Disclaimer: I own nothing of interest. I write these stories for free and for the allusion of grandeur. Do not sue me as there is little to nothing to take.

Explain: I am writing this as a more melancholy holiday story to test whether I am any good at it. If I fail I am sorry to those of you who care and to those who are reading for flames: you have my permission to go away. I will try to update more often but most likely I will fail to do so.

Story:

Naruto sat at the desk in his room and stared out the window at the swiftly darkening sky. It has been one hell of a year: a new house, new job and even a new country. He sighed looking back at his computer screen. The monitor displayed a series of numbers and figures that he had been working on while he had some time away from the office. It was a project his supervisor had handed him telling him he wanted it the next business day after the New Year. The man had "conveniently" forgotten that the Japanese placed higher priority on the New Year's than did his English employers. Silently cursing his need for finances Naruto dropped back into the calculation heavy work.

Having graduated, with much hard work and tutoring from his friends and teachers, with a degree in mathematics and a minor in global business, he had gotten this present position though one of his teachers who was an old college of the owner of the company. "You'll do great over there trust me. They'll make sure to get you all involved in the company and make sure you can work to the best of your abilities." And they had. Upon arrival for his first day of work he had been set up with a translator until he could read the English letters on his own. Always having been a quick study when it came to this kind of thing he had learned the letters and soon did not need to have whole documents translated, though he still did it if he was feeling lazy or had too much on his mind.

His boss had then stuck him in a small office with several other international employees and made sure to have a massive pile of work on his desk each morning. They had made him work to his full potential alright. Hammering keys nine hours a day, though he only really was paid for eight, and leaving him so much to do that he was only able to sleep though weekends so he was ready for the next week's torture. His only release was the music he was allowed to have playing during the short breaks they were given to appease regulations. The familiar melodies helped to sooth his over taxed mind and purge his body of tension, if only for a few minutes out of the day.

It was during one of these times that he had discovered an online site that would play music based on a song that the user put in. He found this allowed him to freshen up his play list so he did not grow too board of hearing the same song over and over. Having this thought pop into his head Naruto decided he would take a short break. His supervisor was not here to stop him (though he did glance around just in case). Glancing at the on-screen clock he saw that it was almost midnight. Mentally shrugging in defeat, Naruto started scrolling though the selections the site had made. Mostly things he had heard before, driving rock groups, popular pop songs and a few more traditional songs that helped to quiet his nerves when he was feeling over stressed. Suddenly his computer dinged causing him to jump. An e-mail icon had popped into the corner of his window. Mumbling about how he should have known his super would find him he clicked on the icon to bring up his inbox.

The new message to his surprise was not from his boss but from an e-mail that seemed vaguely familiar. He clicked on it and began to read.

Hey Naruto,

How are you? I haven't heard from you in such a long time. I'm okay. My dad has me learning all the ins and outs of the family business. Sakura and Sasuke say hi. Can you believe that Sasuke finally worked up the courage to ask for Sakura's hand in marriage? Hopefully you can make it back for the wedding. It's going to be this summer most likely because that is when Sakura and Shikamaru are off from their teaching jobs. Temari has been dropping hints to Shika for ages so maybe we might have a double wedding. Unlikely I know since Shikamaru would complain about how troublesome the whole thing would be.

Please let me know what's going on as soon as possible since Sasuke and Sakura are planning to use the Akamachi's for catering and they get booked up quick during the summer with all the parties and such. Oh and Happy New Year Naruto-Kun.

With Love,

Your bright place

After reading this, Naruto smiled a water smile. And in that little second, all the stresses of work he was crushed under, a new country her barely knew and a deep ache that had been growing for weeks all lifted. He felt as if he was back where he was meant to be. He was so lost in his moment of clarity and happiness that he did not even notice the fireworks blooming with massive bangs in the night sky.

End Notes:

Yes I know that this is mostly fluffy garbage about naru/hina but I have gotten no other requests and so I am sticking to what I know I can enjoy. Also, to those of you who do not like AU fics: sorry but I just come up with stuff that I can written and relate. For anyone who cares this marks the one year point in my pointless writing. (little confetti poppers go off) I know the only people who have read and reviewed up to this point are people who I have asked or reviewed in return.(note: I will return the favor for those who do) Best of luck in the new year.