That last chapter was mostly filler...but we need filler chapters, so that the story is longer! Ja ja. Anyways, read on!

-------------

One morning Naruto panicked to realize he forgot what Tsunade looked like. And if not for the picture of her on the nightstand, he would of forgotten completely.

Unfortunately, since he spent so long away from his past, his old memories began to slip away with time. The only thing that kept him connected at all was his yearly visits by Kakashi, who brought him pictures and random presents that Tsunade bought for him. He always kept them near his bed.

Of course, he had nothing but memories of Sasuke, and so to try and keep his image alive, he wrote the name Sasuke on a piece of paper and he hung it up on the wall. Every time he saw that paper he felt comforted, even though sometimes it took him a few seconds to remember the hound.

Today was going to be beautiful. In fact, it was winter time, almost Christmas. Waking up and stretching, Naruto smiled lightly, snow able to be seen out his bedroom window. In fact, it may of been enough snow to go play outside...

"Ash!!" Was suddenly boomed through the house, even causing some of their dishes to rattle slightly.

Said wolf merely groaned, shifting under her blankets and snorting about noisy foxes.

--------

"Don't look at me like that."

Ashlee continued to glare tiredly, scowl hidden from the large scarf wrapped around her neck and bottom half of her mouth. "I don't understand why we couldn't of done this in a few hours..."

"It might melt from the sun." Naruto smiled, picking up some snow and rolling it in to a ball. "Have some seasonal cheer!"

"If I am awakened before 7:30, I am not a morning person-" the snowball cut her off, impacting with the side of her head. "Damnit, Naruto! That's cold!!!"

And that's how the snow war started. Quickly taking shelter behind anything, they launched frozen projectiles in an attempt to hit each other. Soon the rocks and trees were covered in residue snow ball. Ashlee currently was in the lead, as she had snuck up behind Naruto and shoved snow down his pants.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" He screamed, trying to get the coldness off his butt while the she-wolf howled with laughter. Just as he was about to make her eat snow, a familiar voice cut them off.

"Well it seems you two are taking advantage of the weather."

"Kakashi," they said in unison, watching as he dropped down from the tree, brushing off snow from his silver hair. A peculiar sack was slung over his shoulder.

His eye smiled at them. "How are you guys doing?"

"Fine Kakashi!" Naruto said, running over and tackling his old sensei. Kakashi caught him, learning from past experience not to topple over, and merely chuckled, ruffling his blond hair.

"How are you doing, you ancient crow?" Ashlee answered, in a teasing way.

"Bah. I come bearing gifts and you insult this poor man? Maybe I should take my business elsewhere..." But a certain clingy fox pouted in protest.

"But Kakashi, I wasn't rude. You should only return her presents, not mine!"

Kakashi laughed. Though Naruto had matured over the years, he still wasn't completely an adult yet. What a kid. "Alright, I'll just give out all the presents."

"Well not out here. We don't need people freezing. Let's go make some cocoa," Ashlee replied, leading the other two to the house.

----------

Opening the door to the shrine slightly, Sasuke stepped out on to the lawn. All he had was the clothes he wore, which were black pants, a white loose kimono top, and a purple satin sash belt (1) wrapped tightly around his waist, and a backpack stuffed with unknown objects. Turning to look at the house he never really felt like home at, he spoke softly. "Forgive me Master...but I must get revenge for my brother on my own." And with those last words the hound walked off in to the woods, silence veiling him like a ghost...

Oorichimaru stood at the window, glaring out at the snow coming down. He was angry for two reasons. One, he hated winter since game was hard to find. All the animals hibernated, so he certainly couldn't make profit during this time of year. The other reason was...

"Master.." a voice said behind him.

The snake man turned halfway, glaring at the dark shaded figure. "What is it..."

"I'm sorry, master, but I have yet to find Sasuke. He has disappeared in to the night, and I can't pick up his scent."

"..." Having no words to reply with, he sat there fuming. Knowing that little hound of his he probably went to go look for that fox-bitch. To kill him or fuck him, Oorichimaru wasn't sure about. The voice spoke up again, in the silence.

"Shall I continue searching?"

"No...that won't be necessary. When spring comes we'll have to try hunting abroad. And if we happen to run into the little couple..." He sneered, almost like a snake before the strike. "We kill them both."

---------------

It had been a long day for Naruto.

When Kakashi visited they spent hours presenting presents and enjoying each other's company. Then, Cain, Ashlee's wolf friend (though Naruto knew she had a crush on him) came over to drop off some presents and to take Ashlee out for a stroll. Naruto decided to train in the back yard, not wanting to get lazy or unfit as he grew. When Ashlee got back they helped decorate the house and bake homemade cookies that the she-wolf miraculously found ingredients for (2). All in all, it was a busy day.

He brought the fox plushie Tsunade sent him and the kunai set from Kakashi in to his room as he prepared for bed. Setting the items down next to his other past presents, he smiled over all of them. Then, he glanced over at the lone paper stuck to the wall, a basic name scribbled on it.

Sasuke...who are you?

-----TBC-------

(1) I wanted to include Sasuke's Shipuudden outfit, but I never really liked that bulky purple rope belt Sasuke wore, so I replaced it with a satin sash :P Yum!

(2) Aren't women so resourceful??? xD

R/R! If I don't update before December is over, I wish you all Happy Holidays! BUT a note, I am planning to write a Christmas fic so keep your eyes out!