Author's Note: So here is the last chapter. I hope you guys weren't disappointed with the last one. And I hope you aren't disappointed with this one. This whole story had started on a whim, and it sort of just wrote itself with only a vague idea of the end. Please let me know what you think of the ending! It really helps me learn what does and doesn't work. Anyway, without further ado, the last chapter of Avoiding the Holidays. Please Favorite and Review. And as always, Enjoy!


When Sasuke came to, he was still crouched on the floor of the barn, but he no longer felt that overwhelming weight in the air, nor did he feel his body being assaulted by sharp blades of wind. However, he did feel a strange weight within his own body. He slowly looked up, wondering if he had dreamt or imagined everything, but when he looked up his eyes were met by the sight of Vixen and Naruto standing with the man Sasuke had met once before; the man Naruto said was his dad.

"Sasuke," Naruto said, looking over at him. Sasuke was shocked by the man's eyes, the pupils no longer resembling a human's but rather a frog's, or a goat's.

"Oh," he said, laughing softly and scratching the back of his neck. "Sorry, I'm still trying to get my magic back under control." Sasuke stared in silence, unable to think of a thing to say. What could he say? Did he believe Naruto? Well, he couldn't deny what was in front of his eyes, but real magic? Santa Claus? That was crazy, right?

"Sasuke." Sasuke turned to the other man, Naruto's dad, and looked at him with the overwhelmed eyes of a child. He couldn't even manage to hide the emotions on his face. "I know you must be very confused," he started, beginning to walk over to Sasuke. "That weight you feel in your body, I sealed your magic." Sasuke tried to move back and away from the now imposing man, but was unable to. "It's putting a lot of strain on your body, and you were already fatigued. You won't be able to move around for a while. Not until you gain your energy back." Sasuke couldn't do anything but stare at the man and nod.

"Naruto? We should take Sasuke back to his house. I think I know what is going on, and you two have a right to know as well." Naruto nodded and walked over to Sasuke, reaching down to pick him up. Sasuke flinched, still in shock and unable to control his natural reaction. Naruto frowned, clearly hurt by the reaction, and Sasuke felt his own expression drop at hurting the other man. Even if he couldn't believe what was happening. Even if he was a bit afraid of the other man now, he still cared about Naruto, and he didn't want to hurt him.

Sasuke was prepared for the long walk back to his home, but instead, Naruto's father walked over to them and, wrapping an arm around Naruto, a burst of warmth engulfed them and suddenly they were in his living room.

"What—" Sasuke cried, panicking and attempting to escape Naruto's arms, only to tumble to the floor in pain. He felt like he had been beaten up by a professional fighter and every movement felt like he was being stabbed by needles.

"Sasuke!" Naruto cried, kneeling down and attempting to help the man back up. Seeing Sasuke was unable to support himself, Naruto carried him to the couch and sat him down. It took all of Sasuke's effort to remain sitting upright, but he refused to show anymore weakness.

"So, what's going on dad?" Naruto asked, sitting beside Sasuke while Naruto's dad sat across from them in a chair.

"I think it all started after the fire," he began, and Sasuke's eyes widened.

"How do you know about that?" he asked, and Naruto's dad smiled.

"I know a lot of things. Part of the job." Sasuke frowned, still unaccepting of the whole Santa Claus thing.

"Come on dad," Naruto whined.

"Magic is…" he trailed off, contemplating his words and weighing them carefully. Sasuke could already feel his impatience rising. "There are creatures born of magic, such as me and Naruto, or Vixen," he explained, focusing his words on Sasuke. "but, magic isn't just energy. It's a living thing, and sometimes it latches onto someone not born of it. This is the case with you," he said, nodding to Sasuke.

"Latches on?" Sasuke asked. "Like a parasite?" he continued incredulously. The older blonde nodded.

"Yes, in a manner of speaking."

"But why? Why would it latch onto Sasuke?" Naruto asked. "And what does it have to do with the fire?" Sasuke nodded along, turning to the other man for answers.

"I believe Sasuke has become a Jack Frost," Naruto's dad said, and Sasuke was sure both he and Naruto nearly hit the floor.

"He's Jack Frost?" Naruto yelled. His dad laughed.

"A Jack Frost. Contrary to popular belief, Jack Frost isn't a person, but a sort of race." Sasuke listened intently. Whether what the man was saying was true or the nonsense of a crazy man, at least it was interesting. "When you told me Sasuke's magic was cold, that was my first clue. Jack Frosts are the only magical creatures with cold magic, and the fact he wasn't born with his magic was another clue. No Jack Frost is born with, or through, magic."

"Well how did he become one then? And how do you know all this? I've never even heard of Jack Frosts," Naruto asked, looking irritated. Sasuke couldn't really react. He couldn't even think properly. All he could do was absorb the information and hope to process it later.

"Well, Jack Frosts are extremely rare. It isn't often someone meets the conditions to become one. I've never actually met one before." He paused, looking at Sasuke, seemingly to check how he was taking it all. Naruto waved his dad along, urging him to continue. "From what I understand, the magic is attracted to those who embody all aspects of winter, and latches on to them."

"Aspects of winter?" Naruto asked, and Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"So dark and cold. Sounds right," Sasuke said snidely. Minato shook his head.

"Not necessarily. Winter is also associated with familial ties, fun, playfulness. It isn't all death and despair," he explained, sending Sasuke a reassuring smile. Fun and games, right. Well, Sasuke wasn't sure those are the traits he had.

"So I'm stuck like this?" Sasuke finally asked. Sasuke watched as both Naruto and Minato frowned.

"Yes," the older blond said somberly. "The magic has completely fused itself with you. Now, you are no different from any other magical born creature. Except that you lack inherent control. Hence the seal." Sasuke frowned. So he was going to have to live with this? With being the dark, cold embodiment of winter? What did that mean for the people around him? What if the magic got out and hurt someone? Was he just going to be miserable for the rest of his life, ruining things for others?

"Am I dangerous?" Sasuke could only think of all the representations of Jack Frost he had seen before. Always the villain, always the one who hurt others. Winter was cold, and it killed everything. Sasuke suddenly remembered what happened to Naruto's wrists. That had been because of him. It had to be. Was he okay? Sasuke quickly moved his gaze to look at Naruto's arms, but they were covered by his sleeves. Even so, Naruto caught his stare and smiled, grabbing his sleeve and pulling it up.

"I'm okay Sasuke. See?" Sasuke starred at the now, barely damaged wrist. Instead of looking pale and bruised, it was just slightly red, like when you held a cold glass for too long. Sasuke looked away, guilt still weaving its way into his chest. He had hurt Naruto without even meaning to.

"I'll be honest, yes. Your powers, more so than others, are quite dangerous. Furthermore, cold magic is different from regular magic, and it may react differently to different stimuli and behaviors. It's more volatile, particularly with your lack of control.

"Well what am I supposed to do then? Just wait until I kill someone?" Sasuke snarled, wanting to stand but only managing to twitch his leg. He felt Naruto scoot closer to him, the warmth radiating off of him in a new way, and Sasuke wondered if it was because he was colder now.

"I was thinking, um," Naruto began, sounding nervous. Sasuke turned to face him and was surprised to see a pale blush rising to his cheeks. "I was wondering if, maybe, you would like to come back with us?" Naruto finished, looking up at Sasuke with a large grin. It made Sasuke's heart skip a beat, the bright smile soothing him.

Go with them? To the North Pole? Is that where they lived? Sure, that's where the Santa Claus in lore lived, but clearly not everything was as it seemed. Naruto's dad looked nothing like the Santa Claus that was advertised, and no one said anything about them having magic like this.

Did Sasuke want to go with them? He would be leaving his home behind, not that the town had felt much like home for the past year. But what about Sakura, and his job? Could he just leave? Would he be able to come back, or would he be stuck there? He didn't imagine Naruto as the type to imprison someone, but apparently his magic had already interfered with Christmas somehow, and Minato said it was dangerous. It wouldn't be unthinkable for them to want to keep him away from everyone.

"Would I be able to come back?"

"Of course!" Naruto said immediately, grinning.

"Once you get some control of your magic, of course," Minato said, cutting in. Naruto frowned, but didn't disagree. Even so, he turned back to Sasuke with another large grin.

"Don't worry. I'm sure it won't take you long. You're super smart after all." Sasuke couldn't stop the warm blush spreading on his cheeks at the compliment. He looked away, embarrassed, and heard Naruto and his dad chuckle.

"Do we…have to leave now?" Sasuke asked.

"Well, the magic has cleared up, and it is almost Christmas. As long as Naruto keeps an eye on you, I don't mind letting you stay a bit longer." Sasuke frowned at the implication that he needed a babysitter, but he didn't argue. Considering everything that happened, he didn't feel he had the right to argue. Besides, if it was Naruto, he was sure he wouldn't mind.

"Yes!" Naruto cheered, jumping up from the couch in his excitement. Sasuke laughed, unable to hide it with Naruto looking so excited.

"Well, I should get going. I still have a lot to do, and I'm sure the elves are mad I've been gone so long." With that, Minato disappeared, and Sasuke couldn't stop his eyes from widening. It was going to take him a while to get used to that; as well as the idea that all this Christmas stuff—Santa, elves, flying reindeer—was real, and now, he was somehow a part of it. He was a Jack Frost now, whatever that meant. Surely, he had some sort of role to play.

"Here." Sasuke snapped out of his thoughts at Naruto's voice, looking down to see him handing him a mug. It smelled like hot chocolate. But when had Naruto made it?

"Where did this come from?" he asked, taking the cup into his hand and enjoying the warmth of it. Naruto gave a mischievous grin and wiggled his fingers, laughing conspiratorially.

"Just a bit of magic, but don't tell my dad," he said laughing. Sasuke chuckled, nodding as he took a sip. "Now, it's almost Christmas, so let's watch some cheesy Christmas movies!" Naruto cheered flopping back onto the couch and flipping on the T.V. Sasuke laughed, otherwise remaining silent. He wasn't sure if he felt any more festive, but seeing Naruto so excited, and knowing what he now knew about him, he couldn't completely hate the holiday. And as he said before, he was somehow a part of it now, and he was—just a bit—looking forward to seeing the North Pole and experiencing what every child dreamed about. He wouldn't tell Naruto though. After all, he didn't want Naruto to get too excited, and it was in his nature to play hard to get.