Chapter 2- Snow, mistletoe, and stars.
I woke up to the most annoying alarm clock in the house, Naruto. "Sasuke-teme! Wake up!" I heard him yelling from the other side of my closed door. Groaning I pulled my dark covers over my head.

"Teme! Get up!" He said banging on the door. I swear if he banged any more the door would have broke in half. Thank god Kakashi knocked some sense into him; but I have to say, I wasn't fond of what he said to him.
"Naruto, wouldn't be better if you went in and woke him up?" Came The eldest mans voice.
'Bang!' Naruto was on my bed practically jumping up and down as he attempt to get me out of bed. "Sasuke!" he whined in his usual voice as he began shaking me like no tomorrow. "Get up! I wana open presents!" I growled as I pulled the covers further over my head.

"Go away, Dobe." I said in a dangerous tone. Naruto hit me, hard. Sitting up I raised my hand to hit him-
"Both of you stop." We both turned out heads to see Sakura standing at the doorway, Kakashi behind her with his usual non-caring look. She crossed her arms over her chest. She was wearing her usual nighttime apparel; a tank top and flannel night pants with design, in this case snow flakes. "You both are the biggest children I've ever seen." She shook her head in disapproval.

Naruto immediately back down as I lowed my hand to my side. Naruto was wearing boxers and his usual black shirt and Kakashi was already dressed in his usual clothing minus the green vest, shoes, and headband.

I rolled my eyes and got up, I wore a pair of dark blue flannel night pants with the Konoha symbol on them, no shirt. Naruto jumped up and ran out of the room like an excited little kid on his first Christmas. Kakashi follow after him and I walked by Sakura eyeing her with my usual poker face. She simply smiled to me and walked by my side. I was actually surprised, in our younger days she would have fawned over me if I dressed like this around the house. Now it seemed like she couldn't care less.

Walking into the living room we found Kakashi sitting on the couch watching an over excited Naruto hold a present in his hands waiting for us. "C'mon! Hurry up!" He wined impatiently to us. Sakura sighed a picked up a present from under the tree, handing my and Kakashi one as well. Immediately as soon as we all had a present in our hands Naruto tore his open. It was the one I got him; a black shirt with the Village symbol on it and another black shirt that said 'I love ramen'. I had to admit it was a bad present, it was pretty childish, but I didn't know what else to get the dobe.

He laughed happily holding them up to all of us. Sakura laughed and Kakashi chuckled from his place on the couch. I couldn't help but crack a smile. Kakashi opened his next, it must have been from Naruto since it was a couple Icha Icha books that he hadn't even been released yet. I shook my head when Kakahsi's only visible eye lit up. The guy was a total pervert.
Next I opened mine, it was from Sakura, I could tell that much. The wrapping was nice and the present was even better. There were a collection of new CD's from some of my favorite artist. I thanked her silently, only loud enough for her. I usually never thanked anyone and I didn't want to ruin my reputation in front of Kakashi and Naruto for being the strongest and most non-caring of us all. She smiled to me and nodded.

She took her present in her hand and opened it. I realized as she thanked Kakashi for the new outfit that I hadn't put out my present for her. I furrowed my brow slightly and decided I would give it to her at the Christmas party.

Naruto dove for more presents and Sakura passed out the rest to everyone. I got some shirts and pants from Naruto, a new CD play and CD rack from Kakashi. I wasn't sure what Sakura got from Naruto because as soon as she peeked inside the box a blush came to her cheeks and she closed it immediately; along with a very hard whack on Naruto's head. "Pervert." She mumbled under her breath as she took her place on the floor again beside me.

I quirked a brow curiously, "What is it?" She shook her head, a blush still visible. Naruto snickered from his place by the tree earning a deadly glare from the pink haired girl. I snatched the box from her hands and kept her away with my free hand as she tried to retrieve the box from my grasp. I opened the box and looked inside. I fought with myself not to break out into laughter and not to blush. The contents inside were truly Naruto's idea, which were a small dress that would probably come up to mid thigh on her and was see through along with a pair on lacy under garments. Naruto broke out into a rage of laughter. I gave Sakura the box back and bit my lip.

"Ah, yes!" Kakashi took out two small wrapped items and handed them to me and Naruto. I looked at him oddly, He just nodded. I opened it at the same time as Naruto. Naruto smiled happily and I simply grimaced.
"Icha Icha books? Kakashi you have got to be kidding me!" Sakura stared at the man. He simply shrugged.
"They're old enough, why not? It's to help them figure out women a bit better." I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as Kakashi looked at me knowingly with his visible eye; oh he was going to get it latter. "Just for you Sasuke." He chuckled as he stood up and went into the kitchen for his morning coffee before I could strangle him.

Naruto plopped down on the couch and began reading the book; a full-fledged smile on his face as his eyes darted through the text on the pages. I stared at the book, 'Kakashi and his stupid ideas.' Out of the side of my eye I saw Sakura looking at me, waiting for me to read it, or more like seeing if I would. I turned and looked her in the face, "He gave it to, I'm not going to be rude and just toss it." I said in my usual non-emotional voice, shrugging nonchalantly to her. She sighed and rolled her eyes as she stood up and went into the kitchen.

"I'm not going to make breakfast thing morning so your all on your own." She called back to me and Naruto. Standing up with all my gifts I placed them in my room, with the exception of the book and went into the kitchen to find Kakashi at the table watching with interest as Sakura yelled at Naruto. "I'm not going to make pancakes for god sakes!" she yelled into the blondes face as he coward down.

"B-but Sakura-Chan-" he was cut short with a hit to the skull. Rubbing his head I chuckled under my breath as I went into the pantry and got out a bagel. Opening the fridge I got out the orange juice and poured myself a glass.
"Leave the juice out for me, Sasuke." Sakura said as she stood on her tiptoes to reach a box of granola bars. I nodded, even if she couldn't see me and got down a glass for her, leaving the juice out.

I sighed and took my usual place at the table. Kakashi looked at me as I opened the perverted book and began reading, sticking pieces on bagel in my mouth. Naruto sat across from me with a large bowl of cereal and began to shovel it down, almost quite literately. Sakura finally took her seat beside me and Naruto at the table with her glass of juice and granola bar. We ate in silence.

I read the book, becoming interested, I swear it was the hormones. Sakura sighed from beside me and stood up, I looked over at her. "I'm going to get ready, you all should to." She said to the lot of us as she cleaned her things and made her way out of the room. Looking at the clock I quickly stuffed the rest of the bagel in my mouth and put my dishes in the sink. I went into my room and opened my small closet. Getting out a black shirt with my symbol on the back and a pair of dark pants, jean length. I put on my usual shoes and headband.

I head a knock on the door, it was a light on; I knew it was Sakura. "Come in." I called. She came in. I was actually surprised about what she was wearing; the dress Kakashi had gotten her. A black dress with a slit on the right side up to her thigh, the dress was tight fitting, showing off her curvy body. Her sleeves were, see through, long black sleeves with a flare look to them at the end. Her hair was in a bun and her bangs hung on either side of her face. I actually thought she looked, well, sexy. Immediately I pushed that from my mind. "Hn?"

She sighed and rolled her eyes, "I figured as much." She opened my closet and got out a pair of black slacks. She threw the slacks at me, over her shoulder. "Put these on." I quickly took off my shoes and removed my current pants putting on the more formal ones. "Done?" she asked as she continued to rummage through my clothing; to be honest I didn't mind, she did the laundry and when I was dressed wrong for a occasion always corrected me, which was the current case.
"Hn."
She turned around and paced over to me holding a red button down with long sleeves. Pulling my casual shirt off me herself and putting on the red formal one. "You have no idea how to dress yourself do you?" She had a teasing smile as she buttoned my shirt. I shrugged, I never really cared about clothing. She finished buttoning my shirt and removed my headband. Sighing she picked up a brush lying on my desk and brushed my hair.
"You know, I can do that myself." I said standing still as she brushed the back.
"Now why would I let you do that when you have no clue how to even dress yourself properly, let alone come up with a suitable comeback." Oh now she was asking for it. I smirked, though she did have a point.
She finished brushing my hair and stood in front of me, looking me from head to toe; her expression approving. "Not bad." She said with a smile. "Just put on your formal shoes and your good!" I rolled my eyes, really I hated getting so dressed up.
"Hn."

"Alright, hurry up, we are all ready. Come to the front door when your dressed and ready to go." She turned out of the room. I sighed, putting on my shoes quickly I walked into the hall and down to the front door. Grabbing my coat I put it on and nodded to the others. Kakashi and Naruto were dressed just as formal as I, though Kakashi's mask threw his outfit a bit off.

Sakura opened the door to the friged morning air as we all stepped out into the snow. Kakashi closed the door behind him and we set off for the part at the Hokage building. I trudged my way through the snow, grimacing with every step. After forever of walking in the cold hell we finally reached the building. Going inside it was like heaven; warm and nice. Placing out coats on a hanger on a rack by the entrance we went into a lobby filled with people. It was decorated with garland, a large Christmas tree, reefs, holly, and various other things.

The lobby was huge with a dance floor, stage with a DJ, tables suited for 5 people at the most, a small bar in one corner, and tables to the sides for non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. I wasn't very impressed, usually parties like this were big events. Last time I had been here they hadn't even had this tradition. Kakashi went off to do his own thing, as Naruto, Sakura, and I walked through the large crowd to a table. Taking our seats we watched as people danced and stood around talking, others were sitting like us having their own conversations.
Naruto jumped up and smiled to us, "Time to dance!" he said happily grabbing my hand along with Sakura's and pulling us out of our seats to the dance floor. Sakura looked at me desperate for help, I rolled my eyes and shrugged to her trying to get a 'just go along with it' message across to her.
Naruto finally managed to get us to the dance floor and pushed us together. Sakura gasped and I stood dumbfounded as he pressed us together, "No dance." Naruto said standing to my side with his arms crossed in a leader like way. I sent him a death glare.

"Really, Naruto, this is childish." Sakura said pushing herself from my chest. Naruto's smile dropped.
"C'mon Sakura-Chan!" He knew my secret. I told him upon returning to Konoha I wanted to rebuild the clan. Immediately he guessed the one person that came to mind when I thought of doing it; Sakura. He pushed us together again. "Lets try this again. Chick head," he looked to me, I grimaced. "cherry," he looked to Sakura, she sent him the death glare. "Dance."

Just as Sakura was about to beat the pulp out of him I grabbed her roughly by the hips and kept to my chest, "Happy, dobe?" I said in my most deadly tone I could at that moment. Naruto smiled triumphantly and nodded. Sakura stared up at me shocked. As Naruto turned to leave the dance floor and watch from the table I said in a low tone, "Just play along, it'll make him leave us alone the rest of the night." She nodded in agreement and placed her hands loosely around my neck as we swayed to the music.

I kept a close watch on Naruto as we danced, he was talking to a very red face Hinata who was sitting beside him at our table. He continued to look up at us, probably making sure we were still dancing, as he talked to her. Looking down at Sakura I noticed she had her eyes closed, her expression was emotionless we continued to sway. The song was never ending, I swear, it went on for another 2 minutes till it finally ended. Sakura and I immediately let go of each other and attempted to walk off the dance floor when Naruto gave me the 'Get back out there or I'll kill you' look.
I sighed heavily and grabbed Sakura's wrist pulling her back and placed my hands on her hips again, following suit she put her hands around my neck in a loose hold yet again. "Really, I don't see why he thinks we have to dance." She said giving Naruto a glare as he came into view and out again.

"Don't worry, I'll kill him latter and let you get a hit or two in." I glared at him over her head. "Or maybe I'll just chop him to bits." I said as I saw him give me a thumbs up, I narrowed my eyes to him. I heard her laugh, looking down she had her fore head to my shoulder as she continued to laugh. Finally taking her head from my should she looked up at me.
"Really, you two act like two brothers with nothing better to do but go at each others throats."
"Hn, though he usually starts it." She laughed again and I smirked.
"Your no better." She rolled her eyes.
"Neither are you, you usually end up beating the crap out of him." I chuckled as she pouted.
"So. You do to, along with annoying him like hell." I tried to suppress a full out smile from coming to my lips. She was right, I was one of the only people able to annoy him.
The second song ended and I looked over at Naruto to see him sitting at the table, grinning from ear to ear at me, Hinata was sitting beside him. I let go of Sakura and she slowly dropped her hands from my neck. Walking back to the table, Naruto did not intercede this time.

I took my seat, sitting with Sakura to my right, Naruto to my left. Hinata and Naruto started to converse about the missions lately, commenting on how they needed to be more 'exciting'. Sakura and I remained silent. I was becoming bored with the couple. Standing up I looked to Sakura. Her expression looked how bored I felt. "Want to get a drink with me?" I jerked my thumb to the bar. She smiled and stood up, nodding.

Naruto and Hinata didn't notice we left. Coming to the bar we showed the bartender our ID's. In Konoha you had to be 16 to drink alcohol, though in many other places it was 18. The man nodded to us, "What'll be?" He asked seductive to Sakura, barely bidding me any attention. He leaned on the side of the counter.
"I'll take some red wine." I interrupt the man as he was eyeing Sakura like an object. I had noticed it a lot. Men looked at her not as a woman nor shinobi but an object.

He nodded to me and adverted his gaze back to Sakura, "How bout you?" Sakura tapped her finger to her lips thoughtfully.
"Ano, I'll take a glass of white wine. Please." The man nodded. Turning to get our drinks he returned with both. I didn't miss how he gave Sakura a wink. Though she barely seemed to care. Going back to our table he found it empty. I sat down content that the two odd teens were out of our hair for the time being.

Sakura and I sat silently. I simply sipped my wine. I had her present tucked in my pocket and planned to give it to her on our way back to the house, I had a feeling we were going to be spending the walk home alone. Knowing Naruto he would probably leave with Hinata. Kakashi would most likely stay here late.
The music stopped a moment as the Hokage stepped onto the stage. The room became silent as the blonde haired Sanin spoke. "Everyone please take your seats, the food will now be served." The room immediate was vacated of all standing people, as all of them took their places. Naruto and Hinata returned to our table, Hinata's cheeks were slightly flushed and Naruto seemed like an excited little kid that had just came from a fair.

I shook my head as Naruto perked up as the food was set before us. Everyone received a plate of food; consisting of ham, potatoes, green beans, and bread. Naruto, as usual began to engulf his food. Sakura, Hinata, and I ate at a normal pace. Naruto of course was done with in only a few minutes. A soft tune on the piano played as we ate. Not long after we finished out food, desert was served. Each table received a large platter of cookies and pies.
Naruto ate practically half a pie, complaining after the fact that he probably should had eaten slower. Sakura had a ginger snap and Hinata had a small slice of pie. I had non; I wasn't fond of sweets.

As people began to pile back onto the dance floor I stood. "I need some fresh air." Naruto and Hinata nodded. Sakura stood, smiling to me.
"I'll come with." I nodded not arguing, I didn't mind her coming along at all. She wouldn't annoy the hell out of me like the stupid blonde. We made our way outside, not bothering to grab our coats, Sakura didn't protest either. We came out into the cold weather. Snow was falling lightly to the ground as small gusts of wind blew. I looked up at the sky, my breath coming out in small puffs. The sky twinkled from above as I smirked. Sakura's breath came out in wisps from her mouth, her lips slightly parted. Turning to look at me she smiled, "Pretty, ne?"
"Aa." I nodded curtly. She sighed, releasing a long breath into the frosty air. I looked up again. Catching a small glimpse of something red I turned my gaze to it; and there it sat, or in this case hung, over us. It's green leaves and small red berries were taunting as I looked at it. I stared at it, I always hated mistletoe.

I looked at Sakura again. She was looked at the snowflakes falling lightly. She hadn't yet noticed the annoying plant above us. Just as I thought things were playing in my favor the door burst open from behind us and Naruto stepped outside, standing beside me. "Why are you guys still out here, aren't you cold?!" He was going to break the sound barrier if he was any louder. I sighed rolling my eyes. I saw him look up, and there it was again, the damned plant had caught his eye.
Smiling he turned to look at me, I gave him a glare as he point upward to the small overhang above out heads. I shook my head, still glaring to him, Sakura was still too engrossed in the snow to noticed. Naruto scowled to me as he grabbed my arm roughly. He grabbed Sakura's as well and made us collide. Sakura clung to me, trying not to fall. Naruto took a tuff of my hair in his hand and mashed my lips to Sakura's. My eyes widened as did hers, it was one of the most odd and yet exhilarating things. Sakura's lips felt so right against mine, neither of us seemed to notice Naruto leave with a large smile plastered to his face. Our eyes slid closed as I snaked my arms around her waist, pulling her to me. She gently wrapped her arms around my neck.

I knew it was wrong, I knew I should have stopped and pulled away; but I couldn't. I didn't even have the strength to will myself too. Sakura's lips moved in perfect rhythm against mine. It was unlike anything I had ever felt. My pulse pounded in my ears. I felt her slowly pull away, gasping. I opened my eyes to see her staring at me. Her expression was a mix of confusion and happiness.

I pointed up to the small plant above our heads, She looked up and smiled. "I noticed it earlier." I said as she looked at me again. I let go of her, my arms falling to my sides. Though her arms lingered on me longer then needed. She bit her lip, stepping away from me. I turned to go, knowing very well Sakura would follow. I made my way back into the warm building. Sure enough Sakura followed. The rest of the night was odd. We remained silent, and she avoided my gaze. I caught myself looking at her multiple times by the time the party ended Naruto was sitting in a chair with a very giddy and drunk Hinata in his lap. Yep, he wasn't coming home tonight.

I watched as the couple left, leaving me and Sakura at the table. An awkward silence rested between us as we sat there. Finally she surprised me by standing up, "We should go, it's late." I nodded. Following her this time we made our way to the door, taking our coats. We left without bidding good-bye to anyone. We walked in silence on our way back to the house.
I stopped walking and she stopped beside me, quirking a brow. I reached my hand into my pocket, pulling out the small box, which the necklace lay in. Holding it out to her she looked at me questioningly, not saying a word though. She opened the small gray box to find the necklace resting on the soft pillow inside. She smiled broadly to me. Still not saying anything she practically tackled me to the ground in a hug. I hugged her in turn. "Domo." Her voice we just above a whisper as she pulled away.

We walked home. Still silence sat between us, this time it was peaceful instead of awkward. I felt at ease as we reached home. Walking through the door we shed our extra clothing and each took our leave to our own rooms. I changed into my usual attire as I flopped onto my bed, playing one of my new CD's. I heard a small tap on my door. "Hn."

Sakura entered my room, dressed in her pj's she smiled to me. "I-I'm sorry about earlier." I knew fully well what she was talking about, the kiss, Or in our case kisses. I nodded to her, waving to her nonchalantly.
"Nothing to worry about." I said in my usual monotone. Sakura took a seat on the edge on my bed. We were both silent. I played out the scene in my head. Somehow I ended up pulling Sakura by the collar of her shirt and smashing my lips roughly to hers. I was acting purely on impulse. I wasn't surprised when I heard her gasp, shocked. My eyes were closed already but I could tell she had now closed hers.
And the thing I wanted the most came, she began moving her lips to mine as before. I hungrily pulled her down to me more. Gently gliding my tongue on the bottom of her perfect lip, she gave me what I wanted; parting her lips for me. I wasted not time in penetrating into her mouth. She tasted good, like strawberries. I fought with her tongue for dominance, winning like I knew I would.

I felt Sakura move, now straddling my waist. She ran a hand through my ebony locks, tugging lightly on them from time to time. Finally we broke apart. Sakura panted as she caught he breath I denied her in our kiss. She stared at me wide eyed. I stared back, my stotic expression still in place.

"I-I.. you… N-Night." She stood up, her cheeks flushed and left. I smirked, looking over at my clock to see it was only 7:00. Why did I feel so tired? Rolling over and pulling the covers over my body I reached over and turned off the light. I lay there awhile, my thoughts traveling. By the time I looked back at the clock it was now 9:00. I closed my eyes and easily slipped into sleep; my dreams filled with a curtained pink haired girl.