A/N: I have a toothache, that's spread up to my ear and the side of my head. I feel like I'm going to die. That's why this is quite short, and totally different from what I meant it to be. Enjoy the story.

Warning: Blatant and unabashed! And a complete lack of KakaIru still…

Christmas with the Hatakes
By: Reggie

December 12th: Baking

Kiba frowned, pausing in stroking Akamaru's head long enough to rub his eyes. Nope. A soaking wet Naruto was still standing there, squelching his way down the side walk, with a perfectly dry Sayuri strapped to his chest and giggling.

The dark haired teen shot a confused look over at his companion, but Hinata could only shake her head in confusion. She didn't know either.

Never being one for mysteries, Kiba waved his friend over. "Hey, Naruto, did you get in a fight with a Mist Ninja or what?"

"Nah," Naruto walked over, leaving a trail of mini puddles as he went. "I'm babysitting Sayuri-chan today, but I wanted to look for the present Kakashi-sensei hid. I guess she didn't want to go the park, though, and I ended up soaked."

Kiba could only stare at the other teen stupidly. He realized that none of that made sense, right? "Why were you looking for this present, exactly?"

Naruto fidgeted slightly, causing the infant strapped to his chest to squeal in delight. "Well, Sakura and I got Kakashi-sensei and Iruka-sensei a Christmas present, but he found it and HE hid it and now we have to find it before Christmas or Iruka-sensei will think we didn't get him a present since Sakura and I are out of money."

That…still made no sense. But, Kiba was willing to leave it alone for now. "And how does Sayuri not wanting to go to the park end with you completely soaked?"

"W-was it her blood limit?" Hinata asked quietly, looking up from where she'd been studying her hands.

Naruto simply nodded, and Kiba mentally shuddered. He remembered only too well how real a genjutsu produced by someone related to Iruka-sensei could be. "Did she make you think the lake was a bowl of ramen to jump in or something?"

A scowl crossed Naruto's whiskered face. "No. She knew, or the jutsu did, or something, that I wanted to find the present, so she made it look like the present was in the pond."

"Sealed in something dry, I hope," Kiba grinned, before reaching up to scratch Akamaru's ears. "Why didn't you just ask me to help you? I'm sure Hinata and I could track down that present easily."

That's when the most fascinating thing Kiba had seen in days happened. Naruto blushed. Not just a little dusting of the cheeks, but a Hinata style blush where his face was practically glowing, from his forehead protector all the way down his neck, and he glanced at Hinata before studiously looking away. "No, I'll find it."

Kiba filed this information away for later use, determined to find this present so he could figure out what was embarrassing Naruto so much. It just HAD to be good.

"I-I…" Hinata started, fiddling with her hands. She paused, taking a moment to collect herself. "I have an idea of what you could do for Iruka-sensei, if you can't find it, Naruto-kun."

Blue eyes lit up, and Naruto leaned forward so he was looking Hinata in the face. Sayuri let out a yell of protest at this, but she was ignored. "You do? What is it, Hinata-chan?"

Now Hinata was blushing, Kiba felt the urge to gag at all this, and she looked down at her hands again. "Well, w-when I don't know what to get somebody, I usually make them cookies."

Naruto rocked back on his heels, causing Sayuri to yell in fury again. "Cookies?"

"Y-yes, I think everyone likes cookies," Hinata smiled. "Kiba-kun likes lemon cookies best, and Shino-kun likes peanut butter. Naruto-kun, you like pumpkin chocolate chip, right?"

"How do you know that?" Kiba asked, fully not expecting to get an answer.

Naruto, with a flair for the dramatic only he could manage, bent down and grabbed Hinata's hand. "Hinata, will you help me make Iruka-sensei Christmas cookies?"

His teammate looked dumbstruck, and probably would have passed out; except Sayuri had had enough of this back and forth game. Kiba barely had time to brace himself as he sensed the infants chakra shoot up with another scream, before he found himself sitting in a field full of yellow and pink flowers.

"Well," the young chuunin muttered to the dog by his side, "at least she doesn't seem inclined to trap people in bad genjutsu. I wonder who's deepest wish we're in."

That's how Kiba remembered the genjutsu working, even though Iruka-sensei had said it was more complicated than that. The caster, with skin contact, could project that fondest wish of whomever they were touching and make it seem real. Iruka-sensei had explained this was more effective then harsh ones, as people were less inclined to try and break out, but even so…

He glanced up, a little bemused by the ridiculous flowers, to glance at his friends. He gaped. Both were dressed in ornate kimonos—Naruto's had the symbol six embroidered on both sleeves—with matching silver bands. Hinata, her long hair pulled up in a pretty fancy style, and obviously heavily pregnant, was holding a tray of perfect gingerbread cookies.

That…was about enough of that. "Kai," Kiba muttered forcibly, performing the seal. He instantly found himself back on the street, on the bench he'd never left. He was amused to find his two friends frozen in place, staring off with identical blank looks as they were lost in the illusion.

He couldn't help laughing out loud when he saw it was not Hinata's hand Sayuri had a hold of, as he'd guessed, but Naruto's.