Just as Madara settles onto the couch with a mug of tea, Naruto bursts through the front door. Eyeing the wet spot on her coat and the slush she tracked into the entryway with distaste, Madara greets her with a light accusation, "I thought you said you wouldn't be able to make it home in time for the holidays."
"I didn't want ya to be lonely on your birthday and Christmas, so I took the Shinkansen and two buses. Then, I ran across town to get home today," explains Naruto and she sets a package down on the entryway table and removes her coat. Toeing off her boots, she grabs the box and tiptoes over the slush.
Madara huffs as she pads toward him, "You didn't have to go that far."
"You sounded pretty sad on the phone when I told ya my flight got delayed, ya know. Didn't want ya to bawl your eyes out," she wryly returns and places the shoddy package in his lap.
"I do not bawl —what is this?"
"Your birthday present." At his judgmental look, Naruto defends, "Listen, they ran outta wrapping paper, so I had to make do!"
Feeling generous, he removes the duct tape and damp newspaper covering the box without further comment. Instead of another subscription to Bacon of the Month Club, he finds the hawking gauntlet he had been considering.
Plopping down onto the couch beside him, Naruto apologizes, "Sorry, if the box is a little wet. I slipped on my way here."
Opening the box to try it on, Madara allows, "I suppose you can be forgiven."
Failing to keep the amusement out of her voice as he admires his new glove, she asks, "Do ya like it?"
"It will do," replies Madara with an excessive amount of nonchalance; like she didn't see his face light up for a second. His eyes even darted toward the window to check the weather.
Glad that he's so excited to test out his present, Naruto laughs, "Happy Birthday."
"Thank you," he says and Naruto catches his pleased upturn of the lips.