Everybody was here. It was the first time that their entire team was reunited and what better that they are reunited for Christmas. A family gathering.
Sakura was there, Naruto, Sai, Kakashi, Yamato and even Sasuke.
They were all having dinner before giving the gifts. They were chatting, laughing. They all deserved it after everything they had been through.
After dinner was over and everyone had given theirs it was now Sasuke's turn to receive the one they had for him.
To be honest he didn't want to come at first he wasn't one to like being surrounded and especially not for festivity since it has been a very long time he had done it.
But he was a changed man. His heart didn't hold the darkness he had before and if he was honest with himself a part of him was content to be here with the people he held dear to his heart. Even though he won't say that out loud. He changed but not for that part.
From Naruto he obviously received some ramen he had to try because « they are to die for, believe it !!! » and a new set of kunai.
From Kakashi, and he had almost chidori him, the last book of Icha Icha Paradise « because you are a man now Sasuke and it s your part to know how to please a woman ». Let s just say the book ended up burnt by his Amaterasu.
From Yamato, some scrolls that he could use during battle. It was thoughtful because as Sasuke had only one arm now he had to adjust the way he was battling. He thanked him with a nod.
From Sakura, a new cape because she knew he wanted people to not see that he was missing his arm. And his old one was really dirty and had some holes.
She also gifted him the new picture that they took few weeks ago with Naruto Kakashi and herself. She knew he had kept the old one. And she wanted him to have this one to remember that they were here for him, that he still had his team, that they didn't go anywhere and won't go anywhere anytime soon.
He also knew with the mischief in her eyes that after everyone will be gone she will gift him another one. In the intimacy of her bedroom.
And again if he was honest with himself, being able to be this close to her, to only hold her was a gift that no men can put a value on. He still thought that he didn't deserve anything. And he was selfish enough to not care anymore and taking everything that she wanted to give him.
That they wanted to give him.
The last was Sai. And it was not everyday that you can see said man being unsure of himself. It was weird because everyone was eyeing Sasuke as well like they were waiting a weird reaction.
And Sasuke understood then why they were all acting this way. For the gift he unwrapped was a painting from Sai. But not an ordinary one. It was Sasuke. Surrounded by his close family. Sai had drawn the current Sasuke with Mikoto,Fugaku and Itachi.
Sasuke didn't know what to say for he didn't know how to react. He was too surprised for that. And the only thing that he can say was « H-How? ». He knew Sai never went to his compound. So how did he knew what his family really looked like ?
« I had encountered your brother during one of our mission with Team 7 that s how I know what he looked like. And for your mother and father, didn't you think it was weird that your compound after all these years was clean? ».
It was true that after being released from his cell he managed to go pay his respect to his family. His compound and especially the main house was as clean as the last day he had run away from konoha. He used to go once a week to clean it. He just really thought that the 5th Hokage had cleaned it before he was released.
He waited for Saï to continue his explanation. But he wasn't him that continued.
« I am sorry Sasuke-Kun I didn't attend to be noisy or being curious. But after you left I could not put my mind into the fact that it ll get dirty. I always had the hope that you ll come home eventually and I didn't wanted you to come home to a dirty home. So I tried to go as many times I could to clean a little you know. And I happened to see some photo of the member of your family. Saï is trying to catch up on being more open and showing emotion and everything and I told him that it was a good way to start during Christmas by gifting people present as it is customary. Painting it s his thing. He is really good at it. But he doesn't know you like we do. And we thought it was a good idea … that he draws you something meaningful … so … »
Sasuke had listened to her intently. His heart was clenched for he didn't know what to say. She had thought about him that often when he was away?? To the point to doing that for him? And they all had the idea to gift him that? Saï painted this for him?
The last time he cried was for his brother. But now he wanted to cry for the people that were here today. For the people he almost lost once. For his family he had since the beginning.
« … Arigato… Arigato everyone »
END