The sweet aroma of sugar, flour, and a tinge of cinnamon filled the air in the Uzamaki's home. The boy hummed while twirling around the kitchen and glided over to the oven. He pulled open the door and sucked in the sweet aroma of Ginger Snaps. There was a loud bang on the door and it opened to the youngest Uchiha.
"Oh, Christmas cookies! Teme, what are you doing here?" Naruto nervously wiped his hands off on his pink "kiss the cook" apron that Hinata had given him.
"What are you doing out of the hospital? You were only there for three days."
"Granny let me out early since tonight is the party." Naruto carefully put in another batch of cookies into the oven.
"Great, well since you're out, I guess it's time for a little pay back." Naruto covered himself as Sasuke pulled something from his side. After minutes of Naruto hiding, Sasuke grunted and he uncovered his face. Naruto looked at the list in Sasuke's right hand. The shinobi snatched the list asking, "What's this?"
"Sakura's Christmas list." Sasuke mumbled. "I can't believe I'm asking you this, but I need your help." Naruto climbed onto the counter and began searching through the cupboards for plastic Christmas bags. As soon as he pulled a metal pot, they all came crashing down on him. The Sharingan user watch his friend fall on the ground into the sea of pots and pans with blood flowing from his mouth. Afraid that Naruto had managed to really hurt himself, Sasuke frantically began moving the pots. Naruto sat up holding his mouth and trying to talk, but too much blood was flowing out. The boys rushed over to the shower and Sasuke shot Naruto's mouth with the water. The bleeding soon stopped and Naruto was able to talk.
"How bad does it look?" Naruto went over to his mirror and opened his mouth. Sasuke handed him an ice cube, "It's not bad, you just have a deep cut in your lip. Out the ice cube on it so it will heal up."
"How's an ice cube going to heal it?"
"I don't know, just do it." Naruto took the ice cube and walked back into the kitchen while mumbling how horrid he would look with a swollen lip. Naruto began to pack his Ginger Snaps into individual bags while waiting for Sasuke to pick up the conversation.
"Well, spill it already! We don't have all day!"
"Sigh I can't cook." Sasuke held his head high while the blond burst into laughter. "It's not funny, no one ever taught me." Naruto laughed harder. "Well, at least I'm not the one wear a gay ass apron!" Naruto stopped and said seriously, "Only real men are brave enough to wear an apron and pink."
"Oh really, name one."
"Greetings!" Kakashi burst through the door while throwing Icha Icha named confetti into the air. The former students mouths dropped. "What? The new Icha Icha magazine came out."
"You think he's gay?" Kakashi smacked Naruto over the head, "My love and body only belong to women. But Naruto, you look pretty gay in that apron." Sasuke snickered and Naruto glared at his rival.
"At least I can cook!"
"You can't cook? What kind of man are you?"
"Shut up! I've never cooked a damn thing in my life! I need your help." Sasuke looked desperately at Naruto's cookies. "I just want to surprise Sakura-chan." For once Naruto and Kakashi saw Sasuke's weakness and showing some compassion to his son-like student, Kakashi put an arm around him.
"Since I'm the closest thing to a father, I'll help you." Kakashi looked at Naruto who said nothing and stepped on his foot. Through clenched teeth and a fat lip, Naruto said, "I'll help."
"Step 1: pick a recipe." Sasuke picked out a simple, three-course dinner and showed it to his Sensei. Approving this, he sent Naruto and Sasuke to the store and met them in his small apartment. Kakashi looked over the directions while the boys put the ingredients on the counter. When Sasuke pulled out the bag of flour, the seams ripped, and flour covered everything in the kitchen. Sasuke stood still, covered in flour and holding the bag as Kakashi dusted himself. Naruto began laughing hysterically, but soon began coughing violently from inhaling flour. They quickly cleaned the kitchen and soon Sasuke was being taught the art of cooking. After three hours of preparation, Sasuke placed his meal before his father and brother. The boys watched intensely as Kakashi lifted his fork for a bite. In a flash he had eaten half of the meal and was smoothing down his mask.
"Ahh man, I still can't believe you're keeping that mask on in front of us!" Naruto took a bite of the chicken and began to choke. "This is horrible! How'd you go wrong?!"
"I think Sakura would appreciate the thought that you tried to cook." Kakashi coughed as Sasuke threw the food away. Gloomily, he sat down and watched Naruto chug water.
"I never thought I'd see the day when an Uchiha would fail at something. Why don't you just buy her something and say you made it?" Naruto cleared his throat.
"That might work, until she figures it out."
"She'll be wrapped up in the moment that she won even be paying any attention to the food. That was in the second Icha Icha book." Kakashi went to his room and brought back the book. He gently handed it to the young man, "Take good care of this and read up. You'd be surprised how this baby helps you in life. I must get ready for the party now, so I will not be able to give you my own insight. Maybe another day over training." Kakashi opened the door for the boys and waved them good-bye.