Beyond the books again, she crept back to the Beast. He was still contently laid out among her books, his own little pile formed. She sighed heavily, thinking of the terrible sore throat she was going to get. Fortunately Shino saw the look of worry on her face, and instantly rung for Gaara.

"Did you find something you liked?" asked Beauty politely.

"Yes," the Beast said distractedly. "Could you start with this one please?" he said handing it to her.

And so she spent the day, reading to the Beast as the snow fell like powdered sugar outside the window. It was very cozy indeed, especially after Gaara brought some very nice milk tea. She read to him all her favorites, stories of love, valor, loyalty, and fights. He curled up next to her, but she did not mind nor did she comment. The warmth radiating off of him was still needed on top of the fire's heat. And he did not smell badly as she had secretly expected him to, but smelt of the forest. She supposed someone was monitoring his hygiene, but she couldn't help being attracted to the smell. She snuck closer and closer to his luxurious warm fur that emitted the lovely scent of pines. When she saw that his eyes were closed and his breathing regular, she even went so far as to bury her face into his fur. Unfortunately she didn't realize how tired she was as well, and soon sleep snuck upon her, shutting her eyes.

♥ ♥ ♥

Shino fetched a blanket and covered the two thoughtfully, while Naruto proceeded to gather the entire household to gather and stare at the pair.

"It's going well, isn't it?" said Tenten affectionately.

"I should hope so. I'm getting sick of dealing with that maniac." stated Sasuke, unusually hateful.

"EXCUSE ME. I..." said Temari.

"Sh." said Gaara.

And everyone was silent.

"I think we should all leave now." Shino said matter-of-fact.

"Yeah, before master wakes up and kills us all, dattebayo!" sang Naruto.

"I have to go tell Ino, Sakura, and Hinata. They will be so thrilled."

"They have the fire of youth within them!" shouted a green axe, its round eyes ablaze, and it's bushy eyebrows ecstatic.

"Oh shush, Lee."

♥ ♥ ♥

Beauty awoke later in her bedroom, and Ino squealing. "Oh mistress, I'm so sorry. It's just from what I've heard you'd just had the cutest little scene ever with Master! Things are going ever so well! But we'll need to pick out another dress for tonight. Not something so obvious, but perhaps white again to go with the snow. Or perhaps a red? Pink...? No that is SO Sakura...pink is not for winter..."

Beauty got up and left Ino to her fussing. She went and had a brief discussion in her bathroom with both her toilet and...the smutty literature. Sakura flushed herself in excitement, and Kakashi rustled his pages with enthusiasm.

"I simply cannot wait for Jiraya to start writing again! I haven't had my Kiss Kiss Paradise fix in AGES."

Beauty sighed audibly.

♥ ♥ ♥

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

Notes for the Reader
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