Sasuke awoke with a bad headache the next day. He was still fully dressed, his clothes ruffled by his movements in his sleep. The only thing that seemed to be removed from his person where his boots, leaving him bare footed. He groaned as his head pounded. Opening his dark eyes he noticed he was lying in his bed. But he didn't have any memory how he got there.

His eyes moved to the whiskey bottle lying on the ground. A small puddle of the contents lying at the opening of the bottle. Glancing over rest of the floor, he saw it littered with bottles, glass scattered on the floor. And as he swallowed, he could still taste the faint taste of the alcohol he had downed yesterday night. Groaning he turned around and felt a slight sting in his hand as he moved. Tilting his hand up to face to see what caused the sting, he saw a deep cut in the middle of his palm. Probably from one of the broken bottles he guessed.

Sighing he lowered his hand, not caring about it in the slightest. He finally knew what happened last night. Getting up from bed he walked through the glass, not even cringing when the sharp pieces of glass dug into his skin. He was a mess, he knew that. Walking down the stairs he could see flashes how he stumbled up the stairs last night after his fit of rage. And as he turned to corner to regard the living room, he saw the broken vases. The coffee table lying on its side after he'd thrown it over. One of his boots was still near the front entrance while the other was resting on the table behind the couch, having knocked over a vase that once belonged to his mother.

His eyes turned towards the front door when he heard several knocks. He really didn't want to socialize right now. He felt miserable and knew he would see and smell like it too. Letting himself fall on the couch he ignored the knocks. In his head the yelled at them to go away. And when the insistently loud knocks finally subdued he sighed relieved. The sound made his headache even worse. But then a loud crack was heard. Sasuke closed his eyes, irritated by the fact that someone was dumb enough to try to break in.

A person stepped inside, pushing the last piece that was still attached to the hinge. Stepping over the piece lying on the ground, the figure moved further. Opening the door to the living room, she gasped as she saw the damage.

"Sasuke?!" She called out. Her tone tinged with worry.

"Not so loud!" Sasuke grumbled back from the couch.

"Yeesh, what happened here?" Sakura asked, lowering her tone as she moved towards her former teammate. He really was a mess, and it hurt her to see him this way. She wondered what happened after she left the two of them alone. She wanted to visit to see if Sasuke made any progress. But seeing him like this wasn't what she expected.

The only reply she got was an angry growl. Sighing, she pushed the pillow away he used to cover his head. Her eyes now staring in the deadly glaring ones of the owner of the home she was in.

"Sit up," Sakura ordered.

Sasuke grumbled but did as he was told. A soft hand touched his forehead then and slowly his pounding headache began to lighten until is disappeared. She moved away, leaving him there sitting on the couch. A few minutes later he heard her going through his cabinets, searching for his first aid equipment. She came back then. Disinfecting his wounds and plucking the tiny pieces of glass that still dug in his skin out of him. She didn't say anything or ask anything while she was working. But he could see the guilt twirling in her eyes.

"It's not your fault Sakura," he murmured. She hadn't done anything after all. It was him who couldn't control his stupid emotions and went after the Dobe. He screwed it up, not her. She helped him in his time of need when he asked her to. And even now when he hadn't even called for help, she came here to clean up the mess he made.

When she was done pulling glass from his flesh she neatly healed his skin back together. Then cleaned up the mess she made, but didn't move to put it back. "I guess he didn't feel the same way," she said after a bit of silence.

Sasuke sighed. "Hn."

But what he didn't expect was that she roughly pulled him up. "Well too bad. You did what you could. But that's not a reason to tear down your house or leave wounds unattended. Now go wash up, you stink."

He glared at her comment. But Sakura simply smiled. "Your better than just sulk around Sasuke. Now go please."

Grumbling he began to walk away. "And don't step on the glass again damnit! I just healed you!"

And for the first time that day he felt a bit better. Still it sucked Naruto rejected him but he would still have Sakura to take care of him. As he was done showering he looked up surprised when his room was clean. Grabbing a sweater and pants he walked down stairs to see that his whole house was cleaned up. He shook his head, seeing a small note on his kitchen table.

Cheer up Sasuke.

Before you know it, everything will be okay.
An Uchiha has to have his pride after all.
One of your presents is by the fireplace.
Your other, well. You figure that one out soon enough.

Merry Christmas!

Sakura.

Lowering the note he smirked, glancing over his shoulder to see indeed a present lying before his fireplace. Deciding not to open it yet, since it was after all not Christmas yet. Putting on his boots he went out, seeing that she even repaired the door.

Walking down the streets he searched for a good place to eat. It was nearing lunch time after all, and haven't eaten since the ramen Sakura had paid for him, he was quite hungry. And as he walked, his feet leading him to a place he didn't want to be. The favorite eating place of his friend, Ichiraku. He had a mind to turn away, but his stomach rumbled in protest. Sighing he turned, pushing away a banner as he moved in. He sighed relieved when he didn't see the blond. Sitting down, he ordered his usual and a cup of tea.

Within moments a cup with steamy hot tea was placed before him. He murmured a thank you, grabbing the warm cup as he glanced into the clear liquid. Taking a small sip, he waited for his lunch to come. And when it did, he began to eat slowly. Going deaf on all ears, ignoring everyone talking to him as he wanted to eat in peace. After having eaten and drunk his second cup of tea, he was full and ready to go.

His hand moved back to pay for his lunch when someone was faster than him. He glanced up, seeing who was paying for him. And who he saw was the person he didn't want to see at all. But yet on the other hand he couldn't stop thinking about and wanted to look at every hour of the day. He wanted to open his mouth to say something, but his mind went blank. So he closed it again, tilting his head down as he stood up and walking out without saying anything.

"Sasuke wait!" But he didn't heed his call. He continued walking, his heart torn. Footsteps followed him then and soon a hand closed around his shoulder. "I said wait!"

"What do you want Naruto?" Sasuke said, his eyes looking everywhere but him.

"You could at least say thank you for starters," Naruto grumbled. But his eyes were twinkling, indicating he was just teasing him. Sasuke didn't see it though and shook of his hand.

"Hn. Thanks." And with that he moved further.

Naruto watched him bewildered. But soon he awoke from his trance and ran after him once again. He grabbed Sasuke then, pulling him into a lone alley so they could talk in private. And as he looked up into his best friends eyes, he could see hurt and confusion in those dark depths. But above all anger. He frowned, but it hurt him none the less that he was the cause of his distress.

"What do you want Dobe? I have other things to do than…"

His eyes widened in shock when Naruto pushed his mouth to his. And as he leaned further in, he tried to cope with the new weight. But he couldn't hold it and stumbled backwards. Naruto simply followed. Pushing him against the wall as he continued to kiss him senseless. And when Naruto finally released his lips he smiled.

"You talk too much you know that?" he chuckled. Sasuke was famous for almost everything he did. But talking wasn't one of them.

Sasuke blinked confused. Why was Naruto kissing him this way? He didn't love him did he? What was happening? Naruto saw the torn look in his friends eyes and lowered his head, but they still kept touching.

"You shocked me last night. I didn't know how to react. I do feel something for you but it's still so weird. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

And as he looked up he saw the dark depths he loved and dreamed about so much soften. Smiling he leaned in, hugging his best friend now turned boyfriend. Smiling he pushed a hand under Sasuke's shirt, one finger placed just below his belly button. Without giving Sasuke any warning he pushed a fair amount of chakra into him, making the Uchiha heir groan out in pleasure.

"How.. how did you?" Naruto grinned, kissing him just below the jaw.

"Sakura. She came by this morning. She told me everything and how messed up you was today. She gave me a quick lesson and a hug before she went away. I think she already knew before we knew it ourselves that we loved each other."

"Hn." Sasuke smirked. Now he finally understood the other present Sakura was talking about. He silently thanked Sakura for all her help as he leaned in to capture the blonds' lips once more.

xXx

Done with visiting her friends she moved back home. She hoped everything would work out right now. Her eyes caught a Christmas tree. And knowing she didn't have one at home, she decided to buy one. Now dragging the tree with her back home, she placed it in the corner of her living room. She moved towards her storage room, grabbing some boxes she knew were filled with decorations. Although she had all the stuff she needed, she didn't feel like decorating right now and decided to do it later on the day. It was after all, only just after midday.

She eyed the skates lying in one of the boxes, and carefully pulled it out. She hadn't been doing this for three years. Sakura began to finger the laces, her mind already set up. Knowing that Kakashi would probably search for her, she brought an extra pair. Maybe she could bribe him to join her. When she was all set, she teleported away to the training grounds where they held their battle yesterday.

Putting on her I-pod for music, she slowly began to slide over the ice. Her heart swelled at the feeling. Her parents were professional figure skaters after all. But even with all these beauty, Sakura's heart went out more to the career of a shinobi. Following into the footsteps of her grandfather of her mother's side. But still, on every free moment and had the chance, she would grab a pair of ice skates and move.

Bending one knee she leaned a bit forward and then with grace she jumped into the air, spinning three times before she landed safely on her blade; sliding further. A heartwarming smile appeared on her face. She could still do it. After all those years. She continued on. Doing spins, jumps while she skated her heart out. She would be all alone at Christmas this year. Her parents where in the Land of Snow for the grand finale of figure skating. And not knowing she would be on a forced vacation she stayed home. And this was her way to be with her parents.

Closing her eyes, she moved further. Dancing on the music only she could hear. Then she skipped, moving into a sitting spin before slowly going up to a upright spin. She snapped her eyes open then when she suddenly stopped. Looking straight into the eye of Kakashi who had been watching her the whole time.

Smiling she skated towards him, pulling out the earphones in the mean time. She stopped then, standing close before her as she waited for him to speak.

"Good morning Sakura."

"Morning Kakashi. What can I help you with today?" she titled her head to the side, but her eyes betrayed her inner feelings. She knew he was her for the book. Just like he knew that she knew why he was here.

"I left my book at your place yesterday," he began slowly.

Sakura smiled. "Hmm a book. Oh yes. Was it orange with a red mark on the back. The title.. uhm.. what was it again?" she tapped her chin as she faked to be in deep thought.

"Sakura…" But he stopped when she gave him the hand.

"Shh.. It's lying on the tip of my tongue." She turned then. "Oh I know! Could it be Icha Icha War affair?"

"Why, yes Sakura-chan. That's exactly the book I'm searching for," he said with a lady like chirp and fake happiness. Then he cleared his throat and returned to normal. "Can you please give it back to me."

"Why didn't you say so Kakashi?" Sakura grinned. She skated away from him and grabbed her bag when she reached it. Pulling out the orange book she threw it at him. "There you go. Anything else?"

Kakashi shook his head, placing his little book safely away in his pouch. "No thanks." He watched as Sakura nodded and moving back towards the middle of the pond. There she plugged in her ear phones and began to ride again. Even if his plan was to simply ask for his book and go away, he couldn't help but feel draw towards his former ex-student. She moved so beautiful, full with grace and agility, she looked so much like her mother just then.

Sakura still seeing that Kakashi hadn't moved, opened her eyes to look at him once more. "Want to join Kakashi?" she asked, skating her way to him once more.

"It's not hard, I reassure you," she said with a wink. And after a small silence he agreed.

She gave him her father old skates and slowly helped him up as he had them on. And slowly she began to learn him everything, laughing softly as he fell a few times the moment she let him go. But he continued on and after the small trick she taught him with adding a bit chakra into his blades, he was soon as skilled as she was.

"You did this before, didn't you?" Sakura asked as they ended a twin spin.

Kakashi shrugged. "I had to guard your parents once when I was still in ANBU. I was my very first solo mission. It's been a long time, but it seems I still remember how after a bit of practice."

"Well that explains everything," Sakura said smiling. "Why haven't you told me before that you guarded my parents once?"

"Didn't see any need for it," Kakashi shrugged. "A young pink haired girl said she would remember me forever."

Sakura blinked turning around to face him when he said that. "Excuse me? I really said that?"

Kakashi nodded, smiling at her surprise. "Yep. You were only three at the time though."

"Where are they anyway? I haven't seen them for awhile."

"Championship in the Lands of Snow. You know they travel around a lot. I've been living with Grandpa for several years before I moved on my own. The last time I saw them was six months ago for two days before they went away again."

Seeing the saddened look in her eyes, he grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry."

Sakura laughed. "It's not your fault Kakashi. I know they're busy people just like I am." Spinning on the spot, she moved out of his grasp. "This just my way to stay near them."

"There was one thing they always did I wanted to try." Sakura turned, her eyebrow risen in question.

"And what was that?"

"The lifts." Sakura chuckled. "You know that takes a lot of trust."

"And we don't trust each other enough then, my dear Sakura-chan?" He asked teasingly.

"Don't say I didn't warn you if we fall," Sakura grinned.

She skated away from him before turning in a beautiful spin. Seeing his hand waving at her to come at him, she raced towards him. She was almost there, and still he hadn't done anything. Her heart beat rose in panic, fearing they would collide any moment now and greet the ice with their faces. But it never happened. The moment she felt it was all lost, his arms swept around her middle and threw her in the air. She flipped, her back now supported by his hand as she faced into the sky. She'd always seen her parents do this move.

The spun around a bit before Kakashi slowly began to lower her back onto the ground. One arm was just behind his neck, his hand touching her elbow slightly while his other rested on her waist as hers rested on his. Her head was tilted back, resting on his broad shoulder as she looked up at him. The intense look in his eye was back. Her heart skipped a beat, a shuddering breath escaping her as she glanced back up at him. She'd seen her parents kiss so many times in this position, her childish heart filled with hope that one day, she would get her first kiss just the same way.

And this was the moment. The feeling was right, every slight touch of him made her thoughts go wild. Tilting her heart a bit more up she kissed him softly on the mask covered lips, hoping he was feeling the same way like she did. But much to her disappointment, he didn't react. And she felt his whole body froze when she kissed him.

Realizing her mistake she quickly drew back, moving out of embrace and touch. "I'm sorry." And then she vanished from the spot. She forgotten all her stuff. But right that moment she didn't care. Hitting her head against the outer wall of her apartment she cursed softly. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Of course Kakashi wouldn't feel the same like she had. Sure he might desire her, that didn't mean he loved her like she loved him. He probably only felt that way because of the pleasure she'd sent down his chakra system.

Pulling out her skates she threw it in the box and pushed it away. Hearing the clock hit six PM, she moved towards the kitchen. Quickly some leftovers she placed herself on the couch. She hated this forced vacation. It made her act reckless. Sighing she glanced at the still bare Christmas tree.

Feeling pity for the tree, and wanting to have something to do, she placed her plate on the small table before her. Pushing herself up from the couch, Sakura opened one of the other boxes and began to decorate. Half way she turned on her radio and soon her apartment was filled with music. She even went so far to open a bottle of wine.

As Sakura sat before the tree, she tried to find out what was missing. She had hung her favorite Christmas balls, garlands and lights. But still, something was missing. All of the boxes she had removed from the storage were already opened. She stood and walked towards one of them. Searching through them once more, she finally noticed a oblong package. Putting her glass of wine away she grabbed the package with both hands. She remembered the small decoration on that box. It was the star her father would always place on top of the tree. She hadn't seen that thing for years. Her grandfather always preferred an angel above the star. But now after so many years, the star would finally rest on the top of the tree again.

And as she removed the lit, the star came into view. Just like she remembered it. A small smile crept up her lips as her fingers brushed against the delicate decoration. Sakura took the star carefully out of his box and stood to walk towards her tree. She closed her eyes than, a happy memory flashing through her mind of her father tilting her up so she could place the star. Her mother clapping as her feet gently touched the ground again.

"Merry Christmas," Sakura murmured, smiling a sad smile at the star. Her eyes looked upwards and only then she noticed she was even after all those years, still too short to reach the top on her own. But suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, tilting her up so she could reach it.

She gasped in surprise, haven't felt nor heard anyone entering her apartment. She placed the star quickly on top and when her feet touched the ground again she twirled around to see Kakashi standing behind her.

"What are you doing here?" Sakura asked bewildered.

"You forgot your stuff earlier this day, I wanted to give it back." He held up her bag then which she quickly took from his hands.

"Thank you," Sakura said softly. As she stared down at her feet she noticed just how close they were standing.

"About the kiss.."

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have done that," Sakura blurted out. Seeing there was room to move, she hastily stepped away from him, glad to have some room to move. Placing her bag in the box so she had her hands free she turned around to regard her guest once more as he spoke.

"Was there more behind it?"

Sakura blinked. "What do you mean?" she asked confused.

Kakashi stepped closer in which Sakura stepped back to maintain their distance. They continued this little game before Sakura's calf touched the couch, making her fall backwards. With much speed only he could possess he pinned her to the couch. His knees on either side of her waist while his hands rested on the couch beside her head.

He leaned in and noticed her rapid heartbeat, her emerald eyes dark with confusion and an emotion he had seen back on the ice. Her body twitched, goose bumps erupted out of her skin when he lightly brushed against it. He smiled at the thought he was the cause of this.

"You know what I mean, my dear Sakura-chan."

Sakura gasped. His tone was very much different than she was used to hear. This one was lower than his usual voice, heavy with seduction and passion she knew he could provide her. Her cheeks heated up, a shiver running down her spin in a delightful way. She looked up at him, hoping her eyes would give him the answer he sought. She didn't trust her voice anymore in this point.

He leaned in further, his whole body pressing against hers at this moment. One hand reached into his pocket while the other began to lower his mask. Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. Her hand already reaching up to stop Kakashi from unmasking himself.

"Wha..what are you doing?!"

"How else can I give you a proper kiss under the mistletoe?"

Mistletoe? She hadn't placed a mistletoe in her house. But as she glanced up she saw the little thing, being held up in Kakashi's other hand while she was distracted when he was pulling his mask down. But before she could moved her head back into the right position, soft, naked lips touched her own.

Her eyes widened in surprise and soon a warm hot tongue shamelessly roamed over the seam of her lips. She groaned, opening her mouth for his silent request. It made her feel like she'd died and gone to heaven. Her whole body was on fire, his skilful tongue tasting every inch of her mouth as his body was pushed against her own in a delicious way. She gasped as she felt every movement of his muscles, his heat surrounding her as he kissed her senseless.

She tore her mouth away from his, taking in a shuddering breath only to moan. Not wanting to be the only one she pushed her hands under his shirt, touching the two chakra main points near her hand only to push large amounts of chakra in them. At the same moments she reclaimed his mouth. He groaned against her lips, feeling the vibration of his voice. Moving her hand up to the neck she continued her assault, their hips grinding against each other as they raced towards their release.

A loud groan escaped his lips then, moving his head to rest against her shoulder as he panted loudly. "You little vixen," he chided as he came down from his high.

"You've done this to me before, haven't you?" Seeing the devilish look in her green eyes gave him the answer he was seeking.

Sakura seeing he had figured it out smiled, softly kissing the side of his neck, loving the way he tasted. "Don't tell me you didn't like it, Kakashi." She said her name in a daring way. Meanwhile grinding her hips hard against his own.

"Sakura," he said in a warning tone. "When we do this, you know you'll be stuck with me right?"

Her response was sucking harder on his neck that would probably leave a mark. "You still haven't answered my question," Sakura said after releasing his skin.

"Oh I did," Kakashi chuckled. And as he moved to stand, he pulled Sakura along with him. "I'll show you just how much I liked it what you did to me."

xXx

The next time Sakura woke up, she opened her eyes slowly. She yawned, still half asleep. Then a rush of memories came back to here, making her shiver in delight. The activities that kept her awake half of the night. However, there was still a part missing. Turning her head to look over her shoulder she saw she was alone in bed. And as she sat up, she saw that only her clothes were still resting on the floor, where they had thrown it last night.

She didn't hear a shower running nor someone busy making breakfast in the kitchen. Her eyes saddened then, her heart contracting painfully. Was she just a notch on the belt to him? She lowered herself back on the mattress, pulling her sheets tighter around her, in deer need of the comfort it could provide. Suddenly she felt a cold gush of wind running past her still bare shoulder. Turning around she saw the man she shared her bed with last night, climbing through the window. In his hand he held two bags.

As he looked down, the snowflakes that were caught in his hair fell down upon her floor. He closed the window behind him and smiled when he saw her awake in bed.

"Good morning." But as he looked closer, he saw the un-shed tears in her emerald eyes. Alarmed he placed the two bags on her desk. He lowered himself next to her, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Sakura smiled. "I just.. I.." She sighed. "Never mind."

"You thought I left you," Kakashi concluded. And when he didn't get a response in return, he knew he was right. Smiling that it would affect her so he touched her chin softly while he forced her to look at him.

"I have no regrets about last night Sakura. And I meant when I set you'd be stuck with me as long as you wanted me." And with that said he kissed her softly on the lips. Smiling when she leaned in further.

Having reassured his lover, he grabbed one of the two bags and took out a small package. He gave it to her then.

"Merry Christmas Sakura-chan," he said cheerily.

Sakura smiled, releasing the green colored bow and placing the green lint beside her on the bed. Then she carefully tore away the red paper revealing a small box. She gasped, her mind racing through many things what could be in there. Was he proposing? Her green eyes glanced at the silver haired man sitting before her. He had a blush on his cheeks, but a happy smile on none the less.

Her heart began to bear rapidly. Her finger were slightly trembling as she took hold of the lit. Holding in her breath she opened it to see…

A light bulb?

What the hell? Her eyes went from the bulb to her lover. He was chuckling, one hand behind his head as he was scratching the base of his neck.

"Remember the night I got home and I destroyed your bulb. Well I said I knew than what to get you at Christmas.."

"KAKASHI!" Sakura roared , jumping out of bed and racing after the man who was running away. And all you could hear was his laughter while being chased by the woman that he loved.

~Owari~

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!