A/N: Hi, again! I really hope you're liking this Christmas Special! If so, I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Chapter 2: Santa Senpai

Deidara crafted a sleigh that resembled Santa's to some extent. Alongside that, he created nine reindeer that were also similar to Santa's apart from they all looked identical. Santa and Tobi critiqued Deidara's work. He would've felt like an artist presenting his exhibition had it not been an obese man with hygiene issues and Tobi, who knew nothing for art even if he tried.

"Rudolf should look different," Tobi said.

"Agreed," said Santa.

"I can't make red clay at this very second," Deidara snapped at their turned backs.

"I have an idea that's great," Santa explained.

"Let's do it!" Tobi gushed.

Deidara frowned and rolled his eyes. Minutes ago, Tobi had uneasily looked at Santa, wondering if he would get a disease if the man stood too close to him. Now they were best friends, and Tobi worshipped everything Santa did and said.

Santa reached for Tobi and snapped off his mask. Deidara's heart missed a beat. At that very moment, Tobi was turned away, but if Deidara could subtly walk over and see his face, then he would finally understand the secret of what was under the mask. He would do it subtly so Tobi wouldn't be able to laugh at him later for wanting to see his face.

"Hey," Tobi protested and covered his face with his hands.

"I have an alternative," Santa reasoned, pulling a sack from his pocket as stained as he was.

He cut two eye holes and Deidara edged towards Tobi, and then flung it over Tobi's head. It was so baggy the eyeholes darkened, and when Deidara reached Tobi, all he could see was two black holes peering back at him.

"An exact replica!" Santa beamed and let out a loud, booming laugh.

"Hmm, OK," Tobi said. "I guess."

"What? What's wrong with it?" Santa roared, spittle flying into Tobi and Deidara's faces.

"Nothing!" Tobi cried.

"Good," Santa looked back at the reindeer.

He hung Tobi's mask on the front reindeer's nose, giving him an orange nose.

"It's not even red," Deidara sneered.

Santa glared at him. "We can change that."

He grabbed Tobi's mask and snapped his fingers. The little elf, possibly the only surviving elf from the explosion, scurried to his side, carrying a selection of coloured spray paints. He selected the red one.

"N-" Tobi began, but Deidara pulled him back.

"Don't, Tobi," he whispered. "This man is severely bi-polar, un. He could do anything to you. We can always paint your mask again later."

Tobi nodded, and watched in dismal silence as Santa sprayed the mask bright red, and then hung it back on the reindeer's nose. To Deidara, it did look like Rudolf, but saying that aloud would only make Tobi more miserable, and a miserable Tobi was not a pleasant person to travel with.

"You two are good to go," Santa announced proudly.

Tobi shifted on his feet.

"What now?" Santa demanded.

"Well, Senpai looks nothing like you," Tobi said.

Santa scowled. "He doesn't have to look like me."

"But it will emphasise the joy of Christmas," Tobi pleaded.

"How about I have a hat?" Deidara opted.

He knew Tobi's game. His comrade wanted to see him dressed up in red and white, to have rosy cheeks and be the image of Santa that all the children, and Tobi, imagined. But Deidara wasn't about to prance around like Tobi wanted him to. He would only wear the hat so Tobi didn't whine and moan and complain in his ear throughout the trip.

Santa reached for his hat.

"Not that one, un," Deidara said quickly. "I mean…that looks too big. I…um…have a small head?"

Santa flung the hat at the elf, smothering him. "Make him an identical one."

"Of course, Your Most Important Majesty with Elegance and Flair," the elf whimpered and scurried away.

Tobi was still frowning.

"What now?" Santa glared at him.

"Do I get to be anything?" Tobi asked.

Santa pondered for a moment as his meek little elf returned with a fresh hat. He chucked it to Deidara, who checked every inch, and then reluctantly wore it.

"You can be an elf," Santa said to Tobi. "Because you're snivelling and annoying just like this one."

Santa grabbed Tobi by the scruff of his robe and tossed towards the elf. The elf leapt out of the way and Tobi landed on the snow.

"Follow him and he'll make the suit for you," Santa ordered.

Tobi complied without question. Deidara wondered briefly if he should adopt Santa's methods, but decided against it. He didn't want to become that.

Santa guided him to the sleigh.

"This isn't easy to work but-"

"Don't worry, Mr Santa Claus," Deidara smiled smugly. "I know how my own art works."

Santa wore a guarded expression. "Yes, I'm sure you do."

Deidara didn't know what that meant, but he climbed up on the sleigh and sat at the head, just as Santa would, holding on the reins. He waited patiently, not enthusiastic for making conversation with Santa. Tobi and the elf returned and Deidara bit back laughter.

Tobi looked like an idiot, dressed in a green tunic with red ruffles at the collar and the sleeves, and with a brown belt and green and white striped tights. He wore red, pointed shoes and a green balaclava which only showed one eye hole, with a red tip and a bell attached.

He bounced towards the sleigh. "We're ready to go."

"Hey elves," Santa roared. "Load the sleigh."

"Yes, Your Most Important Majesty with Elegance and Flair," the elf bowed and set to work, placing each present into the sleigh with great difficulty.

Tobi chuckled. "Elves? I'm not an el-"

"Just do it!" Santa screeched.

Tobi ran after the elf and helped with loading the sleigh.

"You know the drill," Santa said gruffly to Deidara. "You need to deliver presents to everyone in one night. You're on a tight schedule, Deidara, but I think you can do it. I wouldn't rely on your friend – he's too dumb."

Deidara could only agree as he saw Tobi loading the sleigh with the elf. Santa raised a thick hand and brought it down towards Deidara. He flinched, expecting a crashing blow, but received a hand on his shoulder. Santa nodded knowingly to Deidara, before stepping back. Tobi climbed into the sleigh with Deidara.

"Ho ho ho," Santa bellowed. "Merry Christmas!"

Deidara nodded and the sleigh lifted into the air.

"You too, Santa," Tobi beamed. "And you, Tobi Jr."

"You named my elf?" Santa roared from below.

Tobi hid in the sleigh.

"How dare you receive a name!"

Deidara peered over his shoulder to see Santa throttling the poor elf.

But they were off, and they would never have to return.