The eating began, and Naruto and Jiraiya had a small fight over the barbecue. Neji restored the peace by saying that there were still lots in the kitchen. Orochimaru never spoke – he kept himself busy by scooping the others' foods with his tongue when they were looking the other way. However his trick was soon exposed and everything resulted in a wrestling match with Naruto.
"All right, all right, let's exchange presents!" the loudmouthed blonde declared as he rose from strangling Orochimaru on the floor. "Okay, so I'll start..." For a moment Naruto vanished into the universal bedroom and came back clutching a variety of things. "For perverted hermit I have here a magazine Shikamaru gave me. Happy reading!" and he tossed a porn reading toward Jiraiya entitled Kunoichi Diaries.
"And a special edition, too!" said Jiraiya, his nose starting to bleed. "Thank you, Naruto!"
"For Neji, our beloved hero, I give my walrus cap...take care of that, you! I've had that since I was a little boy!" And Naruto gave a furry brown sleeping cap to the eager Hyuuga.
"Aww, I'm touched!" said Neji as he rammed the cap atop his shiny locks. "Thanks!"
Naruto turned to Orochimaru. "And for O-chan...this necklace that embodies all of my dreams, but most importantly the dream of becoming Hokage!" he removed the necklace Tsunade gave him and passed it on to Orochimaru. "And also because this necklace gave me light when I can't find anything else to break the darkness. Merry Christmas!"
Orochimaru clutched the pendant tight and gave Naruto a look of gratitude. "My turn, I guess." He said. He reached up and removed his earrings. "For Neji-kun I give him my earrings, these little trinkets I've had since I was a Genin." Neji took the earrings carefully and beaming with pleasure, put them on.
"Thank you, Orochimaru-san!" said the Hyuuga.
"For Jiraiya..." said Orochimaru, turning to his former teammate. "All right, I'm finally becoming the cover girl for your Icha Icha..."
"REALLY!" Jiraiya shouted. "ALL RIGHT! MERRY CHRISTMAS!" and he jumped and whooped for joy, looking very much like an overgrown school boy.
"...but not until I'm drunk, so I can't remember the shameful things you will put me through come the next day." Orochimaru finished. He turned to the expectant blonde beside Neji.
"OH, OROCHI-KUN, THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" Jiraiya yelled as he gave Orochimaru a rib-cracking bear hug.
"Leggo of me!" Orochimaru grunted as he fisted Jiraiya in the ribs. Jiraiya returned to his seat on the floor, looking so happy. "So where was I?"
Naruto raised his hand. "Me! Me!"
"For Naruto-kun...I expect it would make up his Christmas if I say that I will teach him Senei Gyashu and Katon Karyuu Endan in the following months." Orochimaru said.
"WAAAAAAAAAH!" Naruto cried, standing up. His blue eyes sparkled with indescribable joy. And then he lunged forward and hugged Orochimaru very, very tight. "THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!"
"Lucky guy, Naruto!" Neji said in awe. Jiraiya grinned and shook his head.
Orochimaru smiled a small smile as he turned to the blonde who was still clinging to him. He patted Naruto's head and returned the hug briefly. "You will have to help me with the seals, though." He whispered to Naruto's ear. Naruto nodded happily and remained hugging him.
Neji rose to his knees. "Yay! So it's my turn finally, give me a moment..." For a few minutes the Hyuuga fumbled in his pockets. "Okay, so first, to Naruto..." He drew a petite penguin stuffed toy from right pocket. "I give him my precious Yuki-chan. Hey, if you'd had this cap ever since you were a boy," Neji jerked his head so the cap wobbled on his head. "I've had Yuki-chan since I was a baby! Take good care of him!"
Naruto took the penguin. "So cute! I'll take care of him all right, Neji!"
Neji then turned to Jiraiya. "For Jiraiya-san..." he drew an extremely lacey panty from his left pocket. Jiraiya and Naruto's eyes widened. "I have for you underwear I received as a gift last Christmas from Shizune-san!"
Cackling, Jiraiya took the panty and rammed it onto his head.
"And finally for Orochimaru-san..." Neji procured a kitty mask from his jacket. "I give him my ANBU mask in turn." Orochimaru took the mask and wore it over his face.
"ANBU?" Naruto repeated. "You're an Anbu!"
Neji blushed. "Well...yeah, I suppose I am."
"Great guy, Neji!" Naruto declared as he hugged his friend. "I knew you had it in you!"
Neji averted his gaze. "So, anyway...ahm..." he reddened some more. "Egad, I hate it when I'm embarrassed!" he squeaked as he buried his face in his hands.
Jiraiya sighed. "I'm sorry...I haven't anything with me tonight, but I assure you all that you'd each get a free, autographed copy of the one hundredth Icha Icha book with O-chan on the front cover."
There was a shout of "Boo!" from Naruto, and Jiraiya was unable to duck a rice ball that slammed into his face.
The TV was turned on, the microphone was plugged and the sake was poured. It was a nice party, and Naruto and Neji did not regret missing the Academy party for this one. At first Neji did not want to drink, loudly protesting that he was just seventeen and therefore still not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages, but a drunk Orochimaru tackled him and a cackling Naruto poured sake down his throat. Soon Neji was like the other three, blushing, singing...and drunk.
fumikomuze akuseru kake hiki wanaisa sou dayo
youru wo nukeru
nejikomu sa saigo ni sashihiki zero sa sou dayo
hibi wo kezuru
Neji had even removed his head protector and was spinning it around and around over his head as he sang with all his might.
kokoro wo sotto hiraite gyutto hiki yosetara
todokuyo kitto tsutau yo motto sa aa
iki isoide shiboritotte
motsureru ashi dakedo mae yori zutto sou tokue
ubaitotte tsukandatte
kimi ja nai nara imi was naniosa
dakara motto motto motto haruka kanata
At eleven in the evening, much to Jiraiya's delight (and nosebleed), Naruto used Sexy no Jutsu, transforming both himself and Orochimaru. Neji was still singing his heart out in front of the TV, cursing whenever the video gave him a low score.
kokuen bori ni bottou BODI MA HATTAYASAN mo
pekin DAKKU WAIYAA AKUSHON CHARI de isogu CHEN-RII
MY KOTEKA daiji nimigakiageru POPO-san
ote wo haishaku JAPANIIZU PIIPOO
sekaijuu hora waratteru sora miagete
saa tachiagatte Oh Yeah
sekaijuu hora kawatteku min'na ganbatte
So tachiagatte Oh Yeah
Neji watched beadily as the video rated him a 97. But his wine-impaired vision made it look like 17 for some reason we cannot explain, and the Hyuuga exploded. Roaring, he grabbed the TV and made to squash it to pulp, but Jiraiya and Naruto were there to save the day.
"Oi, oi, Neji-kun! You wouldn't want to destroy Tsunade's flat screen, trust me!" Jiraiya shouted as he had Neji in full-nelson.
"!$$!&! THE DAMN THING GAVE ME A 17! THE DAMN THING'S INSULTING MY VOICE!$(!)(!" Neji howled as he struggled against Naruto and Jiraiya.
"It was a ninety – hic – seven!" Naruto yelled. "It was a ninety-seven, you dolt!"
While the three wrestled, scratched and bit each other, a very drunk O-chan made her way outside while dragging the Christmas tree behind her. Kissing the Christmas tree's plastic pine needles, the swaying woman started to build a snowman, pausing every now and then to drink deeply from the sake bottle she claimed as her own and called 'Mommy'.
When the snowman was finally finished, Orochimaru put an upturned pot onto its head and raised her sake bottle for a toast.
"Merry – hic – Christmas, Sarutobi-sensei!" and she drank the remaining content in one gulp. There was a loud crash from the house, and Jiraiya's shout of frustration and worry. O-chan swayed and twirled in the snow. "OI! YOU ALL COME OUT HERE! COME OOUUUUTT!"
Ten minutes later and the three waded through the snow to join Orochimaru and the snowman. The mood was good for a somber carol, and arm in arm, they started to sing.
Silent night...
Holy night...
All is calm...
All is bright...
"Guys, wait...my stomach is feeling very bad..."
"Huh?"
"Not now, Naruto-kun!"
"Wait, no, its coming!"
"What? What is coming?"
"The –!"
POOOOOT.
"...Onara..."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHH!"